THE ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3214, 9 June 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ELECTIONS.

ME ISAAC’S MEETING.

Mr 6. Isaac addressed a very large meetj™. the Oddfellows’ Hall, on Friday evening. Mr M. W. Hawkins occupied the chair.

The candidate, who was received with considerable applause, said the manner in which he had been received led him to believe he had done something outside politics which had met with the electors’ approbation. He had always taken a very deep interest in the affairs of the Province ; and as those present were fully aware, at the -various elections had used his best endeavors to get returned the best men that could he possibly got, in doing which he had always had the best interests of the Province at heart. He had no selfish motives, and had simply done what he considered to be lor the general good. In exercising their franchise on their present occasion, the electors should elect the best men they could get—good and tried men. The present position had been termed a Provincial crisis; hut why he could not understand, for he could see no cry to go to the electors upon. It was simply a personal quarrel, originating in Mr Donald Reid tyring Provincial Treagorer and at the same time accepting office under Mr Stafford in the Colonial Government. For himself, when the news was received, he had hailed with delight Mr Eeid’s acceptance of the Ministership of Public Works: it was a step in the right direction, because previously Otago had not been represented in the Bouse at Wellington.—(Laughter.) Well, there were some differences between the Superintendent and Mr Reid. The latter seemed to think that the Superintendent had treated him badly; pnd the Superintendent seemed to believe tfot Mr Reid had behaved badly to frim. There might have been faults on both sides—in his (Mr Isaac’s) opiaion there were to a certain extent; but that extent was very trivial, and had there been anyone in Wellington to have gone between them, differences might have been settled amicably. Thematter, in his (Mr Isaac’s) opinion, •food thus : when Mr Reid was rejected, or rather dismissed, by Mr Macandrew, who ■eemed to have taken a great deal of trouble - about it, neither held Provincial offices, because both were at Wellington, and had deputies in the Province. Well, his Honor requested Mr Reid to resign his position of Provincial Treasurer, but Mr Reid, he presumed, considered that it was quite time fmnngh to resign when he returned to Dunedin, because he had to consult the whole of bis Executive, and his party. Of course, his party was not in Wellington, and a new party could not be formed there. His Honor might then have allowed Mr Reid time to return to Dunedin before he dismissed him. Of course there were differences of opinion upon that Sdnt; and he (Mr Isaac) might be wrong, e did not profess to be up to much in politics, yet—(laughter)—therefore, he left it to the judgment of the electors to say whether he was right or wrong upon the point. They, the Stafford Government, were ousted, and Mr Vogel resumed office; and the Superintendent, seeing that he had made a mistake in dismissing Mr Reid, because there was no occasion fer doing so, as the two did not conflict one with the other, asked Mr Reid to resume office, in doing which, he (Mr Isaac) thought he was quite right. But Mr Reid, on political grounds, considered itr was not right that he should do so; and that point he (Mr Isaac) could not thoroughly discuss : of course that was a matter of opinion. Some said that Mr Reid should have gone back to office to save the country; but the present Executive and their party did not think so, as they believed they were the only persons -who could bring forward progressive measures. But the question was not Macandrew V. Reid, because those gentlemen •were in a similar position to himself, viz., before the electors, seeking their suffrages. The question ought not to be raised by a popular cry; « Are you a candidate for progression ?” but “ Are you a candidate for a certain policy which you think will be for the good, of the country; and will you lay that policy openly andfajrly before us?” He would explain the policy that he would endeavor to see carried out. He had been in the Province for the last eleven years, and it was very probable that he would rest his bones in land.—(Laughter, and cries of “Good Bob.)— Now, he had always been in'.favor of progression; for forty-eight years he had been a progressionist indeed, from his earliest birth—(loud laughter)—he had been progressive. He claimed their suffrages for one reason: the experience he had in the Home country had been such that his knowledge of public works was not to be despised. If he had not held a commercial position in Otago he had been in a large way of business at Home; there he was a commercial traveller for four years, during which timehe was hardly ever out of a railway. He had watched the progress of railways for thirtyfour years, and thought lie had had some experience of them. Passing from the constitutional question, the candidate referred to the land law. Wuen he made Mr Reid’s acquaintance it was upon the land question upon the Hundreds Regulation Act—which he thought was quite sufficient to immortalise that gentleman, should he return to his farm and never more take part in politics. Mr Beid came down from Wellington and saw the land being swallowed up by monopolists, and as public and settlement were required, he said, “I must put a stop to this; this Bill cropped up in the Assembly, and has never had the consideration of the Provincial Council.” A special session was called, which led to amendments of the Bill, and ultimately to the substitution of the present Land Act. Now he (Mr Isaac) was not ashamed of his acquaintance -with Mr Reid, although that gentleman had been called an obstructionist. He (Mr Isaac) was an obstructionist also, because he bad prevented the monopolists getting the land; but for that be deserved the best thanks of the people of Otago. He (Mr Isaac) bad no reason- to speak in derogatory terms of the present Superintendent. In many things be had been wise; he had cerassisted Mr Vogel in his public works policy; and the present squabble which arose out of Colonial politics, and in which there had been faults on both sides, might bare been settled, had there been some one to go between him and Mr Reid ; but he (Mr Isaac) condemned his Honor’s recent action in proroguing the Council After attending to the questions of public works and immigration, the candidate said in regard to the ticket trick he thought that the voters would not be led away by it—they would choose the men they thought were the best, in spite of the attempt to get them by of this ticket to vote for a certain teveu. He advised them to select the best men, and if he (Mr Isaac) was not amongst those whom they thought most fitted foi the position, their duty was not to vote for him —(hear, hear)—and if that did happen to be ihe result of their action, he would still act outside the Council as he had always done. He would watch everything* and if he saw anything done in politics agamaMJieir interests, ho would nog the bell.—(Laughter.) He was goihg to speak about Mr Fish, but be was not going to make any scurrilous attack upon him.—(Great applause and confusion.) Mr Fish, in seeking a public position, was public capital, and had a right to be canvassed. He had no personal ill-feeling against Mr Fish, or any other man. Mr Fish might deny this. Well, there was a coldness Detween them: they had not spoken for a long time, bat what was the reason ? It was this: some time ago Mr Fish charged him with the writer of-a letter which appeared in one of the newspapers, which he (Mr Isaac) denied, and Mr Fish then said fbqy were no more to be friends. He only xegarded it at first as a joke, bufche found that it was real/earnest; and from that time they bad notimokea to each other. Yet be did Bot allow an} such thing to perpetuate illfeelings; but he was opposed to Mr Fish’s views. Mr Fish, in the Masonic Hall, on Saturday, the 31st nit., had made a personal upon Mr Raid* He said there

that Mr Held had stated in the Council that ho would not take the position of leader in any Government that was about to be formed, but after “some gentle pressure” had been brought to bear upon him, he consented to act. Mr Fish also used a quotation from that moral work, “Don Juan,” saying of Mr Beid that “he who vowed he would ne’er consent, at length consented. He asked the electors where there was to be found a man in a public position who had oftener said “he would ne’er consent,” and yet consented than Mr Fish. —(Cheers.) But circumstances, he supposed, altered cases. After referring to Mr Fish’s remarks upon Mr Green and Mr J. 0. Brown, he alluded to his reference to the latter gentleman. “Of all the political rats,” said Mr Fish, “he ever saw in his life, the hon. gentleman, Mr Brown, was the greatest example.” Now he (Mr Isaac) thought tfcat it was very fortunate for Mr Fish that there was not a mirror on the stage that night, for if there had been he must assuredly have been frightened off it, as on looking into the mirror he would have seen another great rat.—(Loud laughter, cheers, and interruption) He then referred to Mr Fish’s change of opinion, and alluded to his own candidature, and the reports that were abroad in regard to it. He said he was in earnest; and if he had not been requested by a large number of his fellow-citizens to stand, he would not have had the presumption te do so. He did not intend to exert himself beyond addressing the electors in various parts of the City, but if they thought him to be an honest, independent man, he asked them to return him. Several questions having been answered, Mr M, Moss rose, and, amid great laughter, said he had much pleasure in proposing a vote of want of confidence in Mr Isaac. When the merriment had been checked, he corrected himself and proposed a vote of confidence, which was seconded by Mr M'Laren, and carried unanimously.

MR ROSSBOTHAM’S MEETING.

On Saturday night, Mr Rossbotham, a candidate for the representation of the City, addressed the electors in ihe Oddfellows’ Hall. The attendance was very thin. Mr Hamilton was voted to the chair. Mr Rossbotham said that it was with diffidence he came forward as a candidate for their support. It was the first time he had been trotted ont to contest a Provincial election, but he hoped to succeed in making matters so hot that some of those who had started more confidently in the race would, at-the close, be beard to exclaim: “Who would have thought it ?” An influential requisition had been presented to him, and it was in obedience to that request that he had resolved upon placing himself in nomination. It would seem that the present dissolution of the House was not so much a matter of political difference of opinion: he could see it was rather a matter of personal animosity towards each other. In the first place, he considered the Superintendent was rather hasty in the manner in which he dismissed his chief. The party of the chief having a majority in the House at its meeting, they determined on retaliating. That, however, was not the way in which the legislation of the country should he carried on. Representatives on entering the House ought to be possessed of feelings above sneh things as mere personal considerations. If they would not allow so much animosity to exist, but substitute rather more kindliness of feeling, they would have more time to devote to the legislative requirements of the eountry. Should he be returned, he proposed to give the progressive policy, as introduced by the Hon. Mr Vogel, his support. He would not pledge himself to Mr Macandrew, Mr Beid, or any other man. He would take care to represent the policy, and not the individual. He had no doubt whatever but that, if that policy was carried out in its integrity, it would do the Province a vast amount of good. Within the lost twelve or eighteen months property had doubled in value. That was his experience, and he had little doubt but that his experience in that respect was borne out by that of his audience. That result was merely the effect of railways passing within a mile or so of their properties. He would then, he said, proceed to touch upon a few of the leading questions of the day. In dealing with the public estate, he was in favor of free selection, both before and after survey. In Victoria a vast amount of good had been done since the introduction of that system. It would be the means of settling avast number of industrious people if adopted. He was also in favor of a healthy stream of immigration flowing into the Province. For immigration proposes, he Was opposed to a few favored districts of the Old Country being patronised. On the contrary, he thought that those operations should be carried on throughout the whole of the Three Kingdoms. He had heard it said, within the last few weeks, that Irishmen were not allowed to come out here under the present system. He believed there was some foundation for the statement. With respect to education, that was a question which had puzzled a good many. His own ideas upon the point were that legislation should be made in order ftat all denominations might be placed in a position to take advantage of the system. He would be in favor of adopting a system where teachers of all denominations would be allowed the use of schools, and those teachers to be under the control of the Education Board. He next touched upon the toll-bar question. He expressed himself favorable to their abolition, and if returned he would endeavor to get them removed. He could suggest ipany ways in which the revenue at present derived from tolls could be made up in other ways. The Superintendent had expressed an opinion favorable to their removal, and he bad nO doubt but that it would be done. He believed the Hon. Mr Reynolds was against it, and be thought that they would be wrong in returning any man opposed to it. He would also pledge himself to support all measures intended for the prosperity of the country. In conclusion, he wished to say that, if elected, he would at all times consider it to be his duty to consult bis constituents regarding any question that might come before the House likely to affect their interests. He proceeded to say : If satisfied with those sentiments, they would then be kind enough togive their humble servant “a leg up,” and, if possible, place him in a good position on the poll lie would not say put Wi at the heaa of the poll: he had not solicited votes orcanvassea for support; he had left that entirely to the electors. The Chairman invited questions to be put to the candidate, but no response was made. Eventually Mr Humphreys moved, and Mr Elliot seconded the usual vote of confidence, which was passed with applause. A similar compliment paid to the Chairman terminated the proceedings, which did net occupy much more than a quarter of an hour.

MR. HOWORTH AT BLUESKIN. Last Friday evening Mr Henry Howorth addressed the electors of Blueskin district, at the Waitati Hotel, Blueskin, at 7 o’clock. There was a large attendance. Mr. Quaylb was elected Chairman, who explained the objects of the meeting. He pointed out the changed and prosperous position of affairs in the Province, and the necessity there was for electing members who would by their measures seek to continue them.

Mr. Howorth, after thanking ’the Chairman for introducing him to the meeting, said ho would not make any apology for asking the suffrages of the electors; he was an old settler in t Otago, having arrivedseventeen years ago, and had always taken warm interest in its affairs. Neither was he new to politics, as he had had some experience as a member of the General Assembly in the year 1869, when the affairs of the Colony were [in a critical condition, under Mr. Stafford's administration. It was at the time when that statesman was about to enter upon a new contest with the Maoris, and proposed to borrow half .a million

of money, for the purpose. He was then member for the Taieri. He arrived in Wellington at the time when Mr Stafford’s Government had been ousted by a majority of ten-»na majority which dwindled down to one through the defection of five Canterbury members. He therefore could fairly claim, as the last member returned, to have kept the Government in office through his vote. He voted as he did through the conviction that, had affairs been allowed to drift as they had done under Mr Stafford’s rule, the credit of the Colony would have been pledged for the large sums that would have been expended in the North Island. The result of keeping the Fox-Vogel Government in office pacified the Maoris, and prosperity had followed, which placed beyond doubt that those gentlemen had managed affairs well for the country. But his object in going to the Assembly was not to turn Mr Stafford out of office, so much as to aid in carrying measures for the construction of public works; for, if the country were to prosper, a step must be taken in a direction different from what had been hitherto taken. During the recess the Government had opportunity for considering their policy, and ho was one of the members who urged the necessity for borrowing largely for those works. The result of that consideration was the Public Works and Immigration policy of 1870, to which he gave a general support. He did not jump at conclusions, but gave his support after mature reflection on the subject. On returning to , Dunedin, he found a great cry out in Otago against the measures which have so well succeeded. The proposals were rejected by the party in office in the Provincial Government, who refused to receive a favor from the hands of Mr Vogel. The measures had actually to be forced upon the Government of that day. That party has lately discovered that having become law the Colony is committed to them, and consequently there is no chance of their being repealed. They knew that at first,but in his opinion the affairs of the Province were handed over to their worst enemies—at that time—to a party of stagnation. But the resources of Otago were elastic, and it soon recovered from their mismanagement. His wish was to give all possible assistance, as far as the Provincial Council could do, to the carrying out of a progressive policy. The Council would exert an influence on the General .Government according to the number of members in favour of that policy. Had there been a sufficient number to press it, the links connecting the main trunk line with Dunedin, Waikouaiti, Blueskin,Olutha and Mataura, would have been included in the schedule of railways, and would have been progressing at the present moment. The line from Dunedin through Waikouaiti was of paramount importance, for all northern business would be carried further north to Canterbury unless conducted to the commercial centre of the Province. Both time and possibly opportunity had been lost of getting the Colonial Government to undertake that work at the present moment. He would, therefore, if returned, be prepared to advocate the work being done by the Provincial Government, and that a block of land should be reserved as security for the amount to be borrowed to accomplish it, or any other plan that would have that effect. That line of railway would have the best influence on that district, for it would bring it within an hour’s communication with Dunedin, and when they thought of the thousands that visited Port Chalmers since the railway was opened could they imagine as many would not visit Blueskin ? He was only waiting the construction of a railway to go there himself, as he had some property there. The advantage of railway communication to Blueskin would be to increase the price of land and every description of property. Whoever might represent them that work would require the most energetic effort to bring about. Although Provincial Councils were most useful institutions, their utility was marred by a large amount of talk. He thought three weeks or a month sufficient to dispose of the business. If returned, he trusted they would not think the worse of him if they did not hear of his speaking much. He preferred work to talk and hoped to set a good example. Perhaps the chief function of the Council was to administer the finance of the Province. The revenue amounted to the large sum of £340,000 annually. Every district was entitled to be considered, and the plan of subsidisingTßoad Boards was a good one. Having been chairman of a Road Board, he should advocate the continuance of that system, and he trusted the revenue would justify the giving two pounds to one. Other matters, for instance, education, required attention, but administration was the chief function of the Council, and to pass laws for self-govern-ment. The larger measures were originated by resolution and referred to the General Government. So the land laws, originated by redblution with the Provincial Council, were passed by the General Government and administered by the Waste Land Board. As administrators, the Provincial Government decided what land should be sold and what surveyed and reserved. For his part he was in favour of settlement on the land on most liberal terms, and the plan, in his opinion, suitable to the means of the-greatest number, was occupation of the land on a system of deferred payments. The present Act gave power to sell a limited area annually on those terms. The Act, in its present shape, was a 1 compromise, but whatever mode of payment was adopted, it should be the means of settling a large population upon land at present only feeding sheep. On the Goldfields he believed leasing land was the best plan. Any man could lease 200 acres within a goldfield if disposed to do, so. In fact, the Act provided plenty of means of settlement if its facilities were properly made known by the Provincial Government, and the people directed to suitable land. But it was no use settling people in a wilderness : communication with them was required, and the means for that provided, instead of remaining about the town, people would at once on arrival go into the country —the proper place for settlers. He himself had been ft farmer, and would not be sorry to return to it again. It was no use blinking the fact that party feeling ran high at present; he wished, however, to state his views fairly and openly. A dissolution of the Council had been brought about entirely through party. Hitherto Mr Green had represented the district. He would not comment upon the action of that gentleman in the Council; he had no unkind feeling towards him, and believed him to be entirely honorable. It was a political. contest in which they were engaged, and it was for the electors themselves to say whether they approved that gentleman’s conduct, and whether it was desirable to introduce new blood into the Council. If he, if returned, did not satisfy them, he had no hesitation in saying that at all times and at any time, on a proper and sufficient representation being made to him to that effect, he would resign.-(Cheers.) The policy of the Superintendent was really his policy: they worked together in the General Assembly; he had the good of the Province at heart and was veiy zealous in everything connected with it. With their permission he would read an extract from Mr. Turnbull’s speech, as recorded in the J)aihf Times, giving his opinion of the Superintendent. Mr Turnbull was one whom all could trust: a sound business man, and anxious for the interests of the Province s— * “The Superintendent was a man of progressive and onward tendencies, and since the first year of his Superintendency he had always given him his support. In dealing with him as a member of the Executive he had always found that he was not only willing to defer to the opinions of the members of the Government, but to waive his own, and gay, ‘.Very well, gentlemen, that is my opinion;’ and the minute was recorded in accordance with the views of the Executive, if they should happen to be against him. It was contrary to his practice to attempt to dictate his views either, to the Executive of the day, or to the public, and it might be said with truth that there was no man in the Province who was so much wrapped up, heart and soul, in its welfare. ’The public

affairs formed the subject of his dreams by night and his thoughts by day. He was always thinking and hoping that something advantageous to the Province would spring up. Things that he had advocated years ago, for which he was considered to be almost a lunatic, were now being realised.” He (M r Howoifh) could only say that represented his opinion of the Superintendent and his experience of him. With regard to local interests, though a free trader, he had supported a small import duty on grain, and he should advocate bonuses on the establishment of new industries, such as the factory at Mosgiel, or a glass factory, and such like. Objection had been taken to him that he was a lawyer. Well; lawyers were useful, and if anyone got into trouble he applied to them. And a lawyer might be of great assistance in advising them as to their looal affairs, such as Road Boards, and other, matters. He thought it wrong of the Council to pass an Ordinance of 200 clauses, without explanation, and had a lawyer represented them, the local disputes, if referred to him, might have been avoided. He therefore, as a lawyer, might prove useful to them, and not only to that district but to others. He should always be willing to render the electors any assistance in his power. It had been objected that he was not a local man ; the same was urged at the Taieri, but when in Dunedin he was always accessible, and one outside the district could represent the whole better than one who was bound up in the affairs and interests of a particular part of it. In that case, some other part was liable to be neglected. In reply to Messrs. Hammond, Peter Macgregor, Andrew Wilson, J. Macfariane, G. Charlton, and others : He approved of a national and compulsory system of education, but where there was a large portion of the population who wished for the Bible to be read in the school, it should be read at stated hours, no child being compelled to attend. He did not think the Superintendent should take an active part in securing the return of members to the Provincial Council. It was, however, little use returning a Superintendent if members were not returned who would support him. He was not in league with any persons in Dunedin who sought to secure his return in an unfair or dishonorable manner. He had been induced to offer himself by some of his oldest friends, electors in the district, and he thought that fact should satisfy them that his candidature was entirely on hxs own responsibility. He announced himself a candidate before the central committee in Dunedin was formed.

So long as the consolidated fund for education was sufficient to pay schoolteachers’ salaries, he would advocate payment of them from it, but if the revenue was insufficient, it would be better to tax themselves than allow children to grow up ignorant. Ho would not revert to the old system. He was in favour of commonage, but not of substituting one class of runholders for another. A great mistake had been made on that point, which had he been in Council at the time might perhaps have been prevented. With the consent of the runholder he should advocate 10,000 acres as commonage for Blueskin. He thought the assessment on stock would be increased thereby. When in the House of Representative? he was instrumental in limiting the compensation to the runholder to a reasonable amount, under the Hundreds Act. It was all he had the power to do. To set land apart, specially for the prosecution of public works, was against his inclination, but it was still available for sale at a vastly increased value. He was not in favour of selling land in large blocks. He was in favor of appropriating such a sum as was necessary for completing the Blueskin and Port Chalmers road.

He thought shepherds and others requiring dogs should be allowed to keep one free of tax ; any greater number should be taxecL Although he respected the religious views of those who would not allow railway passenger trains to run on Sundays, he could not advocate such a restriction, as it would be an unjustifiable interference with the liberty of others to enjoy an innocent trip analogous to riding on horseback, driving a tew miles, or walking in the fields. He would not, however, compel a railway servant to work the train if he objected. Mr. Edwabd Downes moved, and Mr. Charles Hammond seconded a resolution expressing confidence in Mr Howorth, and pledging themselves to support him. It was supported by an able speech by Mr Macfarlane.

Mr. Andrew Widson, seconded by Mr. Macgregor, proposed, as an amendment, that Mr. Howorth be thanked for his address, but the meeting will not pledge themselves to vote for him.

The amendment was negatived, and the resolution carried by a very large majority.

MR REID AT MOSGIEL.

Mr Bbid addressed the Taieri electors at Mosgiel on Saturday evening. There was a very large attendance ; and Mr A. Todd ■ occupied the chair. Mr Bbid, who, on coming forward, was received with cheers,, said he thanked the meeting for their manifestations of approval. He had great pleasure in seeing so many Taieri electors present that evening, inasmuch as though he was not now their representative in the Provincial Council it had been a source of great gratification to himself, one which he felt a high honor, to represent the district in the Provincial Council, because he looked upon it as one of the . most independent districts in Otago;—(hear)—independent in the sense that it bad no special or particular interest to represent. As a district—with the exception of attending to local requirements, such as each district in the Province required, ▼iz , a fair distribution of the revenue—there were no question of public policy, other than the policy of public works, and the laud question, and they only affected the Taieri in common with other districts in the Province. So far as the land question—one which had caused a great deal of strife in tbe Provincial Council—was concerned, it was q[uite immaterial to the constituents of the Taieri district, so far as present interests were concerned, what land policy might be pursued; but as forming part of the Province, it was to their interest, in common with other districts, that a liberal policy should be adopted and carried into effect. Therefore, his actions, as their late representative in the Provincial Council, were left free and unfettered, so far as special interests were concerned. It was his intention—and he thought it was necessary and incumbent upon him to do so—to enter somewhat fully into the reasons that had. led to the necessity for an election at the present time. Some two years ago, they did him the honor to return him as their representative in the Provincial Council, and in the General Assembly; and it was his fortune to command the confidence of the majority of tbe Provincial Council, the consequence being that he was placed in the position of Provincial Secretary, and the question arose during that session of tbe Council how his duties were to be attended to during his absence in tbe Assembly. When that question was raised, he intimated to the Council that if the effect of being Provincial Secretary was in any way to interfere with his free and unfettered aotion in the Assembly, or to prevent him performing his duty to his constituents in Parliament, then they would require to make other arrangements for some other person’s holding the Provincial Secretaryship. He explained that ho intended to appoint a deputy; the Council consented to that coarse, and the Superintendent and the Executive also agreed to it. So that when he went to the Assembly he went there simply as the representative of the Taieri, free and unfettered, and left his responsibilities behind him for the time being. He repeated he was not Provincial Secretary, but simply representative of the Taieri district. —(Applause.) Mr Beid then Went into explanations of his dismissal, the correspondence in reference thereto, and the subsequent events that arose from it. In the

position, he continued, that he took up in this master, he went just as far as any person with feelings of self-respect would go. When he was dismissed, he was as ires as any other member of the Council; and ho could not re-take office with that correspondence staring him in the face, and he could not yet think, after the indignity that had been cast upon him, that it was tor him to have returned to the position. He would give one or two reasons why he could not. Had he done so, it would hare been a tacit approral of his Honor’s action—approval which he could not be a party to, because he 3ht the action was unjustifiable, unfor, and quite unnecessary. In the second place, he could not have entered toe Executive and occupied the independent position he did before he was dismissed, because he must necessarily feel that his Honor could again take the high handed course which he had adopted, and remove him (Mr Reid) at any time from his councils. It was true that his Honor had the power to remove at any time, and, so long as it was never exercised, a person would not be in a position to think tint it was likely to be exercised; but once it was exercised and tacitly approved of, it might come every week.—(Hear.) It would therefore have been degrading to the position he held as their representative, had he taken office again under those circumstances.. He looked npon that request to resume office as an important one; and he would tell them why he so considered it. Considered in the light of the Messages sent down to the Council, and the Address to the people of Otago, it showed, at all events, that up to the time of his dismissal, and until after the correspondence had taken place, nothing had occurred which was likely to prevent him and his Honor working harmoniously together. It was by implication an approval of the course he had pursued as a member of the Executive, and that in writing “ his Honor has further to express his regret ” that he (Mr Reid) could not sea his way to resume office, he was bound to assume he was writing the dictates of his mind. He could not conceive that 'that expression of regret meant that his Honor was anxious to get rid of him. —(Applause.) As he bad already stated he had received blame from his opponents : he had not heard any strong censure from his friends, and it was too much to expect that his opponents would approve of bis actions. They would remember there was a request made when the members of the Assembly returned to the Province, that the Council should be called together. It was signed by twenty-seven members, and one of the reasons which the Superintendent gavo why it should not be called together was, that of expense to the country. It was a happy Executive. When he (Mr Reid) was in office in 1869, there was a special session convened withodtuonsul ting the Executive, and another special session in 1870; but nothing was then said about expense or waste of time. He had then to fight a triangular duel to retain office; that was to say, he had to fight against his opponents in the Council, who obtained the sympathy and undisguised support of the Superintendent. He had to fight that duel—and he could assure them that it was a very difficult one—against two parties, and it was a hard task. As he before said, there was no word then about expense te the country or waste of time: then the thing was quite right. When the Council met they were challenged—very indiscreetly, he thought—by the concluding paragraph of the opening Address, to take up the question as to whether they had confidence in the Executive then in office, and approved of the action taken. The concluding paragraph, indeed, intimated that if the Council did not have confidence in the Executive, the country, at all events, had confidence in them, which implied that if they (the Council) did not approve of them they did not possess the confidence of the conntry. Well, that matter was going to be tested; and he was happy to say that the electors of the Taieri district were to have an opportunity—by a bright star from the City coming amongst them— (cheers)—of testing whether or not those who were in the majority in the Council had the confidence of the country,—(Loud cheers.) WeU, Mr Fish moved the Reply to the Address, and such a reply he never saw moved before to any of his Honor’s Addresses. It was, in fact, no reply at alb The Government were frightened, and knew their weakness. The Address committed the Council to nothing. The Superintendent could come down and enunciate whatever proposals he thought fit; and on the Government of the day rested the responsibility of framing replies to the Addresses. After referring to the proposed reply, and his own amendment, he said it was not intended by the latter to censure the Superintendent, but to censure the Government; it was the latter who deserved censure, and not his Honor. The Government thought fit to resign when the motion was put, but his (Mr Reid’s) side pressed the matter in order to get it carried, because they wished to have it recorded on the Council proceedings that they did not approve of aucn a course being taken in the future, no matter who the Superintendent or Executive might be. They only vindicated the usefulness and freedom of our Provincial institutions by carrying the resolution. Well, the Gevernment resigned, and in the negotiations which he undertook in regard to the formation of a Government, he was exceedingly desirous of amalgamating parties in the Council. So far as his own party was concerned, there was no occasion for amalgamation, as they had a largejmajority; but, seeing that his Honor bad such a very great desire to have some of the other side in his Government, his (Mr Reid’s) side was desirous of allaying ill-feeling which existed by amalgamating; and he himself thought it was a very opportune time. They had passed the land law, and so removed one great element of discord; and he thought it exceedingly desirable, in view of the large public works under the Public Works and Immigration Aot, 4h> remove, if possible, the causes of disunion between members of the Council and the Assembly, so as to go to the Assembly in a stronger body in order to look after .the interests of Otago in the distribution of the loan. He wrought assiduously in order to accomplish that desirable result during the time he had the matter iu hand. But it was not to be. He would trouble them with a short history of what transpired. It was on a Thursday that the Government resigned, and on the following Saturday he was entrusted with the task of forming'an Executive. He made overtures to a member of the Government, after consulting with the party with whom he (Mr Reid) acted, to see if he would] join, and as ho did not receive an answer till Tuesday, before the Heuse met, he was not in a position to make any announcement to the Council, and Mr Tolmie seconded the adjournment till Thursday. On the following Monday the Message came from his Honor asking for a dissolution. That was an improper course: it should have been asked when the Execntire resigned, and not after a member had been asked to form a Government; and it militated very much against anyone attempting to form a Government. An adjournment till Thursday was asked, Wednesday being mail day, and then there, took place a scene which was not very creditable to the Council. Ultimately the adjournment till Thursday was granted, and he at once put himself in communication with members of the minority, and especially with Dr Webster, to ascertain whether they could agree to construct a Government partly from both sides of the House. Dr Webster entered ffitothe matter warmly, and ho (Mr Reid) saw him in the evening at his hotel, to see what progress he had made, when he informed him that he thought that there was some insuperable objection. With regard to this be (Mr Reid) wished to explain that he observed Mr Turnbull, in replying to a letter in the Daily Times, said he (Mr Reid) was satisfied that he (Mr Turnbull) had made no each statement. Mr Turnbull did wait upon him a day or two afterwards, and explained that he never intended to convey what Dr Webster had led him (Mr Reid) to understand. What

ba had, understood from Dr Webster was Mr Turnbull had said that there was an insuperable objection to his joining # any Government of which he (Mr Held) was a member; but Mr Turnbull explained that he said he would not join if he (Mr Reidjwas the head of the Government, and Dr. Webster, who was present, also explained that Mr Turnbull’s objection was to him (Mr Reid) being at the head of any Government that might be formed. However, it-.was quite immaterial. When Dr Webster and he again met, the former told him that his party bad passed a resolution to the effect that, in their opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Province to form a coalition. Thereupon his (Mr Reid’s) party was thrown upon its own resources, and compelled to fora a Government from its side of the House. In regard to this matter, he must explain to them that it came to his ears from another source, which he believed to be correct, that some other proposition was mooted at this meeting of the minority. It came to his ears thiswise: He met a gentleman who was at the meeting, who was rather desirous of a anion between the two parties. He (Mr Reid) said to him, “ I have received your resolution,” meaning the one referred to by Dr Webster. He replied, “You don’t mean to say they sent you such a resolution.” He (Mr Reid) asked “Why not?” He said, “It was such an insult to you.” He (Mr Reid) observed, “ Not at all; there is no insult to me.” He replied, “I don’t think that; I have the resolution passed at the meeting.” He (Mr Reid) then found that the resolution passed at the meeting was to the effect that be should be excluded from any Government about to be formed. Had he not heard it from such a reliable source, he would have been disposed to doubt whether a small minority of the Council would have had the hardihood to bring forward such a proposition, as if they were the majority, and should say what men should be iu an Executive,— (Cheers) He was net aware of any action of his that disqualified him from that position : if he were, he would not have been there that evening asking for their suffrages. He formed a Government from his own side of the House, and his Honor refused to accept them. He must say it was a most unusual course; aud he (Mr Reid) retired. He did not dispute that the Superintendent might, if he had very strong reasons for such a course, refuse an Executive; but he submitted the. reasons which were advanced on this occasion were not ressons which ought to have been given for refusing to accept an Executive. He looked upon it that so long as the Council existed, those who had the confidence of the majority ought to be entrusted with the conduct of the business of the country. The Council itself could determine whether it had confidence in the Government or not. Moreover, it appeared to him, and he had been led to believe it was so, he himself was the great stumbling-block. If he was the stumbling block, why did his Honor send for him to form a Government ? Was it a preconceived determination that he should be rejected ? If so; the action taken was exceedingly reprehensible, and unbecoming in any person holding the high position of Superintendent of the Province.—(Cheers.) So much had been said, and ably said by Mr Stout at Oaversham and Mr Gillies .at Tokomairiro, regarding the constitutional question, that he would not refer to it. He would repeat the names of the Executive he formed—Messrs Reid, Brown, Stout, Green, ahd Lnmsden. He had seen it stated that this Government would net have lasted twenty-four hours; but he himself thought it would hare lasted twenty-four months.—(Cheers.) What had been their predecessor’s action in regard to the Executive? Why, Mr Green’s life had almost been worried out by him to join their predecessors, and at the latest stage of the proceedings—even when the resolution was carried against the Government—he was asked to join them. It could not be said that Mr Stout was not a man of very great ability, or that he had not devoted a very large share of attention to polities, or that he had not taken a decided opinion on politics also. And would he (Mr Reid) be told that such men would not command the support of the Council was something that he refused to believe until the Council had had an opportunity of testing their ability. With regard to himself; he had already obtained the confidence of the Council for a long time; and believed he would obtain it still further. With regard to Mrßrown: that gentleman had represented the goldfields for many years, both in the Council and the Assembly, and he thought there was not a member representing the goldfields who was more deservedly popular than he. Mr Lumsden had been a] member of the .Southland Provincial Council, and was a man iu respect of whom, whatever differences of opinion there might be in regard to the views he held, every one must resneot. —(Applause.) That Government was rejected for the reasons he had stated, and, singular to relate, the same day Mr Tolmie waited upon him with a proposal that they should form a coalition Government, when they bad been informed twenty-four hours previously by the same party that it was-not in the interests of the country to form a coalition. The Executive were quite confident of having a good majority, and having the other side on the hip : they thought the country members came there looking after situations, but they were mistaken. Notwithstanding the great exertions made to intoxicate members, before six mouths had passed, invitations were made all round of “ Will you come and join us. I care not for the salary attaching to my office, and can attend to my business in town; just join us, and you will get the salary ,” —and they went so far as to tell some members, “You cannot make so much on your farms.”—(Applause.) To the great credit of those men, it was to be said that so far from sacrificing their feelings and principles on suoh an unworthy altar as that, they said, “If I do not make anything on my farm, I am not going to prostitute the position I bold as representative of this district in order, to obtain a salary, when I do not approve of the principles of those with whom I be associated.”—(Loud cheers.) After referring to Mr Tolmie’s and Dr Webster?# unsuccessful efforts to form a coalition, and defending his party from the charge of having wasted the time of the Council, Mr Reid proceeded ,to say that there was no necessity for the dissolution. It could and ought to have been avoided. No good would result from it jon the contrary, he foresaw a great deal of evil. It would give rise to a great deal of bitter and angry feeling throughout the Province; it would re-kindle those party feelings which were dormant, and had well nigh become extinguished altogether; it would divert attention from important matters affecting our interests which took piece outside Otago —he meant in the centre of the Coleny; and it would prevent for a time, when a day should not be lost, the opening up of lands under our new Land Act, which had been too long neglected, and interfere with both public and private business throughout the Province. These were a few reasons why the dissolution ought not to have been gianted, and the result would not be to alter materially the position of parties. He could not believe that it would be so. There might bo an occasional weeding out here and there of what an Australian politician had termed “ wooden menbut, on the whole parties—that was the opinions represented—would be pretty much the same as in the late Couheil. They might get rid of Donald Reid and one of his lieutenants.—(Ones of “ No.”) Ho recalled that; he did not think it was likely. There might be an exceptional case of change of persons as representatives of constituency; but, on the whole, the new Council would be much the same as the old one; and would that be sufficient recompense for the ill-feeling and excitement, to say nothing of the expense, the election would cause ? He should say not! [We are obliged to hold over the rest of Mr Reid s speech, together with those of Messrs Allan ami Shand.]

The Shah of Persia is on ft journey to Europe.

ME WEBB’S MEETING.

Messrs Allan and Shand having spoken, Mr J. S. Webb rose to address the meeting, and was received with applause and some hisses. He said that after the speeches rosy had beard from their late representatives whom personally he held in the highest respect—it would be discourteous on his pare to speak at length, more particularly asbom Mr Reid and Mr Shand had made statements that he wished to reply to carefully and at length, which he was phy** sically incapable of doing »t tn*» late hour! He wished to take the portunity of expressing his dissent from Hie statement that had been made that someone outside the district was formwj himself amongst them. He contested election—though it was a Mr »*itt resided in, and in which he was highly and deservedly honored—because he differed from Mr Reid in certain things, and the last thing he did before starting on a canvassing tour in the district was to pay the wage-slwet of one of the largest establishments in the electoral district. The district, as it did from the Lammerlaws to the sea, included more than any ether district in the Province; and it was possible it might contain a good many people who did not approve of the action of their late representatives, notwithstanding the esteem in which they were held. As the official manager of the meet preserving works, which included, as shareholders, some of those who had already addressed the meeting, he‘ was deeply interested in everything that concerned the electoral district; therefore he did not feel that he was thrusting himself upon them, or that he was a stranger among them.' Whilst personally he was a stranger to a great many present, be might be penmtted to that he was a very old politician in the Province. He had been that day reminded by an elector of the Taisri that the first time M made his appearance in a political contest in Otago, when ho was joined with others to promote the return of Mr A. M‘Ma»ter as Superintendent. The gentleman he referred to challenged him with having on that occasion opposed the present Superintendent, and said he should be on the same tack now. Ten years ago the circumstances of the Province were different to what they were now: He come here with his large family, Mid had his bread to win, and he had worked with an earnest desire that when he appeared before the electors again he would not be twitted as he was by the newspapers !>f the day ten years ago, nmoa appearing before a constituency, with endoavoring to creep in under the wings of a friend for the sake of place, power, or pay. He had no such desire, and if he had, the Taieix would not have been the place he would have stood for.—(Cheers.) It would be improper on his part to enter, at that late hour, mto the questions of pol cy, or what had led to the present deadlock: they would therefore excuse him until Monday at the nomination, when he would very carefully reply to some of the statements of Mr Reid. He could assure the electors he had not oome on a wild-goose chase. The following were' some of the questions put and answered You will not bo doing justice to yeurself, or to the meeting, if yoa do not explain your views.—! confess I feel physically incapable of doing so. Who brought you forward?—l came myself. Do you approve of the Birch-Seaton appointments, without consulting the Executive or any other responsible body?—l think it was a very greit mistake. While upon that question, I may say that the only political power I have possessed has been my pen, with which I have endeavored to support Mr Reid’s action when it has accorded with my views. I have acted as a useful lieutenant on more than one occasion; and I think Mr Reid will do me the justice to acknowledge that Your appearance here would lead ns to infer that yon consider the district has not been properly represented hitherto.— I have been informed that, in parte of your district, there is a large number of elestem who do not consider they ten represented by the three gentlemen who have a majority of votes at the polling. I quite believe that. I know that there are many parts of tha district where the electors do not hold the some opinions as those who live in the Taieri Plain. I .don’t know that it has been a matter of regret, but I think it is a pity that a district with so many hundreds of people in it shotild be made one, instead of being divided into three. Proper representation does nob consist in the representation by the majority of a minority, bud I have come here to-night in the hope that if the minority who do not think they have been represented will make “ a long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull together,” will obtain proper representation. Have yon oome fforward .at the solicitation of his Honor’s adviser* ? Certainly not. His Honor’s advisers have told me that it was no use my coming here. —(Laughter and cheers.) I believe a dissolution was the proper solution of the present difficulty. Then will you inform this community what question of policy there was to go to the country upon?— That is just it There was no question of policy. Yet Mr Reid determined to nave these men, and so made ita personal question. Under thoseoircumstanoes, there being no question ot policy, the proper course was a dissolution. Then you approve of minorities ruling majorities ?—-Certainly not; but how are you to know Rich ie the majority unless you have a dissolution to try it Do you think those gentlemen had any right on those benches at all? Certainly I think so.—(Laughter.) They were there constitutionally, though I must tell yon I totally agree with the system of Government we have in this country. I believe it would be very much better for the country if tha Provincial Council were placed in humbler positions, and there was less playing at Government by party. Do you believe in the Superintendent having all the rule of the Province to himself?— Moat certainly not; neither do I believe in a Provincial Secretary having all the rule to himself.—(Cheers and laughter.) __________________