INVERCARGILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2148, 22 November 1875, Page 2

INVERCARGILL.

Saturday. Mr Cuthbertson addressed a large and influential meeting of electors on Friday evening. The Mayor occupied the chair. In his introductory remarks Mr Cuthbertson referred at some length to. the changes in "the House at the beginning of the present session, nine seats having been altered, also to the changes of Parliamentary parties, Mr Stafford being on one side with the Ministry, and an Opposition formed with Sir G. Grey as leader. The public works policy, he said, was no longer the bone of contention. It had been acquiesced in by all. Constitutional changes were now the real dividing element, the two parties being Provincialists and Abolitionists. The effect of the state of parties wa3 perceptible in all the debates on every subject. Charges of corruption were freely made against the Government, and the negotiation of the loan was condemned. The charges of corruption were illustrated by reference to the Piako Swamp transaction, of which he gave the details, showing that a Select Committee exonerated the Government from blame in the matter, notwithstanding which Sir George Grey had repeated the charges after the report had been adopted by the House. The Treasurer's financial statement had; been received with approval on all sides of the House. It was clear, satisfactory, and honest, and showed that the negotiation of the four million loan had b?en a successful operation. The average cost of the loan was £5 15s lOd per cent; of all loans, £5 Os 7d per cent. When the public works policy commenced, the calculation was that money would cost 5£ per cent, to 6. There was, therefore, no cause for disappointment. Mr Cuthberston then referred to the amount of debt, a,nd annual charges for interest, revenue, &c, remarking that, on the "whole, the finances were very satisfactory. He regretted that the Qualification of Electors Bill had not passed. It had received his warmest support. He had also supported the Representation, the Lodgers' Franchise, the Registration of Electors, Registration" of Birth, &c, and several local Acts. He then referred to the fact that he had voted against the Government on the matter of the San Francisco Mail Service, believing -they had done wrong in exceeding the authority of the House. He had supported the extension of the deferred payments system in Otago, and he was no new

convert to the settlement of the people on the land. The Abolition Bill was next referred to. The objection had been raised that it was not in the interests of the people, and'Uhat delay was needed. Tbe.se objections had been pressed by twenty-three members who voted against the bill. Of these seventeen were directly interested in Provincialism. The system of double government was pernicious, and fatal to: the interest of the colony as a whole, and fatal to the success of* colonial finance. The time had come for its simplification. The Abolition Bill really meant the extension of the system of local government, the endowment of local bodies, localisation of the land fund, simplification of finance, and administration of Government, and retrenchment. In conclusion, Mr Cuthbertson said that a single-minded view to the public interest had been the motive of his action. Whether elected again or not would rest with the constituency. In any case he would always feel that he ; had had the honour of serving the public for three years, and had done so. in a faithful and industrious manner to the utmost of his ability, without fear or favour, with a single aim to what seemed to bo the right path, both as a representative of an important local constituency, and a member of the Supreme Council of one of the most interesting and progressive colonies of the' Australasian group. After a number of questions had been answered, the following motion was proposed :— " That the vote given by Mr Cuthberston on the Abolition question was contrary to the wishes of the electors, and against their interests, and that they withdraw the confidence given him." Only about a dozen hands were held up for the motion, an amendment thanking him for his manly and straightforward address was carried enthusiastically. - ■