MAJOR JACKSON, M.H.R., AT OHAUPO.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 373, 3 October 1874, Page 2

MAJOR JACKSON, M.H.R., AT OHAUPO.

At about a quarter past two on Thursday, Mr Cox was voted Lo and took the chair, in Mr Edward's hotel, at Ohaupo. The Chairman said that ho had nothing to say, the object they had met for was to hear Major Jackson, their representative in the Assembly; lie trusted that if any differences of opinion existed they would be expressed temperately. Major JacksoS, M.H.R., said that he had now attended Parliament for three seseions ; he had not before this addressed his constituents because he did not think it necessary to do so. Circumstances had now changed, and he wished to ascertain the opinion of his constituents on the constitutional changes that were proposed. With regard to the abolition resolutions, he had not bound himself to support any act that may be brought in based upon them. The paper had said that by voting for the resolutions he had not expressed the opinion of his constituents. He had no desire to change- their opinions ; if he hnd not represented them lie was quite ready to mako room for another, but he docidedly refused to be a delegate. It was palpable that the Northern Provinces could not get along without monetary assistance from the General Government. It was quite possiblo that the necessary funds would not have been forthcoming last session. He thought that if the General Government found the money they should expend it. As Mi; Vogel had .said, "the General Government was called upon to financofor all. The question was mooted outside, and the spark soon increased to a Hame. The consequence was that the Premier was waited upon and promised nupport to the extent of 40 votes if he would go in for abolishing the Northern Provinces. The General Government managed Immigration, the Police, and Postal Departments. With regard to the Waikato, he bolioved Lhat tho Provincial Government had givon small sums at different times for Public Works. Jt was in consetjuonce of Sir D. McLean finding fault with the punt at Hamilton, that a new one had been built. The Provincial Government was too fur away; it was almost a local .iffiiir. Lately, Avith regard to the building of cothges for immigrants, how absurd was the oa.uuw m.ale for not bunding

specifications to tlie \v ■!> .ito, " tii,:! the Postmasters would not \a lblo to explain them." When ho v, >< f'o •■ !, it was true that there was no opposition ; but lie w,>s elected, iuyv ertholfSH, to support tiiu Fox (.loMnime.it, and hi had done so, and when they were turned from office, he had assisted them to get in again. He thought; that residents in tho Waikrtto had little to complain of. The 'Contractor would commence shortly to put a bridge across the Waikato, and the railway was being pushed forward vigorously. The route that the railway should follow had been settled on its merits. The Government employs the best engineering talent procurable, and it was tha Engineer's reports that decided the route. No person could accuse him of having asked to have the railway made in any particular direction. He had pointed out that it . was only fair to the settlers that the route should be decided upon, and it was settled about that lime to curry it to Alexandra. The natives, he thought, would not stop its progress beyond that place. The Government, however, would not go against the wishes of the natives ; but he believed the natives would soon appreciate the use of the railway. They could no more afford to be left without railways, than Now Zealand could without telegraphic communication with Europe. If a person drives quietly through a flock of sbeep, they open out, and let him pass so it will be with the natives. The Native Office had had a good innings, and the railway by the West Coast would be 100 miles shorter than lhat proposed by the East. So long as the Government employed competent engineers they must abide by the result. To return to the provinces, they had scarcely oil enough to grease the wheels.' While he had represented the Waikato, he had done his best for the district, but he would not sacrifice the colony for its sake. It bad been said that he very seldom spoke in the House, if those present knew as well as he, what half the speeches were delivered for, they would not think much of this. It is often 'difficult to keep a quorum whilst the speeches are being delivered. As long as he represented them he would vote as he thought best for the benefit of the colony. He had voted for the Abolition resolutions, because he thought they were a step in the right direction. If a minority did not approve of his actions, he would Jresign at once. (Cheers.) The chairman stated that it was now time to ask questions or propese resolutions. Mr Roche, M.P.C., said he had the honor to be a member of the Provincial Council, and he considered it nothing but a farce and a humbug. There were now no less than ten Governments in New Zealand, and he thought the sooner they were abolished the better. He believed that Major Jackson had done much good for the Waikato. He concluded by moving the following resolution : — '• Having heard the address of our representative, Major Jackson, this meeting expresses its entire approval of his action in the late session of Parliament. This meeting also approves of the resolutions abolishing the provinces. The resolution was seconded by Mr Gubbins, and earned unanimously. . The Chairman said that now that the meeting bad expressed its opinion, it was quite competent for him to say that he quite approved of the resolution passed. THE DINNER. A short time after the formal business for which those assembled had attended, the bell for dinner peeled. A welcome sound, indeed, was it to many who had travelled a considerable number of miles to hear their member speak or to evidence by their presence the respect in which they held him. Mr Cox, took the chair and Capt James Runciman the vice. It would be unfair to the host were we to neglect to notice r the juicy viands placed before us and to rush "straight into«theipeculiarly dry proceedings of a public dinner; we will not do, so. The Ohaupo hall, in which the dinner was held was tastefully decorated with evergreens, the table was loaded with good things, and the rain and wind that was blowing had sharpened the appetites of those who were to partake. In a very short time no sound wa£tobe heard beyond an occasionol murniur and. the rattle of the implements of " warfare." T^he manner in which the djn|ier was put upon the table reflects tho greatest credit upon Mr Edwards. We have never in the Waikato seeu a dinner better served as at which the attendance on the guests was better or now for business. The Chairman proposed the health of the " Queen and the Royal Family," It is unnecessary to Btate that this toast was enthusiastically drunk. Tha next, toast, " His Excellency the Governor," was received in a manner which proved that the respect for Sir James Ferguson penetrated very much deeper than the tinsel of his position, which as a rule obliterates the man. The Chairman next proposed " The Members of the House of Representatives." He was proud to say that he had once been a member of the House. He did not mean to say that they are always <wjse, but it was a representative assembly of which/ no man need be ashamed. He had no desire to anticipate what Major Jackson might have to say, with whose name he coupled the toast. Major Jackson said he believed that the members of the Assembly were an independent body ; they were independent in their pockets, the source from which all independenct springs. There was no question brought before them which did not receive an impartial hearing. ' He thought .that the public had no leason to find fault with its representative Assembly. He had been misreported on a former occasion ; what he said was, "that the House would sooner vote .£lOO,OOO for making roads than £10 for fighting." He was proud to be a member of the Hous<>. He had found himself in very good company. (Applause.) The Chairman said that he had next to propose the toast of the day, that of " Major Jackson, the representative of the Waikato." Independence in a representative implies honesty and a strong will, both of which he believed the guest of the day possessed. He would remark that to make a good, servant lie must be trusted ; the more he is trusted the better as a rule he will prove. Tha speaker had a servant whom he trusted ; this servant spoke of everything belonging to him as " ours." He had some difficulty in deciding which was master. A representative expects when he is doing his duty to the beot of his ability that his services should be recognised. He felt confident that Major Jackson had done his utmost to promote the interests of the district. The electors of the Waikato were, to be congratulated on possessing such a representative. Major Jackson in replying said, he felt deeply gratef ul for the manner in which the proposer of the toast had spoken of him, and the cordial manner in which the toast was received. He considered that no obligation rested upon him, ' if anywhere, the buot was on the other leg. He had already spoken and had done with politics, he would say however, that he would do his best to advance the district, when to do so wsa consistent with the interests of the colony. (Prolonged cheering.) Mr J. F. Mandeno said he had been advised lately not to take part in public questions. A toast, however, had been put into his hands to propose, and notwithstanding the advice, he intended to proposo it. He had risen to propose "The Press." He thought that they ought to be tolerably proud of the local Press ; it was independent, and no scurrility was to be found in its columns. He believed that the editor desired to advance tho interests of the settlors, a courso In which he was not altogether disinterested.

Mr Jones briefly responded, and thanked thorn for drinking the toast. Mi % Jlollowiy, in compliance with repeated calls al<o responded, ho said that it was always gratifying to him to find the toast of the Press received with conviviality, more particularly in the Waikato, as any expression of approval applied more or less to himself. He could say honestly for the local press that it had always endeavoured to do right, it may have takemmistaken views of some questions, but all men arc liable to cn 1 . The paper with which he was connected had differed with the political action of Major Jackson, as regards the Abolition question, the difference was from conviction that to carry out the resolution would be detrimental to the interests of the North Island. Personally he respected Major Jackson as much as any of the f denda who were collected around him. He was glad to find that the absence of scurrility from the columns of the Waikato Times was appreciated. He thanked the company for the manner in which they received the toast. Mr Brett also responded for the Press, or rather advertised the fact that he was about to start a paper in the district -to advocate other interests than those of Ngaruawahia. A voice — (Has the paper to be started in town nothing to do with the movement ?) > The Chairman at .this stage in the proceedings said he had received letters from Mr Leslie and Mr Scott expreesing regret that they were unable to attand. Mr Holloway said a toast had been put into his hands to propose, that ol the "Visitors." It afforded him much pleasure to do so, as visitors to the district were always welcome ; it was through them that the resources of the Waikato, would be made known without its boundaries. He had no desire to anticipate what the gentleman whose name he purposed coupling with the toast might say. He was an old colonist, and his opinion was well worth having. He coupled with the toat the name of MiLamb. Mr Lamb thanked the company on buhalf of the visitors for the flattering manner in which the toast had been drunk. He had visited New Zealand ssventeen years ago ; circumstances compelled him to leave it ; he did so, much against his wish. He visited at that time the provinces of Wellington, Nelson, and Canterbury, and had had the good fortune to meet many of the pioneers of the country. - ,He was then thoroughly impressed with the idea ■ 'that a great future was in store for the colony. He 1 returned 'now to find the impression, much more ' than realised. He had great faith in the policy of - the Government; he could see nothing ta fear in ' the djebt. He knew for himself that he never made > any money till he. jjo.t into debt. To contract a ■ debt means confidence in self and equal confidence > in those who -lend. He believed that the policy ! now being carried out would return, immense in- - terest. Ho concluded, by proposing " Prosperity to » the Waikato," a toast which, it is needless to say, was heartily drunk. ' The Chairman's health was drunk with three times three, and the proceedings terminated.