CONGRATULATION TO EARL BEACONSFIELD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1402, 13 August 1878, Page 3

CONGRATULATION TO EARL BEACONSFIELD.

Public Meeting. A public meeting was held last night in the Oddfellows’ Hail, for the purpose of deciding upon the terms of a congratulatory message which it is proposed that Christchurch shall send to Lord Beaconsfield on the success which has attended the late European Cjngress. The hall was nearly half full, and on the platform were Messrs Anderson and H. t>. Mnith, and the Revs. H. O. M Wat on and C. Fraser. His Worship the Mayor presided, and opened the proceedings by calling upon the acting town clerk, Mr Murray, to read the advertisement calling the meeting. He then addressed the meeting briefly. He was sure that all present must be gratified at the re-ults of the Conference and when that success was evidently mainly duo to the efforts of English statesmen it was only natural that every Englishman should fe I proud of those men. especially of the chief of them, Earl Beaconsfield.

Mr H. Sclwyn Smith thm came forward and addressed the meeting. He said that In felt highly honored at the selection made by the committee who had requested him to movo the first resolution. At the same time ho must say that he felt some regret that their choice had not fallen on one more competent, from bis longer residence in Christchurch and greater status Imre, to do justice to the o casion, which he looked upon : s one of great importance. The Premier had s'mwn by the publication of the reso utions passed in the sister colonies and in other towns of this country, how highly he appreciated the congratulatory addresses which had been sent him. I nworthv as he Mr Smith) was, however, he ceded to no man in hi- loyal admir tion of the eminently successful policy of Earl B aconsfield, which had restored the continental prestige and world-wide supremacy of our beloved country. Lie was much mistaken if there w«s one man present or indeed one man in the colony, through whose voDs • ne drop of English blood ran, wbo would not m st cordially support the resolution he had to prop se. It would be impertinent in him to attempt to review the hi■ tory of the great statesman whom they had met to honor, but it would not be unbecoming to revert to one or two of those master strokes of p dicy which benjamin Disraeli, as he preferred still to call him, had conducted to a successful issue, and widen had always had in view, as this last one had, the upholding of the dignity of the Crown of England, [applause ] Earl Beacons field had verified what ho had a.iid of himself when rebuffed in tbe bouse of Commons —that not only that House hut the who e country and the whole world should hear him and rc'pcc: his words. He Mr Smith) had scon it lately stated in a newspaper that it was only a tradition that Mr Disraeli had said this, but in a book called the “ Annals of our Times ” they would see that it was a fact, and won d read how he had be n put down as an arrogant young man, who would never rise to eminence. Ho (Mr Smith) was there to say that Earl Bca onstield had proved himself the consistent guardian of the interests and honour of Great Britain, not merely to-day or yesterday, hut with a far-seeing policy, had all along legislated for the purpose of keeping open for Eng and the high roa i to her vast Indian possessions. He had there the declaration made by Earl Beaconsticld in 18TG concerning the Turkish policy and the British fleet sent to Besika Bay:—“The Mediterranean fleet is the symbol ami the guarantee of our power. We never concealed that we had in that part of the world great interests which wo must protect and never relinquish, and it was no threat to any particular Power that wo said, at such a moment , that the Mod tcrrancan fleet should be there, that the world should know, whatever might happen, there should be no groat change in the di tvibution of territories in that part of the world without the knowledge and consent of England.” And ag in Earl Beaeonsficld, on another occasion, had said, “ What our duty is at this critical moment is to maintain the Empire of England ; nor will we ever consent to any stop —although it may obtain comparative quiet and a false prosperity, which could hazard the cxistenm of the Empire. ” Again, on the 9th November, in the Guildhall, Disraeli had said, “ Although the policy of England is peace, there is no country eo well prepared for war as oar own. If she enters into conflict in a righteous cause—and I wdl not believe that England will go to war except fora lighteons cause —if the contest is one which concerns her liberty, her independence, or her Empire, her resources, I feel, are inexhaustible. She is not a country that, when she enters a campaign has to ask herself whether she c m support a second or a third campaign. She enters into a campaign which she will not terminate till right is done.” It was );ot long ago that the world had be.n electrified by the announcement that through Disraeli the British nation had become possessed of a controlling interest in the Suez Canal. And soon after their obtaining the ownership of the high road to India he most profitably used it, when the visit of the I’rince of Wales to India was so admiralty planned and carried out, cementing ns it did the loyal affection of the Indian nil ts to the crown of England. And now again they had to admire the Premier's present stroke of policy, which was not a suddenly conceived one, but the plan of which h d been laid down two years ago Already England b d possessed the key of the front door —Gibraltar —and access half way— Malta—she now held a still nearer position— Cyprus. This was the occasion which gave them reason to express their high appreciation for him who thus watched over British interests at the present time. He would now leave it to the meeting to pass the resolution which had been placed in his hands “ That this meeting, as representing the inhabitants cf Canterbury, desires to congratulate Earl Peaconsfield on the eminent success which has resulted from his dealing with the Eastern Qiv slion, which 1 as averted war and vindicated ? ngland’s rightful position.” [Applause.]

The Rev. H. C. M. Watson rose to second the resolution. Ho thought no member of the British Empire could be found who did not rejoice at the result of the Congress, a result which had been mainly achieved by the efforts of Earl Beaconsfield, in the face of almost insuperable difficulties. The speaker referred to the feeling which had been caused in England by the Bulgarian atrocities, by Gladstone’s opposition to Disraeli’s policy, and to the combination of the of all denominations to stir up an agitation against Turkey. The result of Earl Beaoonsficld’s policy was that Turkey remained a pow rful Stale. The provinces she had lost had always hecn a source of wakness to her, and had not hecn aided to Russia, which had gained scarcely an acre of land in Europe. Her only pain of importance in Asia had been the barbor of Batoum, to refuse which would have involved the whole of Europe in war. Even here Rus d i had boon required to dismantle the forts and to make it a Deo port. T he grand stroke of all was the acquisition by Ei gland of t yprus and the taking under her protection of Armenia. By thus throwing her protection round the Turkish Empire England was pursuing a thoroughly Chiistian po.icy. To Earl Beaconsfield was due the credit of restoring to England that prestige which had for forty years after the battle of Waterloo secured peace to Europe. After England had lost the premier position

Europe had been desolated by war. Earl Beaconsfield bad reinstated her, aud a lasting peace would bo the result. [Applause ] The Rev. C. Fraser had had the following resolution entrusted to him :—“ That the Mayor be requested to f rward to Earl Beacon-field a cablegram conveying the substance of the foregoing resolution.” He was pleased at having an opi ortunity for sayi g a word or two on so important a matter. He was glad to know that whatever their differences of opinion might he, they were substantially of one mind ou that evening So far was he from holding Earl Beacon-field responsible for the Bulgarian atrocities, he was inclined to think that he h d effectually pi evented any injustice being done to Christian subjects of Turkey for the future P oplo wore always saying that India was the quarter from which danger was to he apprehended. hut Lord Beaconsfield had said, “ Let India fight our battles in India.” By the protectorate of Armenia England had secured the choice of a battle field should over Russia threaten our Indian empire. The unity of the empire had been made more complete, and perhaps entire immunity from attack had been secured. He world not speak in favor of war, but must say that in order to maintain peace they must be prepared for the opposite. [Applause. ) A gentleman from the body of the hall seconded the resolution, which was then put from the chair and agreed to unanimously. WEST TOAST RAILWAY. The Mayor said that this concluded the first meeting. Ho would now ask the acting-town clerk to read the advertisement calling th second meeting. Crs Pratt and Briggs hero took scats upon the pi itform. After the advertisement re the West Coast railway had been read, The Mayor said this was a question a little nearer home than that which had just been discussed. and the me ting would ne able thoroughly to understand its bearings. He would like to have seen a larger meeting. [“We are all good men.”] He was rather disappointed at the poor attendance of the commercial men. i n Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin they were always at the Government for something or other. Christchurch people seemed to rely only on the good-no-s of their cause, and they loft it to take care of it.sc f. If this meeting had no effect the railway would he feared be taken to Otago instead of Cant 1 rbnry. The mercantile men were better able than others to know the advantages of the railway to the -Vest <Joast, and he would like to have seen some more o r them on the platform. He, as Mayor, had called the meeting, and would leave it in the hands of those who=e nterests were most affected There were two i-esolntions to bo submitted, and he believed there would he no difficulty experienced in getting proposers and seconders for them. (Applause.) He had forgotten to apologise for the absence of Messrs Melhsh and Hassal who were unable to att nd. He would read the resolutions which had been prepared. The first was —“ Th it this meeting desires to urge upon tbe Government the desirability of connecting the East and West Coasts of this island by railway with as little delay as possible, in order that the productions and mineral re ources of both sides of the ishmd may bo interchanged, to tko mutual advantage of each.” [Applause.] Mr H. H. Hennah here stepped on to the platform and addressed the meeting. He had not come prepared to speak, hut was sorry to see that there appeared to ho > ny lack of interest shown, not merely by those representing the mercantile hut by those who represented the agricultural and pastoral interests. From a commercial point of view he could say that the West Coast railway would be most advantageous to Christchurch, hut looking to the interest of the whole of New Zealand, there could he no question that the communication between the two coasts must he as direct as possi 10. The late Superintendent, Mr Rolleston, who had gone over the whole country with a competent engineer, had assured him (the speaker) that there was really no difficulty in carrying a railway from Canterbury to the West Coast. He had great pleasure in proposing the resolution which they had heard read. lAnplause.] Mr John Anderson had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. At the same time, he would like to say a word or t vo on the advantages which would ho gained by taking the route Horn Amberley via Amuri, as compared with that from Dunedin. It was somewhat unfortunate that there was no map iu the hall to which he could refer in order to show how much nearer tnc route was than the o her. Anyone looking at the map would see that the Canterbury lino would be the cheaper and shorter. Even Otago people would agree to this, Ho would like to refer to the Mayor’s remark upon the absence of mercantile men from the platform. Their absence might perhaps bo accounted for from the fact of a largely-attended meeting having that afternoon been hela at the Chamber of Commerce, at which resolutions similar to those about to ho submitted had been agreed to. For his own part, he considered the present meeting a very influential one. If the remarks of the Mayor were published, as undoubtedly they wonld be, they would, he feared, weaken the effect of the present meeting. He had great pleasure iu seconding the resolution. Mr Kent wished to make one or two remarks, as lie had taken an active part in gotti g the mooting called. After reading some articles which appeared in the “ Star” and oth-r p ipers he had gone to the Mayor, by whom he had been told that if he got thirty or forty signatures the Mayor wonld call a meeting. From what commercial men hid said to him (Mr Kent) ho thought they would have come forward and addre-sed the meeting, though several had certainly refused to sign the requisition. Mr if. K. Nathan said that as the last speaker had told the meeting that some merchants had refused to sign the requisition, it was only fair that their names should ho given. [‘‘No, no.”] He could not but think Mr Kent must have been mistaken, as only one opinion could he held by mercantile men as to the advantage the West Coast railway wonld co fer on Canterbury. Ho was glad that the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce had explained the absence of the merchants. The We t Coast railway was a matter affecting the interests of the whole community. He [Mr Nathan! could tell them that at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce which they had already been told was a crowded one, there was not a dissentient A r oicc. A map had there been examined, and clearly showed the advantages of the Canterbury route. On this route part of the lino was already constructed, and the railway wonld open up a most valuable country. The Dunedin route would nccc-sitate the crossing of many rivers, was longer, and wonld undoubtedly cost more money. [Applause 1 Mr Kent would give the name of one mediant who had refused to sign the requisition if the meeting wished. [No, no ] He could tell Mr Nathan that lie would not have made the assertion had it not been correct. Mr Cass had not intended to address the meeting, but as the g -iitlemen who had signed the requisition had not done so, he would. Being now settled in Canterbury, his interests wore hound up with those of the district. Christchurch was destined ere long to he the grcitest and handsomest city of New Zealand, aud he would do his part towards making it so. The railway was a grand project, which would, ho felt convinced, answer all that was expected from it. The route from Canterbury he had never crossed, but from what he had gathered he thought there were no great engineering difficulties in the way of its adoption. If the people of Canterbury did not bestir themselves, the Otago people would. Absurd though it would he for Government to construct a lino so much longer aud so considerably less productive, the line from Dunedin would bo adopted if Canterbury were apathetic. All were interested, for, to mention only one benefit, coal would bo brought to Christchurch at probably half-price, a benefit to every householder. Without mentioning other advantages to _ Canterbury, he might say that the railway would he the making of the West Coast. It was probable that valuable deposits of silver existed in Westland, and it was known that gold and coal were to be found there in large quantities. Ho did not know the nature of the second resolution, but thought a petition should be sent round for signature pressing Government to carry out this work. [Applause.] The resolution was agreed to unanimously. Mr Pratt had much pleasure in proposing the following resolution—” That in the opinion of this meeting the most direct and cheapest route will he via Amberley and "he Ahaura. and that the Mayor be requested to forward these resolutions to the Hon. the Premi-r.” He thought that it was very well known that this route hid been, many years ago, conside ed the chcape-t and most direct. No question could now exist as to the line bo : ng useful and necessary for the whole of New Zealand. No insuperable obstacles existed, and no very great engineering difficulties consequently the lino could bo constructed very cheaply. [Applause ] Mr Hobbs had had no intention of speaking. With the assistance of Mr Harman hi' had framed the resolution. He h id put bis nan o to tiro requisition because he believed the railway would he a great benefit. Many merchants’ names were there before he bad signed He laid spoken to Mr Gould about attending the meeting, and that gentleman had said that but for bis deafness lie wou dliave had great pleasure iu attending. As to tl c advantages of the line, they could exchange their grain, butter, bacon,

and other agricultural produce for the coal and timber of the West Coast. .£IOO,OOO per annum was spent in Canterbury for timber and coals. If the railway was constructed Canterbury would be once more intimately connected with W. stla- d. If Government could ho induced to do this national work, a large stream of commerce would be earned to flow, to the benefit of < 'anterbury and of the We-1 Coast. The lino from Otago would be 140 miles long, through a mountainous diatri t; and the large number of bridges which would have to ho built should debar Government from spending public money to such disadvantage Mr Rolle;ton, with Mr Carruthers, had made a flying survey of the Cante bnrv line and thought well of it He was ploa-ed to see that a meeting had just been hold iu Greymouth, or Aliaura, which had passed a resolution that the cheapest and best r -ntc was via Amberley and Ahaura. He believed the merchants (bought their resolu tions would have more weight if sent from the ( humher. Ho had the resolutions which bad been brought to the meeting by Mr Anderson. Iho (speaker read them, and they were received with loud applause. He would conclude by saying that he considered the meeting a largo and influential one. Ho saw present representatives of the trading and mercantile community, and trusted their resolutions would have duo effect upon Government. The Rev. C. Fraser might be allowed to say a word in the capacity of a non-commercial traveller. He thought the merchants had deemed it proper not to come to hath meetings. At the same time the meet ng was undoubtedly a thoroughly representative one. He remembered being told that a flyng survey bad been made, and his informant had estimated the cost at =£oooo a mile. The distance would he r very few miles longer than the present route. via Arthur’s Pass. It was for the purpose of stating this to the meeting that he (Mr Fr:scr) had risen. [Applause.] Dr Turnbull, who was loudly applauded, said as a representative of a large trading portion of the community [laughter] he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He would not find fault with the Mayor for complaining of the small attendance. It was only the story of the chameleon again. When the Mayor spoke the attendance was small, hut it was not so now, He had a very distinct opinion as to the route, and as to the conduct of the Members of Parliament, and of the merchants in this matter. He thought it a mistake to ask Government to vote the money for the whole line this session. They should have been asked for a large section from Amberley toward* the Coa t. Canterbury had now to struggle with Otago, and Canterhmry should -ay—Let the Assembly 7 decide, after careful inquiry, into the route’, considering the expen-e and the returns. The struggle should be conducted fairly. To show what the value of the hue would be to Canterbury would not be difficult. A though the gold escort for which the West Coast roa t was made never existed, that road had saved the Fast Coast from bankruptcy, by opening a market for its produce. Cat r le and sheep could he made to travel, hut the great reason f< r a railway lay in the fact that the products which could be exchanged existed iu enormous quantities, and must he transported. Altfio'-gh many had apologised for the mercantile men being absent, he would say they had f i led in their duty in not appearing on that platform in great force. He had gnat pleasure in seconding the resolution. [Applause.] Cr, Jameson had only one word to say. At the commencement of the meeting it had occurred to him that a wrong note —in a minor key instead of a major-had been struck by tbe Mayor. There could not be two opinions as to the desirability of the proposed line. It had already been tested, and its advantages wore well known. The meeting would, ho trusted, unanimously, heartily, and lustily support the resolution. The Mayor was very much obliged to Dr. Turnbull for helping him out of a difficulty When ho made the remarks which had been referred to, many chair -were empty, and few people were standing. It appeared to him that the hall should have been crowded He was glad that the meeting was then so much better attended. Ho would he the last to make any remark which would injure the effect of the meeting. He was glad to ace the chairs now well filled and many standing behind. Ho might say that he had just been ii,formed that the survey from < h istchurch to the West Coast had been undertaken if not completed. That sh wed the Government were in earned;. [Applause.] The resolution was then put and agreed to unanimously.

Cr. Jameson moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor, which was carried acclamation. This concluded the meeting.