PUBLIC MEETING at RYAL BUSH.

Southland Times, Issue 997, 3 August 1868, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING at RYAL BUSH.

MR M'OLURE AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. (BY OTTB OWN BEPOBTEB.) According to announcement ■J. M; M'Clure, Esq., M.P.C., for New Eiver, met his constituents last Wednesday at the chief polling place for j^the dwtric^-r-Mr Blakie's spacious barn. It being known that Mr M'Olure attended by invitation to explain bis intentions for the coming session, especially on the subject of the proposed cattle tax, great interest was manifested, and the meeting was numerously attended. The chair was taken by yf. .Marten, Esq., J.P. " Mr M'Clure first addressed the meeting, and gave a very clew and full account of the proceedings of the Government during the past twelve months, especially in the matter of road making, and read copious extracts from the official reports on the subject. Since our separation from Otago, up the last 18 months, no less than £156,000 had been expended, and only 6£ miles of road completed ; whereas, since that time, a far greater extent had been finished at a cost of only £22,783. : This was mainly owing to the facilities offered by the . Bluff Railway. Mr M'Clure then explained very lucidly, and at some length, the steps taken by the Government as to the Bank overdraft when they took office ' — the completion of the Oreti Eailway — the working of the Bluff Eailway, roadmaking, and other matters, of which our readers have already received information through these columns. He admitted that free trade appeared unsuited to so young a colony, and believed it would be necessary to fall back on protection, "We ought to keep foreign flour and cattle out of the market. He referred to the present cattle regulations, and said they pressed too heavily on the owners of suspected cattle. The Government proposed to form a Cattle Board on the same plan as the Sheep Board, with power to levy a rate to pay 8 permanent Inspector. There were 20,000 head of cattle in the

Province, thus it was considered a rate of 6d would cover the expense. After a very full address, in which no topic of interest was left untouched, Mr M'Clure offered to answer any questions. A few were put, and satisfactorily answered, referring solely to local wants. The Chairman then stated that the main object of the constituency in Bending to their member the invitation to which he had so promptly and courteously acceded, was that he might be thoroughly aware of the general feeling on the subject of the proposed cattle tax, and also as to the advisability of a protective duty on imported cattle if importation were still to be permitted. He remarked that free trade was wholly unsuitable to a young colony, which needed protection to develop its resources, although it might be a wise measure in an old and wealthy country like Great Britain, and even there it was becoming daily a more knotty point for politicians to deal with, and was the main cause of the present conflict between capital and lal>or, for until British workmen could live as cheaply as the continental, the competition must be unequal. In a colony free trade was calculated to retard its progress. These subjects would be submitted to their consideration in the form -M§f TOSoliitions, and their member would be requested to give them~Eis in;the Council. Mr J. Blakie moved, and Mr Cameron seconded, without remark, the first re- ! solution—-' That it is well known that pluero-pneumonia is both infectious and j contagious, also that it remains latent in the system for months; therefore it is the opinion of this meeting that no cattle be -imported from districts known to be infected. And that all cattle imported into Southland pay a duty of 30s per head ; also, that a certificate irom a Southland Inspector be requisite to cer- < tify they are free from disease.' — Carried unanimously. : The second resolution was moved by Mr D. Wallace, seconded by Mr H. Wilson — ' That it is the opinion of this •meeting that all cattle brought into Southland, either by sea or land, should be kept in quarantine for the space of thiee calendar months after their arrival, on land set apart for that purpose, near to the place of entry; And that the Wardens of the Hundreds be empowered tg set apart ground in their respective districts, so as to prevent spreading the disease by driving cattle from one locality to another. No cattle to be taken from the Provincial or any local quarantine Without certificate from Inspector as being free from disease.' — Carried unanimously. Mr C. E. Marten then moved the third — 'That the proposed tax of sixpence per head on cattle would be a serious addition to the already heavy burdens borne by the country settlers. That as pleuro-pneumonia is the direct result of the importation of cattle, and as such importation is contrary to their interests and wishes it would be most unjust to tax them to avert its evil consequences. That a permanent salaried inspector is unnecessary, and that a special examination of any suspected cattle by a qualified veterinary Surgeon, at his ordinary professional fee, would be ample protection, such fees to be paid by tjbe Provincial Government.' Mr Marten pointed out that a tax on cattle would be one-sided and unfair. Cattle were imported for the benefit of the consumer, not the producer, and therefore the expense ought not to fall alone on the latter. Mr M'Clure had told them that there were 20,000 head of cattle in the province, a number amply sufficient for our requirements. The high price of beef arose not from a scarcity of cattle, but from a combination of the butchers to keep up the price of meat. They bad better rather import more butchers than more cattle so as to ensure a reasonable competition. But if cattle mnst be imported, and with them pleuropneumonia, those for whose benefit this was allowed — the consumers — should at least share the consequent expenses, and this could only be brought about by making the Inspector's salary or fees a charge on the general revenue of the province, instead of taxing the unfortunate stockowners who were already sufficiently injured by importation and its results. Mr E. E. Butler seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr M'Clure expressed his willingness to carry out the wishes of the meeting, but remarked that of course it was wholly out of the power of the Provincial Government to interfere with import duties tliut could only be done by the General Government. He also believed that they would ere long alter their views as to a permanent Cattle Inspector. Mr W. Eussell then moved—" That in the opinion of this meeting it is the incumbent duty of the Provincial Council to give its most serious attention to retrenchment, so that the present waste of the public means may be completely stopped." Mr Eussell also spoke to this resolution, which was seconded by Mr E. Twemlow, no interest however appeared felt, and very few voted on the subject. Mr C. E. Marten then moved, and Mr Wallace seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr M'Clure for his courtesy in attending the meeting, also for the patient attention, and very full replies, which he had given to their enquiries. Carried nem. con, The meeting ended with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.