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Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4422, 16 July 1884, Page 4

! '•'' {Cohtintied'jrom'Page Two).

favour of parcelling out sections of tho land to the peoplo, but this could not bo done unless a million of money woro borrowed, and tho land purchased from tho natives. Ho had not soon tho now Nativo Lauds Bill, and could not give his opinions on it. Nationalisation of land was all nonsense now, although Sir George Groy might have carried out these principles originally, when ho was Governor. This systom was tho political folloy of tho day. Porpotual leasing might do for tho South Island, but not for this part of the country. Wo should have an act under which our charitnblo aid could bo dispensed. Tho spoakor took credit to himself for a clause which ho had inserted in tho Ropresontation Bill which would render a now bill necessary in 1887, whon this part of tho colony would havo a better share in tho representation. In conclusion, ho said that if monoy woro to bo borrowed, "this child" would ondoavour to get his share for the North.

Mr Harry Farnam. thon camo forward, 110 said ho had frequedtly boon asked why ho had boon opposing Mr Hurst, and why he had not called a mooting at Devon port. Replying to tho lottor first, ho said ho was anxious to bo courteous and lot Mr Hurst opon tho proceedings. Tho first timo ho had spoken to a public audience was in that hall, whon ho was returned against Mr Mays for tho Provincial Council. Ho was subsequently honoured by oloction for Rodney and Waitomata in tho Houso, and nsrain was reelected for tho Provincial Council. When the division of tho olectorato took place, ho oloctod to stand for Rodney whore liis proporty was situated. This sevored tho connection botweon them. Tho spsakor produced letters from sovoral road boards inside and outside his district thanking him for his services on their bohalf at that period. His reason for opposing Mr Hurst was that ho was allied with tho party that was opposed to material progress. Ho boliovod Mr Hurst was one of those who went in for class legislation ; who played Into tho hands of tho capitalist, and to keep burdens on tho shotildors of tho working classes. Mr Hurst had said that there woro no real party linos in this colony, but ho contended thore woro. As Secretary of tho Trades and Labour Council, he had forwardod a list of questions to Mr Hurst, but thoy had not beon replied to. Ono of thoso was whother ho was in favour of a land tax. Mr Farnall road tho opinions of sovoral mombors of tho Govormnont to show that they wore in favour of a proporty versus land tax, and roforred to tho alloged divisions in tho Cabinet. Mr Bryco was reported to havo said that ho did not npprovo of tho land policy of tho Government, whilo it was blbo reported that Mr Dick had said that ho did not altogether agroo with them. If tho Govornmont had not conlidonco in thomsolvos, ho did not sco how thoy could oxpoct tho country to havo conlidonco in thorn. Anothor reason why ho opposed Mr Hurst was that that gontlomon hod dosortod his party in tho momont of victory, and turnod that victory into a disastrous defeat. Mr Farnall gave a retrospect of political matters, and reminded his audionco that when Sir Goorgo Groy mado his appeal to tho country, Mr Hurst was elected to support him. He then proceeded to quoto figures with tho object of showing tho advantngo of tho land tax over tho proporty tax. Ho believed Mr Rolleston was out in his ostimato of tho valuo of tho land to tho extent of about £200,000,000. ilo thought £:500,000,000 was nearer tho valuo of tho land than £100,000,000, and suggested a 1 por cent, tax on tho value of tho land alono without nny improvements whatever. It was easier for tho Government to collect a tax through tho Customs than to come down with proposals for a land tax, which would compel largo holders to cut up thoir estates, lie had beon reading an articlo in an English paper, in which tho necessity for a closer federation between tho mother country and the.colonies was pointed out, and tho desirability of appointing a titled aristocracy was referred to. At the same time, it was a woll-known fact that the Govornmont proposed, in connection with charitable aid, to introdnco something like tho poor - law system in England. Therefore it camo to this, that on the one hand wo wero about to create a titled aristocracy in a small colony like this, and on tho other to introduce tho poor-law systom. This showed tho necessity for tho wealthier classes hearing a more equal share of the burden of taxation. Tho candidate promisod to take an early opportunity of explaining his viows moro fully.

In reply to questions, Mr Faknki... said ho boliovod in preserving the present education systom intact. He would support the olection of Licensing Committees from the general electoral roll. Ho thought charitable institutions should be on the same footing.

Mr Hi'nsT, replying to questions, said ho was in favour of tho establishment of technical schools in tho centres of population. Ho was opposed to tho secondary education system, but still would oppose nny attempt to alter tho Education Act. Ho did not think tho prcsont Government would continue to exist after tho elections. Ho was not in favour of taxing improvements under tho property tax, and did not agreo with all Air Roltcston's viows on tho land question. Ho would support tho retention of tho Licensing Act as at present. Ho would bo prepared to tako cithor sido in order to socuro tho construction of tho North Island trunk lino.