MR. ARMSTRONG AT NASEBY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 208, 21 February 1873, Page 5

MR. ARMSTRONG AT NASEBY.

A good meeting assembled at the Victoria Hall on Wednesday evening last, to hear Mr Armstrong, the highly-respected district member in the Provincial Council, give an account of his stewardship. Mr. John Bremner was called to the chair. On taking the chair, he stated that Mr. Armstrong was among them to give an account of his actions in the past; to get information as to the district requirements for the future; and to answer, to the best of his ability, all depreciatory criticism the meeting might evolve. Mr. Armstrong also wished

to urge the formation of a Miners' Association. .He (the Chairman) would say that it was astonishing that this place was not represented among mining bodies. Every little place had its Association. The ' Mount Ida Chronicle,' in an article, had pointed out that this amounted to meanness on the part of the miners. He did not think that it was really so. It was simply for want of combination and a proper understanding among themselves. The members for the district found a great difficulty in getting at the real mining mind, for want of an organised body representing mining opinion and practical knowledge. He begged leave to introduce Mr. Armstrong. (Cheers.) Mr. Armstrong said: When I first came among you as a politician I told you I was net much of a speaker. Ido not think I have improved much since then. But, although I have not become a speaker, I have learnt that those who speak the most do the least for their constituents. I certainly have spoken very little, but at all times I have done my best to practically benefit the district. I promised to do my best to do away with the petty Governments so numerous through the country. Since then I have had some experience in Wellington of the General Government's ways of working. From that experience I judge we had better swallow Provincialism with all its faults till, at any rate, something better is substituted for it. Simply, in the Parliamentary tactics of the Assembly, whoever bribed the most got the most. However, as far as Mount Ida was concerned, the equality of parties had been favorable, for both sides had been pledged to carry out the public works. For these works we have to thank the district member, Mr. Mervyn; also his Honor the Superintendent, Captain Fraser in the Upper House, and, indirectly, the Hon. Mr. M'Lean, who had written pointing out the necessity for the works. Gentlemen, I have told you I have done my utmost for the district, and personally I am satisfied that my exertions have not at any rate been thrown away. lam of opinion that there will shortly be a dissolution of the Assembly. The public should bear it in mind that they might have to decide on who their member should be, and, above all, should insist on men only being returned who can be trusted. Personally, I think you can get no better man than Mr. Mervyn. (A voice: Oh, yes!) Well, my friend, I give you my opinion from observation. I think the time has come for an elective Upper House. As a nominee House, it is a stumbling-block and an abuse. I think, rather than tire you out with talking, I had better submit myself to you for examination. I shall be very happy to answer any question that may occur to the electors. Mr. Williamson : Mr. Chairman, Mr. Armstrong has said that we had better pocket Provincialism till we could get better men to represent us. Could he tell us where we are to get them ? Mr. Armstrong said the right plan was to look among themselves, and no doubt they would find the right men. It was most important.

Me. James Brown: Did not Mr. Mervyn get a billet, at least for a few days ? Mb. Armstrong- said that he had no knowledge of such a thing. He, himself, had confidence in Mr. Mervyn, who, unfortunately, had been unwell; otherwise, no doubt, he would have been there to-night. Mr. Boss.• What do you think of Vogel ? Mr. Armstrong: I think he is a very clever and honorable man. My politics have always been to favor whatever tended to the advancement of the district.

Mr. Farmer: Ain't "Vogel a mate of Broaden's? ° s

A voice: And hasn't he right to be if he likes, or any other man ? As to the public works, Mr. Armstrong expressed great confidence that they would be carried out, although there seemed to be a little hitch somewhere just now. Mr. Bastings had told him the delay as to the Sludge Channel contract was only in deference to an expressed wish of parties here. Mr. Wilson proposed a vote of confidence in Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Ross, in seconding the motion, pointed out. that it was a passing proverb in Dunedin that the public works were owing to the nignagging of Mr. Armstrong, who deserved great praise.

The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the business.