AIR FITZGERALD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4310, 15 March 1884, Page 2

AIR FITZGERALD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Robs, this day. Mr Fitzgekald uddcoascd his constituents, about 100 being present. He was cordially received, and spokovory strongly in favour of tho Abolition of Gold Duty Bill. He said heand others sot its threo readings passed in tho Lower Houses, and tho Bill would havo becomo law had not the Legislative Council thrown it out. He considered It acluss tax that ought to bo entirely dono away with, and said it the goldtieldß members would only pull tOßOthcr next session their inllunnco would certainly secure its abolition. Referring to tlio policy of the Government, he might say ho had not given a servile support to them during his two sessions, and ho would only support them when he thought their measures would prove beneficial to his district, or measures which met with his approval. Ho denounced Major Atkinson's scheme of national insurance, and thought if tho working clasß put thoir mnnoy in their pooketsrathcr than in to insurance they would derive muoh more benefit. The scheme was utterly impractioablo. Ho did not bolicvc in federation, beoausonNcw Zonlnnd would bo bett;r both financially and defensively standing as sho was. Ho denouncod tho maladministration of lands, but spoke strongly against land monopoly, and held that no man should be allowed to hold more land than a specified area. An act should bo passed restricting such holdings; aud if any person were found holding more, than tho restricted urea, tho surElus should bo forfeited nnd sold. Ho elicvod in perpetual leasing, and held that nil freehold land should be done away with. Of oharitablo institutions he said tho best way was to subsidise them £ for £ locally contributed. Ho condemned Major Atkinson's policy rognrding them as calculated to cut oil' tho gencrouß impulses ofv tho people Referring to tho rovenuo,. ho said tho falling oIF was duo to general depression, and concluded by assuring his constituents that at the commencement o£ tho coming session of Parliament Major Atkinson would meet the House with a satisfactory linaneml budget. Ho received a hearty voto of thanks nnd confidence.

Uokitika, this day.—Mr Fitzgerald, the member for tho district, addressed a rather thin mooting of his constituents in tho theatre la3t night. Ho received a vote of thanks and confidence.