NOMINATION FOR THE CITY.

Evening Star, Issue 3997, 16 December 1875, Page 2

NOMINATION FOR THE CITY.

The nomination of eandidates to represent the City took place at noon to-day, Mr W. P, Street presiding. The attendance was large, numbering full / 500,

Mr Li oyd (whose appearance was the signal for laughter, which bee one general when he leisurely unrolled from their paper covering a book and a copy of the electoral roll) proposed M r J. G. S. G rant, who seconded himself. Mr J. Rattray, in proposing the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, remarked that during the twentytwo years that gentlemen had represented the City he had never absented himself from his post. They all know the great services he had done for Dunedin and tho Province (A. Voice ; And for himself) —and in the future they might expect from him equally valuable services. ■> e was a veteran, with large experience ia the ways of the Assembly, and possessed great weight *nd influence with his fellow members of >he House. There would bo most important Colonial questions earning before the next P- rliaraent—such as the re-arrangement of taxation, State education, re-arrangement of local

overnment, finance, etc.—and to deal with th we they ought to send up experienced, sensible men, like Mr Reynolds. Mr J. Htman seconded.

Mr Wm, Hooper next came forward to propose a candidate, but found himself nnab'e to do so through not being on the roll, and retired amid considerable laughter. Mr George l uhnbull was going to propose the genuine article—Mr James Macandrew.— Cheers). He thought he had got the right man. He (Mr riaemdrew) was so well known that it only required the mention of his name to secure for him the hearty approbation and th a supp >rt of the electors. Considering that this was the largest constituency in the largest Province in the 'olony, wo wanted men whom we could trust, and he was sure Mr Macandrew was one of them —(Cheers). Mr Joint Barnes seconded. He hoped Mr Macandrew (w. uld get the “unanous” rote of the constituency, Mr E. Nathan had to propose one, who, if his views accorded with those of the electors, and they elected him, vvmld do his best to serve them, viz , Mr H. S. Fish. Mr J. Braituvvaite seconded.

Mr R. Wilson proposed Mr W. J M. Lar nach. Never in the history of New Zealand was there a time when thorough business men were more wanted than the present. In his opinion we wanted men—good, practical, business men—not measures. The next two years would bo the most critical time we had ever passed through, and we want men able to combat with difficulties. From his experience of Mr Larnach he was satisfied whatever ho took in hand and whatever he promised to do he would carry out well if ha was able.

Mr Eossbotham seconded. He urged the electors to bo unanimous, to abolish the abolitionists—•(“ Oh*)—snd go in for the unity of the Province of Otago. If they sent up a block vote of twenty men they could accomplish that. Mr Davie proposed Mr Robert Htout. He knew that in doing so he asked a great sacrifice at the hands of the electors of Caversham. (A voice : We won’t have it.) We hid arrived at a critical point in the affairs of the Colony, and it required that we should have our bust men to represent the City. That was the excuse he offered to the electois of Caversham for bringing Mr Stout forward for the city. He hoped the electors of Dunedin would rally round the cause of the Province and return men faithful and true to what he would call the Macandrew policy (Oh)—ns opposed to the policy| which seeks to concentrate everything in Wellington. If the electors of Dunedin were true to themselves and gave expression to those sentiments on the day of the election—as he felt sure they would do— ha knew the place Mr . v tout would .occupy on the poll.

Air John Grant seconded. Mr Jas. Robin propo»ed Mr James Macassey. Anyone who read Mr Macassey s views, ns explained last night, would see that he would bo one to do all ha possibly could to prevent such a catastrophe as making the rich Provinces ol Otago and Canterbury poor, and the poor Provinces rich at their expense, which the action of the Assembly undoubtedly meant. Mr J. B. Thom ton seconded.

Mr Wm. Bolt would propose one whose views he thought the electors would cons der j sound. Tuey were based on true democratic i principles, giving to each office a fair share of responsibility in canying on State affairs, and giving each one equal justice. His | candidate possessed the great if not tho first ■ requisite, viz., thorough honesty of character. He proposed ' rJ. P. Armstrong. Mr H. C.vnuicK seconded, solely under the conviction that Air Armstrong was an honest, straightforward man. They had a great number of politicians—tricksters, men who were Centralists to-day if they thought the Centralist cause won d carrv them in, and Provincial lists to morrow if they thought that would win. The electors should be aware of such men. ( beers.) They wanted not so much intelligence as downright honesty. (Hear.) Mr Reynolds spoke as follows Having so lately addressed you in the drill-shed, it will be unnecessary for mo to go over the same ground again and refer to the questions then under .* consideration. I will, however, briefly refer to some of tho strictures which have since appeared in tho P ess upon the remarks which I then made It has been said that to Mr Maoandrew’s exertions we are indebted for tho provision contained in the Abolition Act, whereby the land fund is lefc for appropriation by the local governing bodies ; as also that tho education reserves ate held unsaleable, and that the reserves are to be demoted wholly to educational purposes within tho Provincial district. iNow, it so happens that Mr George M‘i .oan, in his addro-s to the electors of Waikouaiti, also lays claim to the e edit < f these commissions, i have no desire to take from these gentlemen the credit that belongs to them,, but there are others who ace entitled to share it with them, and among these I take leave to include the members of the Government. No sooner was the Abolition Bill circulated than Mr Wales and other members waited upon me, in my office, and requested that those two points should be made more clear than expressed in the Bill. I at once replied that the Government recognised those principles to the fullest extent, and that we would be glad to receive suggestions which would more fully express the objects we had in view, and my colleagues also expressed themselves in like manner to other members who waited upon them with similar requests. The views of the Government were therefore well known to their supporters, as also to their opponents, before the Bill want on for the second reading. In my remarks on thp second leading in rej.ly to what fill from Mr Macaudrew, I stated that the Government were quite prepared t > ague to any alterations in the Abolition Bill, winch wuuhl make, their intentions nuue clear us to the ap lication of .educat oual and other reserves, fcven to vt sting them in trustees, i also remniked “I may at once state that the Government are resolved at all hj. zards to maintain the fundamental principle of the Bill, and more particularly those prlnci*

p’ 03 relating" to the localisation of the land revenue.” I think you will admit that i otbing could have been more distinct than these atte p ancea as indicating the views of the Government on these questions. With regard to the profits on our railways, my remarks made in the House and which I admit are carefully reported in ‘ Hansard,’ as also my answer to a question on this subject put to me at the Drill-shod have been severely commented npon. Now, it must be borne in mind that both at the lime the Act was passed, ns also Subsequently, I have always stated that the piopoeition of the public works scheme to charge Provincially the loss on Colonial conshunted lines of railways would prove a dead letter; thus it was that I so strenuously opposed the construction of all railways which were not likely to prove remunerative. Supposing, for instance, the Assembly decide hereafter upon carrying onthemaintrunkline from Canterbury to Picton, with the view of accommodcating.lhe travelling public and of malting the rest of the lino passing through Otago jand Canterbury more payable, would it bo fair to charge the loss—if there should be any on that portion running through Marlbourgh against that Province? Then again, supposing it were considered fair and just to do so, I would like to know from what source the Colony would recoup itself for the loss, seeing the whole revenue cf the Province or Marlborough is hardly' sufficient to p y the ordinary expenses of its government. Would not the people of Marlborough be justified in saying, that as the Colony did not make the railway for their special benefit, the Colony must bear the loss. I feel convinced that any loss on any portion of the main lino of railway will have to be borne by the Colony, notwithstanding that the law does not so provide; and anyone who tells you differ ently L not fit to bo a representative for any part of the Colony. With regard to other than main lines, it should the duty each memher of the Asse 1 bly to oppose their construction, unless it can be dourly will prove remunerative. When * addressed

you at the Drill-shed, I did not icfer fo the financial condition of the Colony. Well,oorC r indebtedness when all our authorised loans are raised, will bo about L 2,000,000, upon which interest hr ato be paid. <’f this sum, however, 1 3,soo,OOOonProvincialandthointereat, ia borne upon the 1 «nd revenue of each Province. Then, again, some L 6,000,000 of this indebtedness will be expended on the construction of rail ways. Now, it is generally considered that the railways will prove remunerative, and that the consolidated revenue will not.be called upon to pay largely, if at all, the interest on this 1.6,000,0 00. Should such turn out to be the case, then the presort rate of taxation will prove ample for all colonial expenditure, including subsidies to municipalities and road boards, and, although the medium of taxation maybe altered, yet the total amount need not be increased- if you again honor me with you>- confidence, and return me to represent you in the Geneial Assembly, it will be my endeavor to Secure to the ful.est extent the principle of local s If-government I will also watch over the expenditure of the public funds, whether derived from the consolidated revtnue orfiom loans, avoiding all extravagance and as far as my vote and influence goes, I will take care that no outside railways shall be constructed by the Colony which do not show a fair prospect of proving remunerative. It will also be my duty to insist upon the fair distribution of the surpluses of the consolidated revenue to all ports of the Colony alike, taking care that one part is not wrecked at the cost pf others. I will endeavor to do my utmost to provide for the administration of the waste lauds of the Colony, so as to secure bona fide occupation on easy terms and thus encourage settlement - I will strenuously oppose any attempt or allow any attempt to alter the provisions of the Abolition Act, whereby the land revenue is secured to the Provincial district, also, any alteration which would deprive the Provincial district of its edne ation reserves or divert the revenue arising therefrom to other than educational purposes within the district. In other matters I will watch over your interests generally. Gentlemen. I have now been 25 years a resident among you, and from the first day of my arrival here I have always taken an active part, at considerable personal and pecuniary loss, to further the interests of the City and the Province, t now respectfully offer you a continuation of my services. I think I may safely affirm that they have been productive of some good in the past, and that yourrcquiiements have received from me the fullest attention. Among other matters, you are. personally indebted to me for the Land Transfer Act ; for your educational institutions and educational reserves ; the Ballot Act, and tor your city reserves, which brings in so handsome a revenue to the

( ity. I have also twice gone as honorary immigration agent to Victoria without charging a single cent to the Province, and on an occasion acted as honorary immigration agent in Great Britain, and was then the means of principally establishing direct communication with the Province through Messrs P. Henderson’s line of ships, now known as the Albion Company. In ad other respects I can conscientiously affirm that I have endeavoied faithfully to fulfil the trust you have now for twenty-two years reposed ia me as your representative, and I can only say that if you again return me your in erests will not be neglected at my han ’B. I have made no arrangements for any committee or election agents to secure my return, I trust to each individual elector to bean individual committee man and eleciion agent, and by his vote and influence to again return me to represent this, the commercial capital of the Colony, In answer to questions, Mr Reynolds said a number on the ballot paper was absolutely necessary, and that he would be opposed to intro iucing into the country a single man who could not find employment. ( -V voi.e : Hundreds such are here now ) Whenever it is found the immigrants cannot obtain employment, it would bo folly of auy Government to introduce labor.

Mr Macandbew, who wis received with cheers, said Owing to the unfortunate inadvertency of having chosen this meeting on a day, which from time immemorial has been Bet apart as a day of religious observance by a large section cf this community, I have no doubt there are many of the electors who would have been present who are not present in consequence ; and 1 have no doubt there are many of you who are anxious to go away t) church-(Laughter). Under these circumstances—so far as lam concerned—the proceedings will not be prolonged. I shall take the opportunity between this and the polling day of publicly announcing to you the reasons which have induced mo to become a candidate for your suffrages im the present occasion. -(Hear) I may say this, however. This is no'; the first time I have appeared iu this capacity. I believe I have had the honor of being returned thrice as representative of the t ity of Dunedin in the General Assembly, and I hope on Monday next I shall have tho honor of being elected for the fourth time.—(Cheers.) It is now nearly twenty-two years sineo I commenced my political career in New Z-a l .and as the first repreaen ative of this City, so that should I he elected again I should be like the son—not the Prodigal Son, I hope—returning to his political father.—(Laughter). I trust I shall be receive 1 nmDr tiie paternal ro f with open arms, and that I shall be able to do far more for the in terns ts of tire City and of the country in the future, that 1 have been able to do in the pash Under the present circumstances—and for the reisons which I have stated—and it would not be for your comfort or edification wore I to do so—l shall not now deal with what Mr lleynolds has stated, but shall do so in the Drill Shed on Saturday night. [ The rest of the speecheof the candidates we are obliged to hold over.]

There is a Scotch looking-glass maker who beads his advertisements with a quotation from Burts : —“The giftie gie ub to see oureels as ithen gee us,”

The following was tho i<how of hands Stout 149 Macandrew 97 Macassey 89 Armstrong 76 Lan.ach 30 Grant 23 Reynolds 16 Fish 16 A poll was demanded by Mr Eeynol Is