MR. STAFFORD AT TIMARU.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 9 March 1871, Page 6

MR. STAFFORD AT TIMARU.

(From the " Daily Time 3 " Telegram.) Timaeu, March Ist.

The Hon. E. W. Stafford addressed a crowded meeting this evening at the Mechanics' Institute. The chair was occupied by Captain Cain, the Mayor.

Mr. Stafford commenced by thanking the electors for the confidence they evidently reposed in him, as shown more especially by his having been reelected without opposition. He expressed his regret at not addressing them at the time of the election, but explained that he did not know of the writs having been issusd till he was starting for Southland on urgent business. The opposition, too, shown at most of the elections was most creditable to the country, as evidencing that the people were arousing themselves from their previous state of apathy as to whom they should send forward as their public men. Apathy could no longer be charged against them, and one result of this change would be that their representatives would be more carefully watched. lie trusted that no action of his would destroy the mutual confidence subsisting between his constituents and himself. He felt that he represented their interests, and in this he was the more assured by being paid, quite unintentionally, a compliment by Mr. John Studholme, who had said that he (Mr. Stafford) represented the antipathetic portion of Canterbury. If Timaru was antipathetic of Christchurch, it only showed that he and his constituents agreed. He did not believe in the members for any province always acting together; that would be practically impossible. But if it were possible, it would be better to have each province thrown into one constituency, and elect members as in the case of the Superintendent. Mr. Stafford then entered into the question of railway gauges. He said that he was strongly in favour of a narrow gauge — a gauge which would suffice for Jill practical purposes, and which would be the means, by its cheapness, of opening up the country far better than the broad gauge of 5 feeb 3 inches. The construction of broad gauge railways throughout the couutry was impossible. This question of railway gauge was the only subject of importance in which he was opposed last session to the rest of the Canterbury members. He believed, however, that the first thing to be done in the country was to bridge every river, from Nolson to the Bluff. When he mentioned that since the colony was founded no less than 1115 persons had been drowned in the rivers, it was evident that the bridging of the rivers was a question of the highest importance. If this had been done in the early days, many valuable settlers would have been saved to the country. In alluding to the existing state of the colony, he said that it was far from good. Since 1866 the colony had been steadily retrograding at the rate of something like £200,000 a year. The spending power of the country, both publicly aud privately, had never been so bad as now. The former expenditure was enhanced by various causes. Previous to 1866 there was a large commissariat expenditure, a very large amount of private capital invested, and a large public loan of three millions, all of which sources dried up about the same time. Coming more to present times, he said that Mr. Yogel had vastly over-esti-mated the revenue by something like £290,000 a year. The ordinary Estimates were proved to be excessive. In the Customs revenue alone there was a falling off of £90,000 a year. He wished he could say that our expenditure had correspondingly fallen off, but there was no indication of retrenchment, and perhaps the Grovernment were right, as nothing was so unpopular. But whether it were popular or not, some Government would have to economise, or this magnificent country would come to the Insolvent Court. With regard to the Native question, he said that he had never, when in office, attempted to delude the people into the belief

that the Native question was dead and buried. The present Government, however, had lulled the people into the belief that it was so. When they assumed office, Mr. M'Lean flashed a telegram to the Governor that peace was made with the Maori King. Why, there never was war with him. He did not believe that the attitude of the King party was ever more threatening than at present. The Government, he believed, would work hard to maintain peace, but he refused to believe that because the present Government or Mr. M'Lean was in office there would be no further troubles. Of course every year diminished the chances of difficulties arisiug. He feared we relied too much on the friendly natives, aud that the arms that were issued to them soon passed into the hands of those opposed to us. Of the San Erancisco Mail Service he only knew what he had seen in tho public journals, and he should not be surprised if the statements made in them were correct. The contract was unwise in every respect. Why should the American steamers be made to do the costal work of this colony ? He was sorry, moreover, that a positive affront had been offered to Australia in this matter. He would support the very cheapest line via America, but would not wholly discontinue the Suez route. He thought that if Mr. Yogel intended to extend his visit beyond Washington, it would be a great mistake, as he would not make such a favourable impression in the English money market, or among those who rule the money market, as Dr. Feafcherston had done. Dr. Featherston was a political opponent of his (Mr. Stafford's), but he could not help saying that if we are to have an AgentGeneral, his appointment was the very best that could be made. On the subject of education, Mr. Stafford expressed a hope that some system analogous to that in force in Nelson or Otago might be adopted for the colony. He had had the utmost difficulty in extracting from the Government a pledge that they would take up and deal with this question. Of the Public Works and Immigration Scheme he said that there was, under the present proposal, no surety that the people it was proposed to import would remain or settle in the country. There were quite enough unsettled people in the country at present. The immigrants must be settled on the land. In two of the provinces threefourths of the land had been alienated, and yet remained a wilderness. He would walk ovei the land laws where necessary. His suggestion was to have special settlements, giving an allotment to each person in the township, and ten acres of rural land with large inalienable commonage near each settlement. He did not say he would assimilate all the land laws. He would not be a hearty supporter of the Immigration Scheme unless he saw the country was to be settled under it, for they would only be asked to put on a burden they could not bear. Otherwise, he would even go so far as a compulsory taking of land out of those large tracts which had passed from the Crown ; and he believed that in many cases the proprietors would be glad to sell it back at original cost. Of the Railway scheme he said that they must make shoit lines from the settled districts to the outlets — the ports. He did not want to see a line running from one town to another along the seaboard to compete with steamers, for steamers would always carry bulky goods at a cheaper rate. He would always give the preferences to lines opening up the counti y. He could not say why the Teniuka line had not been commenced, unless it was that it was to be constructed out of borrowed money. It would b? the duty of the new Parliament to shape the scheme from a wild ancl reckless gambling one into a safe and prudent measure. On resuming his seat, Mr. Stafford was loudly cheei'ed. In reply to a question, he said that he would not promise to introduce a Permissive Bill.

At the close of the meeting, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Stafford was passed unanimously, amid loud and prolonged cheering.

It is in the middle rank of life where we behold woman in all her glory — not a doll to carry silks and jewels; not a puppet to be flattered by profane adoration ; reverenced to-day, discarded to-morrow ; admired but not esteemed ; ruling by passion, not affection ; imparting her weakness, not her'constancy, to the sex she would exalt ; the source and mirror of vanity — we see her as a wife, partaking the cares and cheering the anxieties of a husband ; dividing his toils by her domestic diligence; spreading cheerfulness ai'ound her, for his sake ; sharing the decent refinements of the world without being proud of them ; placing all her joys and happiness in the man she loves. As a mother, we find her the affectionate, the ardent instructress of the children whom she has tended from their infancy ; training them up to thought and virtue, to piety and benovolence; addressing them as rational beings, and preparing them to become men and women in their turn.

A talking machine, made of iron and caoutchouc and fashioned to look like a woman, is the latest production of a G-erman inventor. Ths model is being exhibited at Bremen. There can be no talking machine equal to the genuine article.