THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4415, 8 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

MR THOS. PEACOCK AT PONSONBY.

Mit Tnos. Peacock . met and addressed a crowded meeting of the electors of Newton, last night, in the Ponsonby Hall.

Mr T. T. Manoficld having beon moved into the chair, briefly introduced tho candidate to his audience.

Mr Peacock, who was well received, began by saying that it was perhaps* unnecessary for him to explain why he had chos.on to seek election on this occasion fov Newton ruther than oiler himself again for City North, seeing that the reasons for such a course were already well known. In the iirst place ho disavowed any sentiment of opposition or antagonism towards (.he gentleman who had recently occupied the Newton Beat. (Applause.) Indeed, if was only when Mr Bwanson expressed his determination not 1.0 seek ro-cfootion for Newton that he himself conceived the proprioty of inviting the suffrages of the electors of. that district in which he hud so long resided. Tho speaker then passed on to givo v rapid and comprehensive sketch of tho events of the past session, pointing out as ho did so, the causes of tho dissatisfaction with the Government which led to tho secession of several of thoir supporters, and referring to the ill-assorted pirsound of tho Opposition. It was apparent to everyone that the forces which wcro combined for a variety of dissimilar roasons to oust tho (iovcrnmont would cease to act in concert after that end had beon achieved. Tho dilibronco betwoon tho rival lcac'crs— Sir (loorge (jrcy and Mr Montgomery—was sufficiently wido to prevent unity, oven if nono other had oxisted. No business could be dono after the tabling of the motions of want-ofconiidencc, and as was now wellknown, Mr Steward's proposal to thut ett'ect was pressed to a division and carried by a majority of nine votes. After this defeat of tho Ministry, the Covomor decided upon their recommendation to grant a dissolution. Thereupon a motion was tabled in the House to censure tho (Jovurnmont for advising the dissolution. Ho opposed it as indicating n desiro to come between the Governor and his responsible advisors. The motion was lost, and tho (act, by illustrating the unreliable character of the Opposition majority, at ouco proved tho incapability of the party to form a stablo Government. Tho only thing done after this was to vote two mouths' supplies, and tv insist upon tho payment of tho full honorarium (Disapprobation), after which tho members returned home. Jle thought the payment or 200 guineas for such a short and useless session was excessive and he seconded an amendment to have it limited to 50 guineas, but to no purpose. In his opinion 100 guineas por annum was quite sullicient for tho payment of membors' expenses, and this sum should bo cheerfully paid, for ho doomed it important thut the representatives of tho people should not be put to any loefl through the services they rendered thoir country, as such a tiling would roact upon tho people themselves in restricting their choico of members. At tho eamo time, ho had but too much reason to feur thut thero was a pretty strong tendency amongst members to raise the [Kiynicnt to .'!00 guineas, which was really out of all question. After detailing I ho various unavailing attempts which he and other members had made to cut down the honorarium for tho past session, Mr Peacock went on to nay that in the new Parliament ho would support any moa-fure for the reduction of the amountof payment, or for tho refusal of a second payment thi/s yoar to ro-olcctcd members, who had airoady Hocurod 200 guineas for three weeks' work (Ixmd applause). Ono matter which ho bore steadily in mind in going down to Wellington was tho promotion of tho trunk lino of railway. Of the routes proposed,that from Te Awamutu to Napier might at onco be dismissed from mind. Three routes remained. There was tirst of all tho extremo western route tj Waitara, which must also bo left out of tho question on account of the very mountainous country through which the lino would have to pas*. Of the other two routes ono went from Te Awamutu to Stratford, 25 miloe south of Now Plymouth, and the other one from Tc Awamutu to Marton, S,"> miles south of

Now Plymouth. These were known as the western and central routes respectively. They pursued the same course from Tc Awamutu, 'lo miles south to To Kuiti, whero they diverged. Tho western route had tho advantage of being 70

miles ehorter than its rival, and it could be very nearly made for the million fltcrlinj; that Parliament had voted for the construction of a trunk line, whereas the additional 70 miles of the central route would involve tho expenditure of not less than halfaniillioii starling more t'jan had been specially provided for the purpose. If tho western route wore adopted it would bring Auckland into speedy and near communication with New Plymouth and the fertile country extending between it and the Waikato, but if the central route were pitched upon we should bo cut off altogether from Taranaki, and its rapidly growing commerce would be diverted to Wellington. So far as tho character of tho intervening land, as well as tho question of cotnpnrn • tivo payableness, was concerned, the western was the superior route, and, as he hnd shown, far tho cheaper ono, too. (ApplftUßO.) For thoso reasons ho would strongly support it in opposition to the contral route. Intimately connected with tho subject of the main trunk lino of railway w.is that of tho treatment of native land. He thought that the natives should give endowments in consideration for the benefit they would receive from tho construction of a railway lino through their lands. The proposals of the Nativo Minister were such as he would bo inclined to support, provided

restrictions Moro placed upon any attempted locking up of tho country, or upon any return to tho state of things which existed when tho previous .system of proomptivo purchaso was in vogue. Ho also thought that tho system of perpetual leasing should not be enforced in dealing with all theso lands. Ho would indeed insist that no greater proportion than onethird of the Crown lands should bo treated in that way, seeing that it was wholly in tho nature oi an experimont. The question of railway management was another subject which demanded, and had lately been rocoiving, great attention. Some people advocatod the creation of anon-jiolitical board for Its management, and there were various reasons both for and against such a proposal. If such a board wero to be placed under tho control of tho Government,it was likoly to bo hampered *in its actions, and consoquontly any failure in its administration would bo attributed to that fact; whereas if, on tho other hand, tho Government were deprived of oil control,thoy would hold thomsolves ontiroly roliovod of all responsibility to the House in the inattor. While not opposed to tho idea of a nonpolitical board of management, he thought tho wisest courso at present was to wait and see tho issue of tho experiment which Victoria was already making in this direction. Ho thought it a inattor of regret that tho Government wore not allowed the opportunity of submitting their system of economy in tho Civil Service on tho principle of grados. Ho thoroughly agreed with the Govornmontin tho belief that this retrenchment was best effected by an amalgamation of offices rather than by a lowering of salaries. He had a few remarks to mako i<nthe subject of finance. There was a deficiency upon the ordinary revenue at tho close of last yoar of £187,661, from which, if. £35,519, the credit balance at the beginning of tho year, were deducted, a balance oi £152,112 would romain. Tho doficiency in Customs rovonuo alono was £123,000, and from railways fdb',ooo. Tho beer duty itself fell off by £5,000, and if it turned out that tho decrease of Customs revonuo had been largely owing to a lessen ing in tho import of spirits, what was an apparent loss would provo to bo a real gain. Thoro had been an unoxpouded balanco of £465,000 from tho rive million loan, which was spont in 18S2 upon rolling stock, stations, and other matters connocted with tho maintenance of our railways. Last year £375,000 was spent in tho samo way, and it was computed that on an average £100,000 per annum -would bo required ovory succeeding your for tho same purpose. If these sums wont to increase travelling facilities and the efficiency of our railway systom, this expenditure was very necessary. Thore was a tendoncy in all theso respects to go again upon tho loan market, and unless very strong reasons were shown for such a course he would strongly oppose it. He would sooner see the country put up with many inconvoniencos. Another question which had engaged considerable attention lately was that of tho reform of the Upper House. He was not of those who advocated the abolition of this branch of the Legislature, for it contained much talent and ability, and was a check to crude and imperfect legislation in the Lower House. He was free to confess also that much undeserved odium had been indirectly oast upon it by the reluctance of the Lower Chamber to give the quietus to certain measures which it allowed to pass through to tho Upper Chamber in tho sure hope that thoro they would be rejected. Sir F. Whitaker had brought down a bill which proposed that a ballot should be taken by the Legislative Councillors for the retirement of half of their

number — viz., 2.1 members after poriods" of livo years, thus allowing tho peoplo to elect an equal number In the proportion of 11 by each inland. Tlius, 22 members would retire every /ivo years, and provision was made that tho Government should fill up interim vacancies. If this or some such scheme of reform wore adopted,care should betaken to preclude any possibility of a dt-adlock arising from tho Upper House laying claim to bo equally representative of the people as the Lower House. Perhaps that might be obviated by both Houses sitting together, in order to dispose of questions upon which they might bo at variance. It would not do either to make property tho only qualification for voting for Legislative Councillors, as then such a body would bo representative of purely class interests. In relation to the questions of annexation and federation ho was fully impressed with the importance of the Australasian colonies concerting for the purposo of safeguarding themselves from the danger threatened by tho deportation of French recidivistes to New Caledonia, and their liberation there, lie was also favourable to the extension of British rule Over the islands of tho l'acific, but lio was inclined to be very chary of voting any money for the purpose from the Treasury of New Zealand, unless some greater advantage were shown than would bo conferred by tho annexation of New Guinea, which would be advantageous only to a portion of the Australian colonies. The question of colonial defence was also important, but in this matter he preferred that we should wait for tho adoption of somo scheme by Uio other colonies before taking any action oursolve*. A subject of peculiar interest to this portion of the colony was tho mointon nnce of the San Francisco mail service. The old subsidy was £72,500, of which New South Wales paid £40,000, and New Zealand £32,500. liut in the oxtonded contract starting from November last Now South Wales had reserved the right of withdrawing at the end of the present year if tho United States Government did not contribute onethird of the new subsidy.}which had beon reduced to £50,000. Of thut sum New Zealand paid £31,350, or £1,000 1 CSS than her contribution to the old subsidy, as against £18,2.')0 contributed by tho sister colony. It had been further agreed between them that in the event of the United States contributing one-third of tho subsidy, it should go in equal reduction of their own contributions. As tho United States had now consented to pay the desired one-third, viz., £I(i,u'G6, the amount of the New Zealand share of the subsidy would bo reduced by half that sum —to £2'2,5M7. The revenue arising from the i'ostollice last year had only fallen short by £4,170 of the whole amount involved in the maintenance of this Btoam service, inclusive of the coastal expenditure, and as soon as the United States began to pay its proportion, we should bo making an actual prolit of £5,407. Besides, tho service was now performed in the fast timo of 38 days, but before the end of the contract it would bo reduced to 33 days. It was well that all these recommendations of the lino should bo known, as there was an evident wish in tho South to necuro tho subsidy for tho diroct steamers. ITo wished now to answer categorically l.ho questions placed upon tho programme of the Trades and Labour Council, a copy of which had beon scut to him. Tho Hint I was with rcfercuco to tho imposition of a Land Tax. Now, ho hud no personal prejudice against this mode of taxation, seeing that he owned no land liiinH.lf, ° and therefore he felt free to way that as a means of raising revenue it was less advantageous than the property tax. [Dissent and hisses.J The land lax was really a tax upon the money invested in land, and it would fall with [Mien liar severity -u]»oi) our struggling settlers, who were a class deserving of encouragement. [Applause and dissent.] It taxed the capital invested urwn land, while it let all other forms of capital escape, and to that extent it waa decidedly invidious and unfair in its incidence Tho property tax, together with the duties imposed upon inheritors of property, met all that was required in raising a revenue and preventing the locking-up of large estates. Besides, the imposition of un income tax to reach tho classes passed over by the land tax was opposed to ona of the first of political canons, which declared that that tax was tho best which i_'iivo tho greatest return of tho money collected free of liability or expense in its collection. lie was in favour both of a freehold and leasehold qualification for voting, as opposed to manhood suffrage pure and fimple. (Loud dissent.) He also thought that the system of nominated immigration should be maintained under duo restrictions, and he was opposed to tho introduction of coloured labour. He saw no necessity for the amendment of the franchise with respect to seamen, for under the present system many of that class were upon the electoral rolls. (Dissent). He waa a supporter of the present secular system of education, as opposed to a denominational system. Still, if its costliness threatened its existence, he would be prepared t3 support such a modification of it as would limit free education to children who had advanced no further than the fourth standard. Ho had already spoken of the state of parties, but probably in the new Parliament the alteration of the personnel would lead to fresh combinations of parties. So far as tho present Government were concjrnc(', ho had no hesitation in avowing that ho •was a supporter of them. (Applauso and dissent, and cries of " Rat," " rat.") They had all his sympathies. Ho looked upon Major Atkinson as an ablo and straightforward politician (diFordcr), as a sound financier (determined hissing and groaning), a good administrator (more hissing), and as the moat competent leader of his party (loud groans). The only thing he objected to was his policy of National rush wildly into a policy of borrowing with a view to providing an artificial remedy thereby for a temporary depression. If the changes to which ho had alluded took place he would act upon his own judgment (Applause nnd dissent) in taking that course which would most tend to the carrying out of tho measures which ho believed to be designed for the real u'elfaro of the colony, and the best interests of this province. Tho gentleman resumed his seat amid applause and counter demonstrations, the meeting evidently being very divided in opinion.

Questions. In answer to questions, Mr Peacock said : —(1) That ho had no objection'to tho people having tho right-to elect the representatives of the Upper House -were it not for the fact that that body would then claim to be equally • representative of the people as tho Lower House. (2) That ho had novcr hoard from the Government any intimation of their intention to take throe seats from tho people of Auckland. (3) That ho did not see what the expenditure of money in 1874 had to do with the present election. (4) That lie was a director and not chairman of tho Kamo Coal Co., a body which deserved the support of every man in tho community. "(5) That his reason for contesting tho Newton seat was tho fact of his residence in Hint electorate. (G) That in rinding temporary work for tho unemployed it was not. to be expected that tlioy should receive full wages. (7) That pensions wero not granted nou, and ho would liko to sco Civil servants dealt, with as commercial servants wero. (S) That although ho had voted against the 200 guineas honorarium, ho took his own 200 guineas after that sum was decided upon. (0) That when tho question of goinsr into committee upon tho Kill limiting the hour* of labour to eight was before tho House, ho voted against it, aa lie considored tho insertion of such a declaratory measure upon the Statute Book unnecessary. (10) That ho saw no reason to pursue a different course with respect to such a Bill in tho future. (11) That he thought the truck system in the bush and upon tho gumfields should bo put down in every possible way. (12) That_ he was not aware of tho fact that the Bank of New Zealand had put tho bailill's into Mr W. L. Hces' house at Gisborne two days boforo the lfisfc general election. (13) That as a director of the Morcury Hay Timber Ci inpany, he did not propose that the buthincn should bo paid 4s 2d a-day, and no pay during wet weather; nor had he ever been aware of such an action. Tho proponndcr of the question insisted that this action had been taken while he was an employe of tho Company. (14) That at the lust election he stood as a supporter of tho present Government, and that ho then declined to follow the lead of Sir Georgo Grey, as he also did now. (Hisses, dissent, and cries of " Kat."') (15) That ho had not stood as a Conservative Liberal, and that his subsequent action in Parliament had been perfectly consistent. (16) That tho leasehold qualiiication was taken away under tho Groy Government Mr K. T. Warnock then proposed: "That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Peacock for his able and statesmanlike address.and that this meeting have every con: fidence in him as their representative — (Yells of "No," and great uproar) —in the forthcoming Parliament of New Zealand." (Renewed disorder and dissonl.) Mr T. S. Evans seconded tho motion, but in attempting to speak to it, was unable to get a hearing.

Mr Lai.vc deprecated the unwillingness of the meeting to hear Mr Evans, and

reasoned with\thcm on the unfairness of such o course. He' then proposed as an amendraent, "That Mr Peacock be accorded a vote of thanks only for his address." (Cries of "No confidence") With referenco to the Komo coal quostion, he thought that capitalists such as tho Kuino coal directors were not entitled to any indulgence from the Government, for as they would bo chary of sharing their profits with the peoplo, they could not expect them to makouptheiivloeses. Mr Peacock waHin favour of aproperty qualification for votes as well as a leasehold qualification, but ho, on his part, maintained that manhood suffrage was all that was fair or nccoesary. They wanted votes for brains and intelligence, and not for mere houses and land. For these mid other reasons ho did not think that Mr Peacock was entitled to their confidence. (Loud applause) Mr Lk J eunb seconded the amendment. Mr W. Thoksb regretted that no one had yet appeared on the platform to treat, the matters bofore the audience in a candid and straightforward manner. Two men were in the Held claiming tbeirsuffrages, viz., Mr Peacock, whom they knew, and the other a gentleman who, with daring effrontery (loud uproar) tho utmost coolness and im' pertinence— (Renewed uproar and cries of "We know who you mean—De Lautour," and more disorder, during which tho Chairman appealed for order ) The attempt of any party to foist upon them a representative who had never set foot in the constituency was a standing disgrace. (Cries of "Name" and "Do Lautour.") Yes, Mr DeLautour was tho man. (A voice : "And we'll put him in too," followed by loud applause.) Those who supported him most were men who had no votes for Newton. (Renewed disorder, amidst which Mr Thome was obliged to sit down). He got up again.howover, after a while, and said that it would be better for the electors to have a man like Mr Peacock, whom they knew, rather than one like Mr De Lautour, whom they knew nothing about. (Dissent and applauHO.)

The Chairman, having invoked the assistance Mr Gulliver and Mr W. J. Dalton for the purpose of counting the votes, proceeded to put the amendment to the meeting, when a clamour was raised for tho addition to it of the words "And no confidence." This, however, was overruled.

Tho amendment, aftor some delay, wag again put, when G8 hands were declared to have boon held up for- it. The motion was next put, and 81 hands recorded in its favour. The counting, however, was loudly questioned.

Tho motion was then put, and carried by 86 against 03.

The announcement was received with strong dissent and loud applause, one party striving to outdo the other in its demonstration.

Tho moving by Mr Peacock of a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought a rather lively meeting to a close.

(Continued on Fourth Page I.