THE SUPERINTENDENCY ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 167, 3 June 1873, Page 2

THE SUPERINTENDENCY ELECTION.

I Mu J. Williamson, M.11.R., as we iutimatcd in our last. ' addressed a large meeting at Ngaruawahia on Friday last, The hoo. gentleman said lie appeared before them that night as a candidate for the office of Superintendent 01 the Auckland proTince. When he wa» previously elected to the office he now sought, there w:w no such electoral district as the WuikatOt Since that timo the land had become occupied bv a large number of enterprising settlers, who were doing good to the distinct. In the 3outh they had powerful companies formed for the promotion of immigration ; he would instance the New Zealand, the Otago, and the Canterbury Companies- Nothing of the sort had given a btart to Auckland. Auckland had nevertheless progressed in spite of its powerful livals in the South. Everything had been done tn keep it in the shade : the newspapers started by the X. Z. Company never mentioned Auckland. Governor Ilobson visited the country, and decided that Auckland was the most suitable place for the Seat of Government. It was not, however, till after the grantinj of a Constitution by the Imperial Parliament that Auckland attracted attention as a Held for colonization. The great, bulk of the laud was then in the hands of the natives; a considei.ible quantity had, however, bcea purchased. In 1800, he became Superintendent of the Province of Aucklaud lor the second time. The year previous, the management of their own lands was handed over to the Provinces. lie saw from the first the necessity of acquiring land as a means of securing a thriving European population. He had lately visited the northern portions of the province ; he .found there thriving settlements and the two races living peaceably side by side. The European land had been purchased with hard cash. Great hardship had been felt in consequence of want of means of communication. Whilst he held office 1 he felt that he was almost guilty of want of energy, but there was no money forthcoming, and ho was powerless to act It was not till 1870 that active measures were taken by the House of Representatives to open up the country Tim was doivc by placing funds at the disposal of the Government for the making of roads and other necessary works, also, for immigration purpose . At last election lie h.id desired to be re-elected in ordtr tl & he might carry out the policy initiated, tho that he might bo in a position to secure for Auckland a fair share of the loan then in contemplation. He felt naturally anxious to nave a fair and reasonable share expended in the North, as ho had brought the settlers there. At the 'time of the last election there were grievous cjiuphunts that there were no roads by which to get their produce to market. Since that tune much had been done to mcrcrese the facilities for communication with the market towns The tune had tome roiin>l for him to again present himself for election. He once assumed ollice with ai* empty chest. After carolul management lie had succeeded in getting a little done. Ships at that time were vevy muc i delated from want of accommodation Willis, Gann, and Co. had stated that unless better accommodation was provided, they would not and their vessels to the port. He had managed to get a wharf constructed. He wished to impress upon his audience that while the colony was borrowing millions, it behoved all to see that a fair proportion should bo expeiuled in land on which to vttlo population in the north. He contended that the construction of the Waikato railway was a colonial work. If the land w as peopled by energetic settlers, the natives would be more willing to sell to settlers than to lund-jobbers. A railway was in course oflonstrnction ; there was, of course, n difference of opinion as to the route it should follow — some say one side of the river, somo say another ; whichever mode was adopted it must prove of great advantage to the colony. If he became Superintendent, ho would not allow the General Gov eminent to ignore the Provincial. It is the duty of a Superintendent to see that every encouragement is given for peaceful settlement. The natives should be employed in the making of roads, for "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do." The young men ought certainly to be employed. He 1' o k'Uml Ihit the vi y foi war! war! had become so popular. There was a dtsire manifested to put aside the implements of agri^ultuie few those of war. He wa» reluctant to say a word -m the present crisis. There was an energetic Government Agent in the district, and a \aHant Colonel; it was therefore not for him to comment on the action of the Government. He wished to say that he believed in a policy that would lead to peace an I quietness, and thought that the true means to that end was to luduce, by every means in our power, the natives to work liks ourselves in developing the resources of the country. It was not Ion" .since the people of Chiur ml

Japan refused to hold any inteicourse with other nations. Those people are now sending their sons to be instructed in our schools. He behoved the same thing would go on thiough the whole human 1 ace if uncivilized people were dealt fairly with. In reference to the large sales of swamp land, that ate going on at the present time, a very crude bill had been iitio uedtodnii tuose swampland after. yards oiler them for sale, lie believed that m many cases it was only ueceisary to cut as itjwere the jaw and lips, and dig a few drains, and tihe land would become very valuable from the alluvial deposits on its surface. He believed the General Government was willing to use the agency of the Provincial Government in the carrjing out of details. He desired, therefore,, to impress upon the electors the necessity of returning good men. He had been told that day, that the Provincial Government ignored the existence of the Waikato district altogether. He c.mld hardly blame them for so doing, a* the General Government appropriated the revenue received by the sale of con Incited liuulsv There was .1 great deal of land held back from market in hope that it would eventually acquire immense value. He considered this false economy ; he thought that the good land should be dispoot'd of to the early settlers, and I hat suiTOuiiJuig it would become valuable for settlement. He thought that it would be wise to gue possession to the Provincial Government of all confiscated land, who should deal with it in a manner most conducire to speedy settlement. In the General Assembly the Nortlicrn members are outvoted ; in the Provincial Council you are the Government. He could spea'c happily of the future of Auckland ; he might not live to sec it, but Ins children and those of his auditors might live to ->cc Auckland the pride of New Zealand. He regrettei very niiuh the exaggerated statements that had appeared in reference to natnc affairs. They were calculated to alarm our \vive» and families. Let us hold together to maintain peace, and, if necessary, to fight effectually r but he thoug it that fighting was unnecessary, a quiet, inoffensive policy was more likely to result in good. If returnod, he would, by God's blessing, endeavour to give effect to what he had given forth as his opinions. He knew of some who were talking of becoming competitors with him. Ho would not ask fora single pledge); he was quite content to leave the matter in tha hands of the electors. After the sitting of the Avcmbly lie intended to present himself for the s illVage of the people of Auckland. Mr Ilairis propo-cd a \<> <• of thanks to the speaker for tho able address he had delivered. Mr William « n briefly returned thanks. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.