MR PROSSER AT THE MASONIC HALL.

Evening Star, Issue 3152, 27 March 1873, Page 2

MR PROSSER AT THE MASONIC HALL.

Another of the candidates for the seat in the Provincial Council rendered vacant by Mr Cargill’s resignation—Mr Prosser—address’d a large meeting of the electors at the Masonic Hall last evening, Mr Robin was in the chair.

Mr Pkosser commenced his remarks by stating that several times during the last four years he had been asked to come forward for the City and Provincial Councils. He had had considerable experience, both in the Provincial Council of Canterbury and in Municipal Councils on the West Coast, but having there devoted a large portion of his time to public matters he thought to take a little rest, and attend to his own affairs for a few years at least. He came forward on this occasion, not at the request of a few gentlemen, because he considered that a person wbo came forward to seek the electors’ suffrages should, at all events, have a requisition from a considerable number of the citizens, particularly if it was the first time of making his appearance. It had been said that he was brought forward to support the Reid party, but he denied that statement. His requisition was signed by 150 citizens, many of them Macandrewites and many Reiciites; therefore he might fairly claim that he would go in to represent both parties to the best of his ability; Provincial politics were a subject about which there was very little difference among the candidates, and those who had spoken had touched upon similar subjects. Possibly he might introduce a few new ideas to relieve the monotony of his address. It was four years since be had addressed a public audience at any length, and was now out of practice. There was no doubt that Provincial Councils had almost been a by-word in New Zealand for some tiraepast; and that persons were in the habit of casting a great deal of abuse on them. He himself at one time thought it would be very desirable to do away with them as speeddy as possible, but since then he had watched the action taken during the last few years by their representatives, particularly those in the General Assembly, and he was somewhat chary now about advising that those institutions should be swept away, for the simple reason that, as it was very difficult to get good representatives to come forward for the Provincial Council, which was he'd in our midst, it would be particularly dillicult to get them to come forwardjfor the Assembly. If they did did away with the Provincial Council, we wovld be left in 'the hands, to a considerable extent of persons who sought the electors’ suffrages with some ulterior motives—in most cases, their own advantage. He looked forward to the time, which, he hoped, was not far distant, when, by co-operating with Canterbury, they would get a Provincial Council for the Middle Island. That was the tendency so far as he could judge, and it would be a very good thing to have one Council to manage the affairs of this Island. He did not propose to g>» into matters in detail, but simply to touch on the headings of those subjects on which it was necessary that the electors should be informed as to the way lie intended to act if elected. He had taken an active part in getting up a shipping company for New Zealand. With three or four other mercantile men, he had advocated the formation of a company for the Province, so that we might ultimately have our own ships to carry our goods from England here, and so that we might receive the large amount of profit which was now made by the English shipowners. lie was glad to inform the meeting that, although they had not succeeded in forming a company for Otago, they had co-operated with the Canterbury people in forming one, with a capital of L100,0()0, which it was pro posed to increase to L 225,000. There would be no reason why this company, if it thought proper, should not lay on a line of steamers from Port Chalmers, as bad been suggested by many persons in the Province, and particularly by the Superintendent. That company might take that matter up, and briug out steamers direct to Otago. It was only a question of expanse, aud the time would come when steamers running direct from Loudon to this port would be a reality, be mentioned this matter merely for the purpose of showing that co-operation of that kind with our powerful neighbor, Canterbury, would

tend to allay those petty jealousies which had hitherto existed between the two Provinces. (Hear.) He had pleasure, therefore, in congratulating the public on this small step having been taken. 1 here was no doubt that the machinery of the Provincial Council could bo simplified to a very great extent; but, with many other persons, he thought it should be done by degrees. Like the publicans’, dog, and other taxes, which had been handed over to the municipalities, certain things could be handed over to the mad boards and municipalities. One of Hbese was the control of the harbor, which might ve-y properly be taken from the Government and' placed in the hands of a body of competent persons. To that extent he would support measures for relieving the Council of some of its work. The next question was the Laud Act. The laud question was one that had excited a good amount of ill-will and bitterness in the Province. He had taken a cursory glance over the new Act, and so far as he could see, it was a very fair compromise, and, if carefully worked, of very great benefit to the Pro - ince. It might have 0.-en very much more liberal ; but now of they had the Act they should endeavor to work it as liberally as it was possible to do without causing ill-will or ill-feeling among any class of settlers, squatters, or agriculturists. 1 here were originally four Acts of Parliament bearing on our waste lands ; now we had one, which he felt sure was a great advantage to the country. He was entirely opposed to the sale of large blocks of land. (Applause.) A great deal had been said by one of the candidates about the M oa Flat sale ; and so far as he (M r Prosser) was concerned, be totally disapproved of that sale, though he was quite willing to admit that many of those gentlemen who were held responsible for that sale, were quite able to defend themselves when called upon to do so. (Hear.) He did not think it right to hurl abuse on the heads of persons unable to come forward and de r eud themselves. (Applause.) A great deal was to be said on their side of the question; a great deal of pressure was brought to bear on the Govirnment of the day; in fact an c-n leaver was made to compel them to sell that land. However, he would not touch further upon the subject, as Mr Reid, who was attacked in particular, would defend himself, which he was quite capable of doing. He (Mr Prosser) was in favor, and had been for a (long time, of selling land in suitable localities, in blocks, as provided by the 47 hj section of the “Otago Waste Lands Act 1572,” on deferred payments. He was in favor of throwing open the land for hona fide settlement in sections of 50 to 320 acres, on deferred payments of 2s 6d an acre, a year, as provided by the Act. They ought to encourage settlement upon the laud, because demands had been made by the North Island people to absorb our waste land for the purposes of general revenue ; and it was therefore ne essary to urge the subject upon the Government, so that the General Assembly might not have it in their power, if a sufficient number of members could be found to log-roll for that purpose, to carry out those demands. He was also in favor of giving bonuses for the cultivation of different industries, such as the cultivation of flax, and the encourage? ment of special settlements such as the one proposed to beestabhshed at Stewart's Island for the purpose of curing fish. Industries of this kind should be liberally dealt with. He did not, however, believe in the Martin’s Bay settlement, because he did not know that there was anything special—unless gold was found—to be developed at that extreme end of the Island, while there was plenty of land available within our own doors, (Applause and hisses ) It might suit some persons to hiss ; but his view was, at all events, a common sense one. He was also in favor of developing the mineral resources of the Province, particularly its coal. Every effort should be made by the Provincial Govern? ment, by boiing in such placrs as they might deem best, to develop our coal resources. Unless an effort was made there was no doubt that the Grey, the Buffer, or Wanganui would run away with the coal trade. He would not say that we had coal seams as good as those places, but the coal was equal to our own requirements and to the use of the steamers that came into our harbor. He would, therefore, advocate a sum of money being placed on the estimates for the purpose of bor'ng in suitable localities for good coal. When they knew where good coal existed, boring operations would be conducted, in order to ascertain whether there was sufficient inducement to get up a large company to develop the resources of the field. J f they were unsuccessful, an attempt might then be made, as was pointed out by the Star, to co-operate with the Grey or Buller. [A Voice ; We have as good coal at Kaitangata as they have at the Grey.] He was glad to bear so. With regard to public works : he need scarcely say that he was in favor of the construction of railways—a net work of railways, if they were not expensively constructed. Steps had been taken to connect Oamaru and Timaru. The Moeraki Railway should be pushed forward as speedily as possible, or the Canterbury people would take our trade away. The}' were pushing th-ir railways on very fast, having a large revenue at their disposal ; and he had no doubt they would try to rob us of the north trade. He was in favor of pushing on as quickly as possible the Queenstown and Invercargill line. Steps had been taken to connect Tokomairiro with i uapeka, and the Wakatip district should also be quickly connected. He had been almost all over the Province, and in many parts it would pay handsomely to construct railways. He favored tramways as feeders to railways, in the way proposed by the Immigration and Public Works scheme. He had take an interest in the subject, having been one of seven who constructed a tramway costing 1 5,000 on the West Coast. '1 he rails were certainly wooden, but the tramway had the effect of bringing down the cost of carriage from L 3 10s or L 4 to 10s a t6n, and it was of great service to the community, In districts where it would not pay to run iron tramways, it would be of great assistance, and would be very much cheaper than expensive roads, 'Jhere was room for improvement in the way the roads were kept hero. He had condemned the placing of unblinded metal on the roads, and promised, if returned, to move that the matter should be enquired into. Referring td the Brogden contracts, he said it would be recollected, when they became knowh, he, in company with others, got up a meeting and condemned the systetn. The experience they had had proved the systelh to be decidedly bad. In place of the foreigh capitalist,' we had amongAis meh with Efficient' ability and capital to CoiT struct‘our public winks, (Applause ) This was no hew subject with him. In the Canterbury Provincial Council he tabled a resolution that all public works o«i tile should be let by public tender. He did not succeed in carrying it, but ic was adopted the next session, a-M it was the only system to be carried out under any form of Government. (Applause.) These were not subjects coming properly within the scope of the Provincial Council, but he ought to give his views upon them, because the 'Council could bring pressure to bear—and very properly to a large extent, and, if returned, he would use every effort to get the voice of the Council on those subjects as soon as possible. He certainly objected, like the other candidates, to indiscriminate immigration. Immigration should be worked hand-in-hand with the laud system, and endeavors should be made to settle the people on the land as much as possible. Unless that were done, it was the opinion of most thinking men that the Public Works scheme, as at present devised, would be a great failure, and he for ohe would be sorry that such a contingency should occur. Up to the present time, l)r. Featherstqne had not given such satisfaction to the Colony as be ought to have done. Hjs acxiops been condemned by most persons competent to judge. He (Mr Prosser) was fully prepared to admit that he had had a great amount of hard work to do; and that it jyaa

very difficult to organise an immigration scheme in twelve months. It was a wrong thing to endeavor to employ Chinamen on the public works, while white men were to be had. He thought, when a contractor got his price, he could afford to employ competent labor. If this Chinese labor had turned out as successfully as the contractors would have liked it to have done, it would have been a poor look-out for the settlement of the country. By imp irting Chinese labor there would be precious little land taken up. Being a free country, we could not prevent them coming here ; but he would discourage the employment of Chinese on public works, until such time as it was proved that European labor at a fair price was not obtainable. (A pplauac.) He was in favor of developing the goldfields to the greatest extent. He resided in Queenstown in 1863, and took a lively interest in its affairs, and condemned the niggardly policy adopted by the Executive of the day. He had predicted what turned out to be the case, that unless the Government used every effort to develop their resources when they possessed large revenue, they would not have the opportunity when the revenue fell off. And so it turned out. The West Coast rush took place, and he and others left the district, for they saw clearly there would not be sufficient business to keep them. Had the Government acted otherwise, a large population would have been retained. He would encourage development by the construction of roads, tracks, and grants of money for water-races. He believed the 1300,000 appropriated to the development of the goldfields of Hew Zealand far too small an amount. Money laid out on those objects would be a reproductive investment. Several electors had said to him they did not know him, nor what he had done nor was likely to do. He therefore thought it right and proper to allude to his past experience, to prove that he had not been an idle or inattentive observer of matters connected with the auriferous resources of the country. He was one of seven, who, on the West Coast, constructed a wate'-race some twelve or fourteen miles in length, at a cost of L 7,500. He mentioned that to show that ho was alive to those matters, and understood carrying them out. The Government should have one or two competent engineers and surveyors to act as a" hoard of advice, so that when miners projected water or tail-races they might be assist'd. He had seen tens of thousands of pounds wasted through want of competent advice in the arrangement of levels and other matters, Kaces had been brought in at too low levels, and other similar mistakes made which might have been avoided had professional assistance been available. The Board could be made self-supporting, for those receiving its assistance would be glad to pay a small fee. He approached the Education question with some diffidence, for he was not well acquainted with the working of the system. His remarks might, therefore, be inappropriate on many points. He should, however, he glad to shape his present crude ideas for the benefit of the community at large. He was in favor of the present system, although, possibly, improvements might be made. Ho thought, for instance, a permanent Board would be bettor than making the Executive an Education Board. It might be right to have one or two members of the Executive on it, but as a rule they wore not men the best able to carry out a system of education. He should advocitc the appointment of first class masters and good inspection. There might be many causes for complaint as to the working of the High School, but he would not endorse the opinions expressed by the Dally Times. 1 It was, however, a fair subject for inquiry, which could nob be objected to by the piasters. He should, therefore, support such ap inquiry. Liberal provision should be made for a national system of education, and he considered it should be compulsory. Another great want was a training school for teachers, and hp would support the Government in adoptjng such a system. It was with pleasure that he observe I steps had been taken to obtain schoolbooks free from objections urged by some denominations, as calculated to give qffence to them. It was a step ip the right direction. A good deal had been said about the expense of educational establishments. They should be conducted as economically as possible, but if they were to be kept efficient, money must be voted. In a few years the liberal land endowments would bring in a large amount of money, and therefore there need not be much apprehension of the expense being greater than ought to be borne. How that the University was started, it ought to be fairly supported; and he was sorry to see that other Provinces, instead of supporting it, were trying to outstep Otago by endeavoring to found other similar institutions. Seeing that the University of Otago was established, he considered it fairly entitled to a hand seme share of the grant. Complaints had been made that the public did not know the work done at the University, and he should recommend, therefore, that fuller reports should be published in future. The next question was the licensing system. He was doubtful whether Otago was ripe for a permissive system, and whether it would be the best for teetotallers ; for he was told that on one or two oc casions pe itions to the Licensing Bench for the est iblishment of public-houses had been s gne I ty large numbers of residents, which, pioperiy or improperly, had been refused. If left to petition, it seemed likely the number of public-houses would be increased ; while it waa highly desirable they should be diminished. He had been taunted by many with feeling indifferent about harbor improvements. He might state that he received no circular inviting him to attend the meeting, and, therefore, he could not be present. He thought the improvement of the harbor should be controlled by trustees similar to those of Auckland, lie believed it had done great good. 'J he Board should have individually some interest iu the country. The harbor had been very unsatisfactorily managed by the Executive of the day: one giving directions to have it dredged in one place, and their successors in another. It was consequently necessary to have a change, He considered some endowment necessary, either of land or money, and now that Government bad purchased the Port Chalmers Bail way, the harbor trust should have the jetty dues. Mr Balfour had reported on the state of the harbor, and although he might not be prepared 1 to go to the expense recommended, the' best appliances possible should be obtained. He did nut expect they would agree with him on the subject of payment of members. Members were paid at present, but he‘ considered it desirable and economical to kive a Certain amount every year. He wished to cast no reflections', but he must say the giving berths to one, travelling cxpe'mes to another, and po on, was a bad ami expensive system. Complaints had bon made that men would not come forward, but' be did not see how they* eoui-i expect men to work for them and not be paid. Ffe need nob take the money if he felt inclined to work for the honor of position. But no man who looked over tho appointments in the Mem Zi’iiln.iid Gazette could fail to perceive that many persons had been placed in offices, not for ability, but simply to pay for support given to the political party in power. That should show that paying members would create confidence, and constituencies would take care to send men only in whom they had confidence. At present members received a pound a day and their travelling expenses barely enough to keep them going, so they had to depend for reward upon the Government of the day. It had been said that he was pledged to support a want of confidence motion in the present Government—(Applause.) —in fact, that he was going iu for that purpose,' He was not attempting to go in for anything of the kind. If elected, he should be allowed to use his discretion as to which Executive he would support. He did not want to be a mere nominee member. He would'not say he would support the present Executive. A great deal had been said sgaiast M m , beyww# 1m seconded Mr Reid.

His reason was, he heard his Public Works statement in opposition to Mr Vogel; he thought it straightforward and able, and he determined to support him : nor was he - rry lie had done so. 110 thought to be only 250 votes behind Mr Macanclrcw was very creditable to him. He regretted it had been thought necessary again to introduce the question of Macamlrow v. Keid, for he did not see that it Imre on the present contest. Tno object was to throw dust in the ryes of the electors, hub he hoped they would not be turned aside. He was only acquainted with one or two members of the present Executive, bub since they had been appointed it was only fair they should have the opportunity of submitting their programme to the Council, before a want of confidence motion was brought forward. He did int think Mr .Stafford's administration ha I been fairly treated ; they should have been allowed a reasonable time to perfect their measures. He was prepared to go to that extent, but not further. [Mr Prosser read an extract from Hearn’s “ Constitution of England,” showing that no prejudices or selfish objections should be allowed to interfere with the public duty of members of Parliament.] In reference to toll-bars :It was a very simple matter, but of course he was in favor of removing them further from the town. They were much too near, and prevented people getting outside the town. If it was possible to do without the revenue, he would say, “Do without it altogether.” He was sorry to s-e that about 700 names of electors had been struck off the electoral roll. Some steps should be taken for putting their names on it. When once a name waa on the roll, it should not be struck off on account oi removal until notice had been given to the elector, calling attention to tho fact that, unless properly registered, it would be struck off. He should advocate making the electoral roll as liberal as possible. He had only to say that if the meeting approved of his candidateship they would use every effort to secure his return. He was a stranger amongst them, but be had come forward at considerable expense and inconvenience to himself, and although it might be better for him to be rejected, he should not like to lose Ids election If returned, he would do his best for the benefit of the City and Colony at large, without favor or affection for either one party or the other. Iu reply to Mr Rhorwin : Ho thought a proper Board of Education, selected by different bodies, would be preferable to having a responsible Minister of Education, for the Board would have some permanence. A certain number of members might retire annually, and be open for re-election. After answering a few unimportant questions,

Mr J as. > c <ular proposed,and Mr Rpar row seconded a resolution affirming Mr Prosser to be a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in the Provincial Council. On being put to the meeting, about half-a-dozen hands were held up against it, and a large majority holding up their bands in favor of it, tho Chairman declared it carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman was passed, aud the meeting closed.