MESSRS. LUSK AND HAMLIN'S ADDRESS TO THE ELECTORS OF FRANKLYN.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2516, 17 April 1878, Page 4

MESSRS. LUSK AND HAMLIN'S ADDRESS TO THE ELECTORS OF FRANKLYN.

RESIGNATION OF MR. H. 11. LUSK.

Last NIGHT Messrs. Hamlin and Lusk met the electors of Franklyn in the Public Hall of Otahuhu. Mr Luke, Chairman of the District Board, was voted to the chair. Mr Luke expressed his gratification at the courtesy of their representatives in voluntarily submitting their views previous to the next session of Parliament. He called upon Mr Hamliu to address the electors. Mr Hamlin first of all gaye a satisfactory explanation of his absence at the last meeting, called by himself and colleague. With reference to what transpired at the House of Assembly, electors had no doubt already been tired of the weary fight ; so also were members. He and his colleagues would often willingly have thrown up the sponge, but for the sympathy and support accorded by the people whom they represented, and the feeling that the good of their country required their continued effort. The speaker referred in high terms of praise to the able services rendered by Mr Sheehan when on the Native Committee, and the determined efforts made by the Ministry to exclude him from such ; who allowed that Mr Sheehan knew a great deal about native matters, though they professed not to think him thoroughly trustworthy. The Auckland members! accepted this as a challenge. Thinking that Mr Shnehan above all men should be on such committees, a parliamentary fight took place, and it was finally settled he should be elected on committee. After this matter was settled, came in a Bill largely affecting the welfare and -well-being of the Colony, especially of the Northern part. He referred to the Native Lands Bil!. Copies of the Act were distributed through the house about six weeks prior to the Assembly meeting. Himself and colleagues felt that passing of such a bill might lead to a native outbreak,'and prove disastrous to the interests of settlers in Northern districts. The Government cautiously withdrew this bill, but very incautiously introduced another bill, which had to vanish into outer darkness before a few pithy speeches. Mr Woolcock had next advocated his incidence of taxation, but previously to the bill being introduced he changed his mind, and actually voted against his own motion. Shortly after this came the formation of the Middle Party, which proved the instrument of putting the present Government in power. Without the formation of this party the Atkinson Government would still have governed New Zealand. With reference to : the "Waka Maori," Mr Hamlin described the :\ctior< of the House, Avho ordered the paper to be stopped ; considering it unnecessary

The obstinate publication of this journal, • and the ensuing libel case which followed, costing the colony some £6,000 or £7,000, received the speaker's severe censure. A reference to Mr R. Wood's motion to make the land fund Colonial Revenue, brought out the names of Northern members who voted against it, viz. :—Messrs Cox, Rowe, Whitaker, Morris, Sir R. Douglas, and Tawhiti. After an unsuccessful non-confi-dence motion, there followed the struggle which ended in the present Ministry taking office.—Mr Hamlin gave a clear and able criticism of the numerous bills which had been brought before the Assembly, which the former Ministry had attempted to boil down ml o Colonial legislation; but he would defy any man to adapt them to the requirements of the country. He entirely agreed with the action of Sir George Grey respecting the Canterbury runs, and regretted the Governor had not complied with the Premier's request to vote the Act extending the leases. Atkinson and party shewed they were not skilled in diplomacy, and by a series of blunders lost all chance of resuming power. Mr Hamlin and his colleague had worked hard to obtain a vote of £25,000 for works in the North,but through illness of the Minister of Public Works eventually obtained only £5,000. He could not follow the Premier in his views on manhood suffrage. Judging from the experience of Victoria, he thought that such a measure was unsuited to the colony of New Zealand. Mr Hamlin expressed his views on this subject at some length—considering the present system very liberal and embracing all worthy or entitled to a vote ; and stated distinctly he would not support manhood suffrage" Another question on which he joined issue with Sir George Grey was the compulsory operation of the Counties Act. As a member of Manukau County lie assured the electors it would be most unwise to bring such an Act into operation, with the Tamaki and Mangere Bridges and Great South Road to keep in order. The County stretched from the East to the West Coasts, and was the key of the whole Island ; and to keep up the County they would have to tax themselves very heavily. Mr Hamlin said in conclusion that the electoral district of Franklyn had not been hung over a clothes line during Parliament, but the two votes of members had always been recorded together on behalf of the interest of Auckland. (Loud applause.) The Chairman complimented the speaker on his able exposition of affairs, and invited questions to be put to Mr Hamlin. Mr Foley : Are you in favour of the present system of nominating members of tho Waste Land Board ?

Mr Hamlin was totally oppsed to the system, and thought the present Board did not properly represent districts interested. Mr Gordon :Do I understand you believe in the elective principle ? INIr Hamliu most decidedly approved of such; and at the suggestion of Mr Luke, expressed his sentiments on educational matters, and his approval of the present system. Mr Hamlin informed the electors of the steps taken to improve the Great South Road. Mr Lusk, on rising, was received with cheers. He thought it would be wearisome to follow in the same line as the previous speaker, and would speak Avith reference to questions shortly to be discussed in the House respecting the financial position. The revenue derived from the laud fund would in future be colonial revenue. The public estate had been thrown open, so that all parts of New Zealand would have an equal share in it. This was one benefit which had followed the destruction of Provincial Governments. The change in the Government had of necessity caused a change in the iinancial administration of the colony, and one ofwhich the people had every reason to be glad. The Education Act,' passed last session, had his great sympathy and support. Many trifling defects would be corrected after experience had pointed out the alteration required. Alluding to the educational measures part, Mr Lusk had always felt and taken a special interest in the administration of educational affairs in the colony. He had worked too long and suffered too long not to look with interest at anything bearing on so important a subject. In the present Education Bill there were certainly defects, but in its main features it was good, and would prove beneficial. These two measures would prove the last session of parliament to be less barren of results than any previous parliament. Mr Lusk spoke earnestly against the proposal to make compulsory the Counties Act. Instead of self-government, it was proposed to thrust the Counties Act in its entirety down men's throats. He thought no greater mistake could be made by present or any Government than to adopt a cast iron rule, and force people to adopt an Act, suitable to some parts probably, but far from suitable to all. Another matter to be settled was the impossibility of the colony being governed from the one centre of Wellington. It might be very well while governed under Sir George Grey's Premiership, and with such good advisers as he had—anxious to benefit this part of the colony, where most of their personal interest lay. With such a probability as a change of Ministry, this portion of thecolony wasfaccd with the insuperable difficulty of being governed from Wellington. There were three important measures to be discussed: —Ist, Questionof change of representation ;2ud, Change in the manner of electing representatives ; 3rd, Change of taxation. The first takes the form of manhood suffrage, giving every man over 21 years, not a criminal, the right to vote. The difference between the present and proposed system was this : —At present if a man has almost anything beside a carpet bag he has a vote. Manhood suffrage means that any man with only a carpet bag shall have a . vote. (Laughter.) Mr Lusk drew a vivid picture of the drunkenness, bribery, and corruption likely to take place at elections, if the proposed measure were carried, and contended that present voting qualifications were liberal enough. Respecting Representatives, many people thought a change of representation would give the provincial district of Auckland an increase of members ; such was a mistake. Southern districts, with more people, would be given increased representation. He did not coincide with the proposals to change the electoral laws now in force in the colony. The important subject of Taxation was one upon great discussion took place last year. Some favoured taxing large landed properties, others dutiable goods. He was favourable to the removal of part of the taxation from dutiable goods, and putting it on income. It was fair a man should pay in proportion to his means. It was not fair he should pay for every acre of land, which did not represent his income ; and, not as at present, for every mouth a man had to feed. If we are colonising people a man should rather have a bonus for every child he brings into the County. (Cheers). He was in favour of taxing incomes of people rather than land. If land yielded an income, then tax it ; but not without. This led him to a question on which he differed from Sir George Grey. The Premier, feeling injury had been done by laud kings buying up large blocks, had led him to pass sentence, and to promote a measure which, if borne out, would prove disastrous to the Government. Sir George Grey says he would tax such land, and make them cultivate or dispose of it, for they are now keeping out the bone and sinew, and preventing bona fide settlers occupying such land. The speaker did not see that because men had bought land unjustly from the natives, vengeance should be wreaked upon them. If they have done wrong, it was not fight to tax their land for so doing. He hoped the House would throw out such a measure. It would be no long time before men saw these proposals were mistakes. However popalartne Government now is, if the Premier carried this measure, it would sap the foundation of his popularity. A friendfjof Sir George Grey's party had remarked to Mr Lusk that the Government now in office shewed signs of becoming more central than the Government lately turned .

a ... out. Mr Lusk urged increasing vigilance; it was not because Sir George was Premier they should lay down their arms. If they did so, the time would soon come when he would be out of power. If Sir George Grey did not propose real measures for the Government of the country his accession to power would be productive of this evil ; that the struggle for local self-government would never again be successful. Mr Lusk at this stage made a pause, and it was evident something fresh was coming. He said that after much consideration, he had decided he could no longer continue as their representative. He was sacrificing his business to politics, and it was incumbent on him to study his own and his family's personal interests. He trusted they would elect in his stead a man of intelligence, energy, of clear and definite views, and in all respects worthy of so important an office. He won Id not like to sever his connection with anything like a cloud over his conduct. It was his duty to clear up certain reflections which struck at his credit as their representative. By the newspapers they were informed of Mr Macfarlane's hostility and attacks. He had written a polite note to Mr J. S. Macfarlaue desiring his attendance at Otahuhu that evening, in order that in the presence of the electors both sides could be heard. Although Mr M. had thought fit to keep away he should all the same proceed with his remarks. Mr Lusk went into a, minute explanation and extenuation of his actions re "privilege question," pointing out that any error made Avas in ignorance ; and moreover, the drafting out of bills lithe manner he had done it, was done by ..early every lawyer in the House, both before and since. The explanation received the very favourable hearing of ihe electors present at the meeting, who appeared quite satisfied with it. Some very severe and hot remarks were directed at Mr Macfarlaue. Mr Lusk hoped they would not elect a member in his place characterised by feelings such as those of Mr Macfarlane. Such a man ! Such a man could be no advantage representing any district. Mr Macfarlane had threatened the present Government to vote against them if they did not act with him re the £50 vote. He (Mr Lusk) would sooner vote for a carpet-bag-man, than a man so vindicative as Mr Macfarlane had shewn himself to be. Mr Lusk concluded amidst loud applause. Mr Foley moved a vote of confidence in the service of Messrs Hamlin and Lusk, hoping that when the latter had a little more capital he would again represent them. Carried. A mutual exchange of compliments and vote of thanks to Mr Luke concluded tho proceedings.