Mr Hobbs and tho Electors of Mongonui.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 27 March 1886, Page 6

Mr Hobbs and tho Electors of Mongonui.

On Wednesday evening. March 17, Mr Hobbs, M.H.R., addressed the electors of the above district in the school-house, Mr Wylie presiding. On coming forward, MrHobbs washeartily cheered. He hoped and believed that before long Major Atkinson would again take his .position at the head of affairs. (Applause.) They heard a great deal about a dissolution, but he bad good reason to believe the Government knew quite well that the Governor was not all likely to grant it. What would they go to the country on ? On their retrenchment proposals, on which .they went into office ? On their reduced taxation cry ? On the Local Bodies Finances Bill? On their Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill ? On their Works Poor Law Bill ? On their tariff proposals 1 On the repeal of of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act? On their promise of assured finance for twenty-five years, ending in the granting of subsidies for six months? On the wave of prosperity which was to come by 'leaps And bounds,' and make everything pleasant ? No; the talk of dissolution waa all humbug, for tbey had nothing to go to the country with, except an acknowledgment ot a complete break down in their policy to relieve the depression of the country. Sir Julius Vogel'a speech was entirely an appeal to the cupidity of the people. There was nothing new in the borrowing policy ; it had simply been magnified as a kindof crowningpolicy to carry by storm the East and West Coast Railway. He was not sure that the House would support it, but he waa sure that unless the Auckland Railway was proposed first, and properly embarked upon, the Government could not carry this point. Major Atkinson's policy of borrowing not more than £1,000,000 per annum, is -quite sufficient to be judiciously expended in reproductive works. With regard to the Plurality Voting Bill, he might state that he intended to support it. He thought that the lands were already taxecl by means pf the Property Tax. This cry for a land tax principally came from those who had no lands'to tax He considered that there Bhould be free trade in native lands,'but would have them all first pass through'the Court. He thought the idea of putting the unemployed upon land was unmitigated nonsense, lor they would simply starve. Mr Hobbs also spoke on the State Forests Bill of last session, and d.welt strongly on the encouragement that-'should be given to tree-plant-ing. ..--He also referred to the Gaming "and Lotteries Bill which he bad introduced last session, and had become law i also the Licensing Act, and the education question, avowing himself a firm supporter of the present system. He dwelt on public works and various local questions, and resumed his seat amidst loud applause. After the speaker had answered various questions, a vote of thanks and confidence was awarded, and the audience dispersed.