MR. CURTIS' MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 242, 13 October 1870, Page 2

MR. CURTIS' MEETING.

In compliance with an invitation from Mr. Curtis, the electors met him at the Provincial Hall last night, when, Dr. Irvine having been called to the chair,

Mr. Curtis said that in proposing to give a sketch of the proceedings of the General Assembly, he would not detain the meeting by goiug through the whole of the legislation perpetrated, which consisted of the passiug of over a hundred Acts, nor indeed could he give the barest outline of what occurred, but would just touch upon those matters that were of the greatest importance to the colony, and especially those of local interest. Having given a slight sketch of the Colonial Treasurer's financial scheme, he proceeded to say that the magnitude of it took the whole House by surprise, and created considerable alarm among some of the members, as it was felt that in the event of any unforeseen event influencing the money market when half the loan had been raised, and half the public works constructed, we should be thrown ou our backs, as the immigrants that had beeu introduced would be a burden instead of an advantage to the colony. The matter was one for serious consideration, and while some of the members strongly supported, there were some seven or eight who hotly opposed it. He would have liked to be able to belong to oue of those two classes, but he felt that he could not. The great bulk of the House felt the same — that there was a great deal in the scheme to commend itself to them, while on the other hand the slightest mismanagement might result in disaster and misery. At last the majority agreed to support it to a certain extent, and to render it as safe as possible by imposiug certain checks on the expenditure. They also provided that the fund so raised should be kept entirely separate, and not mixed up with the ordinary revenue, and they fixed the terms on which the money was to be raised, none of which safeguards were provided for when the scheme was first brought down. Another improvement effected was the appointment of a Minister of Public Works, who was to be advised by a Board of Public Works. Another reason for agreeing to the Government proposals this session was that a stroag feeling in favor of them had been exhibited throughout the country, and it was feared that at the hustings members might be pledged to accept the scheme in its entirety. The Government seeing that the measures were being treated on their merits, accepted the amendments in a handsome manner. Although it was thought that the railways generally should not be proceeded with until approved by the next Parliament, the Government considered that some of these Hues might be commenced at once, among which was the Nelson and Foxhill railway. This was agreed to by the Lower House, but the Council objected to it, at least so far as it was dissociated from the Nelson and Cobdeu railway. Some surprise was felt at this" loan scheme coming from a Government of which Mr. Fox was the head, but he admitted that he saw the necessity of increasing the population by immigration, and of undertaking large public works. Another material change which had taken place in the Ministerial views was with regard to borrowing money for defence purposes, as they took office on the distinct understanding that such expenditure should be i provided for out of the current revenue. Such a change was not ofteu found to

come in one year over those entrusted with the government of a country. He would hastily glance at the other measures brought forward. The Payment to Provinces Act provided that head money, commeucing with £2 per head, should be paid to them, which was to be gradually reduced. This would simplify the accounts, and was an approach to a dissolution of the existing financial partnership between the provinces and the colony. The Payment to Road Boards provided for £4800 being handed over to Nelson, to be apportioned according to the recommendation of the Superintendent. With regard to the Customs duties, it was proposed to introduce a protective tariff oa graiu aud flour without lessening the duties to be derived from other necessary articles of consumption, aud for this reason he had opposed it. The Ballot Biil had passed, and for the future all elections, whether General or Provincial, would be conducted under its provisions. The Representation Act provided for an entire revision of the electoral districts, but did not much affect this province, which originally returned seven members, but would now send in addition, as it were, two half members, two of the districts being divided between this and other provinces. The Land Transfer Act if properly worked, would be valuable, but the fees were still too high. A Colonial Education Scheme had been proposed, but came to nothing. While he was of opinion that it was the duty of the State to see that the children were educated, he did not like to see the system in force in Nelson interfered with. The Canterbury and Otago schemes, however, were so much like our own, that it was quite possible that the next Parliament would adopt a similar one for the whole colony. A Payment of Jurors' Act had been , passed providing that jurors resident iv town should receive 35., and those who ! lived from 12 to 20 miles away Bs. a day. The Disqualification Act shut cut from the Assembly a class of men who might play a mischievous part, namely, contractors, of whom there would be a large number wheu the public works were commenced. It was also proposed to exclude Provincial Government officers, but this was not adopted. After referring to the New Zealand University Act, and saying that he would prefer to see a Board of Examiners, who might grant certificates of efficiency instead of degrees, Mr. Curtis went ou to speak of Acts of purely local interest, among which was the Nelson College Act, which proposed to place the election of Governors in the hands of the Nelsou and Marlborough Provincial Councils. This passed the Lower House, but the Legislative Council substituted the Governor for the Provincial Councils. The amendment in the Waste Lands Act, providing that the Commissioner should have power to withdraw laQds from sale if good reasons existed, and also allowed him to issue licenses for cutting flax, was agreed to. The Amended Leasing Act, which provided that persons paying double rent for 14 years should be entitled to the freehold of their land, was passed by the House of Representatives, but so mutilated by the Council, that it became of no value. The County of Westland Boundary Act, providing for the annexation to Nelson of the Teremakau District, had been introduced by the Government, who, later in the session, had withdrawn it, and he (Mr. Curtis) thought they were right in doing so, as the Provincial Council should be first consulted. One remarkable feature of the session was that scarcely anything had been said about native affairs. The main reason for this was that everything was, comparatively speaking, quiet, but whether this state of things was to be permanent or only temporary, was a matter of opinion. It was also felt that the Government had hardly had time to give their policy a fair trial, and therefore it was thought desirable not to discuss it. The new system of loans would lead to demands from various parts, and NelsoD, he thought, might fairly demand a share. One thing for which money was required was, the construction of a railway form Greymouth to the Brunner coal mine, also the extension of the waterworks, for which about £10,000 would be necessary, and again for gasworks which would take from £1 0,000 to £15,000. These would all return a fair interest, and, particularly the coalmine, would tend to increase the permanent revenue. The late session had been so dull and fiat that it was generally considered the most uninteresting ever held

in New Zealand. This must be his excuse for not saying any more with reference to it, but he would be glad to reply to any questions that might be put to him.

Mr. Luckie would put a question which, he considered, involved a great political principle. Was it not altogether wrong that a Government should corae forward to borrow money to carry through a certaiu object, when a private company was prepared to undertake it ? It might be said that a company would only look to its own profits, but they could be so tied down by the Government that it would be impossible for their charges to be extravagant.

Mr. Curtis quite agreed that, as a rule, anything of a mercantile character should be carried on by private enterprise instead of by the Government, bur. with water and gas it was different.. They must look forward a little to the time when there would be a Corporation, and ifa company had power to break up the streets they would constantly be oominjj into collision with the local authorities. Besides, there would be much less cnnfusiou and expense if the water and gas works were under one management. Then as to ih' j question of monopoly. Thp pu'dic would have to pay a much higher rite to a private company than to the Government, which was of great importance.

A desultory conversation, which it was impossible to report, having tak'-n place between Mr. Curtis and Mr. J'lmsou,

Mr. Lightband said thai, "ith regard to the gas questio--, it ti>e Government could fiud the money it- wns the hest thing they could do, but it wis unfortunate thut they had taken the matter ui> when a company was almost formed, and there was every probability that we should be provided with gas io less than 18 months. As it was now, very great, delay must take place in order to obtain the necessary legislation. When Mr. Curtis first took office he promised to us* Ins utmost endeavors to develop our coalfields, hut though he had been Suoerini^uilent for some years their development aiip-ared to be as far off as ever. He, wns aft aid the same procrastination might occur with regard to gas. Mr. Curtis would state with r«g;u'd to the coal that the Provincial Couucil had passed a resolution that nothing should he For remainder of News see Fourth page

done with the Brunner mine until the railway question was decided. He had induced the Council to rescind this, and then the~ Waste Lauds Board had drawn up a series of resolutions bearing upon the leasing of the mine, and advertisements to that effect had been published in the Australian and New Zealand papers, but no eligible offer had been received. The Government had carried it on on a small scale, mining some 12,000 tons a year, and would now only be too glad to let it on reasonable terms. Mr. Haddow asked whether a paragraph that appeared iv that night's Mail, in which it was stated that a deputation from the Board of Works had waited on ' the Superintendent with regard to the gas -supply, was correct. Mr. Curtis : Not exactly. The deputation had come on other business, and whilst with him had introduced the gas question. Mr. Luckie : Would it not be betler if the Government were to borrow money for the Patent Slip, and leave the gas to private enterprise ? Mr. Curtis would be only too glad to carry out both, and if the Council would authorise the borrowing of the money they would find no opposition from him. Mr. Acton Adams wished to kuow what had induced Mr. Curtis to change his mind with regard to a loan for the extension of tho Waterworks, as some months ago he had positively refused to support it. Mr. Curtis said the change had takeu place not only iv himself but in the Assembly. Lastyear there wasno possibility of raising a loan for any purpose, but since thou the whole thing had changed, and instead of using strict economy and -endeavoring to make both ends meet, it was thought the best thing they could do •was to borrow large sums. As all the other provinces were goiug iv for boirowing, it would not suit Nelson to remain behind, and therefore he was quite prepared to ask for loans for Provincial purposes. A vote of thanks to Mr. Curtis was then, on the resolution of Mr. A. Sclanders, carried unanimousl}', aud the meeting separated.