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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 219, 15 September 1868, Page 2

Mr Luckie, in seconding the resolution, after adverting to the economy which had hitherto characterised the administration of this province, aud for which it appeared that it was now to be chastised, traced the beginning of the present evils to the passing of the New Provinces Act, ten years ago> and stated that he was at a loss to discover any benefit which could arise from the proposed financial change, for taxation was not to be diminished by it, nor expenditure sensibly reduced, and he could not see why, with greater frugality on all sides, the existing relations should be disturbed. The Ministerial policy was one of bribery* first £90,000 having been offered to Nelson, aud then {£140,000. Mr Fox proposed to abolish the ofiice of Native Minister, and appoint a Provincial Minister, to watch over the interests of the provinces, and promote harmony between thera and the General Government. The adoption of such a policy at an earlier date might have averted our present difficulties. Mr Luckie concluded, by apologising for the unpreparedness of his remarks. (Applause.) Mr Sheppard supported the motion in an able and thoughtful speech, which wa3 listened to with much attention. Being accidentally in town, he had been asked to say a few words on this occasion, and had complied, although he had already spoken last week at Wakefield on several of the topics before the meeting. The present stato of the colony was simply a question of fiuance, and had its origin in the debts which had been so recklessly incurred both by the colony and the provinces. The constituencies should be consulted before such a fundamental change was effected as that proposed by Government, for their representatives were, after all, but trustees, in whose hands thinking and reasonable men had reposed an important trust. The fatal move was the passing of the Public Debts Act, which the Superintendent alone, of all the Nelson members, had, faithful to his constituents, opposed (Hear, hear). Mr Sheppard then showed that the Government scheme, which professed to lead to a reduction of taxation, would not answer that end, for the whole surplus revenue beyond General Government requirements and money voted for Provincial services, ./would be entirely absorbed by the interest and sinking-fund of provincial loans, and by the capitation grant of 7s. per head. The £90,000 first offered to Nelson was no more than three years' purchase, and the increased £30,000, would only amount to five years' purchase. Mr Sheppard disputed Dr. Irvine's statement that provincial debts would be charged to the general revenue, stating his belief that all future loans would be a charge on the particular district borrowing and it would have to pay every shilling of principal and interest of their owu debts besides their shares of those now charged on the consolidated revenue. Mr Fox's financial scheme for a capitation grant of 30s. per head to the provinces, instead of 75., as proposed by Government, would only increase the expenditure of the colony by a quarter of a million, and if it was accepted, additional taxation must be the result, probably in the form of an income tax. After expressing his hearty concurrence in the resolution, and his still heartier thanks for the kind reception the meeting had accorded him, Mr Sheppard sat down, amidst enthusiastic cheers. Mr Crowther, who we understood to be a miner from the Thames goldfield, also spoke very energetically in reprobation of the proposition to place Nelson, a nonborrowing province, on the same footing as the large borrowers. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Joseph Webb proposed — Resolution 3. That while the Nelson electors have never sought to obtain any special advantage for their locality from their conneotion with the

Premier, they desire in this meeting to declare their opinion, that it is the clear duty of every representative to withstand any measures calculated to injure his constituents'; and. considering the manner in which the Honorable Edward William Stafford has sacrificed their interests, it is their opinion that tbe connection between him and the electors of Nelson should cease, and that he be accordingly requested to resign his seat as. their representative in the General Assembly. He said that Nelson had always done her best to return as members to the House of Representatives the most intelligent of her citizens, and he believed that Mr Stafford, who was one of them, had no superior in ability in the House, but what did we gain by being represented by such a man, who had done his best to disinherit us? The time had come when the electors should speak out boldly aud ask Mr Stafford, who had entirely forfeited their confidence, to resign his seat, a task which, two years a<»o, he would have thought it impossible for him to propose. (Loud and continued cheers.) Mr J. J. Hornby, wbo spoke from the gallery, seconded the resolution, which was then read by the chairman, who remarked that it was a serious resolution for so crowded a meeting hurriedly to adopt. Mr Elliott, whilst no one considered the financial proposals of the Government more unfair to Nelson than he did, or had more strongly denounced them, as a matter of fair play, proposed as an amendment to the effect that the latter part of the resolution, asking Mr Stafford to resign his seat, be omitted, and that in lieu thereof be be requested to meet his constituents at the earliest possible moment, and explain his participation in a scheme which threatened so seriously to injure tbeir interets. There might be reasons which Mr Stafford could give why it would be more expedient for Nelson to get what it could at the present moment, rather than wait and get nothing. Mr Stafford, it must be remembered, did not hold the position of an ordinary representative ; as Premier he was bound to consider the good of the'whole colony and not of any province in particular. He very much feared that if Mr Stafford was driven from office, and Mr Fox succeeded him, that the financial state of the colony .would derive no benefit from the change. Mr Johnson seconded the amendment, which was received with very decided marks of disapprobation, and was opposed by Mr Clements, who deprecated any further delay, and suggested that a meeting; with his Nelson constituents would probably afford Mr Stafford another opportunity of insulting them, as he had done oh the last occasion, and in the manner which Mr Clements illustrated by pantomimic gesture. Mr Webb also opposed the amendment, asking what Mr Stafford had ever done for Nelson, and accounting for Mr Elliott's amendment by his desire to obtain fair play for an old friend and ally. The amendment was then put to the meeting amidst hisses and other hostile demonstrations, and only nine hands were held up in its favor; the original motion, was then put and carried, the result being hailed by repeated cheers. Mr A. Pitt, M.P.C. quoted Mr Vogel's opinion that the Financial Statement was clear and frank, but that it would result in grave injury to certain provinces, and especially Nelson, to whom he calculated that £300,000 was due, the debt really standing against her being only £45,000. He then proceeded to move — Resolution 4. That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is highly objectionable that the measures alluded to, involving as they do very important changes in the colony, should be decided upon by the present Assembly, ,and it is accordingly urged that the opinion of the electors be taken by summoning a new Parliament. The dissolution of Parliament, followed by an appeal to the constituencies was surely the least consideration that Ministers could show the electors; and if the Ministerial proposal was honestly made and for an honest purpose, the Government would have no hesitation in submitting it to the country. He was however afraid that there was much truth in the remark made that evening that these propositions were but of an experimental or, as they had been termed by Mr Yogel, a gambling character (cheers). Mr. Wastney. M.P.C., seconded the resolution, considered that before so material a change was made, which had never been contemplated before the last election, the electors should be appealed tQ (hear, hear). This motion was also put and carried unanimously. It was then arranged that the various resolutions shall be at once telegraphed to his Honor the Superintendent to bo

employed at his discretion, and that the Chairman should also forward a copy to the Premier. A vote of thanks to the Chairman having been carried, the proceedings terminated.