Mr Monk at Swanson.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 30 August 1887, Page 5

Mr Monk at Swanson.

On Friday,August6th,Mr Monk addressed about fifty electors of Waitemata at Swanson, Mr Freeman was voted to the chair and introduced the candidate. Mr Monk commenced his address by condemning the financial scheme of the present Government a3 introduced last session. He also strongly animadverted on the action of the Premier in connection with the Representation Bill, stating that the number of members would have been reduced to 71 had it not been for the action of the Premier. He stated that he would like to see the old form of provincial councils, substituted for the present expensive form!.of Government. He thought that his claim to the electors' support, which ho based on his long residence in the district ;. coupled with his intimate knowledge of its requirements were stronger than any claim the opposing candidate could put forward/ However he hoped they would choose the best man. He drew attention to the unequal expenditure of public money in the northern and southern portions of the colony instancing the fact that during the last three years the sum of £106,000 was spent in Westland, while during the same . period only £51,000 was spent in Waitemata. He quoted a number of figures to show that the colony had not advanced in anything like the manner it should have done during the last ten years. He stated thatthe public expenditure for 1877 was £6,300,000, while for 1887 it was only £6,600,000, and that the receipts during the same period were equally low in proportion^. Altogether he took a very gloomy view of the financial position of the colony, and gave it as his opinion that matter's would be still worse in the near future. Speaking on retrenchment he would be in favour of reducing the salaries of all highly paid Public officials commencing at the top of the tree, the members honorarium should be reduced to £150 and the Upper House should be elective. He was in favour of maintaining the defence force, but would do away with all ornamental officials who were paid high salaries without giving an adequate return in services rendered. .He was in favour of free education up to the 6th standard but the higher education he thought should be paid for by those whom it benefited, and not by the general taxpayer ; he was also in favour of taxing native lands in a similar manner to European landa after giving the natives reasonable notice. He declared himself in favour of protecting local industries. At the close of his address a large number of questions were put, and were answered in a fairly satisfactory manner. A good deal of discussion resulted from the replies re village setslcment, the Eight Hours' Bill, and the establishment of a State bank oi issue, all of which he was opposed to.

The advocate of the first and last of those was Mr Percy, while the Eight Hours' Bill found a warm champion in Mr Brown. In answer to some of the questions asked the candidate stated that ho was in favour of abolishing the property tax and substituting a land and income tax, also that he thought every settler should receive fehe Crown grant for his land. A vote of confidence was proposed by Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Smyth. Mr Nicliol's propesed as an amendment that a vote of thanks only be accorded, this was seconded by Mr Brown. Onbeingput tothe meeting, the motion was carried by a small majority. About a dozen of those present formed themselves into a committee to ensure the return of Mr Monk.

Gisborne, this day.

Election matters are getting more lively now that polling day is in sight. All the candidates are working hard, as also are their supporters. Mr Macdonald has not, so far, addresssed the town electors, though he has spoken in some of the out-districts. Mr Graham has the support of most of those who supported Mr Locke. A good deal of interest ia being taken in the Maori election, and tho contest between Wi Pere and Mr Carroll will be very keen. The result is extremely doubtful, but apeearances seem rather in favour of Mr arroll. Mr Warbrick will probably be nowhere.