THE DUNEDIN PROVINCIAL DEMONSTRATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 287, 28 October 1875, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN PROVINCIAL DEMONSTRATION.

Dunedin, Wednesday Night. Afc the Macandrew banquet there were over 400 persons present. The room waa tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers, flags, and evergreens. Sir John Richardson arrived just at seven o'clock, and was received with loud demonstrations of applause and cheering, the whole company rising. The 4 Hillery Band played the National Anthem. Sir John was accompanied by Mr Rolleston, The heads of all the professions were well represented, and there was a large sprinkling of merchants. The banquet was set down to take place at 6*30 p.m., but it was past seven before Mr Macandrew, Sir George Grey, and the others arrived. On entering the hall the cheering was most hearty. Mr G. Turnbull occupied the chair, and was supported on the right by the guest of ! the evening, Mr Eitzherbert, Sir John Richardson, Mr. Stout, and Mr Bunny On the left of the chair was Sir George Grey, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Bradshaw. Professor Macgregor faced the chairman, and at the same table were S. L. Gillies, J. C. Brown, Professor Sale. Dr Stuart, and G. B. Barton. The Artillery Band played a fine selection of music during the dinner. Messrs A. and T. Dunning were the caterers, and carried out their work most satisfactorily. On the cloth being removed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed, including the " Governor," proposed by Professor Macgregor, the " Navy and Volunteers," coupled with "JSir J. Richardson." The CnAißMAjsr then proposed " Our Guest, Mr Macandrew." He said he wished the toast had fallen to an older settler and one who knew better than he all Mr Macandrew had done for his adopted country. He was quite sure, however, that those deeds were so well known and appreciated that they did not require special meution before his present hearers. He had done everything to assist to make for the settlers a happy and comfortable home, and had assisted largely to bring into existence the educational and other valuable institutions the people of Otago now enjoyed. He referred very fully to the early history of the province, in which Mr Macandrew had taken so prominent a parfc. He could state thafc their guest had conducted the duties of his office with unswerving zeal and patriotic energy. He held one of the leading positions in the Assembly at the present time. The main object of the meeting thafc evening was to express, their approval of the action he had taken during the past session. (Prolonged cheers and tremendous applause.) He was one of the leaders of that heroic band who had fought for the interests ot their country and the happiness and welfare of the colony. He looked upon the conduct of the Government as a mischievous attempt to change the whole constitution of the colony without giving the people a chance of expressing an opinion. He was sure he would do his duty in the future as c had done in the past. (Great cheering.) Musical honors. Mr MacandreSw roae and the applause waa frantic, the band playing "He's a jolly good fellow," and ihe audience cheering vociferously. He considered if any man had reason to be proud that maa was himself. There was nothing ao gratifying to a public man as to possess the goodwill and | confidence of his fellow citizens. There | were few men to whom greater confidence bad been evinced than toward himself. He would devote himself heart aad soul to build iag up the institutions of ihe province. It was, be feared, a crime almost to mention the word " province ; f) if i 6 waa he would always be guilty of that crime. It | would be the blackest day that ever dawned in tha colony when provincial sentiment was abolished. New Zea* land would never become a great united colony unless ifc waa based on provincial sentiment. He supposed there never had been aueh a demonstration as that one in New Zealand. (Cheers.) It was one of the moat over-governed and ovar-taxed countries under the sun. The whole thing culminated in an act which would in a short time result in the province being mulcted in a sum of £200,000 a year. Otago had alwaya been able to take care of its land, and it depended on hi a hearere, and the people in that province to cay if they should still stick to it. three great blunders had been committed to which might be attributed ail the ilia that New Zealand is heir to. The first waa in not having defined (he respective functions of the Colonial and Provincial Governments. The second waa that tha Legislative Council ahould not be a nominee body, but be nominated or eleoted by the Provincial Councils. The third had been the anatnoly of attempting to carry on responsible Government without tha power of appealing to the people. Ha considered Provincial Councils an admirable check on central despotiam • and when they ware abolished it would' be found that the Central Government would ride rough-ahod over tha liberties of tha people. His idea waa that the the two islands should be left to manage their own affairs entirely independent of, and irrespective of, each other. (Terrific cheering.) He was aura there were other peraona more abla to apeak on that queatioo. He thought it a good and a hopeful sign to see a man like Sir George Grey withdrawing from hia hermis home aad condescending ( 0 BQm wlwre f Qm9l^

jie had ruled This great gathering had quite taken the breath out of him, and he hoped it would be tha beginning of a politioal life in the province. H s Honor then aafc down amidat tremaaJoua applaaae. = Mr J. H. Habris, formerly Superintendent of Otago, proposed " The land we Jive m," contending that as during the previous session of the Assembly Ministers had intimated their intention of abolishing the North Island provinces only, therefore the South Island provinces were taken by surprise. It was an act of tyranny on the part of the (xovernment to press the Abolition measure to an issue this session. That act was not the way to make an united Xew Zealand. He alluded in eulogistic terms to Sir George Grey, and paid a high tribute of praise to the Superintendent of Auckland. He spoke at great length, and concluded by proposing the toast, associated with the name ot fc»r George Grey. (Loud cheering.) Sir George Gret was received with terrific cheering. He said he felt the great personal compliment paid to him. He had to thank them for many acts of kmdness shown by " The land we live m. _ He did not mean the New Zealand of old, or the New Zealand of the future, but they drank to the great land they hoped it would be, and to the great land they hoped to help to make it. They drank the toast with enthusiasm because they hoped to leave a great country tor the posterity which followed them. The speaker then entered into a long account of the steps taken at the original settlement of the colony, and traced the growth of local legislation, and ultimately of Provincial Councils. He would ask if the power of making their own laws had led to tyranny, oppression, or to anything but what the people of the province might be proud of. It was a source of grief and sorrow to him that institutions should be needlessly abolished—institutions that had been so carefully framed, and everything that could be of advantage had been copied from other countries. He had heard remarks made, and arguments used, on the great change which was about to take place which were almost childish. They were free men, owners of acres of their own, and had not to follow examples, but to give them. They stood there to show that God had given them intellects and resolution to carry them but, and there they had no hereditary monarch to think of, or his race and family, no hereditary race of peers to look up to. There they had a Governor, a mere bird of passage, a tool of the Government and Ministry of the day. If they had representatives under the power of such a Ministry, was it right to get at a distance and trust themselves to such? He felt so strongly on these points that he must deliver his mind to them. As far as abolition went nothinghad yet been done. His mind revolted at the thought of their instant abolishment, but a band of trusty men clustered round hinjj and they determined that the country should riot be robbed without their voices being heard. This costly fabric should not be pulled down about their ears without the voice of the people being heard. He should never forget the feeling he experienced when he heard that the action he had taken had pleased the people of Dunedin. The whole question yet rested in the hands of the people. The electors were the jurors and the representatives the pleaders, but nothing could be done till the jurors had spoken. He hardly knew the meaning of the term abolition. If the Government meant to change the federation of the country, each and all of the provinces had a right to say if they would join the new federation. It was a subject they should take into their consideration, and their wives and families also, ( for it was a matter for posterity. It was for his hearers to determine what their future should be. He would not say much more because there were other abler men to speak. (No, no.) They had not met there to eat and drink, but to make matter for history. They were there to listen to arguments as to what was to make the future prosperity of New Zealand. They were there to honor merit, and to give thanks to one who had sacrificed

his own time and comfort to serve his fellow men. (Loud cheers.) They were there to give the lie to those who said that Provincialiats were opposed to the unity of the colony. They had met frqin all parts of the colony to do honor to a man who had served the province of Otago faithfully. He concluded by thanking them for the demonstration of that day, and for the encouragement Which was given to, all honest and earnest workers. (Loud cheering.) Sir John Richardson rose to propose the "Pioneers of New Zealand," and introduced his remarks by stating thai he should have been happy to propose the toast of " Provincial Institutions/ 1 as he could have done it full j-stice ; but on the toast which had fatten to his lot, and on which he should not say much, he was to be followed by a man who was the real pioneerjof ISew Zealaod (Mr Filzherbert), and therefore he wonld say very little. He was sure if they destroyed institutions which had brought on this colony so much; they would cease to raise men of his stamp. Mr FiTZHERBBRT replied, and stated thifet if they wished to hear him they mast be very, quiet. He thought the toast could be well responded to by tbe Editor of the " Handbook of New Zealand/* They did not snppose — and he did not suppose— that he had come there to speak on the pioneers of New Za&laud (laughter), though he could allude with feelings of respect to those who had done much good nnd had passed away from among them. If the pioneers of New Zealand were pioneers of sheep and cattle on a thousand hills, —if that was all, his had been a lost vocation. He did not come out to amasa wealth ; — he could have made it yesterday, be could have made it today, and would to-morrow. He told them plainly— those who Were gold and moceyi-aeekers— if they despised tbe etudy of questions of a social and political character, they would find the very foundations of their superstructure of .wealth would be Bapped, and sink into, a morass of chaos. Great as were their schools, excellent as were their roads and bridges and splendid asylums, what tsrere they to those institutions which were the parent of all — what would it have been if they had only a kind of voice by way of echo at a distance ? The men who called themselves a majority, whose names were unknown, were representatives of the smallest constituencies in this small colony. If ever an attempt were made to tike away the life of a people, that attempt had been made in Wellington. It was most audacious attempt ever made in the history of the world. He did not go hundreds of miles to eat and to drink, but he Was present at the call of duty. If they were the men he took them for, they would exact from every candidate at the next election a promise that he would not represent them falsely, that he would not look after the main chance for himself. He did not think Provincial institutions had bees carried out witboot faults, bat he did not know anything better for a country like this; it was ridiculous to suppose that any institution was perfect. Did we part with our wives because we found a fault with them ? Did we destroy our children because they had the small-pox ? No, we cherished them all the more, and strove to care them. The Opposition had striven, had done their best, and had refused to surrender the citadel. If his heaters did not do their part it was shame on them, and he could tell them their part was no child's play; There bad been men who talked on their behalf, but they might as well have spoken to posts. The only answer they- got was. "I shan't, I wou't, I will." That was their only answer. It was unparalleled in the history of a country that a small band of only 23 men bad withstood the tyrannical opposition of an overwhelming majority, and rendered beck to the people those great privileges which now it was their fault if they did not turn to good account. (Prolonged cheering.) Me Davis, M.P.C., proposed "The Opposition." He considered they owed feelings of gratitude to the noble .and united band who had prevented the majority making a grand constitutional change without an expression of opinion from the constituencies. He proposed the toast of "The Opposition" coupled with tbe name of Mr Thomson. Mr W. H. Thomson, M.H.R. for Clutha, responded. He was certain that an l Opposition was actually necessary to keep a Government in check 'however good they might be. Even Government of the last session but one admitted that the existence of a , good Opposition was very necessary. He was sure that they would admit .that: thgr Opposition had shown a great amount of pluck. He considered the Opposition had achieved all they wanted, and that was that the people should have a voice in this proposed change. He thanked them cordially, and sat down amid applause. Me M'lkdoe proposed the next toast, * * Provincial Institutions." . Mr Rollvston said it was eighteen years since he landed at Port Chalmers, and if he did not belong to Canterbury he should wish tbat ha did to Otago. He could not but thiok that when ho landed that day and saw their grand institutions, and the imposing aspect of Dunedin on approaching tbat it seemed a pjty to think of destroying such i'q. stttutiocs. He thought they had done right in responding as they had to the .toast of the Opposition. He. thought the people had it in their hands to oppoa§ tbe doing away with institutions ,

which had done so much to further the interests of the province and the colony. The time, he thought, wis quite inopportune He thought th« country should turn its attention i> administration. He was sure thia great change was only a red herring across the scent to lead the people away from considering the administration of the future. He looked to a modification of the present institutions rather than to any violent changes. He would not advocate a violent change, but he would not allow a modification which would deprive the people of their frighf. (Cheers.) Professor M'GaKGOR proposed the toast " Friends from a distance," coupled with the names of Measrs Sheehen and BuDoy. Mr Sheehan had for the first time seen the great city of Daoedin, and he bad now learnt that there was a place outside Auckland. He was one of those who had fought the good -fight. When he saw tbia great city, and travelled through its vast establishments, he was aatooiahad how men could say they were incapable of governing themselves. He came from a province which was more under the Colonial Government than any io the colony. He attributed the scant population and the miserable existence of that province to the Colonial Government. They had been told that they (the electors) were the " innocents abroad," but if thoae who said so had heard them speak to-night they would have found that they were greatly mistaken. He believed in keeping the colony together as one, and undivided as a whole, and those who sought to do differently were actuated by personal and pecuniary motives. If Auckland and Otago liked to pull together, (hey could mould this ques- | tion of constitutional changes in any I way they liked. (Great cheering). Mr Bcnhy said that the distant friends had great pleasure in doing honor to Mr M&candrew, and they ought to be proud of a Superintendent who held such a position in the House. Distant friends who had proposed to be with them had voted dead against them, and did more harm than open enemies. He considered there was not a more obstinate man in voting than I (heir member, Mr Reynolds. He was the most stupid man he ever heard of. He was alway the most anxious to do the best for his constituents but he never did it. He had often voted on a question, and then come to him and I said, " I'm very sorry, Mr Bunny, for voting against you, but it was all a mistake." Where was Mr Wales? What had he done? (Groans.) Nothing! He had done them no good in Wellington, and be had not carried out the views on the strength of which he had been returned. Mr W. H. Murbay (Bruce) proposed "The bonny struggle," and coupled it with the name of Mr Stout. Mr Stout, whe received a perfect ovation, thought from that demonstration the warriors would find it very difficult to find men to fight them. He was not ashamed to own that he was a greater provincialist now tban when he went to Wellington. Had anybody been to Wellington and seen how the I great men had made speeches and then | rushed into Bellamy's and left the stake at issue to take care of itself ? He could assure them thatif they knew how these men Jooked after their interests in Wellington they would admit that they could not be better governed tban by Provincial Governments It wa3 a singular thing that they could not find in the division lists one man who was a pastoral lessee. AH the abolitionists were pastoral lessees. The Colonial Treasurer, with all his talk about the paraphernalia of provincial institutions, couid not show lhat Id. penny could not show that one penny would be saved by the abolition of provinces. The expenses of the AgentGeneralship at home, with sixteen clerks and other heavy expenses, were greater than the cost of governing the North Island. The Opposition were not fightiog for place, bu6 were fighting for the aiake at issue being placed bafore the people, and to get their voice on the question. The present Government bad shown themselves incapable of governing the country. They must return men pledged to aome course of action, and not men without any decided opinion. He thought they could rely upon tho people governing themselves, and doiog justice to themselves without the assistance of the Abolition Bill. He challenged any of the "good talking" abolitionists to meet him in that town, and he would argue the question with them, and prove how they were doiog an injustice to the people. (Cheer?.) He believed they were. arguing a thing which was just and right, and they were not to be frightened with clap-trap of paraphernalia. They had a trust to look after which woald leave its mark in New Zealand when they and theirs were dead and gone. (Great cheers.) "The various interests and industries" was the next toast. It was proI posed by Mr Donald Reid, in an able speech. He spoke in the same strain ■ as the previous speakers. He would i ask what was to be gained by the ; change, and did they know what they ; were going to loss ? The people of New Zealand were not prepared for the change. Mr M'Dermid, of Porfc Chalmers, \ responded. The toasts of "The Press" and: ! " The Chairman " closed the proceedings, which were of a most enthusiastic character, The meeting broke up at j i midnight,