THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 109, 17 September 1873, Page 3

THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION.

CAPTAIN MORRIS’S MEETING. In accordance with announcement, Captain Morns met the electors of Tauranga ..t Fraser’s Hal! on Saturday night, to explain his views “on 1 rovinciai affairs generally and matters more immediately connected with the district.” There was a large attendance. Captain Skeet occupied the chair. We regret that our limited spice compels us Te r^, condense report of the proceedings. Ihe Chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting, and called upon the candidate to address the audience. Captain Morris in substance said that it was ms wish to have held a meeting last Batur<iay, but the hall was then engaged by the Tauranga Dramatic Club j he had therefore to postpone it until this evening (Saturday), being the best

night for country settlers. He was leaving by the southern Cross to-night. He would be absent about sue weeks, and he felt that ho should be wanting in courtesy if he did not avail himself of the earliest opportunity to thank those electors w *?? signed the very flattering requisition asking him to come forward as a candidate tor representing Tauranga in the Provincial Council. He had much pleasure in meeting his fellow electors to explain his views on Provincial matters ana subjects more nearly affecting the district. It must be remembered that waste lauds in Tauranga were entirely in the bands of the General Government, and their representative in the Provincial Council would always have to contend against this fact. The Provincial authorities would doubtless tell their member, “ Really we have so little property in your district that we can do little or nothing for you.” He would, however, do all he could to open up land for settlement if returned, but was afraid he would in this matter be powerless to effect much good. As regards public works, he thought we had little reason to complain upon that score ; a considerable amount of money bad already been expended in road making, and probably still larger suras would shortly be supplied. The Cambridge line and Katikr.ti ro id would, he had reason to believe, soon be pushed ahead vigorously. It would be his great aim to get all necessary works done. H© could not mention Public Works without alluding to another portion of the

great scheme introduced by Mr Vogel—immigration. He regretted that more had not been done already with this highly important measure, but that was another matter in the hands of the General Government. He thought if more attention was paid by the Superintendent and Council of Auckland, and the matter of immigration brought before the Assembly in a forcible manner that our cry for population would be heard. The confiscated lands would, he believed, shortly be under control of the Provincial authorities, which would be a step in the right direction The Highways Act was carefully framed, and had been of considerable service. He thoroughly believed in the administration of local affairs by Ideal ratepayers ; a few alterations were, however, necessary in that ordinance- the rating and voting clauses, required much amendment, especially

as regards the use of proxies. The trustees should also have a lien upon laud belonging to the absentees whose rates were unpaid. It was unfair that their property should be improved without they contributed to the cost thereof. At the present time no rates could be levied on Government lauds. This system was radically wrong, and it would “cut both waysvaluable lands in the district were locked up and unoccupied, aud we thus lost both settlers and rates. If elected, be would endeavour to remedy this grievance. In reference to grants to District Boards he was of opinion that those districts most pressingly and energetically represented obtained the largest share of the public money. He would, if returned,

endeavour to obtain considerable money grants for both Town and Country Boards—at any rate he would do his best. It was the fashion for candidates seeking election to talk a great deal about extravagance on the part of the Government, and promise retrenchment and reform ; for his part he had no pet scheme of retrenchment to offer, and he thought such talk was merely claptrap, and generally ended in nothing. A pilot and harbour-master were greatly required ; ’the buoys and beacons were qut of repair, and at the present time captains of large vessels frequently hesitated to enter the habour ; and if they did, the freight charged was unusually high, which freight was indirectly paid by consumers. This matter would receive his earliest attention. Should a loan be granted to Auckland he would endeavour to obtain a fair share for the district of Tauranga ; he presumed, however, a special vote would be levied to pay interest of the same. The Fencing Act was not complete; there was no legal town fence provided. He would see to this being remedied if possible. While agreeing to a very great extent with the Provincial Education Act, he strongly

objected to tbe rating clauses, and if the matter should again be brought forward he would vote against a genera] household tax. It was utterly unfair to the working man, and the clause was reprehensible in many ways. Probably before long a General Government Act would override it. He objected also to the system of election of the school trustees as at present provided. He believed in secular education. National education in all cases should be entirely secular. Captain Morris concluded his speech by stating that, if he was returned, he would, to the utmost of bis ability, do bis best to serve the interests of the ratepaj era. He would

be happy to answer any question. (Applause.) Replying to Mr Cartby, Captain Morris said he did not occupy 15,C ' ’ acres of land ; if four other large property holders like himself (Captain Morris) took up large tracts it would not be beneficial to the district. Government were now bringing out* immigrants for settlement, «o this would not be the case. He desired to see immigrants placed on best lands. He would

oppose Native representatives in tbe Provincial Council, Ho did not want Maori votes, be would “ walk in,” through European support. (A man, who was drunk and disorderly, was here very properly removed by the police.) Was not a supporter of Provincialism ; would like to see it done away with, bui thought it impossible to do so at present as the Southern provinces with their enormous revenues would stand out to the last. If he was returned to the

Assembly, he would vote for the abolition of the Provincial Governments. He came out entirely on his own hook,” did not- represent any clique, had been asked to come forward by several influent ial electors. Mr Morrison exolained that he bad presented Captain Morris with a requisition signed by 75 persons. Mr Roller ; “ Fifteen are not voters.” Mr Morrison ; I had no electoral roll to guide me. At any rate, the names may be looked upon

as an expression of public opinion. Mr Samuel Clarke said ho signed the requisition because he behoved Captain Morris was the best amn, for that reason ho would support him. Mr Cartby : I am sorry. Captain Morris, that you should bo tutored by such men as Mr Morrison and Mr Clarke. (Interrrupliou.) _ ‘^ r Cartby; Four men like Messrs Chadwick, Cam pay, Morrison, and Earl, are worth to the district more than four hundred like you, Captain Morris. Look at the labour they employ, while a horse and a dog would do your work. Captain Morris then answered several other questions from Messrs Remington, W. O. Stewart, George Waterson, and others. ’ Mr Redman remembered Tauranga in all its stages, from canvas town to wooden town. He had worked with his fellow-settlors, drank with them, and fought with them, and he now claimed the right to give his opinion of the two candidates before the electors. Mr Douglas the late member, had, he (Mr Redman) thought, * faithfully and honestly done his duty for the district he represented. (Cheers and cries of

‘ No, no, ’) But ho had resigned office, and it now became the duty of the public to elect another member in his stead. The first candidate, an old and much respected settler, although a young man, was absent to-night, but though absent, was not forgotten. He wag a representative of the working and “ middle ” class. The other, Captain Morris, was quite a stranger amongst the settlers, he was a man of large means, and, if elected, would support the squatting interest, being him-

self a squatter, a man who owned a largo tract of valuable land, occupied by sheep only, who employed little or no labour, and who had never done and never would do any good for Tauranga. fle (the speaker) had had experience of the evils of squatting in a small settlement in the colony of Victoria. In that colony the squatting interest was a very powerful one, and on one occasion ho had seen the Government ousted by the capital brought to bear against it, because they, the wealthy squatters, did not like the land laws then existing. He begged electors not to vote for any squatter, who were always a curse in their district, who monopolise the land and retard settlement in everv possible way. Captain Morris had been very liberal at Whareroa the other day amongst the Maoris, and bad presented them, with loaves, flour, and sugar. Perhaps the item, however, for ail he knew, might appear under the head of contingencies to be charged to the Native Office. It was certainly a new feature to see natives signing a requisition. He appealed to all present to break

down the clique at present allowed ta exist in Tauranga. Until that was done the place would never progress. The absent candidate, Mr Edgcumbe, was well known throughout the coast ss a clever independent man, a man second to none in England as regards his family connections. He was too outspoken, too plain for the clique, and, therefore, thataristocratic body bad patted Captain Morris on the back, and wanted to make Tauranga a pocket borough for him, to suit their own interests. If Captain Morris were elected, he would deal with his merchants from Auckland, or perhaps even from England and Melbourne, and the place would be little beneiitted by bis custom. One man like Stephen Earl, Gate Pah, was worth fifty Captain Morris’s. He trusted shopkeepers would not be led away by the would-be aristocracy, The missionaries had got the people of Tauranga “ walled up,” and they would soon be “ fenced in ” all round if Captain Morris were elected. On the other baud, if the electors put in Mr EJgcutube ne would be an independent man in the true meaning of the word, and a credit to the district. (-. pplause.) In reply to questions, Captain Morris explained that be hud sent the natives some bread and tea over to Whareroa, became many came a long way, and had to stay there the previous night, and he thought it was only fair to give them something to eat. They were quite welcome to it. fle did

not borrow a Government boat, (To Mr Martin :) I have no scheme of taxation at present to offer in lieu of the itducation Bate, Such an important matter requires time for consideration. (To Mr Lea:) Should 1 be elected, if my conduct ie not approved of by two-thirds of the JEurogean population, I would tender nay resignation. Mr Somerville then addressed the meeting at some length. He spoke remarkably well, and we regret we cannot publish hia speech in extenso. He deplored the education tax —a tax that was being collected at the point of the bayonet, and was a disgrace to New Zealand. Mr Somerville alluded to the various candidates for the Superiuteudency. Mr Lusk’s policy was that of a subtle lawyer pleading on his own account, Mr JJargaville’s was purely and entirely a policy of bombast and clap-trap. Mr J. S. Macfarlane had no policy at all; while Mr John Williamson’s policy (cheers) was one of enlightenment, liberality, and progress. (Applause.) He (Mr Somerville) would a»k Captain iaorris which ot the gentlemen ho had mentioned he would be disposed to support? Captain Morris : If Mr, Gillies comes forward I should support him. Should Auckland get a large loan then Mr (Lillies will come forward j if not, he won't j that’s all. In the event of Mr Gillies not coming forward, 1 think i should support Mr Williamson. Mr Marcus P. Welsh (in falsetto) : “ Victorians never, never, ifBVBK shall be slaves!” .Replying to further questions. Captain Morris believed in State education, Canada had set a pattern to the world by her education laws ; and we, of the same nation, of the same family, should “ go and do likewise.” Mr Marcus P. Welsh denounced the education rate. He informed the meeting that what property he had was earned by fighting against the Anthropophagi. (Laughter.) He declined to pay the rale, (interruption.) The Chairman, having obtained order, said that some months since he bad been requested to

stand for the Provincial Council, ,_ a WM pretty generally supposed such was bis intention, m fact, he had on the occasion of the highway general meeting publicly stated he was a candidate. As a professional man, however, his time was hi* Capital, and he felt that he could not con. scion tlously afford two or three months every year to the public service. It was, therefore, with » great deal of pleasure he had heard of Captain Morris’s intention of coming forward.

tepa^er : Leave t<h « chair if you speak on the question- (Interruption, during which Mr Hose was proposed and seconded as chairman, but declined the proffered honour.) Order being restored. Mr Hedman proposed, and Air Remington seconded a rote of thank* to Captain Morris for his address. Carried. Captain Tovey proposed that Captain Skeet eontinue his speech in the body of the balL Mr Harry Gardiner here took the chair. Captain Skeet then continued speaking from the floor of the hall. He said that Captain Morris was an independent gentleman, and could better aflom the time, and was in every way qualified to represent them j whereas a man not haring independent means was always liable to the suspicion of working for personal ends, or striving to get » billet of some kind or other. Ho (Captain bkeet) did not wish to place himself In such a position ; ho, therefore, gladly retired, and intended to support Captain Morris. He wished the electors to believe that be had acted die- ; interestedly and to the best of bis judgmenCin the matter. To his own supporters he would state-

that no candidate had a right to endeavour to diand over vote# and interest# like #o much stock to one or the other; but they had heard Captain Mom## opinion#, and he trusted they would support him. Captain Morris*# position placed him above any suspicion of working for personal ends, and, if he wore returned, he would go into **?.» Council as an independent member. (Cheers.) Captain Norris said that he did not intend to come forward as a candidate as he was satisfied that an eligible man was in the field who would boaourably represent the constituency, m- M^? ec|mftn proposed a vote of confidence in Mr Edgcumbe (loud applause), and before it could be seconded several hands were held up. The mo J* oa waa nofc formally put to the meeting. Mr Lea proposed a vote of confidence in Captain Morris. This wag duly seconded. Mr Hedman proposed a# an amendment, and Mr

Carthy seconded, “That this meeting has no confidence in Captain Moms," The original motion was carried by a small majority. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated proceedings, which, although of a rather demonstrative kind, were conducted throughout, we are glad to say, with good humour and amicable feeling.