ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 May 1863, Page 4

ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

PUBLIC MEETING. A meeting was held on Saturday evening last, at Bracken's Hotel, for the purpose of hearing Mr. I. H. Moses express his views and opinions.

Mr. Cassius having been called to the chair, explained the object of the meeting, and introduced the candidate. Mr. Moses said that the occasion which brought him before them was a requisition that had been made to him, numerously and influentially signed, calling upon him to stand as a candidate for the forthcoming Provincial Council. He believed he was pretty well known to most present, and during his residence on the goldfields, which extended over some years, he had endeavored to do all in his power to further the interests of the miners. It was not alone those of the Lake District that must be taken into consideration—the Dunstan and other goldfields would have to be represented. Under the present Act, three members would have to be elected, and all those who had a miner's right of a date six months anterior to October last, would be entitled to vote. It might sound egotistical to say so, but since the goldfields of this district were opened up he was almost the oldest resident there, and his assistance was ever ready, when required, whether the occasion that called for it touched the mining, mercantile, or agricultural interests. He would touch upon the questions now before the public in the same rotation as they appeared in his reply to the requisition presented to him; and first the Land question claimed their attention. They would have in the forthcoming session to undo the legislation in a great measure of the last thirteen years. The settlement of the land question was of the greatest importance, for though the miners gave an impetus to a country, agriculture was necessary to settle it. He had said in his reply that he was in favor of the present upset price for agricultural land, the abolition of the forty-shilling improvement clause, and sales by auction, which he thought would prevent undue speculation, if the Government always kept a sufficient quantity in the market. The lands he considered the capital of the country, and they had a right to expect a fair.price for them. He was in favor of the Canterbury regulations; at the same sime he wished to observe, that he was not wedded to that or any other particular principle, and if a better plan could be devised by the Government to settle the people on the land on a sound basis, he should give it his adhesion. The forty-shilling improvement clause he regarded as very detrimental to the settlement of the land question in this Province, as the purchaser could not get Tiis title, and the speaker considered that the title was the most necessary part of the bargain. He would suppose the case of a small farmer who had a bad harvest, and wanted to raise some money. Could he go to a bank and ask them for a loan, without possessing any title to show to his land ? It was to that clause alone that might be attributed the large area of uncultivated ground in this Province, and it must be done away with if they desired a settled population. The old plan was to survey the land and open it up for cultivation, which might have been very well some time ago; but go now to the Land Board, and they would find twenty applicants to compete with them, and it had ultimately to be put up for auction. The survey staff was too small, and the quantity of land thrown into the market was not sufficient to supply the demand. Half a million of acres should at once be opened up, and submitted to competition. With regard to the Goldfields there had been a great many theories advanced, but partial legislation would always be a failure on them, and so long as they pursued the present plan their laws would always be a botch. The miners themselves should be the legislators, and he wouid recommend that a meeting of delegates should take place in Dunedin, revise the Act, and adopt some proper and definite plan—the same rules that applied to this field would not apply to others. The speaker also advocated the gradual reduction, and final abolition, of the duty on gold, pointing out the unjust and enormous proportion of taxation the digger has to bear, and expressed himself in favor of the immediate survey and disposal of the land adjacent to, and townships on, the goldfields. In the question of Separation, the speaker said he had, when it was first mooted in Dunedin some twelve months ago, taken an active part. Although it would doubtless be productive of some little cavilling between the different Provinces as to the site of the seat of Government, yet all concurred in the desirability of the step,

and he believed that question would be amicably arranged. The attention of the North Island was exclusively engrossed by the Maori war, and it was very hard that they should have to pay five-eighths of the expense of a war in which they were not implicated. Legislation was stopped and burked by their tie to the North Island. At the close of the last session of the General Assembly, it was determined that it should be adjourned for two years, thus throwing overboard the claims of the Middle Island altogether, the consequences of which might be very serious. For aught they knew it might be postponed for another two years. Besides that they paid an undue quota, they had no interest in maintaining that tie, for they neither got better government nor anything else better by it. He would then turn his attention to the Revision of the Tariff, which, when looked into, presented so ridiculous an aspect, that he was reluctant to speak upon it. For example, they charged 4s. per foot upon clothing, and the silk dress of the lady, or the Paris hat of the gentleman, paid the same amount of duty as the digger's moleskin trousers or blue shirt. On the question of Roads and Bridges, he might say that the large sum derived from the goldfields, and paid towards the general revenue, was devoted to the beautifying of the roads about Dunedin, instead of the mining districts having their share; and when they wanted a paltry piece of a road here the Government sent up and offered to subscribe a certain sum, if the inhabitants of this town would make up the balance. Having briefly addressed the meeting on the subjects of the Panama route, postal communication, and an amended Electoral Act, the candidate said that such were his views and opinions, but should occasion call for it, he was prepared to modify them. The Chairman, at the conclusion of Mr Moses' address, invited any one present to question him. A considerable pause having ensued—broken only by two "whisky-hot" voices from a remote corner, requesting to be acquainted with the candidate's "private opinion of the Province," and his " private opinion of shanties " Mr. Bruce proposed Mr. Moses as a fit and proper person to act as their representative in the Provincial Council, stating that he had known that gentleman on Tuapeka, where he had always taken an active part in reference to the mining interests. Seconded by Mr. Welsh. Mr. Burke moved as an amendment, that Mr. Moses was not a fit, &c. Mr. Powell seconded the amendment, saying that Mr. Moses had not given them sufficient time. (Cheers.) The Chairman observed that it was a misunderstanding, and again invited questioning on the part of the candidate. Mr. Powell asked whether, if Mr. Moses were elected, he would be willing to take office. Mr. Moses said if he thought himself capable of taking office, and his services were needed, he should consider it his duty. Mr. Powell asked whether the candidate was in favor of a more stringent law for the punishment of those scoundrels who commit adultery, and destroy the peace of women and children. (Cheers and uproar.) Mr. Moses said that was anything but a political question; and as for making laws for adultery, they were already made. Mr. Powell considered his question unanswered, but perhaps it touched Mr. Moses personally. Mr. Burke—Would you buy land at the upset price, and afterwards sell it by auction at an enormous profit. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Moses would like to see the man who would not. A voice from the crowd having asked Mr. Moses if he were in favor of the increase of the powers of the Resident Magistrate in cases of debt up to the sum of £IOO, that gentleman said he was, feeling convinced it would be better for both debtor and creditor. Another gentleman, whose name we could not ascertain, asked if Mr. Moses thought the Government officials were sufficiently paid ? Mr. Moses thought that on the goldfields they were not, as their expenses were necessarily much heavier than when stationed in town, a salary proportionate to which should be given. A gentleman asked if the candidate was in favor of female immigration. (Laughter.) Mr. Moses thought that a judicious immigration would be beneficial. Mr. Bradshaw—l see by your reply to the requisition, that you are in " favor of the present upset price for agricultural land and sales by auction, the abolition of the present forty-shilling improvement clause, and the giving a valid title to all who have purchased under the old Act." Do you not think that by doing away with the improvement clause, you throw open the field to such speculators as Matthew Holmes, who have thousands of

acres unimproved? Would you give them an equal title to those who have settled and improved their property in accordance with the terms of the old Act. If so, you allow them to compete with the small capitalist, but bona-fide settler, and show yourself, in fact,no better than a land-jobber! (Hear, hear.) Mr. Moses explained that Mr. Matthew Holmes bought under Macandrew's administration. The Government at that time wanted funds, and they passed an Act authorising the sale of 600,000 acres of land without the improvement clause at 10s. per acre. There were at present many settlers in Tokomairiro who were without their title-deeds, and who were at a standstill for want of funds—the result of the improvement-clause regulation. In answer to a question from the body of the meeting, the candidate expressed himself in favor of a tax on all uncultivated lands, for the benefit of roads and bridges.

A Digger wished at this juncture to know Mr. Moses' private opinion of billiards. Mr. Bradshaw asked the candidate how he would dispose of lands in goldfields' townships. Mr. Moses said they should be surveyed and assessed, by selling the outside or back lots, and using that as a basis by which they could ascertain the value of the front lots, which should then be offered to the occupier at the upset price. That would be better than the Victorian system, and prevent the original holder fighting with Tom, Dick, and Harry at an auction sale. Mr. Bradshaw asked if the candidate was in favor of the present mode of proclaiming Hundreds. Mr. Moses replied that that was the only power the Superintendent possessed over the squatters. They had exacted a condition under the circumstances to which he had alluded, that their runs were not to be sold but by their consent, but no provision was made concerning the converting any portion of them into Hundreds. He was decidedly in favor of it. After a lively discussion between Mr. Moses and a digger concerning the Maori war, Mr. Luscombe asked if he was in favor of the establishment of an Assay Office. Mr. Moses said he was, and also of a Mint, and in answer to another question, said he was in favor of a Government commission to revise the goldfields laws. The district mining boards would be too cumbersome for a Province like Otago. If they passed a law they would have to obtain first the sanction of the Superintendent in Dunedin, and then that of the Auckland Government. The question was then put to Mr. Moses if he was in favor of the appointment of a Harbor Master for the Lake. Mr. Moses said something of the kind should certainly be done; but he believed the Government were about to introduce an Ordinance for the regulation of the Lake traffic. No other questions being asked, Mr. Bruce pressed his former motion, which was seconded by Mr. Welsh. The amendment having been first put to the meeting it was negatived, and Mr. Moses declared, in the opinion of the meeting, to be a fit and proper person to act as their representative in the Provincial Council. A committee of twelve was then appointed, consisting of Messrs. Bruce, Cassius, Harris, Bracken, Weaver, Komiskee, Webster, Cass, M 4 Gaw, Bubb, Brooks, Welsh; and after a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting separated.