THE GOLDFIELDS’ SECRETARY AT BANNOCKBURN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 670, 19 February 1875, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS’ SECRETARY AT BANNOCKBURN.

—o— On Saturday evening last a public meeting was held in the School-room, Bannockburn, pursuant to a resolution passed by the Bannockburn and Garrick Range Miners’ Association, to the effect—“ThattheSecretai y be instructed to call a public meeting of the electors of the district by advertisement, to consider the action of their representative (D. A. McKcllar) at the last sitting of the Provincial Couno'l. At eight o’clock the School-room was inconveniently crowded, there being no less than 150 electors present. From some unexplained cause no chairman could be found. Mr McKellar expressed his regret, and was surprised that his accusers—those who had passed a vote of censure upon him ,in his absence —that had as it were “ stabbed him in the dark” should now shrink from their duty, or abandon the position they had taken. Under these circumstances he would with the indulgence of the meeting take the liberty of requesting Mr Reid who was not a political man to take the chair. (Applause. ) Mr Reid begged to be excused.

After several parties had been invited to preside, Mr Crombie was ultimately prevailed upon to fill the post of honor. The Chairman said that, before proceeding with the special business of the evening he desired to intimate that intending members might join the A ssociatiom by handing to the Secretary the sum of ss. Mr McKellar understood that this was a public meeting convened for a special purpose, and he submitted that the business of the evening should be proceeded with. Mr M’Kersie concurred, and thought the collection of the initiation fees might well be deferred.

The Chairman then called upon the Secretary to read the minutes, after which a long silence ensued, no one apparently being willing to open “ the Ball.” Mr McKellar would say that he had attended the meeting owing to a letter that he had received from the Secretary to the Association, and he therefore thought he could take the liberty of claiming the protection of the Association, and would like to go to the table. The Chairman : Certainly. [Mr McKellar then went to the table amidst prolonged cheering.] Mr McKellar was glad to receive such a manifestation, but he must deny the right of a small number of men to pass a resolution condemnatory of him, as though they constituted the electoral body of the district. He then read the resolution passed by the Association, and adverted to the fact that it was reported as having been carried unanimously.

The Chairman desired to correct Mr McKellar. It was an error, and a letter correcting it had been forwarded to the Editor of Cromwell Argus.

Mr KcKellar ; Would have been surprised if such a resolution had been carried unanimously. Seeing that a public meeting had been called on the strength of that resolution, he submitted that the proposer and seconder should stand up and show in what way he had broken his pledge, and how he had misrepresented them by joining the Reid Government. How the policy of that Government was averse to the interests of the Goldfields. The resolution to which he referred w»s —“ That this Association is of opinion that Mr McKellar has broken his pledge to support any measure which would tend to reduce taxation of the Goldfields by not supporting, either by voice or vote, the resolution passed in the Council to reduce the export duty on gold ; and further, that he has misrepresented his constituents by giving his support to and ultimately joining a Government whose policy is unfavorable to the goldfields.” Now, they had undertaken a big job, and though ho was prepared to address them first, as he stood in the position of the accused, ho would prefer hearing his accusers. He did not believe in dealing with an unknown friend. The Chairman thought that Mr Buchan was not onl / able, but fully prepared to support the resolution.—(Cries, “Buchan, Buchan,” confusion.) When silence was restored

Mr Buchan said he had opposed the convention of a public meeting. The Min- : ing Association had passed a resolution, and and they should have rested contented therewith. In calling a public, meeting they had travelled beyond their functions, and if the electors felt aggrieved by the passing of the resolution it rested with thorn I and not the Association to test the public.

He only attended ns an elector. The resolution was proposed by Mr Bay, and not himself. If he hod done so ho would have been prepared to defend himself against all the McKellars in the world.—(Applause ) Mr Bruce .• They had been brought from a distance, and those who were disposed co accuse the Goldfields Secretary should bo present to sustain the charge. Mr McGregor would state that his reason for seconding the resolution proposed was, that he was desirous to know from the Goldfields Secretary himself if he was prepared to advocate the reduction of the export duty on gold, and if he was not he doubted his fitness to represent them. Mr Cavanagh regretted that Mr Bay was not present, but thought he should be commended for having afforded the opportunity for the expression of public opinion. He was no particular admirer of Mr MoKcllar, but he did hope that the Association would remember they had impeached, next to the Superintendent, the most responsible man in the Government.

Mr McKellar would thank Mr McGregor for his candid avowal. It appeared that Mr Bay had moved a resolution which affected him, not only politically, but also personally. At the present time he had to meet an invisible accuser.

Mr Buchan : I only came here to see some fun.

Mr McKellar begged to assure them that he did not come for fun, and though he hr.d no objection to furnish an explanation he craved protection against being badgered by his foes, especially those constituted of Mr Mr Buchan’s material.—(Applause.)

Mr Buchan : No, you don’t like mo because I opposed you at the Cromwell meet ing. I’ve not come prepared to propose a vote of confidence, but I’ve come with an amendment which, if Mr McKellar’s friends desire to hear he would have pleasure in moving at the proper time.

Mr McKellar : Gentlemen would believe him when he assured them that he had, to the best of his judgment and ability conserved their interests in the Provincial Council.—(Applause, and a Voice “Go it, old fellow, we’ll put you there again.”) Mr Buchan had proposed a similar resolution at his meeting in June last, but singular to relate, found a seconder pro forma in Mr Marsh. Since that he (Mr Buchan) had been elected President of the Association, and had usurped his power in bringing forward the identical resolution submitted by him in the month of June. He could not concede that the Bannockburn were his largest supporters, nor would he admit that the residents of Cromwell were his personal and political friends. Mr Buchan should prove the manner in which he had become a Judas by forfeiting his pledge, and in what way he had misrepresented the Goldfields. This was not the first time, for on every occasion Mr Buchan dragged this matter forward, and had, on two or three occasions insulted him (Mr McKellar) in a grossly personal way. Mr Buchan : You do not speak the truth. It is false.

Ch airman : Mr Buchan could take notes and reply, but he could not allow such language.

Mr McKellar : Mr Buchan has apparently forsrot politeness. One thing, he avas persistent, never having failed to heap contumely upon his head. It was clear that ho was not an impartial man. Outwardly he would be hold enough to affirm that ho held a respectable position in the Council, and had lately become a member of the Government. In every measure that had been introduced to the Council he voted according to his judgment and conscience. He had never pledged his vote or support. Why diil not Mr Buchan come forward and prove the charge. Mr Pryde : Mr Buchan had done quite right as he asked Mr McKellar at his meeting in Cromwell certain questions, to which he could obtain no satisfactory answer.

Mr O'Neill: Understood the same.

Mr Kersie : It was well known that ho had recently availed himself of the columns of the Cromwell Argus, and he thought Mr McKellar like the former Gold-fields’ Secretary had not done his duty. It was the Gold-fields alone that formed and supported the inland towns. It was a lamentable fact that in the Council none of the Goldfields’ members drew attention to the status of the miner, and his interest in the development of the resources of the Colony, He begged to assure Mr McKellar that it was not the Cromwell water supply or the Commonage that supported the miners. They wanted reduced taxation, and they would have it. Mr M'Kellar had done right in accepting office, and the district should feel proud in knowingthat the Goldfields’ Secretary was the elected representative of the Kawaran. Mr McKellar had all the ability, if he liked to exert it, but seeing that he absented himself when the debate on the Gold duty was being proceeded with, he ’had merited a rebuke, a calling to account.

Mr Buchan : Was prepared to explain his action after Mr McKellar had finished. That meeting had nothing to do with the action of the Association. Ho had merely attended as an elector.

Chairman: Your charge of misrepresentation being against a public man, surely, the electors have a paramount interest at stake.

Mr Bruno : Mr Buchan having brought a charge against the member for the Kawarau he should prove it. Mr Smart: Would move, “That Mr Buchan do stand up and support the mo. tion he had passed at the Miners’ Association.”

Mr Moore thought that all of them were afraid, and that the appearance of such n great and distinguished man as the Cold- . fields’ Secretary had scared them, hut he | would charge Mr McKellar with having , broken his pledge. In that verv room, when canvassing, he had said that he would do all in his power to reduce taxation on gold, and yet he was the only member who did not vote for the measure, , when introduced.

The Chairman would remind them that it was getting late, and that at present they know nothing more than they did before they came. Mr McKellar’s charge had not been substantiated, and the opportunity was afforded to the Members of tho Mining Association to support the resolution they had thought fit to pass. A scene of confusion now ensued during which a resolution and amendmentwas put to the meeting, the latter to tho effect that Mr McKellar address the meeting first, was carried.

Mr McKellar now addressed tho meeting.

(Froma desire to give a fair report of tho proceedings, and as our space will not admit, in one issue, of a detailed report, we hold over Mr McKellar’s address, and the replies till our next issue.)