VINCENT PYKE, ESQ., M.H.R., AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 844, 21 June 1878, Page 2

VINCENT PYKE, ESQ., M.H.R., AT ALEXANDRA.

o Mr Vincent Tyke, M.11.R. for the Dimstan District, addressed his constituents in the Town Ha'l, Alexandra, on Wednesday evening last, the Iflth instant, on “The Political Past, Present, and Future.” The hall was well tilled : representatives of all classes and from nearly every portion of the district lining present. James Samson, Esq., Mayor of Alexandra, occupied the chair, and in opening the meeting he explained its object, and then went on to say that it had been currently rumoured there was tp have boin a reporter from one of the Dunedin papers present, and he desired to explain why such a gentleman was

not in attendance. lie then read telegrams signed George Fenwick, to the effe'ct, Ist, that a reporter would leave Dunedin on Monday morning ; 2nd, that in cousequeffce of pressure of work and being short-handed it was impossible to despatch to Alexandra a member of the reporting staff, concluding with an apology to the meeting for the absence of a reporter, and fully impressed upon the meeting that it was no fault of Mr Fyke’s. Having thus unbosomed himself, though how the question of absence or presence of a Dunedin reporter affected the meeting wo are quite at a loss to see, he, in a few well conceived remarks, introduced Mr Fyke, who rose and said Mr Mayor and gentleman, the title he had selected, “The Political Past, Present, and Future,” might be considered somewhat ambitious, and perhaps it was, as it would take many nights to do anything approaching justice to the many subjects that would come within the scope of the title; and further, it would require the eloquence of a Disraeli, and the art of a Gladstone. He did not promise either, neither would he speak like the Greek orator, with pebbles in his mouth ; his endeavour would be in as plain language as possible to deal with the many questions that would necessarily crop up. He said it was only by weighing the past intelligently that you can judge of the present, and by the present of the future. In the first place he would refer to a question that had doubtless exercised the minds of many of his constituents, and that was why he had left the old party he had supported so many years, and gone over to the now party—the existing government. In explanation he said he was not a party man, that is, not a partisan, yet neither was he like Mahomet’s coffin, oscillating between heaven and earth. He held,it was indecorous for a member of Parliament to bind himself to any party ; his duty was to join the party he believed is, to be with them when right, and to leave them when in the wrong. The present government were of democratic principles, aud ho holding same views, joined them. The opponents of the Government were falling off daily, and as a sure evidence of their popularity all the new members were being returned on the Government ticket. He then referred to the alleged differences in the cabinet, and characterised the report as fiction. As to tho action of Sir George Grey requiring tho Governor to veto the Land Bill, it was a grave blunder, done without the sanction or knowledge of his colleagues, yet at the same time done with the purest motives. As to the Premier’s opposition to the Canterbury clauses in the Land Bill, he ascribed it to want of knowledge, alleging that tho Northern members knewjnothing of the South ern, nor the South of the North. The main future in the Canterbury Land Laws was free selection ; ho desired that such a system should be in force hero, then the people would settle themselves. Mr Fyke then dwelt at some length on the constitution of the late Ministry, saying the manner in which successive Ministers, though all of one party were made, was a piece of political jugglery, changing from Broun, Jones and Robinson to day to Robinson, Jones and Brown next day, and so on. He a dd ho had made up his mind before tho last Session not to have gone to Wellington again, had there not been a change, but there was a change anil he would go, and more than that ho would endeavor to so amend the conati tution. that on a now Government belli g formed they should go to tho country, and see whether, as holders of seats on the ministerial benches they would bo again returned. Of tho leading subjects of the day Mr Pyko said the settlement of the land and the land laws was tho most important we have to deal with. Tho question has often been put, what are to be done with our boys, and John O’Shanncssy once replied—marry them to the girls. My answer is, settle them on the lands, and marry them afterwards, and the only way to do that was by adopting the system of free selection. lie believed that to be tho only solution to the question, and lie would like to see public meetings held throughout the length and breadth of the province demanding the system. He said if a people is not well governed they deserve it, as they have it in their own hands if they but go the right way about it. He also said tho time had arrived for Waste Land Boards in the interior, as what did a board constituted of Dunedin, Bluoskln, and Taiori men know of our requirements. On the incidence of Taxation, Mr Pyko said the existing custom’s duties were a mistake, and his advooacy would be to remove all duties off the necessaries ot life, aud tax those who were best able to boar it, viz., property and land holders. Tho franchise and r< p-cscntation next came under review, during which Mr Pyko quoted from speeches and blue-books in support of a re-modelling of the representation. The Education Bill he said was a vast improvement, but would support an amendment of the Act, so that people of all sects nnd classes could have schools of their own. The County question, Mr Pykc said, was much abused, aud in some places was called a failure ; be would not insult their common sense by asking thorn if it was a failure, so far as this County was concerned, the cost on expenditure was barely ■54 per cent., while under the old order of things it was 25 per cent. During the past year L1‘2,000 had been expended at a cost of I.(150, while in the last year of provincial rule L 1,500 had only been expended, at a cost ot Ll,ooo. Since the first settlement of tho district only 4J miles of metalled road had been constructed by tho Provincial Government The County during its time had made 174 m'dcs of road, irrespective of foiming many miles and keeping in repair the 450 miles within its boundary, besides this, Bridges had boon built and other works, that he felt sure would not have been done in half a century. On referring to these figures ho said the County system did not look much like a failure. Mr Pvko then dwelt at length on his action in getting the Stnthtaieri line of railway agreed to in the House, and said he felt

ssured within a few years the Valley of the Moly.ieux would be connected with the sea-board by it. Mr Pyke said though ho had not got through anything like tho notes he had made, he yet had touched upon the main questions, end ho would detain the meeting no longer, the views he had expressed were those he would advocate, and c had tho hope they were in unison with those of his constituents, and that ho Would receive a favorable verdict. Mr Pyko then sat dowu amid much cheering. Mr W. G. Rees said he had lately been informed that the original survey of the Strathtaieri line, which skirted round the foot of the terrace at Alexandra, was to be shifted, so as to exclude that town from the benefits of the line. A'l agree that to you we are indebted for the line, and I should like to know if you are in favor of such a deviation.

Mr Pyke replied that he would most Strenuously object to it, as he did not believe in patchwork. He, however, thought Mr Rees’ information was incorrect.

Mr Rees was pleased that he had asked tho question, having obta'ued so definite an opinion, and he now desired to state that Mr Pjke’s speech bad given him great pleasure. Mr Chappie would like to know what Mr Pyke thinks n'H be done .regarding this 'ine in Parliament next session, and if the report of the surveyors w ill be ready by then.

Mr Pyke : I believe, as I said before, the line will be completed in three years; as my policy is that the Hue should be commenced at both ends and in tho centre simultaneously, so that when the sea board end is finished the laying of the rails will be carried right through the line. In answer to questions by Mr Ivorsen, Mr Rivers, Mr Forrest, Mr Cameron, and M>- McGinnis, Mr Pyke said, of the existing systems he was in favor of the agricultural leasing system; that he believed tho interpretation placed on tbq clause of the Land Act, referring to tho price of deferred payment leases was wrong, and that thirty shillings would be returned ; that while in favor of Free Selection, there must be restrictions as to quantity aud cultivation ; that while in favor ot the total repeal of tho gold duty, he thought it was hopeless to expect it.

Mr R. Finlay proposed that this meeting records a (cordial vote ot thanks to Mr Pyke for his able and eloquent address, and also a vote of confidence in him as tl o representative of tho Dunstan district in General Assembly. Mr Allen Came-on seconded.

Carried unanimously, and with cheers. Mr Pyke in returning thanks said that frequently in political life occasions arose when the representative had to decide promptly and without recourse to his constituents upon the best course to pursue. If the representative was not able and had not the strength of mind to do so he was unfit for his position, and undeserving of the confidence of the people. A tree must lie judged by its fruits, and the representative’s action could only fairly be considered when time had been afforded to the people to judge of his condust by its results, “ that time ” said Mr Pyke “ has now arrived, Gentlemen I thank you."

A vote of thanks to tho Chair living returned, the meeting separated nnd adjourned to host Ryan’s, Bendigo Hotel, and partook of a cold supper, and thus finished one of the most successful political meetings evea held in Alexandra.