THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 280, 12 June 1873, Page 3

THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

Mr. J. L. Gillies addressed a large meeting in the Assembly, Eoom, Lawrence, on Thursday evening last. E. Herbert, Esq., Mayor, occupied the chair. In introducing Mr. Gillies, the Chairman expressed his regret at the dissolution of the Council, entailing, as it did, a waste of public ! money and stoppage of public works ; but as he had no desire to anticipate any remarks likely to be made by Mr. Gillies, he would at once introduce that gentleman to the meeting. Efe hoped the electors would give him a patient hearing, and at the close of his address they need not spare him with their questions. - Mr. Gillies, in giving his reasons for coming forward as a candidate for the Superintendency, said there was no necessity whatever for a dissolution of the Council. The measures taken were prejudicial to the public interests. Mr. Macandrew was looked upon as a giant in politics, but, however, that may be, he (Mr. Gillies) thought the views of the majority should be carried into effect. Mr. Gillies compared the Provincial Council, and the position occupied by the Superintendent, to that of a Municipal body, and remarked that it would be absurd for a mayor to take a stand as against the Council. Such a course would never be dreamt of by any mayor. The Superintendent would not receive the advice of his advisers, right or wrong. He (Mr. Gillies) contended that so long as the majority were in office, their voice should be heard. They had the written law as their guide, aud when that was the case, all parties should submit to it. It was the position of the Superintendent only to veto the acts of the Council. In support of that statement, Mr. Gillies read the 18th clause of the Constitution Act. The Superintendent was supposed to act entirely under the advice of his Executive, and to be guided by it. He had no right to communicate messages, unless as minutes of the Council. By following the legitimate course, whatever happened the Superintendent then could not be blamed, but all blame would rest upon the Executive. He (Mr. Gillies) was not there to say his Honor did wrong in dismissing Mr. Eeid; but, ho thought, his Honor should have communicated with the Executive, and had the result entered on the minutes, and the reasons stated. There was no record of anything of this kind having been done. He submitted that the Superintendent should have called the Council together, and said, "Here is a difficulty; how am I to get out of it." With regard to his candidature, he might say that his only reason for coming forward was as a protest against the conduct of Mr. Macandrew. He, with others, had endeavored to get a better man to stand, but had "not succeeded. His friend, Mr. Marriott of Tokomairiro, said if he were Gillies he would not be a coward in the matter — he would come forward at once. He (Mr. Gillies) replied, before he would be called a coward, he would stand, and endeavor by the result to show that the people of Otago would not be over-ridden by Mr. James Macandrew. He considered he had just grounds to ask the confidence of the people in him as Superintendent. In 1864, he held the position of Provincial Treasurer, and at that time initiated a system of keeping the public accounts which had been adhered to since that time. He had also brought forward a motion 10 years ago to borrow money to be expended locally. The motion was opposed by Mr. Yogel and Mr. Macandrew. When in office, he was in favor of greatly reducing the machinery and cost of Government ; but the majority of the Council was against him, and he resigned his seat. He again entered the Council. The Act of 1866 he considered the best Land Act Otago ever had. He contended the Government had no right to treat the money derived from the sale of land as revenue. It should be looked upon as the means for developiugthe settlement of the country. He compared Southland with Otago, as showing the ruinous policy of selling large blocks of land. In the former place there was no population to speak of to maintain any trade or commerce. He believed strongly in the land being opened in hundreds, to be extinguished as the population required it. He was of opinion that the pastoral lands should be cut up into smaller blocks. The temporary advantage of selling large blocks of land would by that means be far exceeded by the increased population induced to settle upon the land. While in favor of having the runs cut up into small blocks of say from 1,000 to 5,000 acres, he would at the same time have them open to competition. He was in favor of selling land on the principle of deferred payments. Upwards of six months had elapsed since that system was decided upon by the passing of the Waste Lands Bill, and, owing to his Honor the Superintendent not calling the Council together at the close of last session of the House of Representatives, the Act could not be brought into operation. He considered that under the deferred payment system grazing rights should commence with farms of 200 acres. The waste lands might be looked upon as a safety valve for immigration. Their going into farming would always increase the demand for labor. With reference to the loss of time incurred

through a dissolution of the Council, he stated that that was not caused by the Council, as it was desirous of going on with the business but it was caused by the Government. Mr. Tolmie kept adjourning the House from day to day. Mr. Gillies expatiated upon the great benefits of the British constitution — that it was a wholesome check upon people doing that which was not right.. He did not think the day had arrived for abolishing Provincial Councils. He was in favor of the county system, but believed in introducing it gradually. The Council had partly paved the way for that system. After quoting a portion of Mr. Macandrew's speech as to representation being but a second hand opinion of the people, and commenting on the same, Mr. Gillies said he would be glad to answer any questions that might be put to him. j Mr. M'Kimmie asked if Mr. Macandrew and Mr. Reid went as private gentlemen to Wellington, and were not responsible for the conduct of their deputies. Mr. Gillies replied that they were not responsible for their deputies. Mr. Bastings accused Mr. Gillies for selling the gem of the province — the Island Block. Mr. Gillies explained that applications were sent in?for that land three or four deep, for nearly every allotment, and this being the case, the Government thought it would be the most advisable and fairest way to put it up for sale by auction. In reply to further questions, Mr. Gillies said that the want of confidence in Mr. Tolmie was owing to his land policy. The cost of the election, chiefly caused by the shortness of time allowed, would cost, he believed, at least £5000. Mr. Peter Robertson asked if Mr. Gillies had no better reason for standing for the Superintendency than the taunt of being a coward. Mr. Gillies said the idea had gone abroad, that Mr. Macandrew was such a giant in politics that it was believed no one would stand against him. He (Mr. Gillies) did not share that opinion, and was not afraid to meet him in the field, although at considerable personal sacrifice. Mr. Tolcher asked if it would not be unwise to return Mr. Gillies, seeing he was so much opposed to Mr. Vofjel. Mr. Gillies replied he that knew no difference between Mr. Yogel, Mr. Macandrew, and himself, except in the matter of free selection. Dr. Stewart asked the candidate if he had opposed the Tuapeka railway, or advocated the Mataura railway, as against the Tuapeka one. Mr. Gillies gave distinct answers in the negative to both questions. Mr. Vincent Pyke said he came prepared to hear some reasons urged why Mr. Macandrew should be turned out, and Mr. Gillies put in ; but had not heard any argument to satisfy him. He asked, who is Mr. Gillies ? Judging of men by their actions, he would ask what had Mr. Gillies done. He may be a good representative of Tokomairiro, and a good editor of a paper. During his occupancy of the ofiice of Speaker of the Provincial Council, it had degenerated into what had been called a bear-garden. Mr. Pyke then moved the following resolution: " That in the opinion of the electors of this district, Mr. John Lillie Gillies is not a fit and proper person to be elected as Superintendent of Otago." The motion did not find a seconder, Mr. M'Kimmie moved the following amendment: "That this meeting thank Mr. Gillies for his speech, but does not pledge itself to support him." Mr. Hill seconded the amendment, which was carried. Mr. Gillies thanked the meeting for the impartial hearing accorded to him, and only complained of the remarks made by Mr. Fish (he begged to correct himself, Mr. Pyke), who questioned his impartiality, the genuineness of which had been testified to by the Provincial Council in Dunedin. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, brought the meeting to a termination.