MR. J. B. WHYTE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2925, 29 August 1879, Page 2

MR. J. B. WHYTE AT CAMBRIDGE.

On Wednesday evening Mr J. B. Whyte addressed the electors of Cambridge District in the Public Hall, Cambridge. JlrlThos. Wells was elected to tha chair. Mr 'Whyte, in the coursa of his address, approved of ibe policy of the present' ov.-rnii.ent, and will endeavour to have it carried out, but would not pledge himself to any party until be was in a position to judge wnetner the accusations made agaitsi the Government aro comet and to see who would succeed them, and also to see if their successors would carry out tno policy enunciated by the Government. Ho was in labour of the iiresont SjStiin of free ami secular education, and thought decidedly better accommodation oitflu lo be alV.rdiui both for residences for teachers and school-rooms. Jlanhood suitnv ,c ho a so held with, provide i there is a residential nullification of twelve or even six months. Mr WhytH tovictd upon the other topics d=a:t -with in his Hamilton Bpeech Ho thought tt>e Land Tax as at present was a failure. A Propc ty Tax or Income Tax intent meet the case, as many capitalists have large incomes from mortrfuKss, JSc, upon which no tax 13 made, whilo landowners often have to pay the interest on these mortgages and tax upon tha lnnd mortgaged. Unimproved land hold in large blocks on spqculatioa ought to be heavily taiod. Tho Counties Act enjoin 10 ba abolished or the Couutiesuularged ana extended powers given to the :ocal governing bodies. Road Hoards ongot also to have extended powers granted them. Tho present system of negotiating Native lands was unfair to tne man of only a moderate means and a v-jQbery o£ the Natives, because the risk attached is so great, and unless a purchaser has a la.i"ge capital and groat experience h.e runs the risk of losing both time and mqnoy; and because tho ris* is so great tho Native's only set perhaps a fourth or less of tho real value of tneir land. The expenses aro so grout and so large a capital is required, that tho purchase of Native lands has devolved into the hands of a few wealthy colonists, and thus the so-calleii Land Ring has been established. \Yish regard to the Thames-Waikato Ifailway, J a.m of opinion that it ought to bs done ia\ui£dia.Vly Ho believed tenders had alro.uy been called for a portion of <t: if such, \vna tho case, that settles tho question, a^d it on y romained for their! ropres.entativtj to see it fully and faithfull 1 curr^d. aa\ ; and also to see that tho railway bridge to orosa tho river at Hamilton be orderod al, onoe, as it would take two years to get it out from home. Ho also intoods to. advo-ato tho Cambridge branch, and hones eventually ;to sco it carried tiuKrogh to Rotorua and Napier. In to Mr Jas Forrest's ituestion—" Cap jqu s&te whether you will or will not; support the Qovornruentr Mr Whyio aujd: "lJ Uayo already answered that quostifln. f stated I would support the polioy, gut would not pledgo myself to any party." Mr Korrost: ahou'd you bo retttrnod for Walkato, and Mr Whltakor dofeated for Eden, will you resign in his favour? (Cri< sof "No. no "1 Mr J. B. Whyte: " Certainly not." Mr Forrest: Were you one of tha gentlemen who wont to Auckland and inductvi him not to stand i

Mr Whyte: I wn,si not, Mr R. MoYpagh; Yo\\ «wd the- natives were robbocl. By wflQtu \y«re they robbed} Mr AYhyto: ay the jxresont Natlvo land laws. Mr Hughes: W wild you advocate Cambridge branch, of railway being beguu before tho Thames lino is finished 1

iJpWhyto: 1 would havo it done as soon as possible.

Mr S. Bright: Considering tho limited area of this island, would you deem it wise to liui\t tie quantity of land to be owned by ono per*cw> Mi Wbyte: I consider it wouM he good to prevent largo monopolies. Mr Fairest: la it U\.,'9 that you are now acquiring a larga book ot land ia tho Wunganui districtjh Mt Wnyte: lam not.

Air Hughes: Are you iutorosted in acquiring r, largo block of !and(

MrWhyto: Where! Mr Hughes: Anywhere Jlr Whyto: I am..

An unanimputi votvJ of thanks was passod to Mr Whyt(S foS. hlk kindness in explaining his vievvsi r s nd aiisworing tho questions aakod, mid a Vote o£ thanks was also passed to thu chairman.!