MR SEYMOUR THORNE GEORGE AT PARNELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 3

MR SEYMOUR THORNE GEORGE AT PARNELL.

Mr Seymour T. George addressed the electors of Parnell in the Parnell Hall last evening. There was a crowded attendance. Mr Pollard was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced tho candidato to his audience. . Mr George came forward amidst enthusiastic cheering. He said it was with great pleasure he stood before the electors of Parnell that evening, and he thanked them for the honour $hey had done him in assembling in such large numbers to hear his views. Although he was- not their representative in the late session of Parliament, still he considered it his duty as a memberof that House to explain to them what had been doneduring that session,and also his reasons for having been opposed to tho Government. The speaker then proceeded to narrate the events leading up to

ment He had not made up his mind what to do when Mr Steward gave notice of motion, but, after . Major Atkinson had himself acknowledged Sir George Grey as leader of the Opposition, he had no doubt whatever on the matter. If Major Atkinson had adopted the constitutional course, lie would have recommended Hi- Excellency to send for Sir Geo. Grey. When the amendment was subsequently moved, the House was very unanimous in negativing it, thus dispelling the idea that tho action ot the Opposition was prompted by a derive to get a dissolution. Tho speaker proceeded t.o describe the proceedings in the House at the time in question. Ho blamed the Government for asking for a dissolution, and considered they had no right to get it. It was said they were as much entitled to a dissolution as the Grey Government, but (hat was not so. Tho Grey Government wan defeated by a House olected in opposition to it, while the Atkinson Government was beaten by a House elected to support it, and which had lost conlideneo in their administration. Mr Gourge related the subsequent proceedings in the House, and said that had some members voted as they should have dono, the motion lost by the casting voto of tho Speaker would have beun carried, and tho Government would have left tho Ministerial benches. A new Cabinet would have been chosen,

and the business of the country would hnvo been proccailod with. Tlio elections wo:i'<l li.ivo taken place in December or January, and not at an inopportune time like the present. Mnch expense v.culd also havo been saved to tho country. Jn connection with tlio disKolittion, n great dual lmd been said about tlio lionorarimn. Now, if the paymont to members were abolished, the effect would bo to confine their representatives to a very few nion. II was not right to ca'l it an honorarium, an it was a payment for services during tho year. Country members especially worked as hard during the recess as in the session. Payments should be annual, and made monthly ; and it appeared to him that it would bo well if members were paid monthly, tlio saino as the Speaker of the House and the Chairman of Committees. It was his intention, if elected, lo support tlio bill to bo introduced next session by Sir (ioorge Groy, providing that members of tlio lust Jlou.°e who arc re-elected .should be paid a smaller sum for their ForvicoHnexfc session limn now members. lie would now refer lo his reasons for opposing the Government, which ho might describe as n Covcrnmoiit of lads. They all hud fads. First, thero was the iMinistsr for Lands, whose fad was for the perpetual leasing of lands. Ho wanted lo nationalise tho luiirl—purchasing it brick from the present owners. Whore lie would get tho money with which to curry out tho scheme ITcnvon only know. The majority of colonists, when they left the old country, were tired of the system of leasing property, and wished to possess a piece of land of their own. If the reform referred to were carried into effect, it would prevent many desirable people from coming to tho colony. Tlio clasn ho referred to consisted of small farmers with several hundreds of pounds in their pocketA Then again Mr Uollu.slon made a great deal out of his system of selling hind, but he could notf.ee that there was much to admire in it. In fact, ho objected to the present system of selling land. Many of thoao in tho auction rooms became excited while tho bidding was going on, and ran the lots up to prices which they could never hope- to pay. J)e thought the Government should lix a fair selling price, and if there was competition for any of the blocks, the applicants should be allowed to ballot. He would now say a few words about native [matters. While there was much to admire in Mr Bryco, he, too, had his fads, and his policy was often characterised with injustice. Ho remembered the rebellion of fifteen or sixteen years ago, known as tho Poverty Bay massaero, ilo also remembered a few weeksaftcr it, seeing lifty or sixty native?, under Major Hjp;ita, taken through tho streets of Napior, and Kereopa, who was charged with the murder of Mr Volkner, was executed. At that time, when tho European population was small, we were grateful for the services of tho friendly natives. Then we saw Ma or Kopata hunting To Kooti through the bush. Time went on, and we found To Kootipardoned and presented with a valuable grant of land, while at tho same time, Ropata, who had assisted us against the rebels, had his pension reduced from £."iOO to £100. This wuh an injustice, lor on tho one band we pardoned a murderer, and on the oilier wronged a man who assisted uh against him. These things «ere calculated to excite distrust in the imlivo mind. Then again, there was the 1-n.io of thi- natives who came from the North to protect us from attack, and they also had their pensions taken oil. Further, ho could not agree with Mr Jlryee altogether in his native land policy. The system of land-jobbing that bad so long been carried on had been detrimental to the colony, and while any measure that would be calculated to put a stop to it was desirable, ho could not| support the resumption of prc-oniptive right over native lands. He was opposed to the \Va*te Lands Hoards, which wen' irresponsible bodies, and, a.i in tho C'ise of the gum leases the other day, sometimes did what they knew to* be wrong. He would either make these boards elective or hold the Minister of Lands responsible. Then again there ve'w tho Premier, and he had a fad, which was national insurance. Major Atkinson wanted to tax the people of the colony in this direction to the extent of MIOO.OOO per annum more tlmn at present. lie was opposed to this scheme, and also to tho present (Jovernment Insurance system. lie did not sec why the Government should compoto with public companies in this branch of trade. He was opposed to federation, vvliii'h would lead to the introduction of coloured population, who, if allowed vote.", might overrule the European votes in tho Federal Council, while if they w.rc not allowed votes, would remain slaves, and this, 1 o know, would not be tolerated by British colonists. It was said that the landing of Fn-iicli convicts on our shores would thus be prevented, but he asked if wo co\ 11 not bet tor secure on rol j .'cts by passing acts and getting tho neighbouring colonies to ai'rcc with tlioin. In tho event of war, the imvy would be called to pro'-iCt that portion of the colonies which had the greatest representation in the Federal Council, We would always be bettir oil as a free colony standing alone than as a dependency of Australia. A great denl of attention was being paid to tho great dividing- question, property v. land tax. He did not believe in the proporty tax, but was in favour of a land tax. Tho property tax interfered with the establishment and prosecution of local industries, and was unfair in many respect*. For instance, ono man invested his money in land and improved it. Ho was taxed both for (die orjgiiia) value and for the improvements. Another man bought land and allowed it to lie unimproved. He was only taxed on the original value, while he protited by the " unearned increment" arising from his neighbours' improvements. Wo were now losing nearly a quarter of a million per annum on our railways. These railways had increased the value of land, and it was only fair that tho land which had thus boon improved in value should bo taxed to moot part of tho outlay, Tho abolition of the property tax would load to the fostering of manufactories which would bo of groat importanco to tho future of tho colony. Ho thought a great deal moro could be mado out of the railways than is being mado at present, and considered that it would bo botter if they were removed from the control of tho Government. Ho was at ono time inclined to tho opinion that there should bo two railway boards, ono for each island, but then it occurred to him that if tho railways in tho North woro not paying, pcoplo in tho South would say, make the railwaysinthe other island pay, Tho thought struck him that it v.ould then bo for them to say, "Complete tho trunk lines in tho North as well as in the South." There had been great injustice in the paymont of railway officials, those in the South gottinsr one shilling per day more than tho men in the North. Tlio speaker proceeded to point out that tho Civil Service retrenchment about which so much was said now should havo been' carried out two years ago, and attacked tho proposal to disfranchise civil servants. Ho would like to say a few words about tho financial position of the colony, it was said two years ago that there was a surplus of £H5,000, but there was really a deficit. The Government had commenced tho year with £HiS,OOO balance from tho previous year, and consequently, as there had only been a balance of ±'35,(.00 at the conclusion of tho twelve months, tho statoment really showed a sorious deficit. Again, last year it was really a fact that there had been a loss of £157,0U0 on tho year's operations. And yet the Premier told them that thoro was no necessity for further taxation, Tho speaker referred at groat length to tho financial position of tho colony, and then proceeded to touch upon its foreign trade. Ho said the imports exceeded the exports by £9,000, but as a rule tho exports were valued hove and often brought moro than tho estimate when they reached England. Therefore, tho difference was not so great. Tho imports and exports woro drawing nearer toycthor, and this was due to the incrcaso of local manufactures, Vot, tlipy svpro sending away three millions a year to the foreign bondholders, while another two millions had lo be raised to moot the Civil Service expenditure. Major Atkinson told them that :>,U .tlioy had out of tho public works fund was £G75,000, and this was to carry us on till March next. Allowing £!)0,000 a month for a period of ton months, they would require £900,000 to cover tho expenditure till March next, thus leaving a deficit of £222,000, Adding this to the £400,000 treasury bills, which would require to be met out, of the next loan, and tho £200,000 liability for rolling stock which had recently been incurred, bosidos tho £150,000 deficit of last year, there would consequently bo a deficit of more than a million to deduct from the loan. Ho con^ sidored it was our duty to foster local indus. tries and encourage trade, and believed that wo would have to go in for further borrowing,in order to adjust our finances. He was in favour of tho construction of tho main trunk line between Auckland and Taranaki, which the Opposition were accused of delaying by their action. That line, he doclared, was in no danger, all parties in the House having expressed approval of its construction. Whoever waa Premier, and whoever

formed the .Ministry, that lino would be amonpst the no::t financial proposals presented to the House. Ho wa9 in favour of 1 lie shortest route to Tarnnaki, which would open some portion of good land, and did not believe in the central route, which passed through barren pumice stone land. I Icwou hi supiort the mostdirect route which he considered to be the Stratford one. The elections were now about to tako place, and it was probable that several of the Ministers would not be-re-elect 3d. • Another, Mr Dick, had, it was reported, expressed the possibility that in the next session he would not be found following the lead of the present party. Now, it was more than probable that Sir Julius Vogel would be returned with a strong following of Southern members. Sir Goorge Grey and Major Atkinson were divided on the one point of the property tax, but in this event probably Major Atkinson might be induced to give way, and then a strong coalition Ministry could be formed. In conclusion, Mr George said he would, if olccted, do all in his power that the electors should not have any cause to regret their selection. The candidate resumed his seat amidst loud applause. In reply to questions Mr Gkoriie said : — (I) He was opposed to the enactment of blasphemy laws in tltis country. (2) He understood this was a free country, and ho thought people should have the right to think as they pleased on religious matters. (:i) if it could bo shown to him that the placing of a duty on baulk timber would lead to the sawing of more timber, he would volo for an export duty on baulk. After consideration he hud como to the conclusion that he was in favour of such duty. (4) He would do all in his power to have a vote of L2,(X)O placed on the estimates for division amongst horticultural societies to enable them to introduce new plants suitable to the climate, and to encourage local indus tries pertaining to horticulture and torestry. {')) He would be in favour of widows and families being allowed to carry out the provisions of the Homestead Act, and obtain the Crown grant which should have gone to a deceased lather. That was, so long as no will was left. (0) He did not know that the Grey Government had put a duty on island produce. (7) His reason for opposing Mr Moss was that he was a young man, and was a-nLitioua. He was about to reside with them, and was ambitious to represent the people ho lived with. (8) Being an Aucklander, of course he was in favour of the 'Frisco Mail Service, and would do all he could to maintain it. (9) Jlo and Mr Moss did probably agree on political principles. Tho difference between them was that ho supported the party that went in for those principles, while Mr Moss did not. [Mr Wood, who asked this question, also inquired why Mr George left Kodney. His query was, however, greeted with howls, hisses, and groans, and it was some- time before he could make himself heard.] (10) Ho did not think Mr Moat would get in for Rodney. (11) He believed that at tho present time we had the best educational system in the world —free, secular, and compulsory. But lie thought we had been extravagant. He thought socondary education should bo mado self-supporting, and that the .Southern educational reeervss should go into the general fund. (12) If re-elected, he would do all in his power to get a bill pa--ed to make tlie payments annually—s-o much per lhonth —and ho would also gupport a measure that Sir Goorge Grey said lie would introduce providing that members going back again should be paid a smaller amount. (13) All raw material that we cannot produce here should come in free.

An exciting scene occurred at this, stage. A garrulous individual mounted the platform, and devoted a quarter of an hour to a cp.cch introducing a question. It transpired that he was not an elector of the district, and as he would not tome to the point, a man stepped forward from the wings and proceeded to " chuck him off." The anxious inquirer would noi budgo, however, and in another moment tliu astonished audience witnessed the unseemly but amusing spectacle of the two men sparring at each other on the platform.

Friends?, however, interfered, and peace \\;in restored with tome difficulty.

The speaker then naked if Mr George would under any circumstances abandon Sir l.eorge Grey and follow Sir Julius Yogel, and was answered in the negative. In reply to other questions, Mr George explained lii.s action in reference to the North Island Trunk Railway Bill two years ngo. He thought the present system of appointing J, I*. 'p was bad. Many were selected who should not be appointed, and the roll should be purged. He thought the grand juries were not much good, and should be doneawaywith. If the railwayetnployt-shere were being dismissed and replaced by mon from the South, an injustice was being done, and would soon bo rectified. The question of charitable aid would require attention, and he thought that reserves should be set aside now for these purposos. He believed in ei<;ht hours work and eight hours pay, and would sup[K>rt the Eight Hours Bill.

Mr Gilhekt moved a voto of thanks to Mr George for his address, and contidence in him as a tit and proper person to represent this constituency in Parliament. Mr TlluKnußN seconded the motion. About a dozen hands were held upagainst tho motion, which was carried by a large majority, nearly every person present voting for it. Mr George returned thanks, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to tho Chairman and cheers for Sir George Grey.