MR JOHN GRIGG AT THE TOWN HALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1547, 22 May 1885, Page 2

MR JOHN GRIGG AT THE TOWN HALL.

Mr John Grigg, M. H. R. for Wakanui, addressed hia conntituents at the Town Hall last evening. There waa a large attendance, including a number of ladies, who occupied scats in tha g.l ery. Ills Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Fricdlander) occupied the chair. The Chairman said ho had been asked by Mr Grigg to preside, and ha e had very great pleasure in acceding to tha request. Mr Grigg was one of the oldest residents in the locality, and during his residence had taken an active interest in tha progress of the district, fie (the Mayor) asked the audience to accord their representative a courteous and patient hearing. It was the intention of Mr Grigg to address them upon the different important subjects that engaged the attention of Parliament durin.; its last session. At the conclusion of his address Mr Grigg would be very happy to answer any questions, on political matters or in reference to hla action in the House, that might be put to him. An apology was due to tha audience for the alight delay that had taken place in commencing t .e proceedings. The fact was the evening paper had misstated the hour, and in consequence Mr Grigg had thought it wise to wait a few moments to avoid disappointing any of those electors wishing to hear hia address. Mr Grigg. who was received with applause and listened to throughout his address with marked attention, said : —Mr Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, £ first have to thank you, Mr Mayor, for the kind words you have employed in referring to me, and for the handsome manner in which you have introduced mo to the audieuca. I have askeu the electors to meet me this evening in accordance with what has become an unexceptional custom in the colonies —that each representative of the people should, during the recess, meet his constituents. This is not the custom in older countries. In England it is only the leaders of the different par ties that are expected to address their constituents ; but 1 think we may claim for this custom, as for many others adopted by the colonists, certain special advantages. To the member himielf, it forces him to thin* of the past legislation 1 and hia own political action in a strict i manner before he brings himself face to face with his constituents. It affords him an opportunity of giving some forecast of future legislation.; Not the least advantage, I take to be, is that from the gathered speeches of the several members of Parliament, the Government can glean such information as may enable them to shape their policy so that the business of the country may rest on the practical basis—that only that can be undertaken that is in accord with the opinions of the majority It was the want of this knowledge that caused such a waste of time at the beginning of the last session. But I also submit that there is another highly important result of such meetings as this all over the country They keep alive a healtay political -.nd personal interest in the affairs of the nation on the part of the electors, at such times when there is a total absence of excitement by helping them to judge in a dispassionate manner of the most important matters affecting their interests. ' The first thing I wish to do is to set my actions before you as they occurred at the beginning of the past session, and in order to do so I must give you a short sketch of the history of those troublesome days. As you are aware the House consisted of half new members ; many of them had not bean members at any time before. This alone made it extremely difficult to judge of the relative strength of tho different parties. Two positions alone appeared clearly—one that tho country had declared against tho continuance of tho Atkinson Ministry, and the other that a lar t ',e number of members expected that Sir Julius Vogel alone had a sufficient following to form a Government. When it was announced that Sir Julius Vogel had undertaken the task, and that the Government was to consist of Mr Stout, as Premier, with Messrs Macandrew and Montgomery, and that Sir Julius Vogel was to take a subordinate position, the Canterbury members were very much dissatisfied and told Sir Julius what they thought. I told him I waa sure that the Ministry would not stand a day—neither did it. On a vote of want-of confidence they were rejected by a majority of 19, the greatest over recorded in New Zealand on a similar motion. What followed for about three weeks I need not weary you with, any further than to account for my votes. I should first say that I had given Sir Julius Vogel to understand that, much as I objected to the composition of the Ministry I should give him ray support if, when their policy was declared, it were in accord with Ins address to the Ashburton electors, and if the question of the Property Tax were not touched. After I had given my adverse vote Sir Julius Vogel expressed to raa his disappointment. X replied, 11 You have no reason to be disappointed, the change is in you, not in me. You remember what you said at the Ashburton meeting about the West Coast railway ; that you thought it should be made by a private Company; that you could not approve of it being done by a direct loan. In the Governor’s speech yon say that only in the first instance you would propose to procure its construction by aiding private enterprise. This, of course, means, taken together with your speech to the North Ohristchurchelectors thatyou mean, failing in the first proposal, to make that railway out of borrowed money.” Hia reply was that he confessed there waa that difference in the two statements. I then repeated, “The change is in you, not in me.” I need scarcely say that the policy indicated in the Governor’s speech waa such as I could not support. It waa proposed to repeal the Property Tax and to impose a Land Tax. This I had told you, at the time of my election, I would not accept. I wish to draw your partioular attention to this fact—that Sir Julius Vogel did not and could not form a Ministry that could stand, until the present combination had pledged themselves not to undertake any legislation affecting tho incidence of taxation or any social oolitioal question, and I further say that it the House had sat till this time they c®uld not by any amount of concessions and pecuniary grants for special works have overcome the final determination of a large majority of tha members on this matter. About a month passed before this conclusion was come to. During that month many moves had been made,'especially by the Oamerbury member)!, one of which I need only speak of as affecting myself, to explain to you how I came to give a vote for tha AtldnsonWakefield Ministry. I need merely say that I gave this vote with the greatest passible reluctance, but I was compelled in all honor fco ypto as I did. Members were thoroughly sick of tha waste of time, and most of tha Canterbury members had come to tho conclusion that nothing but a coalition Ministry could be found that would stand. Accordingly, I think it was, nine of tho Canterbury men had determined to bring about that result. You

must realise that the power was in the hands pf Canterbury, so oven’y were parties divided. We told both Major Atkinson -aid Sir Julius Yog»I the conclusion we had come to. They bath assented as far as they individually were concerned Each was to nominate two members of the Government, but tdr Julius Vogel wishing to bring Mr Stout in with him found that he would not join him 01 those terms, and so it fell through. N<>-» what was our position 1 I refer to totii i nine Canterbury men. it was to my mind as clear as day light, as a matter of hpuor. We had pledged ourselves, both

to Major Atkinson and to Sir Julius Vogel, to requite * certain course. This course being set aside by Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout we were bound to keep aith wfifch Msjor Atkinson, and not i-llow him to feci that our promises wore mere words. After the division one of the members who had voted differently to myself coming out of the lobby said to me, ‘‘l am thoroughly ashamed of it myself !• shall simply tell my constituents so soon as ever I return. Bat,” he a;lde3, “ I must say it was easier for you to do it than it was for some of the other members.” For what would have naturally followed by our voting for the StoutVogel combination? Simply a return to the state of things on which the House had already expressed itself by a majority of J 9 votes. Hero it was that the StoutVogol party, seeing the inevitable result again if they adhered to their policy, changed it in an essential manner by promising that they would not undertake any legislation affecting the Property Tax, etc. This gave them a majority, - and after my one vote, which I was bound in honor to give as I have before stated, I recorded my support to the Stout-Vogel Ministry. JjMr Giigg here read the following letter addressed by hind to Mr Williamson, Mayor of Ashburton; —“ L am not at all surprised at the disappointment felt by many of my friends at the coarse I have taken, but I feel sure I shall be able, whan face to face

with the electors, to convince them that I have r acted entirely in accord with my election addresses. lam now bold to say that a position o£ safety has been reached in consequence of the action of a section of the members of the House. The Government now state that they have no intention to undertake any legislation affecting either the incidence of taxation or social relations, finding that by such assurance alone could they command a majority of the House. Such a statement they found to be necessary to prepare the way for the Financial Statement. The Financial Statement was made by Sit Julius Yogel last night, and I am delighted to be able to say that I think it to be most satisfactory. It is pre-eminently moderate, at the same time comprehensive, p-ble, pyudent and thoroughly states-man-like. It has created a feeling of general satisfaction, and I am very pleased that I can now without any resupport the present Ministry as long as they ar guided by their proposals now definitely laid down.” Alter this I found that I was able to give the present Government my general support, so that you will see that those few' members with whom I acted really brought about the stability of the present Government. There was, however, one occasion on which I stoutly resisted the threatened intention of the Government, After the rejection by the Legislative Council of the District Railways Leasing Empowering Bill, tho Government declared their intention of [gaining.; their objects in by obtaining authority to purchase all those railways outright. This I resisted as being a most unconstitutional;,proceeding and must have resulted in a dead lock between the two Houses. The Government ware so determined that they called a meeting of their supporters. Fifty-seven attended, and sixteen voted against the high-hauded pr tposal, thus settling the matter as to its introduction in that Jorm. That is the one act of last session in which 1 feel proud of the part which I took on this occasion, ”i£ I have any reason to feel proud I believe I had as much to do with the rejection of this unconstitutional measure as any member of the House. It was unconstitutional for two reasons. They proposed to break a rule of the House, and they * were going to create a dead lock lock in consequence. But, however, the result was satisfactory -J They saw at once they were opposed by sixteen of thoirjfollowing, and they could proceed no further. A resolution was afterwards passed, that the Government be authorised to arrange [terms with each Railway Company on a certain basis of cost of construction aric of depreciated value, and that confirmation of the same must rest with the House hat the next session. I have very little doubt that the effect of those sixteen votes at caucus will cauee a saving to the country of LIOO,OOO Is that not better than a blind following of any Ministry ? I will not attribute any personal motives any one having a knowledge of the circumstances can form his own opinion; but it was perfectly clear that they intended to purchase those railways at something like double their actual cost. I know particulars of only one of the railways that has been purchased, and that has been at fifty per cant, below the price contemplated by the Government. This was about its real value. The best Acts of the past session I take to bo (1) the abolition of the sinking fund and the absorption of the accumulated fund with the general debt of the colony to be, when realised, expanded on public works ; (2) the provision for making the harbors of Westport and Greynaouth safe and available for large vessels. The arrangement with reference to the Middle Island East and West Coast railways made with a syndicate, which may enable them to find capitalists in England to take up their control, and so we may, by this means, have this great work constructed at the minimum cost to tho colony. There are besides these a few lessor acts such as the Married Woman’s Property Bill, the Workman’s Wages Bill, etc., with which I cordially agree. You must not suppose because I approve 5 of the East and West Coast railway being made by an English Company that I could ever assent to this line being made, at a cost of L 2,000,000 of money, by the colony. There are people who affect to see no difference in effect which way it is done, and therefore prefer the latter mode, but I see a very great and substantial difference. One difference is, as long as the present land fad maintains, that no capitalists shall acquire land (and no one knows but that it may last 50 years) no use whatever would be made of the L 750.000 worth of land. In that period the loss in compound interest alone would be one million and a half on the L 750,000 worth of laud, for which we shall get the railway. You will naturally ask, with a Ministry through whom the before-named Acta have been obtained, are you satisfied and prepared to gve them a general support ? I cannot say that 1 am prepared to do so ; I I certainly am not, excepting on similar terms that were, I may say, forced from them at the laac session. Sir Julius Vogel said that the Ministry is composed of the oratorical and utilitarian elements

of the House. I should rather describe it as of the rhectorical and Utopian elements To be true oratory the speech must be just, as well as jpertinent to the subject,

and this I cannot admit Mr Stout’s speaking to be. In a word, it is forensic eloquence. Ha often forgets the truth for the sake of effect. This may do for juries, but has always proved a failure in Parliaments. But there is a superabundance of rhetoric in this Ministry, “ even the sweet and silent rhetoric of persuading ages.” I said I should change the word utilitarian for Utopian. I know Sir

Julius Vogel better now than when we last met in this hall. A mind that could discover the islands of the Arafura Sea as a suitable market for our fr. zan mutton, and could propound the South Sea Island trading scheme, to say nothing of the annexation ot Samoa by the Hinemoa and two policemen, I think justifies the claim to this imaginary word ' If tffe boforelianjed instances are not enough, I think the probable result put forward by Sir Julius Vogel in his Auckland speech of cue effect of the Exhibition in Wellington—that ten men now earning s'Ja par week might earn L 6 per week, and that each would Ut tbeip Ufctiiao wajw ii36»000 (

difference in his earnings. This is the way he throws dust in the people’s eyes—who would not live in Utopia ? I mistrust men who talk nonsense to the ignorant, even to children. But I have a far deeper objection than all this to the present Ministry. I object to the Premier of the colony taking advantage of his position to wound the religious susceptibilities of the people. I believe the fear of God to bs the beginning of wisdom; I have • no confidence in their political intentions. As indicated by the Governor’s, speech they mean if the House-wili allow them to abolish the Property Tax ; toim-

pose a Land Tax ; to impose protective, duties,; to borrow money recklessly ; to administer the waste lands so that no re- « venue will bo obtained from that source.And I fear the railways will be made through native districts without providing that a portion of the cost shall be a first. chargejon the land. Nona of these things will suit the electors of Wakanui. The Parliament of New Zealand is a most unsatisfactory legislature, and I fear must remain so whilst the expenditure of large sums of borrowed money makee itjvirtually - a Board of Works. Consequently, the greatest political and social questions are set aside and imperilled. The great question next session will be local selfgovernment. I confess that lam jealous of it, and I do not like to aay : much about it until I have seen the Bill. _ This'is - one of those subjects in which Sit Julius Ycgel may be able to formulate some- ■ thing that will be acceptable to the conn* try. One thing we must require, that the Property Tax be mads a local endowment, and not that our burdens of local responsibility remain to be provided for from the land only,. The defences- of the. . colony must be provided for and should.be done I think by obtaining a special loan guaranteed by the Imperial Government. This is a question on which I think there will be no difference of opinion in the House. 1 was very much amused by Sir G. Grey's virtuous indignation on this subject iu his. speech in Auckland, insinuating that the Government were spending money in other ways, and neglecting this matter. As a matter ot fact the Government had pushed the defence works forward as fast as possible. I clearly remember that when Sir George Grey was Premier ha refused to have anything to do with the defences ; and refused to have anything to do with. Colonel Scratchley, who waa sent by the Imperial Government to direct the mode that should be adopted for the defences of the harbors if. the colony desired it. Sir George Grey said iu his Auckland speech that practically the Premier had stated that “ politics consisted in bamboozling one’s fellows in the General Assembly.” Surely no one understands that art more perfectly than Sir' G. Grey. I think his letter to the King of Samoa, inculcating sincerity, is admirable from Sir.G, Grey. Tt reminds me of a picture lately in Punch of the Euasiau bear and Mr Gladstone, where the latter is made to say, “ Can he be deceiving me ? Such a nice-spoken • gentleman 1” Sir G. Grey wonders why two little innocent islands may not be united to each other; why England object. Wonderful fair spoken gentleman this I 'What a pity we have not a New Zealand -Punch. Sir G. Grey sketched as a .cameleon in full , canonicals preaching sincerity to the King of Samoa would make a good picture. No one really knows better than Sir - G. Grey the absurdity it would have been of New Zealand annexing Samoa* As if one of the tentacles of the octopus could fasten on an object, and" that object not be absorbed by the octopus—the British Empire. This is rather too shallow a scheme for Bismarck to accept, but I am thankful to be able to say that as far as the present Parliament is concerned Sir G, Grey has almost no influence. The two members who follow him, Mr Smith of Waipawa, and Mr J. C. Brown, would not be where they are without Sir G. Grey. Sooner or later a constitution of the _ Legislative Council must come before Parliament and the country, and I think the ’sooner the ' better. The present mode of appointment is a preposterous absurdity, entirely out of keeping with the proper working of representative constitutions. That it should be in the power of any Ministry of the day who may be in for a few weeks, to appoint more members than may have been appointed for, say, seven years previously, proves the utter abortion it is. I think it should be elected for a fixed period only, either as in Victoria, by an electorate of a higher scale of franchise, or as the Senate in America, by other existing local bodies. Certainly • the recent objectless imposition of six new members, at a cost to the country of at least £I4OO a-year, is a nail in the coffin of a nominative Council. I think this would be a convenient time to take any questions you may wish to put to me. I shall be glad if you will direct my attention to any matter upon which you require infer-

f mation. 1 Mr Venables asked Mr Grlgg if he thought j the colony was sufficiently defended! . Mr Grigg said he was not an expert on the matter of defence, bat he was confident.it waa I in good hands. The Governor waa well 1 acquainted with military matters, and the officer appointed to direct the works was in 3 constant communication with His Excellency. Mr Caygill asked Mr Grigg if he thought 3 the Government were justified in spending fc half a million in defence works without cont suiting Parliament. , Mr Grigg said, replying to Mr Caygill, he 1 might ask whether if a common soldier saw a p Russian coming into the door he should knock him down at once or wait for orders from his ’ colonel. He thought the urgency of the question justified the prompt action that had been 1 taken. He waa glad to find the Government i had the necessary nerve to meet the situation. J Mr Venables asked if Mr Grigg thought it i fair to the farmers and other members of the i community that Road Boards should disclaim t any responsibility in Connection with traction i engines and other necessary agricultural imi plements crossing bridges and culverts. ) Mr Grigg said the question was one for the local bodies, and was not likely tq come before the House of Representatives for discussion. * Mr Grigg, resuming, said: With regard tq ' the future I can see that there will sopn be two distinct opposing parties in New Zealand : —a town party and a country party, i I have alluded to this matter in Parliament, and Sir Julius Vogel has also touched upon it, ■ It is a very sad thing that this should be necessary, and I hope it will be avoided. But 1 am quite sure it cannot be averted if there is any desire to foster Protection against Free Trade, I am quite sure that a policy of Protection will not be acceptable to the electors of Wakanui. They should be allowed to go _to any market with their produce. It is a mistake to admit of any dallying with the questions of Protection and Free Trade. It is a perfect delusion to suppose that the setting up of a few mills here and there can compensate for the sacrifice of Free Trade. The. present Ministry contemplated something, of this kind. Sir Julius Vogel tried his hand at it last session in connection with the cultivation of sugar beet. (Mr Grigg here read an extract from the speech of an M.H.R., showing the immense advantage of Free Trade over the Protection policy). It will be much better for the people of New ; Zealand to maintain the workers at any industry than if will be to have a policy of Protection. I do not say the Customs should be done awaywith altogether; they are required. When I’, last addressed you in this hall we were all hopeful as to the removal of the existing depression, and the issue of a more pro* speroiis state of affairs, 1 and many hoped that fhe pcilitics offth4 session ttaulcj contribute greatly tq this end. It is patent tq you and evident to me, however, that we cannqt receive any great help from that source. I believe thst the reason of the country's wonderful prosperity in { he early days was occasioned by the increasing value of pro? perty, the carrying out of works, and the large amount of immigration to the country. That cannot be repeated, and, therefore, we cannot expect any great result i except from our own persevering efforts and zealous attention to our business. No . Government can be formed that • can do , much fpjt the people of New f; , Zealand. c _ although a Government can be provided that can do much harm to the country. I notice that Sir Julius Vogel promises to introduce a Bill to enable the country to borrow money at a low rate of interest, and lend it to small SOtUttEU Witt) ttw Qbjeqi q$ &UI -

entirely agree, but I hardly think it practical. A section of the people of the colony appear to have determined not to have capitalists to work the land, but I cop fr»nrl that the land of New Zealand requires such an immense amount of capital to work it that it is policy to do; almost anything to attract the necessary capital. What I should like to say would be this, that good land should be provided for any man, whether rich or poor, but the Government should be careful to do nothing that would shut out capital. I don’t know of anything else to add to my remarks, but I should like to say that the very first vote I gave was against the publication of Hansard, which costs ns £15,000 per session. I think one great advantage of the nonpublication of Hansard would be the shortening of the session! I cannot understand why such long speeches are made by members in the House. Fifteen minutes should be sufficient for any member to express his views. I have never spoken in the House longer than fifteen minutes, and I think it will be a long time before 1 shall. Mr Grigg resumed his seat amidst applause, and the Chairman announced that Mr Grigg would be glad to answer any further questions. Mr Thomas said from what Mr Grigg had stated, he (Mr Thomas) gathered that Mr Grigg was in favor of depopulating the colony. Mr'Grigg was against Protection in any shape or form, Mr Thomas contended that without Protection the people could not obtain their livelihood. Mr Grigg again referred to the policies of Free Trade and Protection, repeating his arguments in favor of the former, i Mr Lewis asked if Mr Grigg would be in 1 favok of an increase of the Property Tax to meet the cost of the recent defence work's. Mr Grigg said he certainly preferred a Property Tax to any other tax. He had been accused of supporting the Property Tax as it was less costly to himself, but as a matter of fact he paid nearly double under a Property than under a Land Tax. Sir Julius Vogel had reduced the Property Tax one-half, but the property holders had never asked for the reduction. They might take the land in this district to illustrate the operations of the two Taxes. He might say the land was mortgaged for hall its value. Under a Land Tax the mortgagees were entirely exempt, but under a Property Tax they very properly contributed a share towards the revenue of the country. A Land Tax would not touch the £80,000,000 of money invested on mortgage in this colony. Beplying to further questions on the same subject from Messrs Clark, Crisp and Thomas, Mr Grigg said the price of money depended entirely upon the demand for it. The mortgagors might pay the Property Tax for a short time, but the bulk of the £30,000,000 was invested before the imposition of the tax. He coold not speak of the rates of interest rilling over a wide range of country, but be could refer with authority to the rates prevailing in Victoria and Tasmania. In Victoria, interest was usually from 1 to H per cent, lower than in. New Zealand, and some years ago money conld readily be obtained in Victoria at 4 per cent., while the rates ruling here were from 7 to 8 per cent. Beplying to a question as to which had the £80,000,000, the laborer or the capitalist, Mr Grigg said that so far as he was concerned all the money he had borrowed had been paid aws {j in labor. The Property Tax was comprehensive ; it reached every description of property; itjreached the Bank of N.Z. and other J large monetary and mercantile institutions. He objected to an income Tax, it was inquisitorial, a tax upon energy, industry, and skill. If two persons started in similar positions together; one an industrious an,d frugal man was able to make £SOO to £IOOO a year profit from his farm; the other an idle, indifferent fellow, able to make only 10s per acre from his land, and always grumbling. Would it be fair for the man of energy to be taxed more than the sluggard? Not ten per cent, of the farmers of Wakanui really knew their income. The tax-gatherer would not be satisfied with their ignorance. He would assess their means at what he deemed a pro

per amonnt, and in answer to their protestations would say “Come to the Court and show the inaccuracy of my statement.” It was agreed that the Property Tax did not reach professional men, and some others. True a Lawyer or doctor might make £I2OO which would escape taxation for the one year, but at

the conclusion of that time, having accumu-

lated, it would be subject to the same taxation

as other property. Mr Andrews asked if Mr Grigg was in favor of maintaining the Education Act as it now

Stands. —Mr Grigg replied that he was, but was of opinion that some modifications might be made in it. There was one clause in the

Act be had always regarded as causing an unnecessary expenditure. He thought that children so young as five years of age should not be provided for by the State. If the age were fixed at six or seven it would make a difference. of thousands of pounds to our taxation.

Mr Thomas asked if Mr Grigg was in favor of elective Legislative Councils. Mr Grigg, in giving an affirmative answer, paid he had referred to this question in his speech.,. The history of the Council made it quite evident that some change was necessary. He referred to the_ basis on which the two . Houses in Victoria were conducted, and went on to say that he favored the adoption of the American system of the election of the Senate by the different States. .Mr Brown: I would like to ask Mr Grigg what he thinks about the three new cells to be added to the Ashbnrtpn Gaol. Does he not think'if the pnblichouses had been reduced they would not have required these cells? Mr Andrews asked if Mr Grigg was in favor of the existing licensing laws or the Bill introduced by Mr Shrimski?— Mr Grigg —“Do you mean the Bill introduced by Mr Shrimski last session ?”—Mr Andrews « Yes.”—Mr Grigg—“ lam decidedly in favor of that. As far as I can remember it was a Bill trying to put down sly grog-selling.” (Boars of laughter.) Mr Crisp: “There have been two or three knotty points raised with regard to these licensing laws, and I wish to ask if a man wants to get a glass of beer, do you know of a law that will stop him.” Mr Grigg—“ Do you mean out of his own barrel or ms neighonr’s ?” (Shouts of laughter.) Mr Andrews asked if it was proposed to carry out the idea of conducting railways by 6 Board of Management. Mr Grigg said he had wondered why no action had been taken in this direction, as he pnderatood that Government was pledged to carry this project out. With regard to the merits of the proposal, he thought very great advantages would accrue from it, but great care would require to be exercised that the Board should be an unbiased one. Badical Change in-this direction was necessary, as our Railways were at present too expensive. He always been at a loss to understand how produce could be conveyed by rail in other countries at so much less cost than in New Zealand. 1 While on the railway question, he might,say that a terrible day was dawning in tbis isiahd with respect to this matter. The extension of railways throngh the different districts 'would entail an enormous expenditure, and the cost of running these would be ‘ Very'great indeed. He maintained that the cOst of the conduct of the railways through* out the unoccupied districts in the colony should be borne; by those whom it directly benefited. This measure had been brought forward by* Sir Julias Vogel, but it had been carried out in no district but Canterbury. ■i Mr Thomas moved a vote of confidence in Mr JOhn Grigg as representative of Wakanui. Mr Bryan seconded the motion.—The motion was carried amidst applause. Mr Grigg; in responding, said that he had I > only wished that the motion were not carried. Se Would' be delighted to give place to any Person who would be fairly-able to represent r the districts He would’‘assure them he did not Covet tbe position, which caused him a JIM of' anxiety and trouble. He had So a*e> to grind; and ho advantage to gain flthfr Which 1 Accrued to‘each elector g B f. and sbund legislation. ’ He again : wc) ald be exceedingly pleased if any gentleman' cbold -be fohhd to come as their representative, hut whilst ositidh be would dp hif best. , - a vote of thinks )p the chair, moved by_Mr . Grigg, hpvfng been carried by acclamation, the weetipg dispersed.