MR. JOHN DOUGLAS BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS AT GLADSTONE.
(FROM OUR GLADSTONE CORRESPONDENT.)
The Guardian (Brisbane), 10 March 1865, p. 3.
On the evening of Friday last, Mr. Douglas met and addressed
a number of his constituents in the Queen's Hotel. There was a large
attendance, the majority not being able to obtain accommodation within the
room. Mr. Walsh, the member for Maryborough, also took part in the proceedings,
and gave an exposition of his views on several matters of interest in the
district.
On the motion of Alderman Browne, seconded by A. H. Browne,
Esq., of Gin Gin, the Mayor took the chair. He opened the proceedings by
declaring the object of the meeting, and introducing Mr. Douglas. He said it
was usual for representatives to visit their constituencies occasionally, and
give an account of their stewardship. In accordance with this excellent custom
Mr. Douglas had determined to meet the electors and afford any information, or
answer any questions on whatever matter of public interest might suggest itself
to the meeting.
Mr. Douglas, on coming forward, was loudly cheered, and
spoke as follows:—He had great pleasure in attending the meeting that evening.
As had been observed by the worthy chairman, it was usual for representatives
to meet their constituents occasionally, and explain what had occurred during
past sessions of parliament, and what was likely to happen during the session
that was about to commence. He had not come to deliver an elaborate address,
but rather to hold a friendly conversation—more for the purpose of answering
questions than for declaring a policy or principles—more to elicit the opinions
of his constituents than to enunciate his own.
It was fully three years since he last had the pleasure of
meeting with them in that room as a candidate for the representation of that
district. There was at that time a much larger gathering than there was at
present. He hoped this arose from no political apathy or indifference, or from
a diminished regard for their mutual relationship as electors and
representative.
At that time the railway policy of the Government was under
discussion, and they naturally felt that that policy was forced on the country
to their disadvantage, and to the exclusive benefit of the Southern districts
of the colony. He had strenuously opposed that policy, and did his utmost to
defeat it. But now the country was committed to it, and the question simply was
how best to take advantage of it. He entirely repudiated factious opposition to
the Government on this question.
He had identified himself with a distinct Opposition, solely
because he had no confidence in the plans proposed by the Government, and
because he believed the interests of the majority would be sacrificed to the
wishes of a few. But that great question was now at rest. And it had been
decided by the Parliament that the Government should take upon itself the
construction of railways generally, and should commence with the line from
Ipswich to Dalby.
Now, he had to accept that decision, and it only remained
for them to consider what were their prospects of deriving any advantage from
it. As the Southern portion of the colony is so likely to gain largely by the
construction of railways, they too might look forward to similar advantages.
Now, what he had to say on this subject might be unpalatable
to them, but he would speak as he felt, always having in view the general good
of the country, and the particular benefit of his constituents. With regard to
a railway from Gladstone to Rockhampton, that all were anxiously looking
forward to, it would be a work of time. Eventually it would be constructed, but
when it would be commenced, was a question much more difficult to determine.
He had just come from Rockhampton, and he had not observed
there any extreme jealousy of Gladstone. All due allowance was made for your
natural advantages—for your magnificent harbor and the situation of your town.
But they said if we are to have seventy miles of railway constructed, by all
means let us have it from the head of the navigation and to the westward, and
not where there is already a navigable river.
The settlement of this question depends solely on the amount
of pressure that can be brought to bear on individual members by their
respective constituencies. Mr. Walsh may be expected to advocate a railway from
Maryborough to Gayndah, and the member for the Kennedy or Mitchell, a line from
Port Mackay to the Peak Downs. Every constituency is now looking for a railway
to develop the resources of their district; but it is not possible that every
constituency can be so accommodated.
With our small population and slender resources it is not
possible for us to construct 500 miles of railway in Queensland at a cost of
five millions of money. The time will no doubt come when that amount will be
considered a trifle, but it has not arrived yet, and we must be content to wait
for it.
A short time ago they commenced governing themselves with a
revenue of only £100,000; now, they had accumulated a debt of a million
sterling; but the time had not yet come when every constituency could be
gratified with a railway.
His idea of carrying out a railway was different from what
the Government had assumed. He considered that the land on either side of the
line should be made to pay for the railway. Under such a system as that, a
railway hence to Rockhampton might be carried out successfully. It might cost
£700,000, but, under judicious regulations, the land would cover the entire
cost.
There was a suicidal niggardliness with the public in
dealing with Crown lands. They lose both time and money in hanging on for high
prices. They must sell it in larger blocks, and at smaller rates, otherwise
they would have to wait a long time for their railway.
Every constituency was continually hankering after public
expenditure, and each one imagined that its claims were superior to all the
rest. This was no peculiarity of Queensland constituencies; it was common to
all districts in any country under the sun. [Here the speaker quoted from a
paper on Canadian affairs, which went to show that favoritism was there the
order of the day.] Some districts being under the special protection of
governments, while others were altogether neglected.
Unfortunately, similar complaints could be made in
Queensland, and it was the great difference paid to the Darling Downs that
caused the people in the outlying districts to put in unreasonable claims which
could not be satisfied. He had no doubt they felt that he had not obtained an
adequate expenditure for their district. He had done his best, however, and
obtained all that could be got.
Considering that their chief demand was for extra
expenditure on the Dawson Road, he applied every year for a sum of money to be
placed on the estimates for its maintenance and repair. Last year £800 was
placed on the supplementary estimates for this purpose.
There was another important question on which he desired to
say a little. That was the Provincial Councils Bill that had been passed by the
Government. He did not approve of the measure as it stood, and he had
endeavoured to amplify its provisions and render it more generally available.
But he had been opposed by the Government, and had to content himself with the
measure as they had introduced it.
The bill did not appear to have met with much favor, for few
thought it worth their while to act upon it. Yet the measure was not to be
despised, and he thought the people of Port Curtis would do well to take
advantage of it.
Under the bill the members of the Provincial Council would
be nominated by the Government. But they were empowered to expend all money
voted by the Parliament for the district, and they were expected to advise the
Government on matters generally connected with the district. Viewing it in this
light, the establishment of a Provincial Council in Port Curtis might be a boon
to the district.
He was glad to see Mr. Walsh present on that occasion, and
he had no doubt he would have in that gentleman a cordial ally during the
coming session. Mr. Walsh was more intimately connected with the district, and,
doubtless, knew more of the inhabitants and their peculiar wants than he (Mr.
Douglas) did himself. He thanked them for the cordial reception they had given
him, and trusted that nothing would occur to disturb the friendly relations
which subsisted between them.
Mr. Douglas resumed his seat, and was greeted with loud
applause.
Mr. Bolimeade said he accepted the suggestion of Mr.
Douglas, with reference to the object of the meeting, and would state his views
on the railway question. He considered that a railway to Rockhampton would
eventually cost less than the dredging of the Fitzroy. The dredge was at
present raising nothing but white sand and the channels that were cut would be
filled up as soon as opened. At Yaamba there was sufficient sand piled up to
destroy the work of twenty dredges.
Mr. Douglas said it was true that the dredge was only
raising white sand at present; but Mr. Francis had found a spit which might be
easily cut through, and which was composed of mud instead of sand. If it was a
mere question of spending a half-a-million of money in raising the sand of the
Fitzroy and deepening channels that would immediately fill up again, then they
might demur to the useless expenditure; but Mr. Francis was of opinion that the
work could be satisfactorily performed. The population of the whole colony was
about 60,000, scattered over a vast territory; and it was not for such a
population to undertake works of great magnitude in every portion of the
colony.
Mr. Friend said the cutting through the dense mud would be
filled up as soon as it was opened by the loose sand. Besides the railway would
be remunerative while the dredging would not. In England it was found that the
passenger traffic returned a much larger profit to the shareholders than the
goods traffic; and he was certain, from what he knew of the steamboat trade on
the Fitzroy, that the passenger traffic on a railway to Rockhampton would alone
pay all the working expenses of the line, and yield a profit in addition.
He said there were several other matters which he wished to
refer to in the presence of Mr. Douglas and Mr. Walsh. It was very necessary
that a lighthouse should be erected for the protection of shipping at Gatcombe
Head. They had a rapidly increasing coast trade, and it was not too much to
expect a considerable direct trade with England. It was the duty of the
Government to erect a lighthouse on some prominent point, whence it would be
recognised as a guide to the port, by vessels in the offing.
He also expressed his regret that the Chief Commissioner of
Police had placed a sub-inspector, who was a stranger in the district, over Mr.
Weir, who had been here ten years and upwards, and knew every inch of the
country. The Commissioner was doing his best to destroy the efficiency of the
force and bring it into contempt.
In reply to Mr. Friend, Mr. Douglas suggested that Mr.
Seymour should be communicated with. With regard to the lighthouse, a select
committee of the Legislative Assembly, with Mr. Joshua Peter Bell, as chairman,
had taken voluminous evidence on the subject of coast lights, and had brought
up and presented a report. It was found, however, that the recommendations
involved the expenditure of so large an amount of money that the idea of
carrying them out could not at the time be entertained.
The necessity for lighthouses was becoming every day more
pressing, and he fully recognised the expediency of establishing one near the
entrance to Port Curtis.
Mr. Walsh, in answer to a general call, then addressed the
meeting as follows:—They had heard from their representative a brief exposition
of his sentiments on matters of public policy, and now, as an elector of the
district, he had much pleasure in moving a vote of confidence in Mr. Douglas.
It was not the first occasion of his meeting publicly with
Mr. Douglas, although it was the first occasion on which he had the opportunity
of stating his appreciation of the public services of that gentleman. His
address, like his whole conduct, was marked by candour, and they might feel
certain that he was a representative who never would mislead or deceive them.
The coming session would be a most important one for the
North. With the increase in the number of their representatives they would be
able to take a firm stand, and show a bold front. If the people were only true
to themselves, they would exact from their members what was justly due, and
inaugurate a new era in the history of Northern Queensland, and destroy the
pernicious influence of the South. The ministers, too, must be taught that
henceforth they must govern for Queensland, and not for the Darling Downs
alone.
He did not think that the question of a railway would
disturb the Government of the colony. The question of representation was of
much greater importance. They had obtained six additional members, but larger
concessions were required of the Parliament. They only accepted what they had
got as an instalment of their rights.
It was but just to expect that Northern interests should be
represented in the Legislative Council, as well as in the Legislative Assembly.
At present the South monopolised all the influence of the Council, which did
not contain a single member from the North. They had five-sixths of the
population, and contributed five-sixths of the revenue, but yet they were
entirely unrepresented.
Again, the gold-fields of the district wanted proper
development. The Government appeared almost to ignore their existence. They had
a pet field of their own at Talgai, to whose interests all other fields must
bow. The Minister for Lands and Works was there the other day, and made a
speech to an admiring audience. Of course he praised Talgai, and all that it
contained. He said it was in fact the only gold-field in the colony.
But it was no new thing for the Minister of Lands to make
such rash assertions. Perhaps it was all the rasher from being post-prandial.
Was it from a constitutional love of telling the truth or from a desire of
fostering one district at the expense of another that the Minister for Lands
came out so boldly? The Peak Downs gold-fields have yielded fifty times as much
gold as Talgai, and the Calliope diggings are by far more productive than any
gold-field in Southern Queensland.
In his opinion the question of the capital of the colony had
yet to be settled. Had Port Curtis been as wretched a harbor as Moreton Bay, it
might have been more highly regarded by the Government, and Gladstone might
have been constituted the capital of the territory. Before separation Sir
George Bowen confessed to Mr. Eliott and myself that Brisbane ought not to be
the capital of the colony, and he promised that before the question of the
capital should be settled, he would appoint a commission to take evidence and
report. He appears, however, to have entirely forgotten that promise.
This question has been entirely overlooked by northern
constituencies, but he trusted that when the next general election took place,
it would not be lost sight of. It was with the northern electors to say whether
or not a wretched town, within forty or fifty miles of the southern frontier,
should continue to be the capital of the colony.
He thanked the meeting for the reception they had accorded
him, and concluded amongst much cheering with moving a vote of thanks to Mr.
Douglas.
In returning thanks, Mr. Douglas said that it was impossible
that Brisbane could remain the capital of Queensland, if the vast territory
bearing that name were to remain undivided. But he looked forward to the
subdivision of the territory; and he advised the electors to have this
eventuality continually before them.
The revenue at present received from the Port Curtis
district and the north was greater than the whole revenue of Queensland before
separation. He believed in small colonies. He also believed in population as
the basis, the only legitimate, basis of representation; and, believing this,
he held with Mr. Walsh and the northern districts were not yet adequately
represented.
In conclusion, he would say that he would never shrink from
what he conscientiously believed to be his duty, and would hold to his
principles, irrespective of party feeling or private interest.
He was one of those who considered that every elected member
of the Assembly should consider himself not merely as the representative of a
particular district, but, as the representative of the whole colony. He should
study the good of the majority, and not the particular advantage of those who
elected him as their member.
He was happy in having Mr. Walsh as a coadjutor, and he
tendered that gentleman his thanks for the manner in which he had spoken of
him. (Mr. D.)
He concluded with moving thanks to the Mayor, for his
kindness in presiding.
Three cheers were then given for Mr. Douglas, three for Mr.
Walsh, and one for the Mayor, and the meeting separated.
