ANNEXATION TO OTAGO.

Southland Times, Issue 1188, 5 July 1869, Page 2

ANNEXATION TO OTAGO.

MEETING- AT THE BKIDGE INN. A meeting of the residents of the Eastern District to consider the subject of re-union with Otago, was held at the Bridge Inn, on Friday, the 2 ad insfc. Our reporter did not arrive until the proposer and seconder of the main resolution had finished speuking so that we are indebted to a gentleman present for the outline of the first speech. Mr C. D. Irvine was called to the chair, and merely read the notice of the meeting calling upon Mr Dalrymple as convener to address those present. Mr Dalrymple commenced by adverting to thej time of separation when a debt of only £18,000 existed, and he had looked upon that movement as a mea.ns of making this Province one of the most prosperous tracts of country in the southern hemisphere, where among his friends he could make a happy home, leaving to abler persons than himself the task of governing or political strife. Three years ago he discovered they were getting deep into debt. He then advocated retrenchment, and stated his belief that one official with two clerks could transact the business of the proviuce. Now the debt had reached £440,000, or £60 per head. No immigration was taking place, which is telling on the community, andjpeople are leaving the country, that in fact we are in an iron cage, and unassisted, there is no hope for us. The speaker then contrasted the present position of Otago — the province of a great people — the capital, the Melbourne of New Zealand, their debt only £633,214 ; population 50,000 or £12 per head. A healthy state of immigration, four or five vessels being on the berth at one time. That though he did not believe in jumping into reunion without a sound basis to go upon, the arguments in opposition by officials, that in re-union the Otago people would make us " hewers of stone, and. drawers of water," was absurd. Were we not of the same stock, and our interests identical. He theu proposed " that this meetiug is of opinion that the re-union of Southland and Otago on equitable terms would prove advantageous to both provinces." Mr Kinross in seconding the resolution said : — Everybody was agreed on the question of our present* very depressed condition. Property was unsaleable, and stock was depreciating greatly. Nearly all parties confessed that a change of some sort was not only desirable, but absolutely necessary, if the place was uot to be allowed to sink into utter ruin. Under these circumstances two courses presented themselves for our consideration. There was — first, the adoption of the county system, or the alternative of re-union *to Otago. Regarding the County Board system, he was of opinion, that as under the Consolidation Act, the interest on our debt had to be paid monthly, little relief could be got in that way. There was little likelihood of the other provinces agreeing to any alteration in that respect, so that so long as we had to bear that burden it did not matter much whether it was , under the name of a province or a count' f An alteration of the title would not he thought alter the position. Otago was in a different position from this, for although her debt was half as large again as ours her revenue was ten times greater, being something like £300,000 per annum. Out of this large sura he believed she could and would afford us an amount which, while its want would not be felt by her, would do us an infinite deal of good. All the movers in this matter at present wanted was the appointment of delegates to confer with others appointed by Otago on the subject, to find what terms she was prepared to offer ; in his opinion Otago would deal with us not only justly but generously . He thought there would be no difficulty in getting her to grant money for roads in this district, believing that she would gladly do so to strengthen her position in the Assembly against the Centralists. The construction of roads he considered the first requisite to ensure a return of prosperity. There were no manufactures here to circulate money amongst the producers, and the ironey put into immediate circulation by the making of the roads was thus almost as necessary, and would be as beneficial to the settler, as the roads themselves would be when made. He thought at present this was the best course we

could adopt, but would not commit himself to it until some definite arrangement such as he had alluded to would be guaranteed by Otago. The Chairman having asked whether any gentleman wished^to support the. resolution. -<$$$ltiv ', Mr T. M. Clerke said tie had a few remarks to make on the subject of re-an-nexation, the opponents of which fassevted nothing definite had been brought forward iin its favor. All must be aware the G-o-----vemment of this Province had been for a long time precarious ; that it was liable for the payment of a monthly sum for interest of £2200 ; that the local revenue is v9ry small and entirely dependent on sales of land, -which are not very likely to continue, nor can land be said to be worth £1 per acre, seeing that the contractors will come into the market and make it negotiable at 16s per acre. There were but two choices left to the people, electing to be re-united to Otago, or the County system ; matters had come to a crisis and it must now be decided yea or nay ; he expressed his coincidence with the expressions of Mr Dalrymple on railway views ; the speaker proceeded to review the action of the past, remarking how singularly easy it had been to get ap a railway cry. He spoke of a time when there was no territorial revenue, when the G-eneral Government proposed to carry on the Northern line and pay for its completion in land. A dissolution of the Council took place, he (the speaker) being for a short period in office, but when the Council met things had chaDged ; there was again a land revenue, the Grovernment had cash to deal with, Mr Blacklock assumed the reins, the eastern line was dropped, and the Oreti line was to be finished for cash. Then came the first move in the wrong direction. There was fifteen to twenty thousand pounds in the Treasury, and the Grovernment asked for the money to pay for the Railway plant. He enquired where they would get the money for the freight, and the answer was — always from land sales. He acknowledged to having been a Separation.st because Mr Macandrew made promises he never kept, but a great change had come over Otago since then. She now had a mixed population and was prepared to deal fairly with Southland. The speaker concluded by imploring his hearers to avert Provincial bankruptcy and ruin while a choice was left them. On the one hand embarassment and mis -appropriation of land revenue which must inevitably come to a stop ; on the other immediate relief with a voice lefb in the Grovernment. Prom lack of interest they had only themselves to blame. Let them now do something definite to avert the impending catastrophe. The Hon. Dr Menzie3, having previously obtained the ruling of the chairman that it was quite in order his addressing the meeting, stated he would make some general remarks on the subject. Although it was only lately he had heard of the movement, and all the information he had derived was from the press (composed of leading, articles, communications, letters, and reports), and from what had now fallen from the speakers — remarks for which he gave them credit, but in which he could not agree. The subject was one demanding the seriou3 attention of all; too wide a. field, however, for satisfactory discussion at a sectional meeting, comprising but a small district of the Province. There were one or two salient points brought forward on which he would touch. The obvious pressure on the inhahitaot3 had been set forth in the debt of Southland at £60 per head, as compared with that of Otago at £12 to £15, but this was not the way to put it, and is in itself fallacious. If it meant anything, it meant that taxation was crushing vs — if true, the taxation of Southland was heavier than that of Otago or auy other province — when everyone is aware that it is uniform over the whole colony. The way the debt operates in absorption of the revenue is a burden and serious pressure, but the question arises — " Can we meet it ?" Advocates of re-union say that step will not only relieve us but a portion of the Otago revenue will be spent on Southland. (Mr Dalrymple— No, no.) He had beard Mr Kinross, whom he had not the pleasure of knowing, say so, and he could refer to correspondence in the " News," signed by Mr Kinross, and a report of Mr Clerke's speech to bear out this statement — that we should have greater expenditure on roads. Who was to answer for the action of the delegates; he was anxious to be informed was the Provincial Council to appoint them and give them sole control ? Mr Clerke stated that the proposal was 1 that the delegates should report their actious to the public before Southland was bound by it. Dr Menzies was to conclude then that the delegates were to be appointed by the Council and submit to that body a report of their proceedings. If he remembered aright Otago left the conduct to the Superintendent, and action was being taken by him. A corresponding course should be adopted in Southland, and let constituencies deal afterwards with the question. His desire was to see the subject properly ventilated ; but Southland had no right to take for granted the statements of Mr Kinross and Mr Clerke (see Bfch reason public meeting. Invercargill) that more money would be expended 1 on roads. Mr Dalrymple had made allusion to the debt of £440,000 and assumed the population to be eight thousand. Now it must be in the recollection of many present the early steps commenced in | 1854 and adopted in 1856 regarding | taking up the debt of New Zealand i Company of half a million. In consideration of the land revenue, Mr Macandrew I on behalf of Otago, offered to assume it j and it was ultimately arranged that the Middle Island should do so, but mark how I small the population was at that period ; in round numbers, Otago 2000, Canterbury 3000, Nelson, 3000, total 8000. Here

the population did a more dariasj thing, viz., undertook a larger debt by £60,000. Let any one look back; add see the groan that arose at the time — it was highly edifying and yet proved nothing — though it was said at that time, we should be crushed by the debt; the fact was it was never felt and almost lost sight of. He felt now it was necessary to allude to immigration. Mr Kinross placed our wants in the order of roads hrat, immigration next. He, however, reversed their position, and would impress on hid hearers the fact that the country is not ours, but opea to Great Britain — open to all. A good deal had been said of the liberality of Otago. Judging from antecedents he must deny the assumption. It was ail very well to say Otago was in a position to subsidise, but she would not subsidise, without we had revenue. The reasons which led to Separation, apparent in 1856 to many, and culmiuated in 186l> I were that Otago derived revenue from districts where little was expended. In 1859, Mr Maeandrew made out the expenditure on the district, to be £32,000. How? By unfair charges on the district. Mr Macaudrew could promise — he did promise — that a vessel should come to the Bluff, but the ship was looked for in vain. In 1858, he believed, Capt. Cargill laid considerable stress on the encouraging prospects of the district, and urged a larger expenditure on it, which, was never carried out. To take a look at the outlying districts of Ot igo, no satisfaction is there depicted. Speaking from memory, he saw a statement made at a public meeting last winter, at Oamaru, to the effect that £330,000 had been derived from that district, and only £60,000 had been expeoded. Waikouaiti made similar complaints. He would also allude to the district on the other side of the Mataura. Meetings and correspondence took place last winter, showing how little was expended on bridges, <fee, out of a revenue of £20,000, derived from the district. Of course Mr Maeandrew replied in a most characteristic manner. He •lid the memorialists were misinformed and the statements incorrect, that the government only received £16,000, and 6,000 acres were still under survey, bat the money had not been paid. The speaker also alluded to the unfairness of some charges in 1859, consisting of £3000 on the road between Popotuna and the Mataura, £4000 for two bridges over the Mataura, and £6000 on surveys. The cost of surveys was extravagant. la Southland they only mounted to about Is Id per acre,butthechargetothe Mataura district was 4s 6d per acre. In conclusion the speaker, at considerable length, reviewed the Otago land regulations, high assessments on pastoral rents, and on stock in hundreds, pointing out how absurd it was to expect Ofcago to give a portion of her Land Bevenue, to Southland to make roads, that instead of going under Otago rules and ordinances it was competent for Southland to get proper attention paid to her roads and works, and that while equally desirous to sea the subject ventilated, he thought it necessary to caution his hearers against the belief of mere assertion. Mr Pearson said that his constituentcy having invited him to meet them for the purpose of discussing the important change in their form of Government, proposed to be effected by re- union to Otago, he had waited on them, not to express any opinion ou the subject, but to explain the advantages and disadvantages of such a step as they apppeared to him, shewing them both sides of the shield, leaving them to decide for themselves. First, as to the advantages. The important one of obtaining fresh settlers — new blood was of great consequence to the well-being of all in the province. As a province we were unable to undertake any comprehensive scheme of immigration, and unless the General Government initiated some such colonial scheme as he (Mr Pearson) had brought forward in the Provincial Council, he did not see how well our population could be materially increased, without which prosperity could not be attained. Besides, it was necessary for a Government to be in a position to give employment on public works to newly arrived immigrants of the laboring class at a minimum rate of wages until they could be gradually absorbed by the settlers, who would thus be enabled to pick out such labor as was refused by them at a price which would remunerate its employment. Now, the Government were not in a position to do this, and unfortunately did not seem probable they ever would be. By re-union to Otago it was very probable that a fair share of the immigration to that province would fall to our lot, as it would certainly be the interest of Otago to develop to the utmost this province when a portion of herself. Again, he thought that re-union would induce many good and monied settlers to migrate southwards ; at present the feeling of jealousy which existed, operated unfavorably against such settlement, a feeling which was fostered by the Government and its employes. Many an intended settler was deterred from coming to the province by the accounts he heard in the Land Office, as well as every other place he made enquiries ; re -union would remedy this. The opinions expressed in tho Govern; ment offices of Otago would be wonderfully modified as to the climate and capabilities of Southland were she an integral part of Otago, tbe rapid settlement of which would then be an object to be desired. Another evil of our present position arose from the fact that at least one half of our customs revenue was credited to Otago, and thus instead of being able to meet the interest arid sinking fund out of that source our land fund was trenched on, leaving nothing for public works. Be-union effected it would be a matter of little consequence to the Dunedin merchants, at which port the customs duties were levied, and we would then get the credit of our just dues, wherewith the interests on our debt could be met. He (Mr I Pearson) thought that re-union would

iiave the farther, and not inconsiderable advantage of introducing fresh capital and energy into the province. There was a very large capital presently in Ofcago waiting investment, and whether from the feeling of jealousy, to which he had previously referred, or want of coofideaoe in the capacity of our G-overmnent, securities in Southland were . not entertained, while those of probably inferior value ia Otago met with ready acceptance. This was a serious matter, for the introduction of capital to stimulate and develop the various industries of province was a permanent necessity. Placed under one Government confidence would be restored, and with the introduction of capital fresh energy would re-invigorate the prosti'ate system We would then nave a better chance of developing our goldfields, for that we have such, he (Mr Pearson) felt assured. Sooner or later, j when there was capital and energy t to induce the experiment of deep ! sinking, we would find we possessed ] the richest and most permanent goldfields in New Zealand. At present, to get up a company in Otago to develop anything in Southland was an impossibility. By re-union our interest and sinking fond would be absorbed into the debt of Otago, and though we could not expect to be entirely relieved from the burden, that burden woiild b 6 very considerably lightened by our being credited with that portion of our Customs Revenue which at present is diverted from its legitimate chanuel. Another important consideration was Education. The system presently in operation in Otago seamed to have worked admirably, to have given universal satisfaction, while in this province the opposite has been the result of all our endeavours to establish public education, the want of which most materially affected the settlement of the country. He knew of numerous instances where "many old- Taieri settlers, men possessing capita^ energy 5 and above all hard colonial experieiicd, just the men we want, had been detered from settling here "by want of schools for their children, although acknowledging that the land and its capabilities was all that was desirable. Another advantage was that reunion would remove in a great measure political excitement, which in all small places was injurious in every respect, morally, socially, and commercially. Aad though at first sight this might appear a small matter it was of more consequence to the well being of a place than was generally conceded As to disadvantages, the following appeared to be the most prominent — the difficulty of getting properly represented. If at present we could scarcely find competent men to fill seats in the Council, when the sessions were held at our own doors, the difficulty would be largely increased were the seat of G-overnment removed to Dunedin. It was very doubtful whether we could get the best men to leave their business oc other avocations to stop two months in Dunedin ; it would be as great a tax on their tioie and resources as going up to the General Assembly. The removal of the seat of Government meant that a large amount of local consumption would "be diverted from luvercarg'dl to Duaedin. "Whatever expense the Council might be to the Pro> ince, the money was spent in the place, re-union meant it would be spent in Dunedin. Nor would there be any dimuuition in the official expenditure. If re-union were accomplished there would sill have to be local Land, Suvvey, ttd Eegistrar's Offices. It would be absurd for a man who wanted to purchase 20 acres to have to go some 200 miles to do so ; it was the want of a Land Office in the old days before separation which was felt to be so severe a grievance. In Otago at present there were district survey offices all over the province. To have a local Registrar's office, was an absolute necessity. If it was moved, a man wanting to borrow £100, would spend some fifty in searching records in Dunedin, in lawyer's letters, &c. Such a course would be mo3t injurious to every interest in the province. It might be said, that by reuuion we would save the political expenditure, such as the salary of a Superintendent, .&c, but would this really be the case? Is it likely that Otago would govern us without charging us something for it ? The probability was that our contribution towards the political expenditure of Otago, which according to the 1 Daily Times ' amounts to some £12,000 a year, would be largely in excess of what we pay now, with this disadvantage, the money contributed to pay Otago expenditure would all be spent in Dunediu, while at present it reverts to the pockets of the people in some shape or other. Then as to expenditure on public works. It is said that at present we have no money to expend, and that there is not much prospect of getiing any. Of this he was not so sure ; we had received a large sum from land sales during the last six months, and though it was all more than absorbed by the railway charges, yet we may calculate on overcoming the difficulty in time. Bnt, granting we shall have no money for this purpose, would re-union remedy this ? Is it human nature to believe that two-thirds of the united Provincial Council, supposing we get representation to the extent of a third, would be willing to part with their own property to make roads for Southland ? Would Oamaru, Waikouaiti, the Molyneux, and other districts, say, " although this money has been derived from us, although we want it for the improvement of our own districts, we will generously give it to Southland " ? Is this likely ? Would you do it yourselves if placed in a similar position? If you think it improbable, the question resolves itself into this : — If we have any surplus of revenue for public works, we can spend it ourselves without re-union ; if we have not, by re-union we cannot get foreign revenue spent for us. Another most serious disadvantage which would result from re-union is, that we would cease to have a direct interest in the Colonial Postal op Steam service. As a province, we can demand and obtain a recognition of the Bluff as a port of call for the

Steam Mail Service ; incorporated with Ofcago we should lose this position. It is not probable that Otago could demand frotU the General Government two ports of call ; if Omaru is not one now, why should the Bluff be one then. It would come then to be a choice befcwdea Port Chalmers and the Bluff; which would be chosen may easily be conceded. If we lost the Steam service, and our English mails were delivered in Dunedin, the consequences to the mercantile community would be fata', while the loss of the steamers caUiag at j Campbellfcown would retard materially any attempt to start new industries, such ' as meat-preserving, boi ling-do wa, exportation. o£ agricultural produce, &c, this ought to be a matter for serious consideration. By re-union, we should lose any colonial standing or importance which we p 3se tly possessed, and it was of greater (uoment to possess such at the present ! time than might be supposed. There was * a general feeling throughout the colony that the days of Provincialism were numbered, its destiny accomplished ; was it not a question worth considering, whether it would not be better to wait on and take our chance of the future ? "We have a voice now in the As3embh ;

we are a power to a certain exteat, meiged in. Otago", we would lose this position. Mr Pearson went on to explai.i ihere were certain more points which might be considered. The Road and Education systems of Otago were undoubtedly good, and had worked beneficially, bat why.? because the people had consented to tax themselves. Could we not do so here, without; re-uuiou ? It may be said Otago gives two pounds for one raised by the settlers ; well, if we had a revenne, we could the same ; \ if we had not, and were re-united, would the present districts of Otago rob themselves to give us what we did not produce ? Then, as to the interest and slaking fund, would we be in a better position with Otago to pay it for us, if we were unabkj to pay it ourselves, than as at present with the General Government ? As far as he could see, he was of opinion that the time was rapidly approaching when there would be no Provincial d-jbfc, all would be merged ia one colonial liability (as indeed it was now), to be paid out of a common fund* Sooner or lai,er, it must come to MiHairs proposition, to take the whole custom's revenue of the Middle Island, at>d apportion it to each province or i section, ia accordance with the population. Th's principle carried justice and equity on the face of it. The population p:-oduc<jd the revenue, it was only fair to return its proportion for the cost of governing it. Dunedin being the commerj cial emporium of New Zealand, presently obtained the greater park of Southland's custom revenue, as well as a large share | of Canterbury, Nelson, aad Wellington. IMr Hall's plan wou'd remedy this. Let Dunedm by all means have the commercial advantages her energy has secured ; but the public revenue cf a state, 'from wh-ch a state liability is to be liquidated, cannot justly be c) aimed by a section of the conamunity. Such a system adopted, Southland could easily pay her liabilities. He (Mr Pearson), was inclined to think tbat if the Council would only condescend to take a sensible view of its position, resolve that for the future it would attend to purely municipal matters, and exercise tho&e fuuetions for which m reality ib wa3 created, we could pull through with the best of the provinces in New Zealand. Let the Council be reduced to seven, the Superintendent acting as chairman, being his own Executive, acting with the advice aud consent of the Provincial Council in reality, and that body waiving its present pretentious, position, its "pomp and circumstance," be content to act as a [Municipal Corporation for the towus, a Road Board for the country, and we would have a cheap and effective Government. At present, we were depressed, like every other province in the Colouy, and sought a change. If a goldfield suddenly broke out, and 10,000 men were added to our population, would we desire re-union. Yet such a ci ecu m stance was not improbable. If re-union takes place, we would have a Mayor and Corporation in each town, to be paid by local taxation. Road Boards in each district to be similarly sxistained ; as we were.'by the geographical config uration of the Pr o v j nee, one Provincial Council could effectually and cheaply undertake all these matters, one staff fulfil the requisite duties. After all, allowing Otago consented to our terms for^re-union, and honestly meant to fulfil her promises, how do we kuow twelve months hence whether she will have the power ? Where may Otago herself be then ? The Government of New Zealand was of so complex a character that there was no stablity in its form. Canterbury was desirous of dismembering herself at once ; what certainty was there that Otago would be a Province shortly, and then what would become of her promises and our stipulations ? The subject of our present position was one for grave consideration ; there could be uo harm in appointing delegates, but great care should be exercised in their choice, they ought to be shrewd, sharp, good business ! men. But before deciding on a question of such importance as a radical change in our form of Government, he (Mr Pearson), agreed with Dr Meuzies, that the various constituencies should be appealed to. The present Council might appoint delegates, but a fresh body ought to receive and decide on their report. It was a matter which most materially affected the people, let them be appealed to, and decide for themselves. Mr Dawson remarked that the last speaker had endeavored to paint the disadvantages in stronger colours than the advantages, and that it was not correct that the settlers did not suffer taxation. They were heavily taxed before their grain reached the town in the state of the roads, and men being longer on those roads than necessary, and their wages going on all the time when they i could be more profitably employed.

Mr Itoss said Mr Pearson had laid stress oa education, immigration, and roads, we had none of these essentials. In eight years there was not eight miles of macadamized road made, and a lot of money had beei wasted on a railway which would never remunerate the province. He would appeal to Mr M'Nab whether it was not true that when he asked for money for road-making, the G-overnraent had not replied that the people never asked for money. j Mr M'Nab said that when he represented the district in the Otago Provincial Council and kicked up a row about money for roads, money was promised, and the expenditure of twenty pounds was at last authorised, and that was about all they itfght ever expect to get out of Otago if they werd fools enough to unite. (Laughter and applause). Mr Kinross, in reply, pointed out that I no argatnent had been definitely brought j against re-union, and that all the laud i that was now sold, was nothing more than dribs and drabs. There was nothing at present to eacourage "a discovery of goldfields. That roads were of the greatest importance to the Province — a cessation of these operations were being severely felt by the settlers, as in the slack season they turned out to work. He would assure the meeting that Ofcago

money would not go out of the country, and he justited the cost of bridges being borne by the country, as being a public good, illustrating the stupendous work over the Moiyneux, and stated^ his conviction that Southland could be properly represented and receive a proper share of revenue. While admitting that Mr Pearson had fairly put fori;h his ideas of advantages and disadvantages, for re-union, he advocated payment of meaibers, and there would be no" difficulty in getting ca >able representatives oa easy terms, who would devote a certain time i n the year to the sittings of the Council iv Dunedin. He did not see how the outlying districts could complaiu of neglect, if a au,n like £20,000 were expended on Southland. The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting with the following result for 13, against 5, a good many present not voting at all, and a voice declaring outside " there are some here against." Mr Dawson requested to know whether the four members of the Provincial Counc'l, present-— Messrs Cierke, Kinross, Dairy mple, and Pearsdn, would pledge themselves to vote for a dissolution of the Provincial Council after the appointment of the delegates, to confer with those of Otago, regarding re-union. Mr Pearson stated that as it]appeared to be the desii'e of his constituents, he would certainly do so. The other members ?lso pledged themselves to do so. The following resolution was then briefly proposed by Mr Dawson, seconded by Mr Dalrymple, and carried — " That this meeting respectfully requests the Provincial Council of Southland to appoint three members to meet three members appointed by the Provincial Council of Otago, to arrange terms of re-uniofi.." The meeting, wb'ch vtas throughout most orderly aod temperate, then broke up, after recording the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.