ELECTION MEETING.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 226, 9 March 1866, Page 3

ELECTION MEETING.

♦ MR. WOOD'S ADDRESS TO THE ELECTORS. Pursuant to advertisement issued by Mr. Woods, a meeting of the InvercargiU electors was held on Wednesday evening in the Theatre Royal, to hear an exposition of his political views. Punctual to the hour (8 o'clock) a large and influential body of Electors and the general public assembled. The utmost interest was manifested during the meeting. The business was commenced by Mr. Perry moving, and Mr. J. Mitchell seconding, that Mr. T. M. Clark take the chair. The Chairman on rising said — You have seen in to-day 3 paper a notice in which Mr. Wood calls a meeting of the InvercargiU Electors for 8 o'clock this evening. In doing this, Mr. Wood wishes to give the Electors an opportunity of hearing his views on the important questions atfecting our welfare, and as likely to come before the General Assembly, and to answer any questions that may be put to him. Trusting you wttl give him a patient hearing I now call upon Mr. Wood. """""Mr. Wood on rising amidst applause said — I now appear before you at the eleventh hour, I may say. I waited to see if any oth^r gentleman residing in the Province would undertake the situation in -wliich I have now placed myself. There was indeed one gentleman in the field, but I did not think him a desirable gentleman to represent us in the General Asstmbly, and I have exerted myself to some extent to induce more than one gentleman to undertake the responsibility. Failing in inducing these gentlemen to come forward, I waited again until 1 suw it was not safe to wait any longer. I thought it would be a disgrace to the community of Invercargill to be represented by Mr. Heale, a non-resident, a gentleman against whom I do not wish to say one word except that I see sufficient reason why he should not be our representative. As I have been unsuccessful in inducing other gentlemen to come forward, I come forward late, rather than submit to the disgrace of allowing it to fall upon the place. I should feel ashamed if I did not if possib.e endeavor to present it. With that view i now appear before you this evening as candidate to jeprtsent you in the - General Assembly. Having placed myself in that position it becaines me to submit to you some of the various matters that may caU for attention in the ensuing session. The first and most ab-oroing point of interest that now occupies the pubhc mind is separation. That separation must take place in one shape or another, and that very shortly I have scarcely a doubt. The only question is should that separation be a financial one only or an entire separation. There are many reasons why it should take place, reasons th^t affect us very seriously. In the first place the geographical position of the two islauds renders it very difficult for any government to govern them well. Nature has separated them and £ think intended them for separate governments. One reason I may mention amongst others is the vast weight of debt and the serious taxation we shall be burdened within consequence of this protracted war or sham of war that is now being carried on with the Maori race and has continued 1 believe for the last five years, at an expense of four hundred thousand pounds annually. This is a very serious item when we consider that the Middle Island had no part in bringing about this war and has no part in its control. Still we are called upon to contribute two hundred thousand pounds annuaUy tj k.-tp up this war. It may not be so disastrous for the people of the North Island. The people of Auckland for instance receive an advantage in havino- so much money expended in their province °and partly by their being able to acquire land from the Maories they victimise. We may look at it in this 1 ght — our customs revenues are taken from us to the extent of $ths and we have a prospect, and not a very distant one, of a stamp or income tax. Ido not know how soon as we may have to contribute ourland revenue. It wttl require all our resources to clear our debt, without having to struggle to keep up this expensive war in the North. I may call your attention to the fact, and point out what might be done supposing the Separation to be comi>ieted. Suppose the -.240,^00 that is annuaUy drawn from the Middle Island employed here. It would give us Railways throughout the length aud breadth of this Middle Island, it would build bridges, make good roads, and do a great deal in the way of works of a reproductive character by which the great resources of the whole Island -would be developed to an extent little thought or spoken of. There is a certain consideration to be attached to this in advocating entire Separation or only partial Separation, we might take entire Separation, but if on rallying of our forces it is seen that there is no possibility of securing entire separation, very likely the next best thing wttl be to endeavor to secure Financial Separation and to work for that only. A little t.nie wttl put us in a better position to judge. A candidate should jjet be asked to pledge himself as to which course fee might take. Jt Tyouid he foolwh if he were §Qua^l hrn& mi fwrts *c ps? uvular &&&, if

he is a person fit to serve you and watch your interests then he is fit to be trusted to use his own discretion in however important a way. We cannot forsee what the bearings of the question wttl be. I alluded to the question of taxation and the disagreeable prospects looming in the distance of further increased taxation. I wttl call your attention to some serious effects on our prosperity. Steam engines and machinery for developing the resources of the place are kept out to a great extent, and especially machinery for the production of gold, and for agricultural purposes, these have almost a prohibiting duty placed upon them which has a very bad effect upon the prospects of the place (Hear hear.) Looking at it as a question of honor, sometime ago we might have been told "you have remained part and parcel of the North Island until wo have got into this position and now you ask to cut the connection" such cannotbebroughtagainstusnow ; we have remained with .the Northern Island for some five years, tiU th*y assert and we have a right to take their word for it, that the war is over, there is no danger now. It is as good as crushed. They thus aro anxious for separation and cry out and pledge their candidates for it. The tiling becomes so distasteful to them and is so oppressive and injurious, that we cannot do wr#ngin listening to the cry. They rise and sanction Separation. Some would object to this telling their objection that they beiieve so many difficulties would be found that it would be rendered impossible almost to effect the separation, that our affairs are in su^h a complicated state they could never be adjusted in such a manner as to satisfy both parties. I must beg to differ from these gentlemen. I lived in New South Wales at the time that Victoria was separated from New **outh Wales. They managed to get over these difficulties, though it was asserted there as here, that Her Majesty's Government would not sanction that separation. All the claims were adjusted and the debts apportioned hi a manner that satisfied both parties. Her Majesty's Government did sanction the separation, and Melbourne became a very flourishing place. Shortly after that Queensland desired separation. It was petitioned for and obtained. The same difficulties stood in the way, and the result there was the same. I admit it was a much larger district, though with one third of the inhabitants that we have. They had under thirty thousand inhabitants. We have something hke one hundred thousand in the Middle Island, therefore that cannot in justice be urged as a reason why we6hould not obtain separation. .Another circumstance I may make allusion to, that I think rather bears on the question. I assert that all very large countries are more or less badly governed. I believe it is impossible to govern a very large country so well as a very small compact one. I point to the Empire of Russia and China as instances, and on the opposite side, to Great Britain— a square compact country generally I admitted to be moderately wett governed. In j the room of the present arrangement in the event of separation being obtained, some other arrange- ! ment must take its place— that must be understood. The best substitute for the present system would be one Government f:>r thd Middle Island with separate Electoral districts, each sending its own representatives to that Government. The Government would most likely meet in Christchurch or Dunedin— possibly alternately at one or other, the largest provinces having the largest cities, would most likely claim a right to have the Government to meet there. Each of these communities—these Electoral Districts— would most likely send representatives to this Government. Beyond that they would manage their own local affairs on the spot. I do not think anything i* likely to come before the General Assembly with regard to the Province of Southland being annexed to°Otago. If it were so, it would be by some of the Otago members. There is a strong feeling there in favor of Annexation. I read in the newspapers some time ago (1 wttl not allude to names too pointedly) a report of what occurred in the Provincial Council, which shows us the propriety of having representatives that know the pubdc wants here, and know these better by being -on the spot. In the Council one gentleman got up and proposed a resolution to the eiieet that he thought it desirable that Southland should be re-united to the . Otago Province. He had his resolution formed of a good many paragraphs. In the second it was proposed that each Province should have the benefit of its own land revenue. One gentleman got up and asserted that the land R evenuo of Southland was not of much consequence as there was only half a million of acres of land, and the debt of the Province was nearly half a million, so that with tbe land at £l per acre the one would balance the other! They did not seem to place any value on our public works that were approaching completion but looked upon this simply as a bankrupt; Province. Now although this statement was so far from the truth and there were present from fifteen to twenty of what should be at least the most iniiuential and weU informed men of the Province of Otago not one stood up to contradict the statement. It shows how much men may be mistaken about Southland who do not live on the spot. Another gentlemen got up and asserted that it it were put to the vote all the men of Southland would be in favor of re-annexation to a man ; the other gentlemen sat anvt listened to this, ana not one contradicted it. Being 150 miles away we may suppose they were perfectly ignorant of the pubhc mmd in Southland. I am inclined to take this view as I cannot believe from my knowledge of one of tie speakers that he would be guilty of telling a falsehood. However ior myself I think it anything but desirable to be united to Otago. In the event of my being returned your representativa I would strongiy oppose any such measure should it be proposed but 1 do not think auy sufficient inducement would be offered. I will name two or three advantages that might bring me to consider the question, and their advantages would have to be well and securely guaranteed before 1 entertained the question, so that there should be no drawing back afterwards. First a good substantial bridge across the Mataura River (cheers) second, a light railway, a substantial tramway, or a good plank roud runn-ng iroui Dunedin to Invercargill. (Cheers.) Third, a resident Judge for what is now the province oi Southland. Fourth, to have a pledge that the mail steamers bringing the English mail should catt as now at the Blutf. (Renewed cheers.) Fifth, our Land Fund guaranteed for our own use. The Council that would then be for the two Provinces could meet alternately iv Dunedin and InvercargiU, or two years m Dunedin, (Otago being the larger portion of the Province) and once here. Ido not, however, look on that as being quite so important as the bridge and good road, but it is worth consideration. There nrght be many things I might speak to you about, I liavemereiy given an outline of the questions uppermost in the public mind, at the present moment. If I have not done this so especially as to satisfy any gentleman present, I am now prepared as far as I am able to answer any question he may think proper to address to me. I have missed oue item. An inducement to annexation is of course the cheap comparative cost of working the Government by the method i speak of; so many small Governments are not found to work well; they are very expensive in working. (Hear, hear.) By having only one Government, we should be able to have att the intettigence brought to bear on every question, and the system would do away to a great extent with the Provincial jealousies that now interfere so much with our welfare, and besides that in addition to aU the mistakes it would avoid, it would be fifty per cent, cheaper. Mr. Wood resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr. Cuthberkon — Mr. Wood, in the event of your being returned, if Mr. Stafford shoukask you what you wish for Southland, what would say. (A laugh.) Mr. Wood--As near as I can say, if Mr. Stafford had the leisure to listen to me, I would say in nearly the same words as I have said to you. I would say these are the things that would be to the good of Southland. I hope you wttl do everything you can to enable me to secure theee benefits. Mr. Cowan-— Mr. Wood, I imagine you are aware of the provisions of the Southland Debt Act, oi 1855, Mr, Wood— l have not yothad w opportunity of goin^ into it* pyaviwoafc I

know there is one part that is very distasteful to some, that part which appeared in the papers the other day, Mr. Cowan— l ask your opinion of that clause, the 15th, in the Act with regard to the power of Government to alter the price of land. To alter, sell, let, and dispose of the Waste Lands of the Mr. Wooo — If we were not so involved in debt, and if the anxiety to acquit us of that responsibility to the community were not so great, I should think it then very desirable that piwer should be taken from the Government and placed on a more solid basis ; not to be subject to frequent changes lor any little caprice with changes of Government ; but there may have been some very grave reason for the framing of that Cause. We are obliged to submit to rather disagreeable consequences we are deeply in debt. I am induced to think that they have seen the stern necessity of framing that clause. In that manner to provide for an emergency which may arise, not with the slightest wish to injure any class of this community. (Cheers.) I think you will understand the emergency that might arise. Our debt not being cleared off, in the event of there being a finance difficulty the Government may see it necessary to sett some portion, perhaps a large portion of land to mett the emergency. In that case I suppose it would not be done with the wish to injure any one class of the community, but to protect the whole. (Cheers.) Mr. Munro — Are you in favor of a separation of the two islands, and in what does that Separation consist ? Mr. Wood — I have no objection to touch on it again, lam in favor of Separation— Political Separation if it can be obtained. Should this prove too great a work to be accomplished by the parties returned as representatives to th •• General Assembly, I would vote with a majority sufficient to carry a finance Separation. I shouid support the finance si-paration. Mr. Munro — Then am I to understand you wiU be eutirely dependent on the feeling in the General Assembly. Mr. Wood— l would go on this principle If I were taken by any community to represent them. I should do as they would do were they in the Assembly. Thus, if they could not get all they wanted they would attempt to get as good a settlement as they could. Mr. Munro — After Separation is accomplished the question I would next ask is, what form of Government would you suggest for the Middle Island and Provinces ? Mr. Wood— OL previously stated that one Government for the Island only, to be divided into Electoral Districts, each sending its one or two members to represent it in this one Government, these districts to have their own municipal authorities to manage their local aff drs. Mr. Mu>ro — What is the total debt of the colony. (Laughter.) Mr. Wood — KeaUy I cannot teU, it is getting larger every day. (Great laughter.) I should be very happy if you would inform me. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Munro — The difference is, you are a candidate. Mr. Wood — I cannot teU. Mr. Munro — Was there ever a loan effected on behalf of the Colonies ? Mr. Wood — Oh! several. Mr. Munro — How was it aUocated. Mr. Wood — By the members. (Laughter.) Mr. Munro — Are you aware of any Acts passed regulating the aUoeation ? Mr. Wood — Yes. Mr. Munro — Row many. (Laughter.) Mr. Wood — 1 am aware we aro in the hands of the Northern Government because we are deeply in debt, aud they have taken our liabilities to help us out of them. I have not the books of the Province, and am therefore unable to ascertain how much we are in debt. It will take those that have possession of those books to tell. (Laughter). Mr. Munro— ls that an answer for a cand date. (Cries of " order, order ' — laughter and confusion). — I claim the protection of the chair. — (Renewed confusion.) The Chairman requested a hearing for Mr. Munro. He resumed — Do you consiuei that a candidate canvassing the votes of this constituency that it is necessary to know ail these particularly. Mr. Wood — He would be a smart man if he knew them. (Great Laughter.) Ido not think the man is in New Zealand capable of answering these questions. You could not answer one oi them yourself. (Laughter.) Mr. Munro — Am- I to accept this as your answer ? Mr. Wood — It is a difficult one. (Laughter.) Mr. Munro — Seeing that you know all about the loan question what would — (signs o< disapprobation). Well, gentlemen, I am a free and independent elector, aud there is no use in trying to bully me. (Laughter and cheers.) In the event of separation how would allocate the burdens with the debt of the colony ? Mr. Wood — I would not aUocate them. I would have men appointed for the work altogether unconnected with the colony and give them umpires. I have no doubt they would arrive at a settlement in the matter. 1 would not undertake such a work myself. (Cheers.) Mr. MUNRO— Do yoa consider then that it would be fair and -reasonable to undertake the past liabdities of the colony ? Mr. Wood — 1 should think it was fair to undertake then- share. When they (the Middle isiand people) had appomted their owu umpires and the northern people it could be left to one or two or three disinterested to decide finally; I should tiink the governments of both islands should pleuge themselves to abide by the decision. (Cheers.) Mr. Munro — You say then a Commission would allocate ? Mr. Wood — A commission properly appointed or the two islands with disinterested people to complete the arrangement in the event of their not. being able to agree to a settlement themselves. Mr. Munro— Would you be in favor of the debts to be burdened on the colonies bein<* distributed according to the standard of reprei sentation ? Mr. Wood — There are many questions that bear on that, but we nre stretching a httle beyond bounds. A large quantity of land confiscated is one item tha*t would make some alteration in the adjustment of such an import ant account. Bnfc Ido not come here prepared to go into the whole detail of every little right and wrong. Mr. Munro — You are not aware probably of the peculiar position of this Colony with respect to its finances. Mr. Wood— We are very much in debt at present, I cannot teU the exact amount of our own. Something hke half a million. Mr. Munro — Are you aware of the new taxes (cries of ob. ! oh ! absurd &c. ) to be levied by the present Colonial Secretary — the New Tariff ? Are you in favor of them ? Mr. Wood — I think the taxes are very heavy, very oppressive, very injurious in their effects. Mr. Mujsro — You are in favor of reanexation to Otago on the grounds you propose. Mr. Wood— iSo, I think reanexation anything but desirable. Only very strong inducements would cause me to entertain such a question. Not being anle to secure the benefits of separation. Mr. Munro— ln the want of this bridge (laughter), tramway or railway, — these little conse&sions — that you consider as inducements for taking the subject into consideration, namely, the railway bridge (a voice — " sit down, man," order, order) and a light line of railway with a resident judge for Southland, and the other things. Would you be in favor of annexation to Otago ? Mr. Wood — If we could not effect tho other arrangement which I think the moat desirable of the two, Mr. Munro— Suppose these benefits to be Becureiy- guaranteed ? Mr. Wood— -I do not think that it will be likely they will be. Mr. Reynolds— What is your opinion on the question of reducing the number of Imperial troops in New Zealand. „ Mr, Wood— l think if we were separated from tJ^jga it, would m% t»e a. mates' <$ pup* swww*

to us ; we might leave it to the discretion of the Northern Island. "(Cheers). Some portion have already been sent home. The Northern people are, I suppose, better able to judge in the matter than we are. I believe the troops cost the people about £40 a man. Mr. Stafford I believe says that he thinks the cost of keeping up. 1,500 of Colonial troops would be a loss greater than the 10,000 English troops. If they could terminate the war, it would be better for them. Mr. Reynolds — As representative, would it be your opinion to dispense with them ? Mr. Wood — Iflwereon tho Bpotl would be better able to judge. The people of Auckland, may be besieged at this moment by the Maories. Mr. Mitchell — In the event of the Provincial Council of Southland refusing or neglecting to appoint an impartial committee of investigation into the cost aud management of the Southland Railways, wijl you feel it to be your duty to demand such a committee to be appointed by the General Government ? Mr. Wood — In the first place, I think the right place for that investigation to take place is here. I believe we are in a far better position that the members of the General Assembly can be. Failing this, if tho thing is not goue into, I should endeavor to have the matter sifted in the General Assembly. Mr. CtrTHBEiiTSON — Mr. Wood, how many Provinces are there in New Zealand? (Laughter) Mr. Wood — I must count; will you put them out on a piece of paper, as I read. (Laughter.) Mr. Cuthbertson — Can't you say at once, without counting. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Wood — I must refer you to the maps. (Continued laughter.) Mr. Cuthbertson — I know the number, do you. (Roars of laughter). I merely wish to test the information of the candidate, who asks a seat in the General Assembly. Mr. Woon — In the Northern Island I make four. Taranaki, Auckland, Napier, and down to Wellington ; then Nelson, aud in tit. Chariot's Sound,°Marlborough, then Christchurch, Canterbury, Otago ; and last unfortunate Southland. Mr Cuthbertson — How many does that make? Mr. Wood — I shall not answer that question. I do not come here to serve the purpose of a map, or to teach you geography. (Roars ot laughter.) Mr. Cothbertson — I shall ask another. How many of these Provinces came under the Constitution Act? Mr. Wood — I wiU not answer you. It is not a question of political opinion. A Voice — Mr. Cuthbertson, how many beans make five ? (Laughter.) Mr. Cuthbertson — When I stand for the Assembly I shall teU you. Mr. Reynolds — WiU you be good enough to explain your opinion on the Native Policy of the Stafford Ministry ? Mr. Wood— The Ministry change about every third week. In the JSorth it is not vary easy to keep pace with them ; they mix up and change so constantly, it is very difficult to know their policy. Their aim i3 to subject the Maori race or keep them peaceable. Some assert that thenpolicy is to quarrel with them. There are many opinions in regard to that. So far as I can judge of Mr. Stafford and his Native Policy, he seems inclined to go on smoothly with the Maories, and not be too severe — to keep the war going on smoothly, and they wttl die out quietly, wiiich will not take very long. But if we have to keep a standing army till the Maories die out, it may take a long time. (Laughter.) Mr. Cowan — Will you support any movement for the reduction of the price of land in Southland? Mr. Wood — At present I would not support such a motion. I would neither propose to raise or reduce the price. If the question extends beyond the present we should have to be guided by our position. If we found it really necessary to meet our engagements, to lower tue price of land lor the purpose of effecting a sale, 1 should be inclined to sanction such a movement. I do not approve of our obligations being carried over a period of thirty years. I think that very ob jectionable. Should we not be able to meet our engagements in two years, the time might be extended at the utmost to four years. Southland Province is in this position. Tney have some million and a-half or two millions of property. They have interest to pay on a debt, the interest of which is (uncertain) six or eight per cent. This property, that we may call the security for this money, is bringing noihing to the Province. The interest is £30,000 or £40,000 a year. It is desirable that that drain should cease. Let us therefore if possible pay oil' our debts by land sales within two years, but do not let us allow our liabilities to be over for thirty years. .Circumstances might become desperate between this and three or tour years,* and I might have to modity my opinion and course of action. Mr. Munro— lt is desirable that the members for Southland should work in unison. Mr. WojD — It is very desirable. Mr. Munro — As a proof of which, in the event of two members of the representation j agreeing together as to a line of conauct, would j you support, that line by your personal vote. Mr. Wood — Will you state the line of conduct. Mr. Mc-XRO — Supposing some important question affecting Soutuiand ia brought up before the Asscinoly and two of our representatives shall at ,,. e e on a particular line of conduct. Will you support them ? Mr. Wood — Which two ? I might be one of the two myself and ask the other to make a majority. (Laughter.) Mr. Munro — Will you in the event of there agreeing, give them the benefit of your vote ? Mr. Wood — So far as they can consistently vote together thoy should. Tnere might be questions on which may might thiuk sj differently that it would be ridiculous foe them so to vote and belie their own principles. Mr. Munro — I want a positive answer Mr, Wood. In tne event of then* agreeing that there shall be both a pontieal and financial separation wid you agree that they have tne benefit of your vote ? Mr. Wood — In questions of minor importance I should think it tne duty of the niemoers to pull together. There is oue goutlemiu who will be representing Southland wnom 1 believe to be a a truthful, sensible man. I am very much in- ! ciined to i-.hink he would not be a difficult gentlemau to act with- Whoever the other gentleman I snould be, if he should oe cast injthe same mould, L have reason to hope that we should pull together. 1 would not pledge myself to be a fbl- | fewer unless I knew my leaver. Mr. Lumsden— l think it is due to Mr. Wood that this meeting testify their approval of the manly straightforward way in whioU he has coma forward aud stated his views. Mr. Wood I dare say little expected that a coinmisson of ex- ! aunners were to be here to test his educational attainments in arifchmatic, geography, and blue book/. I think he has come through his facings a imp-ably, and the public and luvercargili should thauk him lor coming lorward to save them from bei4 represented by a non-resident. I think Mr. Wood has done his duty in so coming forward, ami I move a vote of tnanks and expression of eoiifidonce in liim as being a fit aud proper person to represent lnveruai-giiiiu the General Assembly. Tlie motion was seconded by Mr. Perry and carried unanimously. A vote of thauks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.