POLITICAL MEETING AT NELSON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 357, 22 September 1868, Page 3

POLITICAL MEETING AT NELSON.

One of the most numerously attended public meetings ever held in this city, assembled on Monday evening in the Provincial Hall, for the purpose of considering the bearing of the proposed financial measures of the Grove rnment ont he welfare of the colony in general, and of the Province of Nelson in particular. Not only was the floor of the large Hall filled, but the gallery "was crowded, whilst many of those desiring to be present at the meeting had to content themselves with remaing outside the building, in order to listen to the proceedings. Mr. Nath. Edwards occupied the chair, and the chief speakers were Dr Irvine, Messrs Gilbert. B, Burne. Luekie. Shephard. Elliot. Webb, and Pitt. The argument preeminently insisted on by most of those who addressed the meeting, was the great injustice which would be inflicted on the Proviuce, if the proposed new financial scheme of the Stafford Ministry was carried out, the direct annual loss being estimated by one speaker at £ 20.000, and by another at £30.000. The following important resolutions were adopted with scarcely a dissentient voice, though Mr Elliot endeavoured to turn aside the popular wrath against Mr Stafford by moving as an amendment to the third resolution, that he be first called upon to explain bis views. Only nine hands however were held up in favor of the well abused Premier.

1. That, in the opinion of this meeting, the Ministerial proposals for regulating the financial relations between the colony and the provinces are unsound, and calculated to act most injuriously ou the colony at large. 2. That the scheme for imposing the annual charge for the provincial debts on all the provinces indiscriminately, is flagrantly unjust to the Province of Nelson, which, considering the frugal administration of its affairs, is entitled to be exempt from the heavy bnrdons which it is proposed to lay on its inhabitants.

3. That while the Nelson electors have never Bought to obtain and special advanatSe for their locality from their connection with the Premier they desire in this meeting to declare their opinion, that it is the clear duty of every representative to withstand any measures calculated to injure his constituents ; and, considering the manner in which the Honorable Edward William Stafford has sacrificed their interests, it is their opinion connection between him and the electors of Nelson should cease, and that he be accordingly requested to resign his seat as their representative in the G-eneral Assembly.

4. That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is highly objectionable that the measures alluded to, involving as they do very important changes in the colony, should be decided upon by the present Assembly, and it is accordingly ureed that the ooinion of the electors •betaken by summoning a new Parliament.