THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2514, 8 March 1871, Page 2

THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION.

THE NOMINATION,

Yesterday

Mr Reynolds would not ou this occasion, as on a former one, be accused of having occupied too much time; lie would take other opportunities of addressing the electors when be hoped his meetings would be attended, in order that the electors might judge whether he was qualified to represent them. He thought his past services were sufficient to convince them that he would make a passable member. On tiie last two or three occasions lie had been unfortunate in not being placed at the top of the poll; this time he hoped they would redeem their character (laughter) by placing him there. He has no personal interest to serve ; his interest was to support every measure for the good of the City in particular and the Province in general.

Mr Bxroh would follow the example set and be brief. He felt certain of being returned, as during his long connexion with the public he had always behaved the part of an honorable man ; moreover, because the Daily Times was “hopful”—(laughter)--of him; it had been so invidious as to refer to a single item in his programme which had reference to himself. He would like to see all the industries he had referred to carried out here. Thousande of pounds were sent out of the Colony yearly for hops, when they could be advantageously grown here. Those industries should be encouraged, and if returned he would do all in his power to foster and encourage them. — (Applause ) Mr Duncan stated that it was his intention to notice at his meeting in the evening some of the most important questions that had been before the public during the last four years. He thought the explanations he would be able to give would induce the electors to place him in the same position as at the last election four years ago. He should refer to the refusal of the delegated powers to His Honor the Superintendent, the land question, which he considered the most important of all the topics to be considered ; the public works and immigration scheme ; as also to the financial pon-

tion of the Province, He purposed giving some explanation of the boundary question, which had not b en brought before the public so prominently as it should have been. In order to give opportunity of explaining bis views, he invited the electors to meet him at the M asonic Hall.

Mr H. S. Fish, who was received with expressions of disapprobation, he expressed himself gratified with them because they evinced that his conduct had been watched. When he was elected four months ago, he had made certain promises, and he sai l plainly and straightforwardly, every pledge he had given he had rigidly carried out. On that ground he had a right to claim their votes. He saw no reason why ho should have made enemies. He supported the losing candidate at the late election, and had as good right to do so as any one else. The candidate he supported had been beaten and he was ready to assist Mr Macaudrew in everything that was for the benefit of the people. He invited those present to meet him at the Masonic Hall, to hear his explanations, as he thought the duty of the Chief Magistrate of a city was to lead public opinion, if he could. Mr Bathgate, iu the words of a wise man, said hi gratitude for past favors led him to look for favors in the future. He held the same opinions as he expressed when he was chosen recently. To return him to the Provincial Council would strengthen his hands in the House of Representatives, as the battle for a liberal land law mils': he fought in the Council first. More stringent economy was necessary in local administration. Instead of a Provincial Treasurer receiving LSOO or L6OO a year, Ll5O would be sufficient; and he pledged himself to begin with the big-wigs. He would promote the construction of the Southern Trunk Railway to the best of his power. When finished, it would bring manifold blessings on the Province and great prosperity to the City. 11l reply to a question, Mr Bathgate said if ever called upon to be Provincial Treasurer he would accept a salary of Ll5O a year. Mr E. B. Cargill had come forward at the request of a great number of citizens. For some j’cars past he had taken no active part iu political matters; hut he had been an observer of the course of public affairs, and he claimed to have as great and ardent an interest in Otago as any one. It was his home and that of his children. He would be sorry to go in to represent a class. If returned, his duty would be to do the best for all classes. He attached very high importance to the maintenance of Provincial institutions in their integrity, until ihcir work was done. Railways could be better done by the Provincial Council than by an power outside Otago. A great deal of work had to be done by the Council, and upon its being done, would depend Provincial prosperity for years to come. He had no sympathy with those who wished to place the Provincial Council in antagonism to the central authority. The Provincial Council would never be stronger or have more influence with the General Assembly than when engaged in carrying out the wishes of the people. He considered the most important subject now to be considered was the formation of public works. It would be the means of bringing iu immigrants who should not be put down on our shores with nothing to do. It would be a disgrace to put women and children on to a farm houseless, as if they could be turned out to feed like so many sheep and cattle. Public works would tend'to render what was done already in bringing waste lands into cultivation, conducive to prosperity—(Cheers.) M r Geo i i ge Tur nbu ll having been pressed to offer himself as a candidate, had consented to do so. He thought he had done nothing to forfeit their confidence. He had acted quite independently, and for the general benefit. He was in favor of erectting representative institutions. He had done all he could to help the Corporation ami to push forward railways, and was iu favor of a total revision of the land laws. In reply to questions he was not in favor of a wholesale system of immigration. I f public wprk§ were carried out, they would lie the best immigration agent. Railways would bring a great number of stalwart men, and the best immigrants would be ship loads of good looking young women for wives for them—(Great laugh ter.) Mr G. E. Barton was not going iu fop any party or parties, The first thing he proposed to do if elected was to carry a Workman’s Lien Bill. He was not going in to help the squatters; they would not help him. He would do his best to have the Hundreds Regulation Act repealed. He had tried to understand he land laws, but could not. He never before desired to be returned ; but seeing that the working classes were interesting themselves in public matters, lie came forward to help them. In reply to a question, Mr Barton explained that the working classes were those who labored with their hands. If they were wise they would send one of themselves to the Council; but they were not wise. Reparation from the North Island was desirable. He did not believe in fighting to obtain runs for squatters in the North Island.—(Applause ) Mr J. W. Jaoo would, if returned endeavor to sustain every effort made to make the laws of the Province what they ought to he, so that the inhabitants of the Colony might become attached to it. Every attempt to establish monopolies of land, either by individuals or by companies, should he resisted. He would consistently advocate economical expenditure of the revenue. In reply to a question, he said if the country was suitable for the production of hops, every man had a right to grow them if he chose. He did not think it right to interfere with the liberty of the subject iu the exercise of any calling he might think lit to pursue.—(Cheers.) He was in favor of Separation from the North Island. Mr G. K. Turton had come forward as the representative of no party. He had not hitherto taken any active interest in politics because he had not had the time. He was more at liberty now and therefore he had no hesitatfou iu offering his services. He wished to be returned unfettered by promises, and would not pledge himself to support either squatters or agriculturists or any other class. It had been circulated that it was not his intention to contest the 'election, but he was fully determined to do so. The uext best thing to the Clntha railway would be to bridge dangerous rivers and to make branch railways. He was in favor of introducing water supply to the goldfields, for whatever benefitted tlie "oldfields benefited tbe City. Until a special immigration agent was appointed it was not likely a proper class of immigrants could be selected, and under existing uncertainties it was not likely that capitalists would be induced to come to tbe Province. It was contemplated to mak“ a common educational system throughout the Colony; should that be done, great care

would be necessary to preserve the interests of Otago. He was in favor of the non-pay-ment of members or of paying a lump sum for the session, when the sittings of the Council would be shortened. He was in favor of the introduction.of salmon, of acclimatisation, of encouraging the volunteer system, and of every means of advancing the interests of the Province. Mr W. H. Cutten had not taken part in Provincial politics for many years, and was therefore unknown at present, although one of the earliest settlers who arrived in the John Wickliffe. Those who remembered him as editor of the Witness could look back at its pages and find his opinions recorded there. With regard to the land regulations, he was one who with Mr John Gidies, in 1856, adopted land regulations. They were the best ever adopted, and be wished to go back to them. The mistake of the present system was, that land was made the means of revenue instead of settlement. He did net care about the regulations—what was wanted was to settle men and women upon the laud. He was a decided Proviucialist. He did not believe in beginning the Clutha Railway just before an election. Had it been begun six months earlier, he should have had more faith in it. He did not believe in the General Government scheme of importing men to construct public works, when there were people in the country io do them. Immigrants were [wanted to a certain extent, but immigration should be fostered by the Provincial Council. Be would not allow the General Government to impo t men and women, and the Province to find work for them. Mr Mason considered it necessary to introduce a law doing away with the Hundreds Act. He was opposed to laws favoring large holdings of 1 ind. Squatters were no doubt entitled to compensation—he did not say money compensation. If he were re* turned be would endeavor to devise a scheme by which squatters should have fairplay, and the people settled on the soil. Mr Mason was rather smartly questioned on some answers he made before a committee of inquiry, but those answers appeared to have been misunderstood. Mr B. Isaacs, amid much amusement and interruption, read a long speech, containing a programme of his opinions. Tbe noise wrs so great that we could not hear a sentence diatinc ly, so in justice to him, will not venture to transcribe our notes. Mr John Bahnes came forward, mainly because the present Government and Council wasted so much money on certain lines of railway. The town was as rotten as a rotten apple or rotten onion. Such men should be put in the Council as would benefit the Province. He considered the expenditure on legislation too gi eat. The last session c'>st L2OOO, and how was it conducted ? As soon as one member sat down after a speech, another jumped up, so that as their harvest was growing, they contrived to spend another day, for which they received a pound. It would be his object to put that system down. Within three or four years it cost the Province LIOOO or L7OOO, which was spent in public houses and tap rooms. He considered railways were made in a wrong direction. They were made along the coast or to a rive - . What was the use of making a railway to the Molyncux or Pot Chalmers? Goods could be conveyed cheaper by vessel. He considered t ! .at a Bill should be passed securing to wo imen their wages in ease of contracts. It was once the ea e, but was abandoned, because it was too much trouble. (The remainder of tbe speeches will appear’ to-morrow.)