MR. SHEPHARD AT WAKEFIELD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 254, 26 October 1874, Page 2

MR. SHEPHARD AT WAKEFIELD.

A correspondent has ; kindly, forwarded to us the following report- o(; the meeting reeeotly helJ at Wakefield ;— ..._. „_... .... J. Shephard addressed his con stituents on Thursday evening, thf meeting being rather thinly attended for Waktfield. Mr af."Bird f " IwhVwas~'1 whVwas~' voted to the chair, said that he was sorry that the meeting was not larger, blithe thought, it -was due to the people being so well posted up in political matters, most of the Nelson members having already addressed their constituents, but'if.Alr Sh<-pb.ar.dr jwas ;th<last be was i quite sure he' was s not the least., ■•;=■,-;--■''- f .... - ■ , ""../ Mr Shephard, on rising," said that (For continuation see fourth page }

Mr Bird bad referred to his being late in the season, but there were various reasons why he should be so, one being that Mr Luckie bad addressed the electors in Nelson, and aa he held views similar to his own on the principal topics of public interest, he thought it better to wait until the other side had met their constituents. Mr Yogel had told them that the present policy should b$ carried put in iia integrity, and the perfect success of that policy for the last four years he thought was a sufficient <ruaraotee that a still brighter future was in store for the colony. The revenue fca-i largely increased daring the last year, and with the increase of population there would be a large surpjoa. He believed that, for the future, the interest on loans would be paid out of current revenue instead of as formerly by another loan. The grants to Road Boards would stili be continued, apd by special grants such as capitation, and otherwise Nelson would receive for the correct year £77,000 which, if judiciously expended, should effect eproe good for the province. The result of the survey for the Buller Railway was not favorable, the cost per mile being reported as too high, but he saw no reason to despair for the future. A Hn-j of 150 miles in length costing under £5000 a mile was not so great an undertaking for a country with such resources as New Zealand bad., aibi he thought that we stood a very good chance of getting our railway. One word be must say about immigration. It would not do to force if, and if it were felt that there were too many coming, the Government should stop the /ortber influx. They were of course watching events, and no doubt would exercise due caution. Among the peiucipal Acts of the session was the Forests Bill, which he believed to be necessary, aod it was the general opinion of members that the lorests should be preserved, as the iudiscrimi* DBte destruction by fire and otherwise was calculated to seriously effort the climate, and to destroy the land adjacent totiigiwater courses. It was proposed by Mr Yogel to take three out of every 100 acres, but not from the good land io 7 the bottoms fit for cultivation. A*n other Useful Act was the Regulation of Mines Bill. Coal and iron would soon: be: extensively worked io the ri&foby, and (he Bill was necessary for the security of the men employed. The atjojitioo.of imprisonment for debt be considered a step in the right direction. The Licensing Bill was calculated to supply tfae defects of that passed in the. last session. The Seal Estate Bill he considered r good measure. If each member of a family contributed to the estate the eldest son ha 3 no right to the whole, but it should be divided fairly. He considered the division of profit b from the Government Insurance a wise step. He was glad to see the University dispute settled. He considered tho Excise duties of 1868 a mistake. The loss of duty would have bought all the b»r!ey in the country, and he had suggested buying out the interests oi the distilleries, which was agreed to, : the time to be two years. The consolidation of (be land laws waß qbite necessary, as one uniform law would save confusion. Voting on miners' rights was a difficult question, &nd be ; agreed with the principle that bix months' holding was necessary. The Legislative Council, from its consjructioo, was of a feeble character, the members be'iDg nominees who liked to have a finger in everything. If it were an. elective House it was quite clear that it would have far more power. The Fiji Islands scheme would no dotibt lead to a large increase of lyrade, but be questioned the advisability of entering into too large transactions atod the prospect of the Home Government taking possession of the islands would help the settlement of them materially. He considered a change in the constitution necessary, that Provincial Governments bad served their purpose^ acd that one system now the colony was being bound together by telegraph aod rail would be much belter, but he could not be a party to allowing the present form of government to lapse without the country haviop sufficient time to consider what was to be substituted for it. ■He was 'convinced that the people ought to struggle for local self government, and that iho humbug of so many petty Parliaments ought to be done away with.

Mr Sbepbard's address, which was an interesting aod comprehensive one, occupied over two hours in delivery.

No questions being asked, the following resolutions were carried unanimously : —

Proposed by Mr R. M. Smith, and seconded by Mr J. Andbews:— " That this meeting ia highly patiefied with tbe action taken by their member Mr Joseph S:>rpbard towards tbe abolition oi Produces in tbe N. nh Island, and trusts that he will again maintain the same principles at tbe forthcoming Bession of the General Assembly by supporting a measure for the total abolition of provinces throughout the colony."

Proposed by Mr Robert Boddington, and seconded by Mr Hillside; " That the thanks of this meeting be awarded" to Mr bbepbard for tbe lucid statement, be has made this evening, und aU6 the entire confidence they repose in him as their representative in tbe General Assembly.''

Mr Shbphard thanked the eleotora for tbe expression of their confidence, and proposed a vote of thanks to the chair criao. This brought the proceedto a close.