THE GOLDFIELDS’ SECRETARY AT THE BANNOCKBURN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 671, 26 February 1875, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS’ SECRETARY AT THE BANNOCKBURN.

(Continued from our last.) Mr McKellar said he trusted there would be no more interruptions. The first matter to which he would refer was of a personal character, and ho would therefore clear away those hazy doubts which pointed to him as being a sort of political loafer. Some had even gone so far as to accuse him of having been a hanger-on in quest of the appointment ho then held. He indignantly confuted this assertion, and explained the circumstances under which he accepted office. He next explained the reason why he did not address the Electors of the Bannockburn ; how he held his meeting at Cromwell on account of its central situation how ho had to assume Mr Reid’s place during the absence of that gentleman at Wellington. He had no hesitation in affirming that the furthest thing from his mind in accepting office was n-cessity, as they one and all know that at that time ho was part owner of the Cromwell Argus, and had embarked in a somewhat extensive business at the Wanaka. Mr MoKollar then gave a re* sumd of the proceedings of last Session, and explained the action he took in reference to the Goldfields’ members. He explained that the Bill for the reduction of the duty on gold was, in bis opinion, nothing more i nor less than bunkum, and put forward as a cat’s paw for the Southern Mercury, al- , though bo desired it to be distinctly under* • stood that he made no such reflection upon

the gentleman introducing it’to tho Council. Members voted for it simply because it was a Goldfields’ measure. This matter should never have been introduced to the Provincial Council, but should have been fought in its proper place, namely, the General Assembly, He explained that his absence during the division arose from a mis calculation of the time, and that his presence in the Gallery was not more than a minute. That the cause of his absence was well-known to the editor of the Mercury as he was in company with him. . If he had been present he would have voted against the measure as the Provincial Council could not deal with it. He should like to see a reduction on the gold dnty, but this could only be done in the General Assembly. They had only to recall the state •of affairs some eight years since, when a disturbance took place between the Provincial and General Governments, Mr Pyke, who claimed to have done so much ■for the miners, should have moved in the ■matter at Wellington. Mr Buchan : The man was too ill; you know it. Mr McKellar was in Dunedin when Mr Pyke •arrived, and he thought it was not uncharitable to characterize the illness as existing more in imagination than in fact. He felt that be had done his dnty, and that 'his conduct would bear investigation. He should be happy to answer any question. (Applause.) Mr Pryde was present at Mr McKellar’s meeting at Cromwell, when he gave nothing but evasive answers. Mr McKellar then read the questions and •answers as reported in the Cromwell Argus, ■and asked Mr Pryde to explain. Mr Pryde said he was no scholar, but a hard-working man. Mr McKellar was aware of that fact. Mr-John Barr proposed, and Mr Lawrence seconded— “That this meeting has perfect confidence in Mr McKellar as their ■representative. ” Mr Lyons desired to add that he voted for Mr McKellar at the time of his election, and would do so again. He had represented them well, and had done more for the •district than any of his precedessors. It was a piece of impertinence for some twenty .persons to pass a'charge against him. He took exception to the manner in which thiy had opened the meeting by getting in subscriptions, and thought they had brought this charge against Mr McKe'lar for the purpose of getting a crowd together. The Association had dona nothing but weaken the hands of their members, and he thought that a vote of want ot confidence in tl e Mining Association would be supported rather than one of want of confidence in the member for the Kawarau, of whom they ihad a right to feel justly proud.—(Applause. ) Mr Buchan : Mr Lyons is telling some “extraordinary fibs.”—(Uproar cries of “order, order!”) Mr Buchan : The Goldfields’' Secretary "knows very little about his office. Mr McKellar did nut come to be insulted, •and would ask Mr Buchan if he had any question to put to do so through the chair. M r Buchan asked the Chairman a question as to the export duty on gold. Mr McKellar would feel obliged if the -Chairman would repeat the question. Chairman 4 Mr Buchan wants to know ■whether you have said what you meant. — (Laughter.) Mr Colclough wanted to know if it was a fact that the Gold Dnty Debate Ordinance Was sent to Wellington unattached to the others ? Mr McKellar believed Mr Colclough was in error. Mr M ‘Kersie asked one or two questions, and in reply to Mr M ‘Gregor Mr McKellar said he would support any legitimate measure to reduce the gold duty. ■ Mr Buchan would move an amendment—- “ That this meeting has no confidence in Mr McKellar.” He proceeded to say that he held a high opinion of him as a private gentleman, hut not as a politician. It was owing to his position in the Mining Conference that caused him to take such a stand against Mr McKellar. The annual taxation -on the mines was L 19,000, and only 18000 was expended oh the goldfields. He then complained of Mr McKellar’s absence from ■the Council when tho debate was going on ; that he wished to make the miners pay for Mr Ulrich by putting a tax upon the Companies ; that he supported a vote of 110,000 for a little place called Kakanui, and would not support a vote of LSOOO to be divided among the whole of the miners in the Province ; and generally, that he had failed in his duty.—(Hear, hear.) Mr Pryde had much pleasure in seconding ■the amendment. Mr McKellar replied at considerable length, and ably answered the respective ■charges. It being now 12 o’clock the amendment wasput to the meeting—“ That •this meeting has no confidence m Mr Me Kellar.”—For, 17 ; against, 33. For tho motion —“That this meeting has perfect confidence in Mr McKellar as their representative.”—For, 21. The result was received with a great cheering, although the majority present did not vote one way or the other. A vote of thanks brought the proceedings to a close.

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