The Guardian (Brisbane 3 January 1867 p. 2
THE HON. JOHN DOUGLAS AT WARWICK. (From the Special Reporter of the D. D. Gazette.)
The Hon. John Douglas (the new Colonial Treasurer) met the
electors of Eastern Downs at the Court House, Warwick, at eight o’clock on
Saturday evening, in order to give them an exposition of his political
opinions, as a candidate for the representation of the district of Eastern
Downs, in the room of the late Hon. J. D. Maclean. C. Clark, Esq., was voted to
the chair, on the motion of the Hon. St. George Gore, seconded by Mr. Morgan,
the mayor of Warwick.
The Chairman, on taking his seat, expressed his thanks for
the honour conferred on him, and would do his duty to the best of his ability.
They were, of course, all aware of the object for which the meeting had been
called—to give the Hon. J. Douglas an opportunity of addressing the electors of
Eastern Downs previous to his nomination for that constituency. He trusted they
would give each speaker a fair and impartial hearing.
Mr. Morgan rose with considerable diffidence, not on account
of the proposition he had to make, but because he knew he had not the ability
necessary to express his strong feelings on the subject. The conduct of the
honorable gentleman who was a candidate for the representation of the
electorate of that portion of the Downs had been before them for the last seven
or eight years; it was therefore quite unnecessary for him to dwell on it, and
as that gentleman was about to address them, he (Mr. Morgan) would detain them
no longer, but would propose the Hon. John Douglas as a fit and proper person
to represent the electorate of Eastern Downs.
The motion was seconded by Dr. Bullen.
The Hon. St. George Gore, in rising to address the meeting,
could not help having his mind recalled to the last time he had the honour of
addressing them. On that occasion it was to propose and speak in favour of Mr.
M‘Lean, whose lamented and untimely death they were well aware of. On that
occasion he had addressed them as an elector, and had, as it were, no direct
personal interest in the matter. His present position was, however, quite
different. It was now not only a personal interest he felt, for, being an
elector for Eastern Downs, he was a Minister of the Crown, and in that capacity
was deeply interested in the return of the Colonial Treasurer. He laid claim to
being consistent on the political opinions he had expressed, and was not about
to advocate other opinions or principles.
He did not think that any person would deny that on the
satisfactory disposal of the Crown lands of the colony the welfare of their
district depended, and so long as a candidate was correct in his views on this
point, a great deal otherwise might be overlooked. On the part of the
Government he could assure them, that they were anxious to carry out the
principle in its integrity. The principal novelty introduced during last
session was the Leasing Act, and although its present working was to some
extent defective, yet he was of opinion that it was a sure, safe, and liberal
measure, and the Government would work it to the very best possible advantage.
In framing the bill the Government had been careful not to
depreciate the price of land, and thereby injure previous purchasers, which
would have been most injurious to the colony, and unjust and unfair to those
who had invested in land. The Act hit a safe medium by providing for extended
payment but yet keeping the former upset price intact. He most cordially hoped
to find, and it was the expectation of the Government, that the greater portion
of the black soil country would pass into the hands of farmers. It would be the
care of the Government that a large portion should be kept under survey in
suitable lots, and that a man who had a £1000 to invest, or one who had only
£50, should be equally able to find land suited to his purpose, so that every
class would be well satisfied, and by that means their magnificent district
would remain no longer a desert or a sheep walk.
Good results had already been experienced in their district
by the working of the leasing clauses, and they could point out as a proof of
it, the settlement now going on at Allora and Spring Creek. To countenance and
carry out this liberal law, it was necessary to strengthen the hands of the
Government, and it would be unnecessary for him to enter more fully into
detail, as his hon. friend would give an exposition of his views on those
questions.
Neither was it necessary for him to enter into particulars
relating to the Warwick railway, but he could assure them that the Government
were disposed to give every facility and fair play to carry out the work to the
best advantage of the colony. He would, however, like to make a few
observations on the changes which had taken place since he had taken office.
The colony was at that time in a most critical position, and he was afraid that
the difficulties had not yet all passed away.
In order to put some stop to the difficulties which then
presented themselves, one of the fittest men in the colony was appointed
Colonial Treasurer, and he was happy to say that although there was some slight
attempt at opposition, yet his honorable and lamented friend was returned by a
large majority. He (Mr. Gore) himself had accepted office as a Minister of the
Crown, and representative of the Government in the Upper House, with the office
of Postmaster-General. His personal feelings had been against accepting the
position, but he considered that if his humble services were of any use to the
country, he had no right to withhold them, and it afforded him pleasure to say
that he had conducted the business of the Upper House with satisfaction to his
colleagues, and he hoped that it had also been so to that of the country at
large.
The Government had been compelled to impose heavy taxation,
which was not by any means pleasant, but still taxation was better than
insolvency. He was glad to find that by the last news from England money was
very abundant there. The next mail would be the first opportunity by which they
could receive particulars of the sales of the last batch of Queensland
debentures; and he trusted they would receive such favourable accounts as would
enable the Government to carry out the whole of the public works without
further delays.
The manner in which these temporary difficulties had been
tided over, a very great deal was due to the knowledge, temper, and tact of the
late lamented Treasurer; they should in this respect honour the dead as well as
the living. The result of his having been returned for their electorate showed
the great importance and influence a single electorate had upon the whole
colony. The death of the Colonial Treasurer was no doubt a most serious
misfortune to the country in its present state, but it was necessary that some
one should be immediately chosen to replace him.
His hon. friend, Mr. Douglas, had been selected by all the
Ministry to fill the office, and it would be for that electorate to ratify the
appointment, and he was certain that not an elector could bring forward one
question that he was not prepared to answer. He (Mr. Gore) had seen a very
foolish idea promulgated through the columns of the Brisbane Courier,
that the action of Government in appointing a Colonial Treasurer before he had
a seat in the House was unconstitutional. The Queen through her representative
had power to appoint any one she pleased. This had been done, and it became
their duty to ratify it.
He was sorry to hear rumours of there being an attempt to
set up an opposition member, by nominating some one from Ipswich. He quite
agreed that every person had a right to express his opinions fully and freely
on political matters; but when it was only done for annoyance, and with a view
of putting the country to expense, he trusted that any person so ill-advised as
to contest on those grounds would not meet with a single supporter. He would no
longer detain them, but would express his firm conviction that the very best
man they could have to represent them was his honourable friend, John Douglas.
The Honourable John Douglas then rose and said that
he had seldom risen with feelings of deeper emotion than at the present time.
It was some six or seven years since he had last been in Warwick. On that
occasion he met, in friendly rivalry, their late lamented member, and now he was
there to ask them for their suffrages. He had sometimes differed on public
questions with their late respected member, but never had a private difference
with him; Mr. McLean was always the same hearty genial friend. He was a man who
had done what all of them could do if they chose—he had risen simply by his own
energy and honesty of purpose from the very lowest circumstances to one of the
very highest positions in the colony; and one reason of it was, that his word
was thoroughly to be believed. Whatever he said could be relied on, and he had
won not only the respect of those who were of the same views as himself, but
also of those who were opposed to him in politics.
He (Mr. Douglas) would wish at the present juncture to speak
discreetly, and still explain to them fully his views on the two most important
questions of the day. In the approaching election he threw himself upon the
generous feeling of the electors, and trusted that while, on the one hand, he
stated to them clearly his views, yet on the other hand they would also make
him acquainted with the wants and necessities of the district, as well as their
opinions on the most important questions of the time, in order that he might be
able to understand their feelings and wishes.
The first question on which he would make a few remarks to
them was the Warwick Railway; it was too old a story to go into the whole
question of railways. When, however, that question was finally carried, they
(the inhabitants of the Warwick District) were to be participators in, and
enjoy the benefits of it. His feelings were, when the question of railways was
under the consideration of Parliament, that the colony was too young for them,
and that they were going ahead too fast. He had therefore voted against the
system altogether, but when once the principle was affirmed, carried, and
adopted, he considered it only right to make the best of it.
When he gave up his former constituency on accepting office
as Postmaster-General, he was placed in antagonism with some of the then
Ministry on many questions, and had gone into the Upper House for a time; but
now, on being solicited to accept office with a seat in the Assembly, he could
readily and cordially join to carry out the policy of the present Ministry. He
could work better with the Hon. A. Macalister and his present colleagues, as he
was satisfied they were able to carry out the only policy which would conduct
the colony through its present difficulties.
Great stress had been laid by some writers to the Brisbane
press on the illegality and breach of privilege involved in carrying on the
Warwick railway, contrary to the recommendation of certain members of
Parliament; but such ideas had been completely exploded by the Colonial
Secretary’s letters in answer to the objections. It had been authorised by both
Houses of Parliament, and were they to set that aside? There were certain
writers on this subject who endeavoured to drag the Governor into the question.
He, however, would listen to no other advice but that of the Ministry, and when
it was proved to him that they had not a majority to support them, he could
then act on his own responsibility.
There were two very important reasons why the work should go
on; the first was, that the money already spent was considerable, and if the
work was stopped would be totally lost to the colony; secondly, the amount
required by the contractor to throw up the contract would amount to almost 25
per cent of the total cost of the whole line. This was what the Government had
to take into consideration that if they now stopped the work, they were already
liable to such a contingency, which was very large.
Besides it was confidently expected that the railway would
be open to Toowoomba in about three months’ time, and there would be a quantity
of labour available for employ on its continuation to Warwick. The Government
had been at a heavy expense to introduce that labour to the colony. Let them be
employed for a certainty, and no doubt a large proportion of them would
permanently settle in the district.
Of course the amount of money to be expended on railways was
very large, and for some years they might not even pay the interest, nor were
they likely to be profitable for some time. He, however, looked on the railway
policy not so much as a source of profit at the present time, but as a means of
colonisation. There was no water navigation, and they were bound to construct
roads or railways to open up the country.
So far as paying for their construction was concerned there
were ample means by the sale of Crown Lands in districts contiguous to the
lines. In the Darling Downs district alone, there were about sixteen millions
of acres available for sale. No doubt a great deal of it was indifferent land,
and land which at present it would not pay to buy; but in the districts of
Moreton and Darling Downs there were no less than twenty-four millions of acres
of available land.
They must also bear in mind that if only one-sixth of the
quantity were sold it would wipe out the railway debt at once. The great object
of the Government would be, to keep a sufficient quantity of land under survey.
There was considerable difficulty experienced in arranging surveys; at present
they only had detached survey parties, and had not yet arrived at a sufficient
system of making large surveys.
By the sale of Crown Lands he could clearly see the way to
liquidate the debt—larger in proportion to the population than any other of the
Australian Colonies. They had gone to the extreme verge of taxation, and he
should certainly not feel disposed to impose any new taxation; but they had an
enormous wealth in their Crown Lands which could be made available for the
purpose.
The next most important question was the Occupation of Crown
Lands. He had always been directly opposed to allowing purchases of land under
pre-emption, and did all he possibly could to prevent it, when he had the
honour of representing them in the House of Assembly, Sydney, before
Separation. He had then stated that the result of it would completely paralyze
the prosperity of the towns, and had also made a proposition to set aside large
tracts of country as a reserve near Warwick, in order to withhold it from the
effects of the pre-emptive system; and had the lands in this district been
properly surveyed, it would have secured a sufficient revenue and have given
fair play to agriculturists.
There were many gentlemen who had shown great public colony,
(sic) and who were justly entitled to every credit for so spirit (sic)
in opening up and purchasing the lands of the colony; (sic) but he
thought there should be no prescription (sic) placed on it, and that
every acre of land should be first submitted to public competition, for on the
settlement of these magnificent blocks of country depended the success and
welfare of the colony.
Now, however, that the system had been done away with, and
all sales were made competitive, they could all share alike, and no capitalist
could buy up land to the detriment of the public. So far as the Agricultural
Reserves were concerned, they were extending very rapidly; there were now
80,000 acres reserved, and large surveys were at present being made and pushed
forward, extending throughout the whole district from Warwick to Dalby. By so
doing they would direct the attention of persons from the neighbouring colonies
who would gladly come here to settle, and conduce in no small degree to the
prosperity of the district.
So far as the Leasing Bill was concerned, it was as yet
difficult to determine how it would operate, and it would take some time to
determine the effect of the practical working of it; it must be subject to time
and experience. The present Government, however, would devote their best
endeavours to forward the success of the measure, and would be most willing to
remedy any defects that might be found in its working.
He would say a few words on the present financial scheme,
which was, of all subjects, the most difficult to determine. He did not profess
to have that amount of knowledge on the subject which he should like to
possess, but so far as he could at present see, he considered that the issue of
Treasury Notes would not be a very lasting measure; and it was very doubtful if
the result would be a permanent issue of Government paper money.
The operations of a currency question were most difficult to
foresee, and he was quite prepared to support a system which would tend to the
establishment of a national bank, but believed that the present scheme was no
foundation for such a measure. He believed that it would be found that the late
Colonial Treasurer was correct in his estimate of the deficiency of the revenue
over the expenditure at the end of the current year at £150,000; he believed,
however, they had seen the worst of the bad times.
A large proportion of the depression had occurred through
over-trading in those towns approximating to the line of railway. He was
pleased to find that the town of Warwick had suffered less than any other in
the colony, and it was the only district in which they really had an
agricultural producing population.
The operation of the new taxation had not as yet been fairly
felt, and the revenue had not been materially increased thereby; but it was in
consequence of the enormous stocks held in the colony. It might, however, be
fairly anticipated that in a short time the revenue from the ad valorem
duty would show a marked increase and the colony would soon find itself in a
more solid and solvent position than it had been for the past three or four
years.
As they were all aware, the present Parliament had been now
nearly four years in existence, and it was possible that before very long the
Ministry might see fit to appeal to the country, even if no accident happened
to them from the phalanx of opponents who would confront them when Parliament
met.
There was one very small but compact clique who were in the
habit of meeting in a room in George-street, and they had been humorously
nicknamed the “Fenians.” They were capital fellows socially, but when they once
entered their upper chamber in George-street their machinations were something
terrible to contemplate. Mr. G. Sandeman, who was their leader, had proposed a
most remarkable measure—to set apart judiciously small reserves, and throw the
whole of the Crown Lands open to the squatter at a ridiculously low figure.
These gentlemen represented the extreme faction of the squatting party.
Another gentleman, with whom some of them were no doubt
acquainted, Mr. Dalrymple, was unfortunately one of those “Fenians,” and
proposes separation for Northern Queensland. He (Mr. Douglas) could not act
with anyone proposing separation at the present moment; he was fully convinced
of the fact, that the outlying districts of the colony were now far better
governed, than ever the district of Darling Downs was before separation. He was
perfectly certain that the claims of the northern districts had not been overlooked
by the Government, and he would repeat that there was not a single district but
was infinitely better governed than before separation.
He did consider that it would be most inexpedient and
detrimental to Queensland to encourage separation at the present time, as they
were now especially bound to concentrate their forces. He believed he had
served them faithfully in New South Wales, and he was not aware of there being
anything to justify them in thinking that he would do otherwise at the present
juncture. If they had not lost confidence in him he trusted the verdict they
would record would conduce to their advantage and to his honour. [The hon.
gentleman on resuming his seat was greeted with loud cheers.]
The Chairman having called on any person desirous of
addressing the meeting.
Mr. Douglas stated that there was a little matter which he
wished to mention to them. He had adverted to the fact that it was quite
possible that the Ministry might feel it their duty to appeal to the country,
he therefore put it as a duty which every man owed to the colony, that he
should register his claim to vote; the time was drawing near for having it
done, and he trusted that every man, whatever opinions he might adopt, would
have himself registered as an elector.
A person in the meeting asked if there was any hope of their
getting the Gladfield Reserve. They had been many years trying for it, but had
been as yet unable to obtain it.
Mr. Douglas was not aware of the particulars of the case,
but would guarantee them, as their representative, that the matter should
receive due consideration.
Mr. C. Clark stated that the application had only to be
made, and the reserve would be immediately granted.
The Chairman then called for a show of hands for the Hon.
John Douglas, which was given unanimously, there not being a single
dissentient.
The Hon. St. George Gore proposed that the Chairman leave
the chair, and that his Worship the Mayor take the same.
The Hon. St. George Gore then proposed that the thanks of
the meeting be given to the Chairman, and was sure they were deeply indebted to
him for the manner in which he had conducted the business of the meeting, which
was seconded by Dr. Bullen, and carried by acclamation.
Three cheers were then called for the Hon. J. Douglas, and
three more for the Hon. St. George Gore, and the meeting dispersed.
