MR. WESTON AT WESTBROOK.

Kumara Times, Issue 1466, 9 June 1881, Page 2

MR. WESTON AT WESTBROOK.

There were a good many persons present at Foley’s Hotel on Tuesday evening, to hear Mr T. S. Weston, a candidate for the Grey Valley electorate, for which a seat in the House of Representatives has been rendered vacant bv the resignation of Mr Edward Masters, of Greymouth. Shortly after ha'f-past seven, the hour announced for the address, Mr Corrigan was voted to the chair.

Mr Corrigan said it was hardly necessary for him to say anything. Mr Weston s reputation on the West Coast was well known. He hoped they would give the candidate a calm and impartial bearing.

Mr Weston : Mr Chairman and Gentlemen—l have great pleasure in being asked to contest this election, and the more so because I know the requirements of this district. Being a person who has filled the position” as Judge so long, it would be unjust for me to refuse. There are a great many questions which I could bring forward to-night, and I might occupy your time two oi three hours, but I will pass over several of these which are of no immediate interest. First, then, with regard to Education; I am in favor of the system at present in vogue. Most of you know my feelings towards the Catholics in this district, and that I entertain the most liberal views. Still I must take a stand m } and I say that the denominational system of education is out of the question in New Zealand. The system of leaching at the State School enabled the children to fill the highest positions they can attain to. How can you expect half-a-dozen schools for each denomination % Miners have sufficient difficulty m sustaining themselves ; then how could they support so many denominational schools 1 There are some 82,000 children in the national schools in New Zealand, and about them I have heard much. The education in tnese schools equals if it does not surpass the education given in the larger and grander schools at Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin • and the West Coast schools reflected the highest credit on the teachers who were employed in these schools. .£230,000 is now annually spent in maintaining thes« schools. There must be a reduction of the present expenditure. Gentlemen, if the system of education were to bo changed from secularism to denominationalism, every school would have to be inspected, and the system would be found to be imperfect. I wish in the most emphatic manner to give denial to the report that I am a denominationalist. The imputation is as to one who is not true

to his colors. I now come to the East and West Coast Railway. You are by yourselves here, and means should be devised to make you less isolated. No facilities are offered to the miner to develope the country. If this were done, our resources are such that we could pay half-a-dozen times over the enormous debt the colony labors under. There will be a Bill introduced into Parliament to open-np the country; which, if passed, we should soon see the introduction of capital and the employment of labor.—[Applause.] It will open-up country rich in character, where the miners are now paying £SO a ton for their flour; and he hoped, for the sake of the miners, they would be able to reduce it. Now I know Mr Fitz Gerald told you he was entitled to the credit of this Bill; but while he was writing and inactive, Mr Wickes and I were active aud spending our money. I thought Mr Fitz Gerald was out of the colony ; I did not know he was present until I saw a telegram that he had issued an address to the electors. With regard to the management of goldfields, Mr Barff (who I see present in this room) had done much. But the Government do not realise the enormous benefits that miners do. I met with a gentleman from San Francisco the other day. Ho said he considered the Australasian colonies were the very brightest jewels in the British Crown, and the West Coast of New Zealand could come to the rescue with its wealth untold and discharge your debt many times over. Ido not mention this to catch your votes, I claim the absence of any such desire ; if you don’t like me, say so, and I will go back to Christchurch. The miner who pays tax by the sweat of his brow in a raining district ought to be treated exceptionally. The colony is built up on everything you produce. Have your hospitals been subsidised as they should be ? I would advocate the abolition of the gold tax of 2s 6d an ounce, doing away with Councils altogether, and that roads and bridges should be colonial work.—[Applause.] It was by this gradual opening of the country that Kumara was found; if new tracks were opened up, the goldfields would extend. It has been said that anybody might go to the session this year; there would be nothing for members to do but sit in Bellamy, But I see that there are three parties endeavouring to grasp the power—there is the present, Government, Sir George Grey, and Mr Ormond. If you return me, you will return one who is perfectly independent of either party. I will go with that party which will introduce measures beneficial to this Coast; that is the position I would take.—[Applause,] I am perfectly independent, and wiil stand up to the uttermost for the good of tlie district.—[Renewed applause.] The Greymouth harbor is of v.st importance to this district—--52,000 tons of coal were annually imported into Canterbury. I would like to see Sir John Coode’s plans carried out.—[Hear, hear,] Another question, the Redistribution of Seats by the proposed new electoral districts, by which the number of members returnable would be by population : I will see that that does not cut you olf, and will resist any reduction in the number of representatives for this district. With regard to the Eubailment Bill: if the acquisition of large tracts of country are encouraged, we should see people coming who would help to build our grand colony; we should not see parties leaving the colony.—[Hear, hear.] If after the canvass I am returned, I shall feel proud in being raised to the higher council in the highest assembly.— [Applause.] In reply to a question, Mr Weston said he would be most happy to give his opinion on the Chinese question. Some time ago I remarked publicly that the Chinese followed you all; they were inoffensive ; and there was no objection to them. But now that they were coming to this colony in snch flocks, I consider that a stop should be put to their coming. Mr Hope : I hear that the Chinamen on the Greenstone are beginning to Boycott the Europeans.—[Laughter.] Mr Costello : Would you support the Hall Ministry through thick and thin 1 Mr Weston : I have already stated that I would go to the House perfectly independent. Mr Costello ; What is your opinion on the separation of the two islands 1 Mr Weston: It will never come to pass. Mr Maloney : Would you be in favor of subsidising Catholic schools ? Mr Weston : Much as I respect the Catholics, if you subsidise one denomition, you will have others claiming subsidy. If you went in for the denominational system on the West Coast, your children would grow up iu ignorance.

An Elector : Are you m favor of a tax on land 1 ? , Mr Weston: tfc is n.niop't difficult; matter to determine which is best, a land or property taic. Mr CosteLlo : Would ypu be iii favor of taxing land used for sheepwalks ? Mr Weston i That is a, difficult question to answer, I would use my interest’ in protecting the working mail. An Elector : Would you support Sir .George Grey 1 Mr Weston : I have told you already; and if asked filty times, I would say,— If the men or Ministrymeet riiy approval. Owing to Sir George Grey no, doubt the completiori of the West Coast roads arid bridges was effected. An Elector : Would you put a tai on wool ? Mr Weston ; X would not.tax tiie wool of the small farmer, but 1 would; if necessary, tax the Wool of the large squatter, who carries his Wool to port on the railways built by the colony. Mr Costello : Would you tax the absentee land owner? Mr Weston : He is taxed a] ready: I desire to see taxation removed frorii the working man. Mr Costello then moved and Mr Gould seconded—“ That Mr Weston is a fit and proper person to represent our interests in the House of Representatives for the Grey Valley.” The Chairman put the motion to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously: Mr Weston ; Mr Chairman and Gentlemen—l thauk you for this unanimous expression of opinion. ‘ I have pumped myself dry. If lam returned, I shall regard it as the greatest honor you can bestow upon me; I shall have but one voice, but that will be frequently heard until I ,get what you want.—[Loud applause.] The crowd then dispersed.