PROVINCIAL COUNCILS ELECTION.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 667, 4 September 1852, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCILS ELECTION.

In our last number we gave an outline of the proceedings at the Nominations tor the Dißtncts for which Auckland was appointed the polling-place, together with the results of the eleotions. We now roiurn to the subject to present a fuller Report of the Speeches at the Nominations, &c. Spacious Hustings had been erected in front of the Market Mouse, Shortland-street, to which the friends of the seveial candidates were admitted by tickets. At 12 o'clock on Monday the Returning Officer (Thomas Beckham, Esq., Resident Magistrate) opened the proceedings by reading the Writ commanding the election

of three members to rppiesent the City of Auckland in the Piovincu! Council, and in a few appropiiate observations called on the people to co-opeiate with him in cat ry ing out the business of the election in an ordeily manner. The precedence of nomination had been determined between the different candidates by the dialing at lots. In pursuance of this arm n demerit, J. A. Gilh'U.in, Esq , J.I J ., came forward to propose a gen leman who was bound to the country by the possession of a large stake in it. He had not hitherto taken any very active public part, but for that reason he was the moie Mcely to serve the constituency by performing the duties of a legislator without any strong bias of political party fooling. lie Knew him to be possessed of sound judgment winch lie believed would be exercised for the promotion of the general welfare. In conclusion, be ha 1 much pleasure in proposing John Silmon,Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the City of Auckland in the Provincial Council. Mr. Andrew Rooney seconded the proposition. He believed Captain Salmon to be a worthy m,m, and one w'lose interests were identified with New Zealand. Captain Salmon then piesented himself. He said be was not prepared to tell them a long 1 story. The interests of New Zealand were his intents. In coming before them he stood alone and unfettered. Something bad been industriously circulated to the effect th.it he had been endeavouring to influence the elections m other districts ; but he distinctly denied that such was the case. He was as free fiom the attempt to influence others as he wn<s from submitttng to be influenced himself. At the request of a number of his fellow-citizens be h id svgreed to offer himself as a candidate, and should he be chosen he could only say that his wirm desires and best efforts would be engaged m the service of the country to the utmost of his ability. William Coancll, Esq., J.P., then came forward to propose Mr. Whitaker. It devolved on him on the pre sent occasion to propose for their acceptance and support a candidate to represent tb^ City of Auckland in the first Provincial Council of New Ulstei. They were this day called upon to exercise one of Ihp most valued piivileges of Butish subjects — to elect by their ownfiee choice men to represent them, and their wants and interests in the Legislative Council of the Fiovince, and he rejoiced in the hope that they should pre long see this dawning of their fieedom widen and expand until they enjoyed the full meudian light of complete civil liberty in the control and management of their own affairs. True it was that the present times seemed to ninny to present an aspec-tof gloom and discouragement. Many of (heir people had left or weie leaving them through the. attractions of Austialian gold. Their commerce was depressed, and some amongst them may feel disposed to say that it matters little who were returned to the Council. But those who reasoned ihus gloomily could not W old «nd settled colonists of New Zealand, they must be of those who bad arrived here within the last year or two, and who having had no experience of the inherent vitality of this colony took alarm at a temporary depression. Those who like himself, and the gentleman whom he was about to propose, had seen J\ T e»v Zealand passing through the various vicissitudes that bad marked her progress during the last eleven or twelve years, could see through the present gloom to brighter and better times beyond. He (Mr. Connell) had seen New Zealand in far worse times tban the present, and be bad sepn her battle with difficulties and rise triumphantly above them. And he did not for ajnoment doubt, notwithstanding the pi esent depression, that the prospects of A' ew Zealand were incomparably better at this moment than they have been at any previous period of her history. But to turn to the more immediate business of the day. They were called together to elecr members for the first Provincial Council. What then were the qualities they wanted in tbe men that they would choose? They required men experienced in the affairs of the colony— men of sound judgment, capable of taking large and comprehensive views of the public questions upon which they will be called on to decide, and able when they have formed them to give them full expression and convince the understanding of others. They wanted men of known jntes;rity, and men whose interests were identified with tbeir own. Now, tbe man for whom be would bespe ik their suffrages — Frederick Whitaker — was no stranger to them. He need not eulogise his vntueanor dilate upon his good qualities. He had lived amongst them for the last'elevon 'or twelve yeais. They had seen him in the peiforuiance of his various public and private duties — | bis life, bis abilities, his views, weie all -before them. They knew him and therefore they should vote for him. After a few further observations Mr. Connell proposed Fredn ck Whitaker, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the City of Auckland in the Pioviucial Counc 1 of New- Ulster. Mr. Alexander Black seconded tbe nomination". Mr. ConneU had discussed Mr. Wbitaker's merits so fully that be bad left very little for him to say. The colonists bid bad experience of Mr. Whi taker's conduct in tbe Legislative Council already. He was well " ruffed" when be was there before, and there was no doubt that Bhould he be returned be would do still more to merit approbation. Mr. Wbitaker here urged that tbe proper order would be that all tbe candidates should be nominated before any of them were called on themselves to address tbe electors. He saw that this should have been the course when Captain Salmon came forward, but he did not wish to interrupt him, but that gentleman could, if be thought fit, speak again. The Returning Officer said that tbe course of proceeding bad now gone ao far that be thought it should not be altered. Mr. Whitake,r tben said, well then, be would go on ; for although called upon rather out of his turn to address them, he bowed to the deci«ion. He declined to give any pledges, a course which he regarded as injurious to the system of Representative Government, and ho complimented the electors that during the time he had been before them, as a candidate, no pledge had been required of him; at the same tirfte it was a wholesome rule that tbe candidates, on such an 'occasion, should state their views on the leading questions of the day, and this was a duty be had no wish to evade. The Franchise appeared to him not to be on a proper footing. It did not confer tbe right «s perhaps intended on property, because here a mere hovel was worth the 2s. or 4s. a week required, and in many of the classes excluded 'by tbe want of such a possession might be some of the most wealthj as well as intelligent who posseted large property in mortgages, debentures, or business, yet might happen to live in a hovel not worth the required annual amount. The conetant changes in tbe value of houses might enfranchise or disfranchise one hundred voters in a week, 'I his year a man might be a voter ; next year, from a fluctuation in the value of property although holding the same property, he might 'be disfranchised. It would be objectionable to raise the qualification, as in a small community it would comfine the power to so few and at present it drew an invidious distinction without answering any good purpose. He was not one of those who feaied to trust the people of New Ulster with the management of their affairs. He was sure men managed tbeir own concerns better than others responsible to distant masters, could' do it for them. With regard to religious grants he was opposed to them. lie believed that tbe introduction of this would be the introduction of leligious discord into a community at present not afflicted with such an evil, and it none other of the reasons against such grants excited, this reason appeared to him conclusive. Educational grants were on another footing — especially as regards the natives we had our duty to fulfil ; all ho believed were agreed in this. And as to the mode of dispensing the sums set apart he was unable at present to suggest any preferable mode to that enacted by the Ordinance now in force, and was therefore averse to its alteration. He did not see bow any improvement could be made in the Oidinance, and he was prepared to stand by it as it is. All creeds and denominations in this country, as regards the state, were on an equal footing, and be was averse to any change. On tbe question of Provincial Separation, he maintained it admitted of no compromise, and he never would cease to agitate it until New Ulster and New Munster were divoiced. Founded on different principles, unconnected by commerce, without community of feeling or interest, and practically more distant fiom each other than they were fiom New South Wales, neither Province can gain by the continuance of the connexion. The inhabitants of New Ulster are living under laws which they* never saw; Oidinances were passed- at Wellington twelve months ago, and are now binding in tbe administration of justice ; but'they are not to be procured here for love or money. Mr. W. mentioned as an illustration of tbe injuiious and embarrassing consequences of this state of thingSi a case in which he was recently engaged in which his client lost his cause owing to the pioduction by his friend Mr. Mernman, who was engaged on tbe other side, of an Act of the last Council of which he ("Mr. Whitaker) was entirely ignorant up to that hour. With regard to the Land Question, he held that the Provincial Council should have lull power to deal with this, and indeed with eveiy matter which did not involve Impeiial interests, so that those on the spot who knew where tbe shoe pinched might have power to ease it according to circumstances, without

waiting for its being done by partips sixteen thousand miles away. As to the details of the Land Question, he would po^tponp their consideration until the powei of management was obtained, wailing, according to the cookery-book direction, until the hare was ought before wo set about dressing it. The manner in which the power should lie exercised would require much and careful consideration. The Question of the pne 1 of land Was really the great question ; and the main object should be to make the land as cheap as possible, nnd lo open up every part of the country to enterprise and capital. The control ol Waste Lands, and the power of obtaining land nt a cheap rate and on easy terms would counteiact the temptations which the Australian Gold Diggings held out ; and, taken in connexion with the many advantages which New Zealand possesses, would fix many waveier^, attract emigrants, and most probably induce many of those who will become weary and ii'k of gold digging to settle down in this country, and spend here what they are now labouiing there to acquire These were his views, but perhaps it would be well to state a few general principles with a new to guide them aa to other questions. He was of opinion that the only proper aim of good government was to promote the wellare of the people — that the people hid a right to be govprned as well as possible. That no expenditure of public money should be incut red or liberty restricted which wa* not required for the purpose of good government. The piesent were critical times, but he had no fear of the result. lie bad seen things still more threatening. Some of them could remember the lowering nspeo/ of affairs when they were digging trenches ai the Barracks, but he was amongst the number himself, who stood by the good ship until she weathered the storm, — the abundant resources of New Zealand had enabled her to survive under many shocks. He doubted not that patience and pprseverance would now meet their full reward. The clouds would pass away. Xet honestj', liberality, and good faith rule, and there was nothing to fear. Dr. Lee then came forward to propose Mr. Alderman He said they were about to exercise a right 'that if judiciously applied would sever the fits 1 link of their Piovincial bondage. The next day ought to be celebrated as the harbinger of their emancipation, but unless they fought the battle of good and true citizens, by appointing good generals who would clear the road and pave the w,\y to full freedom, they must still con tinue to be the vassals of a Downing-street irresponsible Government. 1 hey had not much to expecc either from the present Constitution or the one pioposed by Sir John Palungton, for thfy both appeared to him to be nothing more than specimens of bad sorts of extended corporations with power to make certain laws for their own government, subject nevertheless to the correction, jurisdiction, and Legislative authority of an Autocratic Governor-in-Clnef. He called upon them as citizens to return no candidate wlio vrould not pledge to ngitate for Cheap Land and plenty of it (under wholesome restrictions). Full :ind. complete Self-Government. Retrenchiupnt and Provincial Separation. These were the true sources of ther present and their future prosoerity. He knew of no candidate more zealous, or whose interests were more identified with this Province than Alderman O'Neill, therefore he proposed him as a fit and proper candidate to represent their interests in the Provincial Council of New Ulster Mr. Alexander Wright spconded the nomination. He had known Alderman O'Neill for many years in this place as a honest and upiight man, who made a fortune here by attending to bis own business. He (Mr. \V.) bad known some of the other candidates too. Mr. Whitaker h?d been a Government nominee, and a Major of Militia. (Confusion) He mentioned this to show tbe way the Government did thugs. The order of things he was sure was reversed by them altogether, for they appointed an attorney to command soldiers, and a military officer to preside in a Court of Law. If the latter officer's decisions on most occasions were satisfactory to the public, the Government were not to be thanked lor that, nor was it any proof of their discrimination in making such an appointment. The working people should study their own interests, and they could do it well, and they should not be prevented by such threats as he heard of, of their losing their employment. Mr. O'Neill then presented himself and*said, — In coming forward as a candidate for a seat in the Provincial Council, he was perfectly conscious that not one would occupy a chair in that Assembly more anxious to promote' their interests or that of their adopted country than himself, and as a species of guarantee he might be permitted to mention that he was one of Auckland's earliest settlers, that he had seen it grow from a few rush huts, to its present bulky dimensions, and in all its vicissitudes (and assuiedly it had many) he had never deserted it, but in its adversity ho clung to it the closer, still cheered with the hope, that the time was not far distant, when their inherent rights would not be withheld, — he meant that of managing their own affairs without the intermeddling of a despot at the antipodes, He would beg to remind them* that all his capital was invested in the,soil of New Ulster, that it was his home, nnd the father-land of his children, consequently they could easily perceive that the prosperity of New Zealand must be to him a matter of paramount importance. He was not an advocate for a violent opposition to the Executive, yet he trusted he should be ever ready with firmness to persevere in reqairing their just rights when essential to the well being of the colony. It behoved them to place men in the coming council, who would be true to them, and should their choice fall on him, he would always be found punctually at his post, watching over the best interests of this fine country, vigorously opposing any measure of a pernicious or doubtful tendency, md furthering with his support, all such as may be conducive to the health and prosperity of the community. He would endeavour to reduce the salaries of all overpaid officials, and have fewer of them. lie would like to see the useless departments completely done away with, and »with these savings added to a grant from the general revenue, something done towards opening up the countiy, either by means of roads or canals. Of the various subjects -which they had heard, or might hear this day, complicated and comprehensive as some of ■ them certainly were, the land question seemed to him the most important, he thought it should have precedence of all others, because it most nearly concerned them. If they were anxious to see New Zealand a great colony, if they were anxious to see New Ulster a permanently expoiting colony, they must have cheap land, and an j abundance of it. It was a wretched mistake, and a pitiable line of policy, to keep the minimum price of land high; they should hold out inducements to capitalists to visit them, and make their home in this ! healthy climate, by offering land at a lower rate than it can be got in any of the neighbouring countries ; let them be liberal with it, and they might be assured that in a short period they would have thousands of substantial settlers dotted over the country, which would have a direct tendency to increase instead of lessen tbe intrinsic value of their own lands. There was another subject which he was sorry to see too much neglected, that was provincial separation. He was persuaded that all their endeavours to reduce the price of land would prove abortive, so long as they were connected with New Munster. Let them keep this fact in view, that the high piice of land in the south, would not hastily be done away with, and by parity of reasoning the New Ulster lands would not be reduced in price, but snap tbe chain that binds the two Provinces, and that is merely the tie of a genpral Government, and by no possible contingency, could the authorities, either here or at home, keep cheap land out of the market, and they would soon see New Ul»ter, with rapid strides far outstrip her southern sisters. He thought the time had arrived when the Government should remove the disabilities under which the aborigines labour, <md allow them to sell their lands (under certain restrictions) to Europeans, and that the lands acquired by colonists in right of their native wives, should descend to their offspring without curtailment 01 Government interference. He wished to see all Christian bodies on a footing of perfect equality. He thought each church should be supported by its individual members, and that grants for education should be handed over to three missionary establishments, applied exclusively to the maintenance and education of orphans, half-castes, and native children. lie now addressed himself more immediately to, the working classes. He thanked them for giving him an opportunity of standing there, in utter defiance of the pride, the selfishness, and the contemfitable piejudices of tbe self-constituted aristocrats, lie had net asked them for support, but he had appealed to them, who are the dispensers of honour, them, who are the strength of the community, and he felt thankful that his appeal had not been in vain. Let the keen scented seek for the speakership, he sought only for their happiness, his ambition was to toil with ardour for their best, their most enduring interests. Most of them were aware that various attempts had been made by time serving agents, to deprive him of some of his warm supporters, but their envenomed malice had recoiled on themseUes, and would gnaw the bosoms that gave it birth. If this young city was torn with discord, it was not tbe fault of his friends, but of a few narrow-minded bigots, the mere creatures of party, who had iadustriously laboured to destroy that da-

ligbtfu! feeling which hitherto existed amongst us, by introducing the unhappy distinctions not only, of country, but of creed. He could forgive them for the foul falsehoods circulated on himself, but he could not forget their snakish endeavours 10 i Uroduce national distinctions at a timp of so much excitement when every good man would he pouring oil on the troubled waters ; they had exerted theraselve<> to stir up strife, which alone would constitute them vile and loathsome in the eyes of every generous and honest heart. With this day began a new era in Auckland, they were called on to exercise an important trust, he entreated them to be careful in selecting men whose feelings were sound towards the country of their choice. They should choose men different from those whom they had sent in to the Municipal Council — men who would be true to their trust. Should they be desirous to have a representative who would be guided by Government influence, he could not accept the honour; or should they require a candidate to order his conduct, and make the attempt to please both the Executive and the|people, he at once answered, he would not serve two masters. But if they wished to select a fellow-settler, who would be ever ready to support the representatives of _the colonists, and protest against official misrule, he would not shrink from the imposed task, but cheerfully undertake the pffice, and with the advice of those kind friends, who composed his committee, he had no doubt he would perform the onerous duties to their satisfaction. [During Mr. O'Neill's address, he was most impioperly annoyed by some mischievous person from the opposite side of the street who 4 by a glass, reflected the rays of the sun most inconveniently on his face.] JVJr. Whitaker complained that Mr. O'Neill's friends had broken a convention into which he had entered with the Alderman that morning that there should be no personalities on either side. Had he known the course they would take there were many points to which ho might himself have alluded. Mr. William M'Kenzie then came forward to propose W. Brown, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the City of Auckland. It was unnecessary for him to say anything .in behalf of Air. Brown — he was well known to all as«one of their earliest settlers. His private character was unimpeachable; and, as a merchant, upright and honourable in all his transactions : but it was neither aa a private citizen nor a merchant that his principal claim upon their support rested— although, in these respects, he would bear favourable comparison with any of the candidates. It was as a public writer and advocate of the lights and interests of the colony that he principally claimed their support. The gentlemen who had preceded were, with i'ew exceptions, untried men : they had delivered eloquent speeches, and made fair and flattering promises, which, be had no doubt, were sincere; but, instead of promises, Mr. Brown could point to-facts, — they had yet to be .proved — but he could point to the proof of the past. The reduction of the price of )*nd — the separation of the colony, &c, upon which the gentlemen had expatiated with so much eloquence, all originated with Mr. Brown. For the last tenor twelve years Mr. Brown hadvdevoted more of his time and talent to the interests of the colony than any other man ; and however one might differ from him on many points — and he (Mr. M'K.) did not stand there as the approver of all Mr. Brown had written, said, or done— yet none would deny his honesty and sincerity — neither, he thought, would any dare to assert that he had made use of bis position and influence for either mercenary or selfish purposes. He therefore proposed W. Brown, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the interests of the City of Auckland. Mr. J, T. Boylan begged to second the nomination of Mr. -Brown. He said Mr. Connell had told them that -they were about to discharge to-morrow a most important function, and he (Mr. £.) would beg to add that the City Candidates, acting well and truly by the people, 'interpreting the act according to the spirit and not according to the letter, bad objected to the registration of 'no man, -consequently never before perhaps in the annals of electioneering would the people have such an opportunity of bearing full and ample testimony to their opinions. But that.boon was not without its responsibility, and he must say that on that score he felt an easy confidence. The electors would have to showto morrow that they were qualified for civil liberty by exercising their privileges independently and without prejudice. The destinies of New Zealand were in their hands, so that, sinking all likings and dislikings, they were bound., to vote Tor those candidates whom they believed were the most willing and best qualified to advance the interest of their adopted <country. And he must be allowed to say that Mr. Brown was virtually " the election," for *with all courtesy to the other candidates, their return would merely .prove the number of their personal friends — a most gratifying result certainly, but their was no principle involved. As Mr. Brown's seconder he' Could not stand by in silence and hear those gentlemen coolly advancing their claims for support upon the -very principles which Mr. Brown had been advocating for ten years — without reminding them that he has been 'the originator of nearly them all. — Ten years be has been " the opposition," during that period fearlessly and consistently he has opposed wbatrhe has considered to be the unwise, and, in some instances, unjust conduct of the Government ; he has been the advocate of cheap land, and of the rights of land claimants. Quick to expose all abuses, ever ready to take up any case of hardship, no matter how humble the individaal, and, what he must confess had great weight with him, he (Mr. Brown) did all this when the electors bad no votes to give away. And during this period of ten years bis bitterest enemies have been unable to point to any selfish act — the only argument they can bring against him is that be has been an extreme politician — and he was proud to say that many of that opinion would be amongst his warmest supporters tomorrow. Taking a liberal and extensive view ; looking beyond the politics of the man, they consider the elements the whole council will be composed of r and they know they cannot spare Mr. Brown ; that, to use a simile which would have come far more appropriately from his proposer, he would be tartaric acid, as it were, to the soda — and the result would be a '* refreshing draught" for the body -politic. But perhaps Mr. IJrown'a claims as an enterprising merchant are stronger still. Foremost as he has been in politics he has been equally so in his endeavours to develope the resources at New Zealand ; he has been the first to establish a line of packet ships by wbich a regular correspondence is kept up with the mother country. The agriculturist should vote for him, because he stands irretrievably committed to New Zealand ; the labouring man and mechanic, because he has ever been their true friend, advocating those principles whicb, if tbey had been carried out, would have retained many a sterling oclonist among us whose bones are now whitening the fields of California. But these are not his only claims upon the electors. He had served in three Nominee Councils, two uuder Governor Fitzroy, and one under Sir George Grey ; in the former, bis first act was to oppose his i friend Dr. Martin and the Government in making the (Debentures a legal tender ,by which £15,000 were .paid in depreciated paper money, scarcely worth seventeen shillings in the pound; and in Sir George Grey's council he proved stich an independent nominee that be was not called to it again. And for all these services he thought it was not too much to ask the electors not only to return Mr. Brown, bnt to place him. at the head of the poll by a glorious majority. Mr. Brown then addressed the electors. He had great aatistaction in standing before them in compliance with their request that he should become a candidate. Many who then heard him had observed the course , he had pursued in opposing different Governments, and that of Governor Grey in particular, in things wbich he considered likely to be injurious to the colony; and he had no doubt that the support which he would receive next day would show the people's disapproval of the conduct of the Government, and their approval of the course of opposition which for years he had pursued. He thought it was a duty they owed themselves to place him at the head of the poll. Not that he wished this distinction from selfish motives or any personal ambition to be above the other candidates, every one of whom he looked upon as worthy men. He was known to them all, and he need not tell them that his opposition bad been carried on at great personal sacrifice. He might point them to his votes while he held a seat in tbe Legislative Counoil as evidence so far as tbey west of his views ; but his views had been so fully published that it was unnecessary to repeat them there. If he were elected he would always be ready to do bis utmost for their welfare. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. William Forsyth (as reported in our last) proposed a series of questions to the candidates to which they severally more or less replied. Thus terminated the City Nominations, when a shoyr of hands was taken, which appeared in favour of Messrs. Brown, O'Neill, and Wbitaker. A poll, was demanded on behalf of Captain Salmon.