MR O'CONOR'S MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1058, 28 March 1873, Page 2

MR O'CONOR'S MEETING.

An advertisement by Mr O'Conor, stating that " he would hold a meeting at Westport," attracted a good attendance at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening last. Mr J. W. Humphrey, with his usual courtesy, consented to act as chairman.

Mr E. J. O'Conor, having -pleaded being in bad physical condition for addressing an audience, said he had considered it necessary to meet his constituents to explain his recent actions in the General Assembly. His efforts there had been directed towards remedying the old standing grievance of Nelson misgovernment, and to <obtain a better equalisation of taxation and representation for the Goldfields. To effect this he had cooperated •with tho Goldfield members, and by concerted means of action had to some extent been successful. One resolution he and the other Goldfields members had come to was to advocate ■the reduction of the Gold Duty. His hearers knew the result. The duty had been reduced sixpence per ounce; next year another sixpence would be taken off, and eventually the whole tax would be swept away. This first success gave the Goldfields members confidence in themselves, and won respect for them in the House. They were recognised as a power and valued accordingly. The great Governmental disturbance for a time then prevented any further combined action among the Goldfield members. Their action he had intended explaining fully, but he was tho victim of misplaced confidence. He had lent a certain document to the editor of the Charleston Herald, upon the express promise that it should be returned him at once, but that gentleman instead of keeping his word had kept the paper, and he (Mr O'Uonor) wa3 therefore compelled to trust to his memory for the facts he wished to explain. After obtaining the reduction of the Gold Duty, their next efforts were directed towards obtaining for the miners the power to use one miner's right all over New Zealand. In this they were not successful. The withdrawal of the control of the Goldfields from the Superintendents, and the appointment of a Minister of Mines, next engaged their attention, and had they succeeded in carrying their poiut much good would have arisen, as the entire Goldfields of the colony would then be placed under one special department. The efforts of the goldfields members were then directed towards obtaining an increase of money for Goldfields Water Supply. He then, seeing that Mr Curtis had taken office and that there would bo in all probability an early election for a new Superintendent, brought forward a bill giving the holders of miuer's rights the power to vote at such elections. The bill was not passed, although read a second time. If it had been brought forward earlier he thought it might have become law. He reminded his hearerß that although this special bill had not yet become law, every man had the privilege of enrolling his name on the Electoral Roll. His next endeavours had a local bearing. His bill for giving force to one miner's right throughout the Nelson Goldfields and Westland had become law. He had not thought it expedient to obtain a similar concession for holders of business licenses, seeing that they held a more favorable position already than tho miners, who were constantly travelling to and fro exploring the country. Other goldfield matters had to be deferred until the next session, when he hoped that the Goldfield members would again cooperate and do something more. He next referred to the change in administration, and his action against the Government. He challenged his personal opponents in- Westport to state what he could have better done under the circumstances. The people of the district had been grossly misled and misinformed by his personal enemies, and he called upon them to now show reason for their accusations or for ever hold the peace. Referring to " separation" Mr O'Conor said his aim had been to obtain local self-government. Finding the people careless and the public pulse slow in Westport he had got up a petition for separation from Nelson, and had gone down to Wellington with the idea that he would be backed up in the House of Representatives. He had expected some assistance from the Premier ; but in conversation with Mr Fox he found he misunderstood the whole intent and wish of the Goldfields people. Mr Fox's pet idea of " unification " comprised nothing more than a linking of the ( Nelson Goldfields with Westland, without financial adjustment, an arrangement which, in his opinion meant ruin. He had sought compensation for the Southwest Goldfields, if saddled with the liability of Westland's debt, but could not get it. He had tried to sweep away the Westland debt altogether, but had failed. After much thought and study he had brought forward a Bill for local government, which after providing for payment of proportion of provincial charges, would give to the Nelson Goldfields the local expenditure of local revenue. The bill, as prepared, provided for the appoint.

ment of local auditors, and also a local board having the whole management of local affairs under the control of the Superintendent $ but to place a wholesome check upon his control he (Mr O'Conor) brought forward also the bill giving miners the right to vote in the election ,of Superintendent. He had then thought to aid by the imferaducof the " Counties Bill" the developement, and prosperity of the Gohlieida, and many members of the House had said it was the best, the only proper cure for existing evils. The bill ultimately fell through, but not until he had obtained a promise from the Superintendent of Nelson that something similar should be again brought forward. He had told the hotise that agitation on the Coast would never cease until some such bill became law. He expressed a hope that the people on the Nelson Goklfields would be true to themselves and not seek for " unification " with either West3and or Greymouth, but for the expenditure and control of their own money. He waited with some interest to see what sort of bill Mr Curtis would bring in, and hoped he would have the courage to introduce a measure that would satisfy the people here k and none the less the people of Nelson, who were in terror of further agitation for dismemberment of the province, inasmuch as they depended solely on the help of the Coast population to keep them alive. He referred to the bill for payment of public works by grants of land as a useful measure, and one which might be turned to very good account by the people on the Nelson Goldfields. The Act authorising the services of notices by telegraph was also a useful measure. He referred to Mr Stafford's motion against the Government, and dilated at some length upon the action of both parties in the House, especially referring to the emigration policy. He accused the Government of neglecting Ireland and the north of Scotland as eligible fields wherein to induce emigration, and introducing instead the " sweepings of the Baltic." This he said arose from prejudice, especially on the part of the Agent-General. He, Mr O'Conor, and his Hibernian friends in the House, considered this an insult, and looked upon the emigration policy as worse than useless, and doomed to failure, if such good fields were to be neglected. The debate in the House on the subiect had led to an instant change of policy, and numbers of useful emigrants, who before had no chance, were now coming forward. Bef'erring to the Public Works scheme, he said millions had been borrowed and expended recklessly. He saw the error, knew aIBO that even in this district money had been wasted, and also that the expenditure of money originally voted for thejßuller and Inangahua, districts had been spent on the Grey side, because the people there had the greater share of political influence. He believed the tardy action of the present Government to do justice to the district was owing to pernicious influence, but he thought that when the Goverment became fully aware of the vast resources of the district, as shown in its coalmines, they would do justice. If not the Government deserved the strongest condemnation. Ue next referred to his action in the Provincial Council in the matter of the " Westport sections," his petition, and the result of the commission of enquiry in Wellington. He condemned his accusers, said they had slandered him and assailed hiß character. The decision of the Committee had, he said, cleared him from all imputations, but as the committee would not go iuto the question, as between himself and the Provincial Council, he h*d been cut of from any further action against his accusers. He was sorry indeed to see that no action had been taken on public grounds by the electors, to sift the matter thoroughly and see who had conspired to crush him as a political opponent. He had, he said, to contend J with strong opposition, the report of his meeting at Charleston was a perfect burlesque. He knew also his present Meeting would be again misrepresented. He condemned such action as not merely an insult to himself, hut insulting to the whole political institutions of the country. It was not, he said, likely the he would again solicit any man's vote, but he appealed to his hearers as to the probability of any other good man coming forward while subject to misrepresentation. He accused the editor of the Charleston Herald of " surreptitiously obtaining a document" from him which would have enabled him to give much valuable information. He said if his accusers and opponents could not suggest a practical remedy for existing evils they should hold their tongues. He called upon them to come forward and confront him and express their ideas. That, he said, would be better than kicking up a row behind his back or doing as they had done before, employ men to light a fire in the street and burn his effigy. He wondered if the men ever got paid for that. The CHAtBMAK intimated that Mr O'Conor was ready to answer any questions. .

There were cries. for various individuals, but nonecalled on responded. After a pause, enlivened by quiet chaff and chat among the audience, the Chairman repeated his intimation. Mr Kaffemt arose, and wa,s cheered. He said, Mr O'Conor, a report has been long in circulation that you aided and assisted W. N. Eranklyn to obtain the post of warder in the Westport G-aol. I want to ask you is it true."

The C*£aibm*.n objected to the question as touching on a matter of no public interest. Mr (yCotfOR said, I don't think t am compelled to give you an answer> as in doing bo t might annoy Mr Pranklyn, bat I -don't mind telling yon that I did give liim every assistant in my power. At this juncture the telegraph messenger arrived with a message for Mr O'Conor. After perusing it Mr O'Conor said, " When the business of the meetmg is closed 1 hate an interesting telegram to read yon." The CfiAiBMlN said, It is Usual, gentlemen, to propose a vote of thanks or confidence before closing the (proceedings. Mr P. S. M'Senka. rose and *aid, I propose a vote of confidence in Mr O'Conor for the manner in which fee has expressed his sentiments to-night. Messrs George Clark and Jules Simon rose simultaneously to second the motion.

Thei>e was no amendment and the motion 'Was carried with loud *" Ayes.' v Mr O'Cosroft returned thanks and said he had received an exactly similar expression of opinion at Addison's and Charleston-, and anticipated the same at other places winch he intended to visit.

He then explained ffoat he had telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works on the subject of coal mines at the Waimattgaroa, telling him of the discovery of another seam six feet thick and traced for three-quarters of a mile. This news he said he had telegraphed as an additional inducement for the speedy commencement of railway works, and he had also urged a-small expenditure of money to aid in the further exploration of the Waimangaroa. He read the following telegram:—

" Government " E. J. O'Conor, Esq., M.H.R., Westport. " Tours ?e coal Waimangaroa received. Begret yours Of the 2lst te public meeting so long unanswered. I have been waiting reply front Superintendent of Nelson to letter from Colonial Secretary, 13th March, asking for information as to present position of coal reserves on West Coast, and till we get this information our hands aro tied as regards laying out proposed railway Mount Eochfort district) as we understand one lease* at least, ot four hundred acres has been granted commanding Ngakawhau district. Dr Hector is in Nelson, and I have warded him information contained in yours to-day. On receiving his reply will communicate again to you. "Edward EidiiAßDsda-.'* Mr O'Conor proposed a vote of* thanks to the Chairman, and the proceedings terminated. [The foregoing report fa confined strictly to the leading points in Mi? O'Conor's address. More than this he has no right to expect until he learns the wisdom of avoiding childish personalities. To report Mr O'Conor fully is to offend him. To report him as he would like, would be at the sacrifice of all re«pect for ouraelreß or readers.]