MR. LIGHTBAND'S MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 26, 31 January 1871, Page 2

MR. LIGHTBAND'S MEETING.

. o Mr. Lightband's invitation to the electors to meet him waa well responded to last night, the Provincial Hall being completely filled. Mr. A. J. Richmond having been voted to the chair, called upon — Mr. Lightband, who said that he had not sought to thrust himself upon the electors, but had been nominated during his absence in Wellington, and that on his return his first impulse was to retire at once, but so large a number of his fellowtownsmen had requested him to go to the poll, that he had determined to call a meeting with a view to give an expression of his opinions, after which he should leave himself in the hands of the electors. He would commence with a reference to the Government scheme, which, as it was first brought down by Mr. Yogel, was so large and startling that it took people completely by surprise. At a former .meeting he had stated that he believed there was a great deal in the scheme, and that, if modified, it might prove beneficial to the country. It was originated on account of the general depression that obtained throughout the colony ; the three million loan had been expended; vast amounts of interest were being remitted from the country ; and produce was only to be got rid of at ruinously low prices ; there was no prospect of a change for the better, and the large provinces were crying out for tbe Government to do something. The scheme was carefully considered in the House, considerably modified and hedged in by certain restrictions, and ultimately was agreed to ♦with but one dissentient voice. He had failed to see in other provinces that any elector had asked the candidates to vote for the repeal of it, or that any of the former members had stated their intention to rescind the vote they had given last session. When he saw this, he came to the conclusion that any opposition to the Government arose out of a mere desire of its opponents to scramble for the spending of the money. He had frequently been asked, and the question was clearly put by the Evening Mail whether he would be in the opposition, but he would prefer to go to the House unfettered, and judge oi'the results of the present ministration, and then if they acted honestly, he would give them his support, but if he saw that they went in for feathering their nests, and sending oue another home on good salaries, he would certainly assist in turning them out. With regard to immigration he considered it would be exceedingly dangerous unless carefully carried out, as if useless people were to be brought out and placed io the towns, the effects would be most disasterous ; but he should like to see a useful class of men introduced who would become permanent settlers. Where were those brought out under the three million loan ? Scarcely one of them was to be found in the country; but he believed that if the new immigrants were introduced carefully, they would tend to the prosperity of the country. He did not think we had yet made the best use of our resources, but that there was yet a bright future for the, colony. Mr. Lightband here produced statistics; to show that the colony .bad ; made vast strides during the past nine years, and stated that ihe saw no reason why the same feature should not mark the years to come. We were top prone to attribute the prosperity or disaster to the Government, and io forget that it depends upon ourselves aud the energy and ability we showed, whether the country should be progressive* and great. He would say a few words on the water supply 'for the goldfields, and he knew no expenditure that would require more careful shpervision, or that might lead to greater, jobbery, ; as epgineers,; might; lbe, placed over the works; who ;would elaborate large scheinesj :and^by;: i^he^S.tlm'C : 4bese'' werei; carried put hand. Uiis might lead to most wasteful and ; Igitray£ga^ „ other; if -arefuljjy; -: : '_niiniftigedi;:i3bv .Tf pnld'i <3io '. Ja'^: ,;

large amount of good. With regard to Provincialism or Centralisation, it was well known that one of the candidates, Mr Richmond, was an out-and-out proviucialist. , Within the last few months he (Mr. Lightband) had been much appalled by the great expense entailed by this system of double gevernment, and the time bad come for us to roduce this expenditure. He would like to see a good sound system of centralisation, but he would not like to see the patronage altogether taken out of our own hands; and our own men overlooked as had been shown to be the case in an article in the Examiner on the recent appointment here under the " Land Transfer Act." His opinion on the San Francisco mail service was that it should never have been introduced, and that it was a great pity^that such an addition had been made to bur burdens in a time of great depression. He should not object so much if our own coalfields were being worked, and the money spent in the colony, but as it was, it would all go to Australia for coal. With regard to protection to native industries, he had heard every candidate say that they would not object to something of the kind, and he was of the same opinion. We wanted more trades among us, and should introduce immigrants who understood • the working of machinery. Local industries should be fostered at first, and . when able to take care of themselves the duty should be removed. When in Melbourne, he had been astonished to see the quantity of clothing that was made there, and on asking the reason, was told that piece goods were imported free of duty, while a tax of 11 per cent was placed upon made goods. With regard to his own business, he might say that he never imported leather now, but only used that made in tbe colony, and there was no reason why we should not soon export it to Melbourne, and why, if they charged us 11 per cent on it, should we allow their goods to be imported duty free ? Of the "Land Transfer Act " he highly approved, as tending to simplify the transfer of property. The Superintendent had on a former* occasion mentioned a loan for which he intended to apply, namely, £30,000 for water supply, £15,000 for gas, and £15,000 for the extension of the waterworks. With one of these items he found fault, namely, the loan for gas supply, and he thought it a great pity that when private capital was ready for the purpose, it should have been put a stop to by the Superintendent. He would far rather see the money spent on the continuation of a substantial stone wharf, such as that proposed by Messrs. Akersten and Lightfoot. Of the •' Pension Act " he disapprove^ as he thought every Government officer should be compelled to insure his life. With regard to- the Native question, he thought Mr. M'Lean was using every endeavor to procure peace. We all know that Mr. Richmond's policy had been to make the Queen's writ run through the North Island, whereas he had never succeeded even in making it crawl. He .had seen the men under Brannigan, and fine fellows they were, not the "pannikin men" spoken of by the Evening Mail and other papers, but men in whom would be found the ring of the true metal. A New Zealand University had been spoken of but this he thought should be postponed until better times; the Geological Department, too, be believed to be of no practical use, although, scientifically, it might be of, some advantage. He would conclude by stating that, if elected, be should go to the House free and unfettered and represent his constituents honestly and faithfully. In reply to a question from Mr Blanche, Mr. Lightband said that he had no objection to a Property Tax, as there were a great many absentee landed proprietors, who, by this means, might be made to contribute their share to the cost of government. . Me. Wylie asked whether Mr. Lightband would support the vote for Hansard in its intirety, to which he replied thatthe had been astonished to find how large a sum was spent on printing, and that he should like to see , ihe expenses^ of Hansard l.reduped. , . . -.:. , A Voice : Who is this iHansard atali? . In reply to Mr. Livbstam, Mr. Lightband stated that he would not support compulsory education in : the present state of the colony. Mr. Haddow had much pleasure in proposing that Mr Lightband was a fit and pro-i per person to represent the City of Nelson in the General Assembly. He had clearly stated that he would go as a representative, and ybte according to the; best oif his judgtnent., He, would represent tiie large, mass, whicli Was $n : interesting potion of the ;people r and such men should be i u'raged.+'V;y.yY JixyJ 7i'A.. XJ: iVIr. H^field; seconded the resolution,^ .. !• '•;'; Jx 7. returned thanks, :fthe ■ me^itiiajg; disperfiedvy •• . '- " 7X. -. AX,. : 'i'-Ji