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Star (Christchurch), Issue 599, 23 April 1870, Page 2

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■» Timaett, April 22, 7 p.m. Mr Stafford addressed a meeting of bis constituents last evening. There was a very large attendance. Mr Stafford spoke for an hour, and his speech -was well received. He first spoke of the pleasure he derived from meeting his constituents whom he had not known before, and who had chosen him as their representative in the House, being a stranger to them. He deeply sympathised with their discontent, and in wishing for a change under the present system of Government. He had carefully studied the wants of outlying districts, and felt that his constituents were justified in what they sought for when they desired to be made a separate district. Timaru had a larger revenue than any one of the original provinces, and ten times the value of exports. It was inconsistent on the part of the older provinces to have refused their request, and he had had great pleasure in bringing forward the bill of last session, as they desired, for although not carried, it was a protest against the existing order of things. No reform was ever got without continued agitation and constant pressure being brought to bear. No reform was ever spontaneously granted. Many people depended entirely on the retention of Provincialism. If three-fourths of the people of New Zealand desired a change, the chances were there ivould be a bitter struggle before it was granted, owing to the opposition of Superintendents and others interested. Eaiiing that, the passing of the County of Gladstone Act would be a hard trial to effect. An arrangement had been made with the Superintendent of Canterbury to carry out the Sangitata and "Waitaki bridges, and the Superintendent and his Executive had promised to supplement any balance over from the Rangitata bridge up to £5000 for the building oF the Waitaki bridge. As iar as he could learn, that promise had been faithfully kept. He (Mr Stafford) was not fond of Superintendents in their official capacity, and not many of them were his private friends. The develop* ment of the country and the means of obtaining safe and rapid modes of communication should not depend upon, the caprice of one or two individuals. He should like to see such a system established as part of the policy ot the colony as would ensure that every dangerous river between Southland and Auckland should be bridged, and that every road necessary should be made across wet ground or across any ground that impeded transit. We had isolated ourselves in this colony, which was intended by nature and God to carry 25,000,000 people in health, wealth, and a contented state of life. There was only a quarter of a .million population. We seem determined to live in a small petty isolated manner, with the petty aims and the petty ends of petty states. The policy of New Zealand ahould be a policy to open and people all parts of the country simultaneously, but he never would be a party to shovel people within its borders, and there abandon them, or to vote sums of money by way of loan, to be expended for those purposes by the provinces. He would employ the bulk of the immigrants on the great arterial works of the country, and the greater part of them would afterwards settle down in the country. Another objection to allowing provinces to borrow was, that it would perpetuate the vicious system of finance of having one party to lay taxes on the people, and another irresponsible body to spend them. He gave no prospect of reducing taxation consistently with existing liabilities. Superintendents went to the Assembly demanding money to spend. So long as there are two treasurers, that system will increase till it strangles us. Mr Rolleston had said the North was trading on war, but it was a most unjust calumny. The present Government were doing its best to arrive at a question of peace ; we had never doubted that they wished to do so. They had laid themselves open to animadversions by the difference between their professions and their practice. The three cardinal features of their policy were — to act on the defensive, obtaining Imperial troops, and raising a local force in England. If he thought Government were as likely to change their opinions in provincial

matters as they had done in Native affairs, he would be one of their strongest supporters, but he believed they dare not do ifc. Speaking of the Gladstone County Act, he did not think it was the best that could be initiated, and wished to see a much wider and more general system, but if the provincial system is to be maintained, be would be found again raising his voice to support the wishes of the people of Timaru. In reply to a question, Mr Stafford said that the proceeds of land sales should be devoted to the districts where it was raised, and the arterial works referred to should be carried on by loan. At the end of the meeting, the following resolution was passed unanimously "That this meeting begs to thank the Hon. Mr Stafford for his address to-night, and for his past services on behalf of the district and the colony, and pledges itself to support him at the approaching general elections, and it further desires to record its opinion that . the present depression of the colony will not be wholly removed until some changes are made in the present system of Provincial Governments, and especially in the financial relations between the provinces and the colony, the present system tending to keep up taxation." Wellington, April 22, 6.43 p.m. Mr Collie continues ill, and is unable to attend a public meeting. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and others to-day a deputation consisting of Messrs Pharazyn, Johnston, Bannatyne, Khodes, Gillon, Hunter, and Wakefield, was appointed to wait on him. r Stone yielding, on Government analysis, 3 ozs 5 dwt to the ton, has been obtained from Baker's Hill, near town. The liquidators of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company have refused to accept any of the tenders for the purchase of the entire plant. The Circular Saw Company offered £16,000, and the new company £17,000. Krull and Co.'a tender for the purchase of the Lady Bird at £850, foff an Auckland firm, was accepted. The remainder of the plant will be sold by auction. y Nelson, April 22, 11.35 a.m. 3 The story that Kooti had been promised protection by the King is not credited in Auckland. The Cross ea.y a there may be some truth in it, but the Government has received no notice, and the story is therefore improbable. There is no other Auckland news of importance. The prospects of Wangapeka are Bteadily improving. The Lyell reef ia very rich, according to unquestionable samples from the leaders. -