THE MACANDREW DEMONSTRATION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 429, 28 October 1875, Page 2

THE MACANDREW DEMONSTRATION.

(Press Telegraph Agency .) Port Chalmers, October 27. On the arrival of the steamer Albion, Messrs Macandrew and party were received on landing by the mayor and councillors, a few citizens, and the brass band, which played “ See the conquering hero comes.” No formal address was presented, and after visiting the graving docks, ships, schools, and Quarantine Island, the party were conveyed to Dunedin by a special train. Dunedin, October 27. On the arrival of the Superintendent and party to-day, by special train from port at 12.15, an address was presented by the demonstration committee, but the crush was such that no remarks could be heard owing to the confusion. The original programme was not carried out, a portion of the crowd assembled and cheered lustily, but this was mingled with hooting and yells. A small triumphal arch was erected at the railway station, and a little bunting displayed, but the reception was anything lout an enthusiastic one. On entering two carriages, drawn by four horses each, the.party, headed by a brass band, proceeded along Princes street to the Fern Hill Club ; another band followed the carriages, and a few citizens and four mounted troopers. The party were met at the Club by the Deputy • Superintendent and Provincial Executive. His Honor the Superin lendent, Mr Macandrew, stepped forward and thanked them for the enthusiastic reception, to which he believed there had been nothing equal since Her Majesty’s representative had been here. He believed the reception was more in honor of the distinguished'men invited to accompany him than of himself. He had been steady and conscientious, but they had been the eloquent advocates and defenders of the rights and true interests of the people. [Prolonged cheers.] Sir George Grey, in response to repeated calls, came forward and thanked the people for the manner in which they had received their Superintendent that day. Nothing pleased him better than to see them recognise the qualities of their public men. Men who work for the people of this country deserve to be rewarded by the approbation of its inhabitants. Mr Donald Reid also thanked them for the manner they had received his Honor. Another telegram says the demonstration by the crowd on the arrival of the train with the Superintendent and party was very feeble. The cheers were intermingled with groans and yells. It commenced to rain just as they arrived. There was no formal address, and the reception was a complete failure. THE BANQUET. There were over four hundred persons present. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers, flags, and evergreens. Sir John Richardson arrived just at seven o’clock, and was received with loud demonstrations of applause and cheering, the whole company rising. The artillery band played the National Anthem. Sir John was accompanied by Mr Rolleston. The heads of all the professions were well represented, and there was a large sprinkling of merchants. The banquet was set down to take place at 6.80, but it was past seven before Mr Macandrew, Sir George Grey, and the others arrived. On entering the hall the cheering was most hearty. Mr George Turnbull occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by the guest of the evening, Mr Fitzherbert, Sir John Richardson, Mr R, Stout, and Mr Bunny, On the left of the chair was Sir G. Grey, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Bradshaw. Professor Macgregor faced the chairman, and at the same table were Messrs J. L. Gillies, J. C. Brown, Professor Sale, Dr Stuart, and Mr G. B. Barton. The artillery band played a fine selection of music during the dinner. Messrs A. and T. Dunning were the caterers, and carried out their work most satistorily. On the cloth being removed, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed, including “ The Governor,” proposed by Professor Macgregor, The Army, Navy, and Volunteers,” coupled with Sir J. Richardson, The chairman then proposed “ Our Guest, Mr Macandrew.” He said he wished an older settler, and one who knew better than he all that Mr Macandrew had done for his adopted country, had had the task allotted to him. He was quite sure, however, that his deeds were so well known and appreciated, that they did not require special mention before his present hearers. He had done everything to assist to make for the settlers a happy and comfortable home. He assisted largely to bring into existence the educational and other valuable institutions, the people of Otago now enjoyed. He referred very fully to the early history of the province in which Mr Macandrew had taken so prominent a part. He could state that “ Our Guest” had conducted the duties of his office with unswerving zeal and patriotic energy. He held one of the leading positions in the Assembly at the present time. The mai" 1 object of the meeting that evening was to express their approval of the action he had taken during the past session. [Prolonged cheers and tremendous applause.] He was one of the leaders of that heroic band who had fought for the interests of their country and the happiness and welfare of the colony. He looked upon {the conduct of the Government as a mischievous attempt to j

change the whole constitution of the colony without giving the people a chance of expressing an opinion. He was sure he would do his duty in the future, as he had done in the past. [Groat cheering and musical honors.] Mr Macandrew rose, and the applause was frantic, the band playing “ He’s a jolly good fellow,” and the audience cheering vociferously. He considered if any man had reason to be proud, that man was himself. There was nothing so gratifying to public men as to possess the goodwill and confidence of their fellow citizens. There were few men in whom greater confidence had been evinced than in himself. He should devote himself heart and soul to building up the institutions of the province. It was, he feared, a crime almost to mention the word “ province.” If it was. he would always be guilty of that crime. It would be the blackest day that ever dawned in this colony when provincial sentiment was abolished. New Zealand will never become a great and united colony unless it is based on provincial sentiment. He supposed there never had been such a demonstration as the present one in New Zealand. [Cheers.] They were one of the most overgoverned and over-taxed countries under the sun. The whole thing culminated in an act which would in a short time result in this province being mulcted in a sum of £200,000 a year. Otago had always been able to take care of its land. It depended on his hearers and the people of the province to say if it should still stick to it. Three great blunders had been committed, to which might be attributed all the ills New Zealand is heir to. The first was, not haring defined the respective functions of Colonial and Provincial Governments ; the second was, that the Legislative Council should not be a nominee body, but be nominated or elected by the Provincial Councils; the third was, the anomaly of attempting to carry on responsible Government without the power of appealing to the people. He considered Provincial Councils an admirable check on this central despotism. When they were abolished the central Government would ride rough shod over the liberties of the people. His idea was that the two islands should be left to manage their own affairs, entirely independent and irrespective of each other. [Terrific cheering.] He was sure there were other persons more able to speak on that question. He thought it was a good and hopeful sign to see a man like Sir George Grey withdrawing from his hermit home and condescending to serve where formerly he had ruled. This great gathering had quite taken the breath out of him, and he hoped it would be the beginning of a new political life in the province. His Honor then sat down amidst tremendous applause. Mr J. H. Harris, formerly a Superintendent of Otago, proposed “ The land we live in,” contending that as during the previous session of the Assembly Ministers had intimated their intention of abolishing the North Island Provinces only, therefore, the South Island Provinces were taken by surprise. It was an act of tyranny on the part of the Government to press the abolition i measure to an issue this session. That Act was not the way to make a united New Zealand. He alluded in eulogistic terms to Sir George Grey, and paid a high tribute of praise to the superintendent of Auckland. He spoke at great length, and concluded by proposing the toast associated with the name • of Sir G. Grey. [Loud cheering.] Sir G. Grey was received with terrific cheering. He said—l feel the 'great ■ personal compliment paid to me. I i have to thank you for the many acta of kindness shown to me. By the “ Land we live in” .we do not mean the New Zealand of old, or New Zealand of the future, but we drink to the great land we hope it will be, and to the great land we hope to help to make it- We drink the toast with enthusiasm, because we hope to leave it a great country for the posterity that follow us. The speaker then entered into a long account of the steps taken at the original settlement of the colony, and traced the growth of local legislation, and ultimately Provincial Councils. He would ask if the power of making our own laws had led to tyranny, oppression, or to anything but what the people of the province might be proud of. It was a source of grief and sorrow to him that institutions should be needlessly abolished—institutions that had been so carefully framed, and everything that could be of advantage had been copied from other countries. He had heard remarks made and arguments used on the great change which was about to take place which were almost childish. They stood here free men, owners of acres of their own, and not to follow examples, but to give them. They stood here to show that God had given them intellects and resolution to carry them out; and here they had no hereditary monarch to think of, or his race and family—no hereditary race of Peers to look up to. Here they had a Governor —a mere bird of passage—a tool of the Government and Ministry of the day. If they had representatives under the power of such a Ministry, was it right to sit at a distance and trust themselves to such men 1 He felt so j strongly on these points that he must deliver his mind to them. As far as abolition went, nothing had yet been done. His mind revolted at the thought of their instant abolishment, but a band of trusty men clustered round him, and they determined that the country should not be robbed without their voice being heard—this costly fabric should not be pulled down about their heads without the voice of thp people being heard. He should never forget the feeling he experienced when he heard the action he had taken had pleased the people of Dunedin. The whole question yet rested in the hands of the people. The electors w ere the juries and the representatives the pleaders, but nothing could be done till the juries had spoken. He hardly knew the meaning of the term abolition. If the Government meant to change the federation of the country, each and all of the provinces had a right to say if they would join the new federation. It was a subject they should take into their consideration, and their wives and families, for it was a matter for posterity. It was for his hearers to determine what their future should be. He would not say much more, because there were other abler men to follow. [“ No, no.”J They had not met there that night to eat and drink, but to make history. They were there to listen to arguments as to what was to make the future prosperity of New Zealand. They were there that night to honor merit and give thanks to one who had sacrificed his own ease and comfort to serve his fellowmen. | Loud cheers.] They were there to give the lie to those who said that provincialists were opposed to the unity

the colony. They had met from all parts of the colony to do honor to a man who had served the province of Otago faithfully He concluded by thanking them for the demonstration that day, and the encouragement which was given to all honest and earnest ■workers. [Loud cheers.J Sir John Richardson rose r to propose—- “ The pioneers of New Zealand,” and introduced his remarks by stating that he should have been very happy to propose the toast — “ Provincial Institutions,” as he could have done it full justice ; but on the toast which had fallen to his lot, and on which he should not say much, he was to be followed by a man who was the real pioneer of New Zealand (Mr Fitzherbert), and therefore he would say but little. He was sure if they destroyed institutions which have brought men to the country, they would cease to raise men. Mr Fitzherbert replied, and stated that if they wished to hear him they must be very quiet. He thought the toast could be well responded to by the editor of the “ Handbook of New Zealand,” They did not suppose, and he did not suppose, that he had come there to speak on the pioneers of New Zealand—[laughter]—though he could allude with feelings of respect to those who had done much good, and had passed from among them. If the pioneers of New Zealand were pioneers of sheep and cattle on a thousand hills, if that was all, his had been a lost vocation. He did not come out to New Zealand to amass wealth. He could have made it yesterday, he could have made it to-day, and could to-morrow. [Laughter.] He told them plainly, those who were gold and money seekers, if they despised the study of questions of a social and political character, they would find the very foundations of their superstructure of wealth would be sapped at their foundation, and sink into a morass of chaos. Great as were their schools, excellent as their roads and bridges and their splendid asylums, what were they to those institutions which were the parent of all 7 What would it have been if they had had only a kind of voice by way of echo at a distance? The men who call themselves a majority, whose names were unknown, were representatives of the smallest constituencies in this small colony. If ever an attempt were made to take away the life of a people, that attempt had been made in Wellington. It was the most audacious attempt ever made in the history of the world. He did not go hundreds of miles to eat and to drink, but he was present at the call of duty. If they were the men he took them for, they would exact from every candidate at the next election a promise that he would not represent them falsely—that he would not look after the main chance for himself. He did not think provincial institutions had been carried out without faults, but he did not know anything better for a country like this. It was ridiculous to suppose that any institution was perfect. Did they part with their wives because they found fault with them 7 Did they destroy their children because they had the small-pox? No, they cherished them all the more, and strived to cure them. [Laughter.] The Opposition had striven, had done 1 their best, and had refused to surrender the citadel. If his hearers did not do their part it was shame on them, and he could tell them their part was no child’s play. There had been men who talked on their behalf, but they might as well have spoken to posts. They only answer they got was, “ I shan’t,” “ 1 won’t,” “ I will.” That was their only answer. It was unparalleled in the history of a colony that a small band of only twenty-three men had withstood the tyrannical opposition of an overwhelming majority and rendered back to the people those great privileges which now it was their fault if they did not turn to good account. | Prolonged cheers |. Mr Davie, M.P,C,, proposed “ The Opposition.” He considered they owed feelings of gratitude to the noble and united band who had prevented the majority making a grand constitutional change without an expression of opinion from the constituencies. He proposed the toast of “ The Opposition,” coupled with the name of Mr Thomson, Mr Thomson J(Clutha) responded. He was certain that an Opposition was actually necessary to keep a Government in check, however good they might be. Even the Government last session but one, admitted that a good Opposition was very necessary. He was sure that they would admit that the Opposition had shown a great amount of pluck. He considered the Opposition had achieved all that they wanted, and that was that the people should have a voice in this proposed change. He thanked them cordially, and sat down amidst applause. Mr Mclndoe proposed the next toast — “Provincial Institutions.” Mr Rolleston responded. It was eighteen ▼ears since he had landed at Port Chalmers, and if he did not belong to Canterbury, he should wish that he did to Otago, He could not but think that when he landed today, and saw their grand institutionsand the imposing aspect of Dunedin on approaching it, it seemed a pity to think of destroying such grand institutions. He thought the people had it in their hands to oppose the doing away of institutions Which had done so much to further the interests of the provinces and the colony. The time he thought was quite inopportune, jje thought the country should turn its attention to administration. He was sure this great change was only a red herring drawn across the scent to lead the people away from considering the administration of the future. He Iqoked to a modification of the present institutions rather than to any violent changes. He would not advocate a violent change, but he would not allow a modification which would deprive the people of their rights, [Cheers.] .. . , Professor Macgregor proposed the toast, “ Friends from a Distance,” coupled with the ■ names of Messrs Sheehan and Bunny. Mr Sheehan said he had for the first time seen the great City of Dunedin, and he had now learnt that there was a place outside Auckland. He was one of those who had fought the good fight. When he saw this great city, and travelled through its vast establishments, he was astonished how men could say they were incapable of governing themselves. He came from a province which was more under the Colonial Government than any in the colony. He attributed the scant population and the miserable existence of that province to the Colonial Government. They had been told that they (the visitors) were the “ innocents abroad,” but if those who said so had heard them speak to-night, they would have found they were greatly mistaken. He believed in keeping the colony together one and indivisable as a whole, and those who sought to do different, were actuated by personal and pecuniary motives, If Auckland and Otago liked to pull together,

they could mould this question of constitutional change in any way they liked. [Great cheering.] Mr Bunny said the distant friends had great pleasure in doing honour to Mr Macandrew, and they ought to be proud of a Superintendent who held such a position in the House. Distant friends who had professed to be with them had voted dead against them, and did more harm than open enemies. Me considered there was not a more obstinate man in voting than their member, Mr Reynolds. He was the most stupid man he ever heard of. He was always most anxious to do the best for his constituents, but he never did it. He had often voted on a question, and then come to him and said, “ I’m very sorry, Bunny, for voting against you, but it was all a mistake.” Where was Mr Wales 7 What had he done 7 [Groans.) Nothing, He had done them no good in Wellington, and had not carried out the views on the strength of which he had been returned. Mr W. H. Murray (Bruce), proposed the “ Coming Struggle,” and coupled it with the name of Mr Stout. Mr Stout, who received a perfect ovation, thought from the demonstration to night the warriors would find it very difficult to fight them. He was not ashamed to own that he was a greater provincialist now than when he went to Wellington. Had anybody been to Wellington and seen how the great men had made a speech, and then rushed into Bellamy’s and left the stake at issue to take care of itself, they would know how these men looked after their interests in Wellington, and they would admit that they could not be better governed than by Provincial Governments. It was a singular thing that they would not find in the division lists one man voting against the Bill who was a pastoral lessee. All the abolitionists were pastoral lessees. The Treasurer, with all his talk about the paraphernalia of provincial institutions, could not show that one penny could be saved by the abolition of the provinces. The cost of the Agent-General-ship at home, with sixteen clerks and other home expenses, was greater than the cost of governing the Northern Island. The Opposition were not fighting for place or pay, but were fighting for the stake at issue being placed before the people, and to get their voice on the question. The present Government had shown themselves incapable of governing the country. They must put in men pledged to some course of action, and not men without any decided opinion. He thought they could rely on the people governing themselves, and doing justice to themselves, without the assistance of this Bill. He challenged any of the good-talking abolitionists to meet him in this town, and he would argue the question with them, and prove how they were doing an injustice to the people. [Cheers.] He believed they were arguing a thing which was just and right, and they were not to be frightened with the claptrap of paraphernalia. They had a sacred trust to look after, which would leave its mark in New Zealand when they and theirs were dead and gone. [Great cheering.] The “Various Interests and Industries ” was the next toast, and was proposed by Donald Reid, in an able- speech. He spoke in the same strain as the previous speakers. He would ask what was to be gained by the change, and did they know what they were going to lose. The people of New Zealand were not prepared for the change. Mr McDermid, Port Chalmers, responded. “The Press” and “The Chairman” closed the proceedings, which were of a most enthusiastic character. The meeting broke up at midnight.