HON W. H. REYNOLDS AT DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 458, 2 December 1875, Page 3

HON W. H. REYNOLDS AT DUNEDIN.

[By Telegraph.] Dunedin, December 1. Mr Reynolds addressed the electors in the drill shed this evening. The hall was full. Mr Reynolds, who was received with applause, said he had taken the earliest opportunity of meeting them, so as to give an account of his stewardship. He was sure they would grant him a quiet hearing. The present Parliament had been an eventful and highly progressive one to the colony. He trusted that when he had finished his address, then they would admit the electors had lost nothing at his hands. He would confine his remarks to questions affecting this province. He considered Nelson and Auckland as prosperous as Otago at the present time. After giving a statement as to railways and telegraphs in progress, he stated that the connection of New Zealand with Australia by cable was one of the most important undertakings of the present Parliament. He alluded to telegraphs, postal, and i mmigration matters, but they were merely a repetition of former statements made in the House, He could point with no little satisfaction to Ihe fact that no fewer than thirteen lighthouses were constructed or under construction in the colony. He had also the satisfaction of being able to establish a system of storm warnings, and he had also initiated a system by which masters of vessels could ascertain the state of the weather at open roadsteads. He had been Rbla to establish a naval school at Kohemarama. He anticipated that the colony would be able to turn out from fifty to sixty trained young seamen, and he hoped soon to see a training ship established at Portobello. He looked upon the marine department as second to none other in the colony, and though no prophet, he thought it would soon take the lead of any department in the colony. He felt proud that with the aid of his colleagues he had carried out this department so successfully. The Government, though not given to much talking, still were a working Government. [Hear, hear.] The Opposition had left no stone unturned to find some cause of complaint against the Government, but his hearers would see how lamentably they had failed. He was now going to tread on dangerous ground, and have a turn at the press. He thought that a portion of the press had not acted fairly towards the Government—[Groans, “Oh, oh" | and particularly towards himself. He would give an instance. In the Daily Times he was charged with making some ridiculous statement in committee on the Abolition Bill, when he never spoke on the matter. [A Voice—“ Good job too,”] He would not have minded this had there not been a leader next day commenting on some absurd reference he made to the Bill. He should be sorry to think these mistakes were purposely made, but he felt bound to clear himself before his constituents. The late session had been an arduous one for the Government. It had been attacked from all points, but had withstood the siege. He should be very explicit in speaking on the Abolition Act, as he had been charged by the press with breaking pledges he had made, and doing something very awful. He totally denied doing such a thing, [“ Oh, oh I” He had nothing to hide, and intended to state the matter clearly. He had never pledged himself to oppose the abolition of the North Island provinces. He frankly admitted that he still had a hankering for provincialism. He admitted that all that was claimed for provincialism in the past was fully justified. He was certain, from what he had now seen, that provincialism must break down. He had endeavoured for ten years to secure a federal Government for these two islands, with separation. He admitted that, from what he had said at his last meeting, it might be inferred that he was opposed to the abolition of the provinces in the Middle Island. He was opposed to the abo'ition of the provinces of the Middle Is and when he last addressed them, but after he had seen how the members fiom other provinces were in favor of abolition, he thought it advisable to do the best for his constituents" and he voted for abolition He thought that Canterbury and Otago would stand a poor chance of attaining justice if they retained their Provincial Governments after the others were abolished. He was a resident in the province for twenty-five years, and it was not at all likely he would do anything to sacrifice their interests, or that of his constituents in any way whatever. Fault had been found with the Government because they sought to carry the abolition measure before the matter was relegated to the constituencies. It was the Provincial Governments they were afraid of. The danger was if the Provincial Councils were allowed to meet again unprincipled Executives (and there were some) —[cheers] —might have got estimates passed far in excess of revenue, and contracts passed, and the colony would have found itself involved in some millions of indebtedness, which would entail ruin upon the credit of the colony. Had it not been for these fears, he, tor one, would have been in favor of placing the question before the electors. He had no hesitation in saying that Government and its supporters were justified in the action taken [Hear, hear, and “ no.”] He referred to the principles of the Abolition Act, and he was astonished to find since he had left Wellington, how little was known of the Act. He then explained the principles and provisions of the Abolition Act. No such liberality had ever been manifested by the Otago Provincial Councils towards Dunedin, as had been manifested in the provisions of the Abolition Bill with reference to the endowment of municipalities. 'I he question was often asked, what are we to get from abolition of the provinces ? His answer was, the provisions of the Abolition Act, by which they would get local Government, and local control of expenditure. The Government had to prepare a mere tentative measure, which would harmonise with the Road Boards machinery. They thought it advisable to prepare a simple measure, and calculated to carry out a complete system of local self-government, and he denied that Government had any idea of contralising the administration of the affairs of the colony in Wellington, The provinces were abolished, and would never be resuscitated, therefore it was useless their voting for a man who was in favor of provincialism, There were those who believed in two provinces for each island. [Loud cheers.] This he thought was not feasible, aafinjthe provinces of Nelson and Marlborough voters would not agree to it. He thought that a province for each island was most reasonable, but not possible. He had made this scheme his study for ten years. He quoted resolutions that he bad brought for-

ward on that subject from Hansard for the session 1870. In 1872 he introduced a resolution that the provinces should be abolished and one province for each island substituted. When he went into the details of the matter he found there was no unanimity among his party. He, therefore, gave the scheme up in disgust, as he had been so thoroughly sold by those who had asked him to bring the subject forward. He here referred to Sir G. Grey’s speech, in which he (Sir G. Grey) stated that he was in favor of upsetting the compact of 1856, [Three cheers for Sir G. Grey were called for, which were given.] All the Auckland people had been tutored to follow Sir G. Grey, and all the members would be returned pledged to break the compact of 1856. He was confident the Auckland members would never vote for two provinces for the colony unless they obtained a share of the Middle Island land revenue. His advice to the electors was to secure honest representatives— [derisive cheers] —independent men, and who would see justice done to all parts of the colony. They should secure men who would see to the administration of the land, not only to the province but the colony. He announced that he intended to offer himself as a candidate [cheers] —and if they returned him he would be found forwarding their interests and as a consequence his own. [Cheers.] In answer to questions, he stated that as Otago was the largest province, and had the largest population, the benefits that would ensue would be proportionately greater. The land fund of Otago would not go out of Otago. The land revenue would be expended in the province and localised. The revenues would be more fairly distributed if we had not provincial combinations. If the provinces were not abolished, the consolidated revenue would go towards the hungry provinces, and the rich ones would not get a fair share. He thought it best to have pure and simple financial separation, but it was not attainable. They would not get twenty members to support it, no matter whom Otago or Canterbury might send as representatives, He considered it his duty to protect the colonial credit, and that was why he thought it best to support the abolition of the provinces before relegating the matter to the constituencies. He did not think that they would have to keep up the same number of officials under the new system of Government as under the old. He thought the Government would be to blame if they allowed it. [Cheers ] He thought it possible to govern the three islands in Wellington with local self-government, and he was certain it would be done. He would not like to see the Upper House an elected body. If so, it would continually be at a dead-lock with the House of Representatives. The members should be nominated from the Lower House.

A motion to the following effect was carried by a large majority—“ While thanking Hon Mr Reynolds for his address, wc regret that he supported the Government in the passing of the Abolition Bill before consulting his constituents.” An amendment thanking him for his address only, was lost. The proceedings terminated at 11 o’clock,