[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]
(from our own correspondent)
CRESWICK, MONDAY.
Mi Thomas Cooper was warmly welcomed by his constituents in the Town Hall, Creswick tonight, whom he addressed in a speech of an hour and a half. Councillor Davies was in the chair.
Mr Cooper explained at the outset his object for calling the meeting which was simply to explain to the electors the votes he had given on various important measures in the House, and his reasons for so doing. At the last election there were two important political parties both contending for the mastery, and seeing he could not give his support to either party he took an independent course, but supported the then Ministry, so long as they brought forward measures which were for the good and best interests of the country.
He referred to the Mining on Private Properly Bill introduced by Major Smith and Mr Grant and explained fully his reasons for voting against io Ho also referred to the success which had attended mining upun private property in the Creswick district and to the several rich claims which had been worked profitably and amicably, as regarded both the miner and landowner, without the aid of state machinery. He tried lo get the proposed bill amended by the validation of exiisting contracts first as a matter of justice to the men who had bought the right to mine and in the second place in justice to the large number of shareholders who had bought into these claims at a high price, and in the next place because if the then agreements were broken up land owners under the proposed bill could have shut up the mines for six months, and he was anxious that miners and landowners should have power to make their own terms.
He then referred to the vote of £10 000 for prospecting, moved by Mr Brophy, which he supported, and which he yet hoped to see carried.
Mr Cooper also said that he voted aginst the vote for draining the Sebastopol plateau because of the 1arge sum it would take.
The reform question was touched upon at considerable length. He was in favour of the reform of the Council by a reduction of the qualification for members and the tenure of office. Mr Cooper here gave an epitome of the proposed Government Reform Bill. He also mentioned that he went to Mr Berry, told him if he insisted on the bill, and nothing but the bill, he would oppose it but Mr Berry told him the Government were prepared to make any reasonable concessions in committee. He (Mr Cooper) then promised to support it on these conditions, and voted for the second and third readings, also for Mr Williams's amendment in favour of the plebiscite. He wished to see a Reform Bill passed, but let it be a bill reflectmg the reason and not tho passions of the people.
He next referred to the conference. He considered both parties to blame, but thought the scheme offered by the Council with some modifications, would have been reasonable. Mr Cooper expressed very warmly the strong objection he had from the first to the embassy, and read portion of his speech in Parliament on the occasion taken from Hansard. He denounced the embassy as a failure and pointed to the fact of Sir Michael Hicks=Beach having sent his answer to the Govemor instead of Mr Berry.
Mr Cooper was interrupted several times by applause, and although a dissentient voice was raised now and then to some of the remarks, his reception was an enthusiastic one, and at its close he received three hearty cheers.