THE SEPARATION LEAGUE.

West Coast Times, Issue 626, 26 September 1867, Page 2

THE SEPARATION LEAGUE.

PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting of the members of the Westland Separation League and other gentlemen who had been invited by circular and advertisement to attend, was held at the New Orleans Hotel.

Mr. South, the President of the League, occupied the chair.

The Chaibman, after briefly stating the object of the meeting, read the following telegrams which he had received from the Hon. Mr. Stafford. Mr Sorrit,

Hokitika,

Bill to establish tho County of Westland, and to make temporary provision for the G-ovormnent thereof, '.introduced by Mr Stafford to-day, second reading on tho 26th, county to consist of Westland, south of the Grey.

Present Canterbury laws to remain in force until other provision is made.

Powers of Superintendent to be vested in Grovornor, with power of delegation as he may think fit.

Road Boards, with power to levy rates, to bo elected for management of Public Works. Road 3 and Public Works to be under the control of these Boards.

All Revenues collected in Westland, formerly provincial, to belong to the County. Colonial Treasurer to keep separate accounts of Revenues.

Provisional power to Colonial Treasurer to defray expenses of Local Grovernment.

Arbitrators to determine Westlaud share of debc. After payment of local expenses of Governments, surplus to be distributed to Road Districts and Municipalities. Elective County Council to advise as to administration of Goldfields, &c.

These arrangements provisional until Westland Members take seats in the House of Representatives.

E. W. Stajpoed. He said that he apprehended the object of the present meeting was, to consider what telegram should be sent in reply to Mr Stafford, and he need not remind them that this was of very considerable importance.

Mr Shaw thought that the provisions contained in the Act proposed by the General Government, were all that was necessary to meet their views. The Chaiioian said he must congratulate the meeting upon what ho considered the statesmanlike and generous concessions made by the General Government, to the unimpeachable allegations set forth in the Petition. Had there been time, he should have strongly advocated that the officers of the League should resign their trust into the hands of the public, but there was not time for that, and now they must endeavor to assist tho General Government in the exertions they were making in their behalf. As they must reply to Mr Stafford's telegram to-morrow, ho trusted that they would take the whole matter into serious consideration now. He was happy to see gentlemen present who were not members of the League, and ho trusted that all would unite together for their country's good, for he considered that probably the future destinies of Westland were in their hands that evening ; he therefore hoped that they would give the subject most serious consideration.

Mr Binket said that he was one of those who had taken the opposite side to the League, for he did not believe in Separation. At tho same time he believed that there was not one man in Hokitika who would not accept the proposals mado by the General Government. He did not balicve in Separation, aud, therefore, he did not join the League, but now it was his duty to join and endeavour to do his best to promote the object they now had in view, and, moreovei*, he believed that there was scarcely a man in Hokitika but would say, " this is the very thing we have been looking and striving' for, for the last eighteen months."

Mr Munko said that it could not be denied that the Separation League had done their duty, and had induced the General Government to take cognizance of ihs state of the Government of Westland. At the same time he believed that the Bill would be conducive to the general benefit of the districts. He had no objpption to offer as to the resignation of the officers and Council of the League, so as to give the public an opportunity of choosing those whom they might think lit. Air Cjross said that although he agreed with much that had fallen from Mr Munro, still he saw no reason at present why the Council ot the League should not proceed with the final accomplishing of the work they had |so happily begun and so successfully carried forward. Jle thought the concession they had obtained from tho General Government must be most gratifying to ihe whole of the community, and particularly to those who had adhered to the League movement. At the same time he was most happy to scj those gentlemen come amongst (hem who had seceded from the League, and he thought that in the name of the Council he might most heartily welcome them back.

Sir Ki/rciN said that the Bill introduced by tho Government, was just what the second Committee Avanted. J3ut they hardly hoped to get ifc. Mr Pbosser said that he must congratulate the Council of the League and the gentlemen present upon the success of their movement. He had withdrawn from the League because he did not believe in a separate province, but immediately the petition which the Council of that body had promulgated was altered to a certain extent, it met the views of himself and many others. "With regard to tho other movement that had been set on foot and of which he was a member, ho might say that they held several meetings, and the sole reason for dropping the affair was that they could not see how the General Government would give them tho control of the revenues arising from Westland. , Mr Bakff would move the following resolution :~-" That in the opinion of this meeting, the* Bill about to be introduced in the House of Representatives is a measure calculated to benefit Westland, and this meeting desiros to express its entire satisfaction at the prompt manner in which the complaints of the district have been attended toby the General Government." He said that ho should like to say a few words in explanation of his own conduct, and first ho would mention that the measure int'-odueoi by tho General Assembly was almost identical with the spirit of the resolution which he introduced into tho Provincial Council. Afterwards he was led to alter his opinion, because ho understood that the New Provinces Act would provide for the case of Westland. For that reason he went in for a new province, but now that he found they were to get the c-onlrol of their revenues by means of a local board, ho certainly should advocate that movement.

Dr. Mouiulyan seconded the motion.-

Mr BniGHT woidd simply pay, with reference to the past agitation, that his reason fov objecting to tray inform short

of the creation of a new Province was that they would not have the control of tho general revenues of Westland, as the establishment of Local Boards would still have left them at the mercy of the Provincial Council of Canterbury ; and from the experience of last session they all knew what mercy to expect from that source. The arrangement proposed by the General Government appeared, however, lo have met the case, as under it they would receive their proper share of the Customs revenue and the whole of the Goldfields revenue, and in obtaining this arrangement he thought that the object of the promoters of the Separation movement had been gained. The Chaibman then put the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Cboss moved that a copy of the resolution be telegraphed to Mr. Stafford. Mr Shaw had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, and said that in alluding to the past he was aware that he was touching upon somewhat delicate ground, but at the same time he would say that they must not ho angry at the various little diversions that had occurred amongst them, and the remarks which had been made with regard to the motives that had influenced them. At the meeting held at the Theatre they were unanimously in favor of Separation, they only differed as to the kind of separation required. At that meeting he (Mr. Shaw), had expressed himself strongly in favor of the abolition of Provincial Governments, but as had been stated by Mr Bright, he saw no machinery by which ihey could ootain the control of the revenue except by the creation of a separate Province. When he went to Greymouth he found the people there almost to a man in favor of annexation to Nelson, and immediately on his return, finding that certain amendments could be made in the prayer of the petition which would put an end to all differences, he proposed it, and it was entirely at his suggestion that it was made. (Hear, hear.) It was quite true that they had been subjected to hostile criticism, but they did not mind that — all they had to do was to do what was right, to actjaccordiug to their consciences, and if they succeeded let that be their reward. (Cheers.) After alluding to the I fact that numerous citizens who were not members of the League had been invited to attend the meeting, Mr Shaw said he trusted that a unanimity would prevail amongst them, in order to carry out their present object, and, moreover, he thought that now the League, instead of being called the Westland Separation League, scould be called the '' Local Self-govern-ment League," and he trusted that there would be a re-construction thereof, and that a new committee would be elected.

The Chaihmajt explained that being entirely opposed to provincial institutions, he should not have gone in for the creation of a distinct province had he not believed that without it they could not gctthe control of their own revenues, and he felt that it would be better that Westland should be constituted a separate province rather than be under the domination of Christchurch. He might mention that a friend of his in Wellington had informed him that the General Government had power to pass this bill. Mr Higgins said the reason that he and several others had seceded from the League was that they were not in favor of the creation of a new province. He trusted, however, that all will unite in promoting the passing of the bill brought into the Assembly by the General Government.

The motion was put and passed. The Chaibmau said that he fully endorsed the views expressed by the Vice President of the League (Mr Shaw), and he trusted that all past differences would be buried in oblivion. Ho thought moreover that some association should be formed for the purpose of watching the progress of legislation with re<;ard to Westland.

Mr Shaw moved — " That the name of Westland Separation League be now altered to the Westland Local Government League." Mr Cboss seconded.

Mi'Pbossek thought it desirable that the League should go on with tho work until the negociations with the General Government were disposed of, and then they could call a public meeting to reorganise the whole affair.

Mr James Bbowne begged to endorse the sentiments expressed by Mr Prosser. The Council of the League had made an effort which had resulted in some'good or some probable good. They were entitled to all the credit, let them then work the matter out, and not ask others to join with them at present.

Mr Bbigut pointed out that the present meeting had been convened both by circular and advertisement.

Mr Shaw said that it was not his intention to propose any re-organising of the League atjthis meeting, as the following resolution, which he intended to move, if the one now before the meeting was carried would show. — " That a Meeting be convened of the Original Members of the Westland Separation 'League, including all persons nominated at the General Committee, at the Public Meeting, held at the Theatre Royal, for the purpose of electing twenty-one gentlemen to act as the future Council of the Westland Reform League." He considered that now all parties were united, that tho public ought to have an opportunity of choosing those in whom they could place confidence as officers and council of the League.

Mr Pbosser objected to the course proposed as being likely to disorganise the League, and he would therefore move as an amendment—" That the subject bo deferred until a future occasion." ' Mr Higgings seconded the motion.

Mr Shaw said that he would withdraw his motion.

Mr Babfp deprecated any alteration in "the name of League, which, if it remained intact, would be likely to make a much more favorable impression on the Government than if the name were changed.

Mr Pbossee would suggest that steps should bo taken not only to secure the co-operation of those who had retired from the League, but also of Greymouth and the centres of population. With this view he begged to move — " That the gentlemen who withdrew from the Sepii'ation League, and those gentlemen nominated at tho Theatre, should be invited tojenroll themselves as members of tho League, in order to support the measures now being introduced into tho General Assembly, and that the residents of Greymouth, Boss Town, Waimea, and the other outlying districts be also invited to join in supporting this movement."

Mr Klein seconded the motion.

Mr Bhight said that, as a matter of .justice to the League, it ought to be borne in mind that until the present overtures wore made by the General Government no idea was entertained by either committee that they would haye the management of their own revenues. _

After a slight conversation the motion was put and passed. On the motion of Mr Ohd the foregoing resolution was ordered to be inserted in tne local papers?. The meeting then adjourned.