MR NEWMAN AND CITY NORTH ELECTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4422, 16 July 1884, Page 2

MR NEWMAN AND CITY NORTH ELECTORS.

Mr Joseph Newman mot tho olcctoi-s of City North last night in tho Tomporance Hall, which building wns crowded. Mr Carr was voted to tho chair, and introduced the speaker in the usual way. Mr Newman was greeted with applause on rising. Ho commenced by relating sovornl incidents in connection with the early history of Auckland. Ho might bo asked what claims ho had to come forward as a candidate for City North. In answer ho would state that ho was one of tho oarliest settlors in Auckland. Ho claimed to hnvo been tho first Commissioner of Public Works, as ho had cut with his own hands the first pathway from Freeman's Bay to Commercial Bay. When ho nnii-ed hove there wore only two weather-board houses; he built the first storo here, Tho spoaker referred to tho early institutions in Auckland, and claimed to have taken an actjve part in politics, and in furthering tho interests of tho people. He was a member of tho first corporation of Auckland City, and represented the old constituency of Franklin in tho first Provincial Council. Ho had also represented this constituency in the Gonoral Assembly. Mr Newman passed on to speak of his occupation as a farmer. He laifi claim tq having introduced the finest kind of wheat grown in Auckland, and which wus known all over tho colony as "Nowmap's -wheat." Besides this, ho had aided in bringing into uso here improved agricultural machinery, and also in securing a better kind of sheep. In this latter connection ho mentioned that through his instrumentality tho lleeco of tho sheep he had spoken of had been doubled in woight. On these grounds the speaker based his right to coino forward as a candidate for tho suffrages of the electors' of City North. Touching tho education question, ho said he would oppose denominational grants. Ho thoroughly agreed with the present system. Ho thought, however, that something might bo done to lessen its cost, and would favour the amalgamation of all school endowments for the purposes of primary and secondary education. He thought that those parents who wished for higher education of their children should pay for it. Mi- Newman referred to his action as a trustee in connection with the foundation of jiho Rawlings scholarships, which', ho said,' proved that he was desirous of assisting in the education of the children of tlie poorer classes. It was probable that the means would shortly bo forthcoming for the establishment of four moro scholarships. On tho matter of taxation, he was in favour of the property tax, as ho considered it was the least oppressive. (Several interruptions hero occurred, which rendered it impossible to hear tho speaker's remarks.) Furthor taxation should fall on incomes. The speaker stated that ho would support nominated emigration. In regard to customs duties, lie was disposod to place these so that our industries might bo fostered. He would also favour the admission of tho necessaries of life freo from duty. Ho bolieved we would, in a fow years, havo many large manufactories amongst us —that we would have our Manchesters and Birminghams. With respect to the question of Borrowing, Mr Newman stated that he would support it in moderation, and as necessity might demand ; but he thought that eventually the country would bo able to support double the present debt of

the colony. Ho was in favour of the completion of thetiunk railway, and was in harmony with tho Government in borrowing money lo carry it. out. Regarding the laud tax, the spoakor said it was an empty bag, and that consequently nothing could bo got out of it. There was no "unearned increment." He know many farmers, for instance, who were prepared to sell their land for a sum equal to tho money spent on improving it, without taking a shilling for tho land itself. Mr Newman then touched on tlio timber trade, and said we should not import any Umber, seeing that we had the finest kinds of if here already. After expressing his opinion that Major Atkinson offered the best claims to support, the speaker thanked the audience for their "joyful" hearing, and then proceeded to answer various questions that had been handed to him. He would oppose grants in aid of denominational schools, and also to orphan homes when the cost of the latter exceeded that of similar Government institutions. He would maintain the city electorates as at present. Ho would support nominated emigration only. He agreed in making the electoral roll the basis on which licensing committees should bo elected, if the franchise were extended to women ; ho would also maintain tho present Act intact, and was not in favour of the amalgamation of city licensing districts. As ho had said in his address, he preferred a proporty tax to a land tax. 110 was not in tuvour of only ono vote for each and every man, but considered that in proportion as property contributed to tho maintenance of the State it should be represented, lie would support a Grey-Atkinson combination if such combination could work for the good of tho country. Ho favoured educational endowments. 110 would agree to the placing of a small duty on the exportation of baulk timber. Ho was desirous of encouraging the manufacture of rolling stock in tho colony, lie had never been a shareholder in a timber company until within the last month. lie would oppose the establishment of distilleries. Ho was determined to go to the poll, notwithstanding tho way in which he had been treated that evening. He thought every man should exorcise his own religious belief free from restraint. Was in favour of triennial Parliaments. He saw no reason why church property should not lit taxed if it' oppressed any section of the community. He was opposed to Sir.Julius Vogel as a leader. Was in favour of licensing gum-diggers rather than leasing gun-fields. Although ho was in accord with tlio oiglit hour., movement, ho did not think legislation was needed in the matter. He considered that there should bo some alteration in the constitution of the Legislative Council, but maintained that two Chambers were necessary. He was disposed to place a heavier licensing fee on clubs than^that paid byhotels,and thought thoy should be under police surveillance. Ho would insist on tlio abolition of Bellamy's,

Several disgraceful interruptions occurred during Mr Newman's address, and whilst he was attempting to answer the questions handed in, and it was quite ovident that a large proportion of tho-<o present were bent on making as much fun as possible out of the meeting, and also determined to oiler as much obstruction as they could.

Mr Ifodgo proposed a voto of thanks only to the candidate, and Mr l'hilpot seconded. An aniondnieiit expressing thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr C. G, Hill, and seconded by Mr Tremain. Tho amendment was lost, and the motion carried, after which a very rowdy meeting broke tip in eonfuHion. Three cheers were given for Sir Georgo Grey.