MEETING- AT THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 206, 30 August 1881, Page 4

MEETING- AT THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

A crowded and enthusiastic, hut most orderly, meeting was held at the Provincial Hall i as f nlght for the p Hl . pose of considering the <: chime " resolutions proposed hv the Government. The chair was taken by His Worship the .Mayor, who said that hitherto he had been a supporter of the present Government, hut he could scarcely express the disgust and indignation with which he had read Mr Hall's notice of motion, and he Loped that the resolutions, ■which, he believed, were to be proposed that evening, would make the ears of a Ministry, which hadalwaysbeen warmly supported by Nelson, tingle. Mr Sclaxders moved the first resolution, which was as follows :— " That apart from the Representation Bill, concerning which the opinion of this district lias already been expressed, this rneetiug in the strongest manner possible, and on broad principles, entirely disapproves of, and utterly condemns, the action of the Premier in meeting the opposition of a section of the House carried on as such opposition has boon in an orderly and constitutional manner, by proposing to introduce a violent change in the Standing Orders in the direction of smothering all discussion, and of placing the freedom of debate at the mercy of the majority of the day; such a change being justifiable only after an unreasonable opposition bordering on the revolutionary, or other circumstances of the gravest and most exceptional character." He wished to confine himself solely to the one actiou of the Government covered by the resolution, and to the Representation Bill, •which, he considered, was thoroughly ■wrong in principle and most unjust to Kelson, and he wished it to be distinctly understood that holding as he did that the first thing to be considered was the proper and prudent administration of affairs, he did not come forward as an opponent of the present Ministry, or as, in any degree whatever, a supporter of Sir George Grey. Such being the position he took up, he thought that his condemnation of the present action of the Government ought to carry more weight with it than if he were one of their opponents on general grounds. Every Englishman thoroughly appreciated the value of liberty and of freedom of speech, and this attempt to silence our members could not be too severely condemned. Circumstances might arise, as in the Imperial Parliament, when such an extreme measure was called for, but was there anything in connection with this miserable Representation Bill that demanded it ? There had been no outcry for it. no one would be the worse off if it were not passed, and yet exceptional means Tvere to be resorted to in order to allow of its being forced through the House, and to dispose of legitimate and orderly opposition. He hoped that the resolution would be passed unanimously. Mr Sharp had much pleasure in seconding the resolution and would •willingly have done so even had it been couched in stronger terms, for he could see no possible excuse for the violent measure proposed by the Premier. Referring to the Representation Bill and its effect upon Nelson, he said there were only two reasons for depriving a district of the amount of representation it had previously enjoyed; one of these ■was a falling off in population, which had not occurred here ; the other was that bribery and corruption had been proved against the electors and members, butnothimg of this kind had ever been even charged against Nelson. Our members were perfectly justified in offering the strongest possible opposition to the Bill, and they had his hearty support and approval in what they had done and proposed doing. Mr Arthur Atkinson considered the Representation Bill a most unwise measure, and that it had been framed in forgetfolness of the principal feature in the history of New Zealand, namely, that it had been divided into Provincial districts, and that, notwithstanding the abolition of the Provinces, the old Provincial jealousies and selfishness still continued to exist. This should be taken into consideration in adjusting the representation, and because it bad not, he thought our members were justified in using every legitimate means to oppose the Bill. Bui tbe qutmion fuse what we* legitimate r pposition ? To carry it cut in tbe face of a very l;rpe BDd decided majority wsb to be dieioy&l to the constitution tibieh provided for government by the majority. He did not approve of B:onewa!liog, bat in tie legislators as in a piece of mce'daery a certain encount of play must be allowed for, icd thersfo-e he coDgidered that tbe Premier's reeo.'clicna were at least premature. If, however, they were to h&ve cocstitauonal government the mpjnriiy most rule. Me F. Atkinson did not believe in half measures, He could not see ih&t our members bad done anything wroDp and yet the Government wanted to treat them bs revolutionists. He said, let them stick to it tooth and pail

Mb Haedow was glad to find that ire meetiDg maintained the character of previous Neleon meeting*, and in listening patiently to Mr A. Atfeineon bad shown its disposition to give fair ploy. This despicable Bill, he contended, was not rfquired, was not demanded by the people, and yei the Ministry had introduced a bydraneaded monster to strangle (he opposition to it. Mr Atkinson bad spoken of the miLOrity Bt&Ddin^ rjp against ihe m&jcrity, but loik >t the cccetiiasion of Engi&nd wtick w&g tbe plcry of (he world ; ha* it cot Veen gEi&ed by minorities which had fought to the death ? The qurenoE row biforo then; did Dtt fcffeot Nelson alcce but wes a colonial o&e, anti he hoped that everj liberty loviog colonist it, New Zealand *;oold rise cp in opposi.iou to ihe Government propostb. The reeolmicn Vffcs i\u n put to the meeticg tnd CErried by cd overwhelming cofcjority, but three L&nde bting held np aoaintt it, tlcte v;Lo oppo&td it beiLg saluted with great- o at d hisses which, however, speedily Eubtidf-d.

Me Eveeett had much j»ie£sure ie proposing " 'Ifcat this meetic^ ter.dcrc to Messrs Pitt ttd L&vcstatr-, cur members, (fceir aofel £ rueful thanks for the determined end, aaacly fit&nd they are dftk-icg spififiHbe scimd&loGs to jus tics

designed for Nelson by the action of ! the present Government, and to assure them that they may rely upon oar essisrance aoi Bupport to the very last extremity," He felt sure that a heßriy support would be accorded to our representatives in mskirg so marly a stand against a Bill that wonld hove so I irjurious an effect upon Nelson and Westland. He strongly objected to stonewalling unless there was aome good end ppecial reason for it, but saeb, he thought esisfeJ, when an attempt was being tnsde to deprive U8 of our political rights. So far as he could see, the opposition hitherto had been perfectly hir, and in carrying it oui our members were only performing their duty to their constituents. He thought the Premier must have beeo Buffering from a severe attack of bile when he brought dewn (he resolotionf which tho aaeoiing had jast condemne J , bq 1 of which he hopsd all New Zealand would exf>re?B is disapproval. Mr. Bunny seconded the resolution. The question of the liberty of members of the House to stand up for their constituents' righSa had now cropped up, and be hoped that there would be a ye y general expression of condemnation of the Premiet'd resolutions throughout the colocy. The oseuU! and physical strain to which our members had b-'en eubjec'ej must have beui very grea», and ao there was yei much hard work before them, an unanimous expression of graiitade for what they had done, and of support ia what they hxd yet to aY, could not fail to prore most encouraging to them. The resolution was then put anJ carried unatimously. Mb, John Grahasi s&id that no doubt all present regretted deeply the causa that bad brought them together, fcr it whs cot pleasant to have to con' dean^ one's friends. HUll this was an occasion on which it hai to be donp, and ihey must not shrink from their ■luty. The resolution he had to propos however, was noi a disagreeable odp, (or it was expressive of approbation. Had he eeeo the last resolution before it was put to the meeting, he should have suggested that the names of (he others of our representatives, in addition to those who for the to»D, who had done their duty in the present struggle should be iccluded ; as it was, however, he had couch pleasure io now proposing '• That this meeting tenders its thanks to these oembers of tbe House of R-prtseatatives who have aided and suppcit^d the members for Nelson City ia their strangle against a tyrannical majority to maintain the political rights of this district, and calls upon all iriends of constitutional liberty in the House to resist by every lawful means tho arbitrary and ccercive measures proposei by ihe Premier for the purpose of gagging ani depriving (he people through their represeatatives, of the sacred and inviolable right of freedom of speech." Depending u;oo thtir nujority from the South, ihe Government were endeavoring with a high ha&d to forae the Representation through the House, and whan oar membera manfuily opposed it, the [.i^eay Hail, as the •« Evening Mail " had pithily put it, did not hesitate to bring down a taoasure which ; be giant Gladstone had only resorted to undrr extreme pressure, aDd aft r months of provo.a.ioi:. A letter which appeared in thfi Post Lad been re-pub-ished iv the Mail, the writer cf which signed himsoif " Traveller," by which be meant perhaps to convey that he web a stranger to New Z -&- land. He must hnvo been that or else what the Mail had Btyled him •• » br&iniesH idiot," cr he would never have asked why Nelson should be treated difitremly to tha rest of New Zealand. Tbe resl question was why had she been treated differently. Why had theundertaking on which the public works policy of 1870 was based, not been carried out, and ihoe, instead cf branch railways in the souib, which cow sought to rob us of our representatives, there would have been a trutk lice nearly completad through the colony, and our population would have been such that even upon the proposed basis the number would have to be increased instead of decreased. In speaking as he had don?, he wished to s&y nothing disrespectful of tbe members of the present Ministry who personally were unknown to him, he only having seen tbfm when on a late visit to Wellington 'whea he was favorably impressed r>y what he saw of them, and espfccially r..y Mr Hall who from his appearance he had taken to be an upright, and an honorable man. The step he had now taken, however, must be condemned by every right thitking man both id tee House and out of it. Ms A. Robertson seconded the resolution. He thought members were perfectly right in offering every possible opposition to & Bill which would aive to the South tbe power, of w\ ich it would avail itself, to rain New Zaalacd. He wondered why the Northern members did not onite with the Nelson men in their opposition. The resolution waa then put and c-irried unanimously. Mr Akersten said he had a resolution to propose, for the wording of which be alone was responsible, ana which be was quite prepared «,o justify. We had been tco quiet hitherto, and our members with the best intention?, no doubt, had given a geoertl support to the present Ministry, but tbe Ministry had treated us shamefully in return, and cow the row n-aa about tj begin. He end (wo or three others had sent a telegram to Sir George Grey asking him whether he was prepared to devise some Parliamentary action to oust the present obnoxious Ministry. To this he had replied that he would communicate with Mr Pitt, and Mr Pitt had since telegraphed to say that they were considering what cculd be tione in the desired direction. Now then, perhaps, tbe Government would begin to realise that we were not children who were to be trifled with impunity. L Mr Akersten then proceeded to read extracts from Mr Hall's speech in moving the second reading of the Bill, and to make running comments thereon. Our space will not allow of our publishing these in lull, and it is impoßnble to condense them.] He thought that repreßentation.slioald le based upon ao entirely

different principle to that proposed, and be would give one member to each town and increased representation to the country districts. There was no precedent in England for the population bfipis, and it would work moat unfairly here. He concluded a lengthy speech by asking his fellow electors to organise, not only in Nelson, but throughout New Zealand., and to send a majority of working men to the House. It was the middle and working classes who must be represented if they wanted to obtain anything like good and fair legislation. His resolution was as folio #s : — " That in the opinion of this meeting, the population basis is misleading as a guide in determining electoral districts. That the present Representation Bill is marked by an absence of Ministerial tact, which should have foreseen the present deadlock. That the present action of the Government, in attempting to disfranchise this place, is unconstitutional ; and further, it is repugnant to the laws of England, by which no place can be disfranchised unless by special legislation, and by way of punishment for bribery or infamous crime. That in the history of New Zealand no place has been disfranchised, nor in the law as at present is any provision made for that operation, except for bribery. We therefore feel we are being exceptionally treated, and counsel the Government to desist from further persecution, which may convert the most law-abiding community to the opposite extreme." Ma Cookset seconded the resolution. The meeting was not intended j to be of a personal character, or for the purpose of lauding S'r G. Grey or condemning Mr Hall, but its purport was to express our opinions on two particular items, the .Representation Bill and the Premier's resolutions. He came there to perform the very unpleaeaat task of condemning hia friends and he certainly should not do bo except ..upon good grounds, but those grounds, he was sorry to say, existed. The population basis was quite vn r suitable to a country like this, and the attempt to disfranchise Nelson was cruel in the extreme, and quite un-called-for. There was one reform that he considered was urgently needed, namely, to make the Upper House elective, in which case it would take a higher position in the estimation of the people, and conduce to greater self respect in its members. In an important matter like this, where the practical disfranchisment of a district was involved, the opinion of the country should have been taken, and the Government, he believed, would have recognised the necessity for this had they not been overawed by the Southern representative?. What suited one country was not applicable to another, and entirely different representation would be advisable here if Otago was at one end of the colony and Canterbury at the other, instead of their being together. With regard to the Government proposals for silencing our representatives, he could not find words to express his indignation. It was cowardly and mean to a degree (hat after a little fight; of thirty hours they should fall bark upon their majority to stifle the voices of cur representatives. When Mr Pitt had charged Major Atkinson with threatening to remember the opposition of the Nelson members when the Estimates came on for discussion, the latter had denied having said so, but he (Mr Cooksey) believed that some one else had, and that Mnjor Atkinson intended to do it. It pained him greatly to have to speak thus ot the Ministry, but it appeared to him that they bad been led away from the fair and honest path ot statesmanship. Me Rowell had not been asked to propose or becond any resolution, and did not care to tie himself to any party. He had been much surprised to hear Mr Sclanders?, after condemning the Ministry, attempt to apologise for them. For himself, after carefully reading Hansard, he had come to the conclusion that Mr Hall was one of the meanest men on earth, and one of the biggest gridironera in New Zealand. There were four great monopolies in the colony that ought to be broken up, There was the monopoly of Government by the Atkinson family ; the monopoly of Jand, and Mr Hall ; had a hand in this ; the monopoly of the carrying trade by the Union Company, which had strong friends in the House; and the monopoly of the Civil Service. Mr Hall had had his lergfch of rope allowed him, end now he had hung himself. He was not at all sorry that the present juncture had occurred, for it had already converted 300 Conservatives in Nelson into Liberals. Mr Rowell then proceeded to pass hie usual eulogium on Sir George Grey, asserting that all the public works Nelson had got of late had been from his Ministry. He did not think Mr Pitt had been running straight, or he wou'd have made terms with the Government about the Representation Bill when the no-confidence debate was on. The resolution was then carried nem con. Ms Ttask, after referriDg to the services rendered by the press, prososed — "That this meeting accord to the members of the press their sincere thanks for the energetic and effective action taken by them in the present struggle." Mb Betitwaite seconded the resolution, which was carried unatimously. Me Sharp said that he had alwajs been in favor of an elective Upper House, and pointed out thai Nelson sent but one member to it, while Wellington had no lees than nine Referring to the telegram sent to Sir George Grey, he said he did not see how he was going to support up, as be was a warm supporter of representation on the population baßis. He also contradicted Mr Rowell's statement relative to Nelson being indebted to the Grey Ministry for bo many of its public works. He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, and the meeting broke up shortly after ten o'clock.

Mr Joseph Ivess, the celebrated country newspaper propagator, commenced business at Ashburton on tbe Ist instant as an auctioneer. We wish him full success in big new line. The Kumara Times informs its readers that the night before the case of Baird v, Ward waa tried at the District Court Hokitika, " His Honor Judge Broad dreamt that Ward, whom he neither knew nor heard of before, wn drowned on his way up ; and was jußt on the eve of saying to Mr Pnrkiss in Court, when speaking against the adjournment, ' the man might be drowned !'" The West Coast Times says it is perfectly true the man was drowned, but it is unable to vouch for the accuracy of the dream story,