MR. T. L. SHEPHERD, M.P.C., AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 308, 20 March 1868, Page 3

MR. T. L. SHEPHERD, M.P.C., AT ALEXANDRA.

On Saturday last Mr. Thomas L. Shepherd, M. P. C. for the Goldfields, addressed a .numerously attended meeting of miners at the Bcndigo Hotel, Alexandra. Robert Findlay, Eaq., the Mayor, in the chair. Mr. Shepherd, who was very favorably received, said that, as their representative in the Provincial Council, he deemed it his duty to address them before the commencement of another Session, and he had availed himself of the present opportunity to explain, as far as possible, his past and future political career. He would, however, refer principally to his own actions. He could not be expected to have taken a part in every matter that was brought forward, but he had always taken an active part in all matters connected with the province. He would refer seriatim to the blue Book, containing the proceedings of the Provincial Council, for the measures he had initiated or supported. He must first, however, remind them that he was of opinion that their representative in the Provincial Council should also be their representative in the General Assembly. He had felt the necessity for such upon very ttauy occasions. The Provincial Council

could not repeal' existing laws or add new i ones. They could, as it were, only represent an expression of public feeling. He I (Mr. Shepherd) was in favor of a repeal of the Gold Duty and of vote by ballot ; but he could only act by resolution in the Provincial Council, and he had brought forward a resolution to the effect that the duty on gold be reduced at the rate of Od. pur annum until finally abolished, and that the Superintendent present to the General Assembly a memorial embodying such views. This was carried for the first time in the Provincial Council, hut the memorial, was defeated in the Assembly. He believed yet that it would be carried, and that, if we sent proper representatives to the Assembly, the gold duty would eventually be repealed. He knew, of course, that the Canterbury members would oppose, as that province relied upon the export duty for its expenses on the West Coast, so they would be sure to oppose an immediate reduction of the duty. The system of abolition by instalments had been carried out in Victoria, and now the gold duty had been entirely abolished there. The miners should not be more heavily taxed than other people, and the gold duty was a tax upon industry. He had also moved a resolution for voting by ballot. Every one should take ar. interest in securing his just rights. The ballot was believed in England to be the best system of voting. The memorial was nearly being carried in the Assembly, and he believed that the ballot would be in operation in New Zealand within two years. There was a matter of great importance to every one who took an interest in the. province, and who intended making it his home the settlement of the land question. The present system was opposed to every interest. There was a clique who would rather see sheep occupying the country than men and women and smiling corntields. They all knew of the difficulty which occurred between the General and Provincial Governments respecting the management of the goldfields. The goldtields, he thought, could be better managed by the Provincial Government, an 1 they had retained that power in their hands. The Vogel Ministry had, however, made the most of the difficulty, and turned it to their own advantage, and succeeded in securing their own seats and increasing their salaries. They met with no opposition, as at the period of so much difficulty no one liked to oppose their measures. Besides which the Council consisted of many new men, a number of good and talented men had failed in being returned to the Council. To secure good government, it was necessary to have an Opposition, but such must ! bo composed of experienced members. Members representing farming and goldfields' interests advocated the cutting up of cer- , tain runs for settlement, he found that the Ministry voted on one side, and the members on the other, the ministerial minority for the cutting up of our runs consisted of three of the Executive, and one sqattor. He believed that ill many instances members had absented themselves from divisions on important questions, rather than vote against the Government. A second motion having a ssmilarobject was carried, the Executive having only five votes including themselves and one squatter, and that was Mr. Eraser, the member for Clyde. In both cases the Government were virtually defeated, and had such have taken place in : Canterbury they would have resigned, The next day, the House was prorogued, and the Sup rintendent tu his address said I " that the leases for these runs had been renewed at increased rentals, and that they must act impartially to all parties " He, Mr. Shepherd, required more than two runs thrown open, he wanted many runs or portions of runs, and would have them for the settlement of the people thereon. In Victoria, the squatters had managed to get their own men returned for many years, and the same had been done here, and people representing squatters' interests, were also representing Goldfields' constituencies. The law respecting the Laud, bad as it is, was not administered liberally, so as to give every chance for settlement, and he )Mr.Shepherd) would not support any ministry that did not give the people every facility for occupying the landsof the Crown. He had asked in respect to the Teviot, if any land had been withdrawn for occupation in the neighbourhood of Eoxburgh, his question was ■answered by the Provincial Secretary that " the matter should be attended to immediately " but nothing had yet been done, and he meant to enquire into it as soon as the Session opened. He had just come down from the Wakatip, where the Government some years back had purchased a run from a squatter, and had thrown some open for selection by the far. mer. He had seen the good effects of it; there might be seen splendid fields of wheat and other grain, some of them one hundred acres in extent, and the yield for this year would pay for the cropping, fencing and purchase of the land. The same was possible in this district, if we only insist upon the Government putting the people in the possession of the land. The Vogel ministry seemed inclined to let this run revert back to the squatters once again, and actually proposed its sale, while if they let things remain as they are at present, the Government would receive a large revenue. He was opposed to the sale of the Wakatip Runs, and would recommend them to do so here, as it affected the people of the Dunstan as well as those of the Lakes ; believed that if the land policy of the Executive was not amended, it would drive the people out of the Province. Incrrascd Telegraphic communication, was highly necessary, and he would give an instance. He (Mr. Shepherd) applied about a fortnight since at Queenstown for a " miner's right" and obtained one issued under the Goldfield's Act of 1862, which Act was repealed by the Act of 1866. Perceiving the error, he went back, and

drew the attention of the Gold Receiver to the matter, who at once rectified the mistake, and upon telegraphing to Tnapeka, he found that similar miner's rights were being issued there, in fact throughout the goldfields. Upon telegraphing to the Government, they at once took steps to remedy the omission, and it was really a very important affair, for supposing that a miner took out a " right" un l er the Act of ISGU, he might go to a good claim, and if the owner held same by a right under the Act of 1562, he could demand possession, a "right " issued under that Act 1562 being invalid. The Warden might decide with the holder of the 1862 " right" but if the case was taken to the Supreme Court, the Judge would be compelled to decide according to law, and in his opinion the Judge would decide in favor of the " right " of 1860. Now supposing that there had been no Telegraphic communication with Queens town and Dunedin, or that he, (Mr. Shepherd) had been at Cromwell, Arrow, or Alexandra, great delay would have existed before the Government could have been apprised of such a serious mistake. He (Mr. Shepherd) would recommend that a Bill he introduced into the Assembly legalising the " miners rights " issued under the Act of 1862. He had supported a vote for £IOOO for the survey of water-sheds. The employment of a given number of miners was not represented by the area of auriferous ground only, but by the quantity of water that could be brought to bear upon it ; there existed many streams atacertain level which, if the Government would borrow money and assist the miners in making races from, and dam water-sheds, the same as has been done by the Victorian Government to supply the miners there with water, the money would be repaid back with interest. As yet the Government had done nothing, but send Mr. Miller to Tuapeka, but he, (Mr. Shepherd) would see that something practical was accomplished. He would remind the meeting, that he was only one of a number, and had but little influence numerically. The Goldfields really possessed only six reliable votes, out of thirty-six. Mr. Eraser, the member for Clyde, voted for the squatters ; a great mistake was made in returning that gentleman. What would the squatters say, if a miner came forword to represent them ? why, the very idea would be scouted. A petition had been sent home during the last Session to the Imperial Government for separation of the North and Miiidle Islands. There must be a material alteration in the Constitution of Nuw Zealand, and two Assemblies were necessary. We could then abolish the provincial system; but we must cling to Provincialism until we obtain Separation. With separation we should have cheaper Government, and taxation could be greatly reduced. Speaking of the expenses of Government, he would again mention the late [difficulty between the two Governments, and how it was taken advantage of fur political pur- ; poses. The Provincial Treasurer came ! down and increased his salary from £'6oo to £BOO ; the same was done with the Secretary for Land and Works ; and the number of non-official members was increased from two to three, and their salaries from £l5O to £2OO per annum. This was nothing more nor less than a dodge of the Executive to keep themselves in office. The increase of non-official members also increased their strength, for who would vote against his own salary ? The Superintendent of Canterbury only got £6OO per annum, while here we give to a Treasurer and a Secretary £Booeach, and these gentlemen were besides carrying on lucrative private businesses. He (Mr. Shepherd) would do everything in his power to curtail expenditure. Last Session it was proposed to appoint a a Presbyterian Minister to the Chaplaincy of the gaol, but he (Mr. Shepherd) disliked sectarianism and therefore opposed the motion, as we would thus be giving State aid to religion while no such thing existed in the province. He supported a vote for a track to the West Coast. There were plenty of people there, now that the gold was falling off, who would be glad to return to Otago, but were unable to incur the expense. By means of a track these people could return cheanly, and he believed that the track would he made shortly. He also tried to pass a small vote for the erection of finger or guide posts at cross roads. He knew of numbers of people who had lost their road through the want of a direction. Money laid out in the erection of these posts would be well spent. He saw the necessity of a main trunk lino of road, connecting Queenstown and intervening towns with Dunedin being perfected. Last session large sums were passed for roads, but had not yet been expended, and he would use every effort to have the main road completed, knowing very well that cartage would be much cheapened, cheap carriage meaning cheap goods, cheap food, and an increased population. Refering to hospitals, they all knew well their value. Formerly these institutions were supported by a subsidy of £3 to every £1 subscribed. Lately the Executive had sent circulars to the various hospital committees, asking if they could do with £2 to £l. Be (Mr. Shepherd gave reasons why he would oppose such an alteration. He had recommended the erection of snow poles between Campbell's and Alexandraandbetwcen Campbell's and the Teviot. The meeting, he would presume, knew of the Goldfields Conference. He had spoken with the Superintendent on the subject, and had recommerid'ed the establishment of a central Mining Board, with members from each mining district. The Government had practically elected a Mining Board, though only temporarily; but it was ''one too hurriedly to give all miners living at a distance from the Warden's camps a voice in the election of representatives. Parties holding mining leases should have had a vote. Such miners had large sums of mony invested in mining property. The Conference, he believed, would

work well and give general satisfaction. As he would not be leaving the district for a few days, and as the Council did not meet till the Bth of April, lie would be happy to receive suggestions on matters of public interest affecting the district. Before he left Dunedhl, some four months ago, in company with Mr. John Mouat, also member for Goldlields, he waited upon Mr. George Duncan, Secretary for Land aud Works, for information as to what moneys voted last Session had been laid out on roads to the goldlields, but tbey could obtain little information. Mr. Duncan could only answer for what he intended doing, and not for what he had expended. It was important that they should keep a strict watch over their members in the General Assembly. It was on the cards that another general election would shortly take place. He believed that the two members now representing the Goldlields would not be again returned, and he (Mr. Shepherd) hoped to have the opportunity of offering himself as a candidate for their suffrages. One Goldfields member was actually residing at Wellington. Now it was highly necessary that members should be in constant communication with their constituents, 'and how could any member be so while residing in Wellington ? He was very glad to find the people paying such increased attention to political matters, and would advise every one who was not on the roll to register himself at once, and this must be done before the last day of the present month. He had always stood forward as the advocate of the people. There were many who argued that the province would have been better without the raggings, but he knew to the contrary, and many old farmers and mercantile men in the province had informed him that they had been very much benefited and that their properties had been considerably increased in value by the diggings. The miners represented a very valuable and permanent interest, second to none other, and they must be acknowledged as true colonists in every sense of the word. Mr. Shepherd concluded amidst considerable applause. Several questions were then put from the body of the meeting, which being satisfactorily answered, it was proposed by Mr. O'Kane, seconded by Mr. .Tame* Iverson, and'unanimously carried, "That this meeting has every confidence in Mr. Shepherd as their representative, and believe that ho has discharged his duties to the best of his abilities and to the satisfaction of his constituents." Mr. Shepherd, after thanking those present for their kind attention, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried, aud the proceedings closed.