Mr Reader Wood at Helensville.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 203, 31 August 1887, Page 5

Mr Reader Wood at Helensville.

One of the most numerously-attended meetings for political purposes ever held in this district took place at the Helensville Town Hall on Monday evening to hear the address of Mr Reader Wood, one of the candidates for Waitemata.

Mr D. D. Metge, who made an excellent Chairman, was punctual to the minute, and opened the proceedings by briefly introducing Mr Reader Wood, for whom he asked a patient hearing. Mr Wood, who, on rising, met with applause, proceeded to expatiate on the principal questions now agitating the electors all over the colony. His address was on similar lines to the one he delivered at Devonport on the preceding Monday, a full report of which appeared in the Star of the 23rd inst. After speaking for an hour and twenty minutes Mr Wood resumed his seat amidst loud cheers from the audience.

In answer to questions, Mr Wood said the reason why lie did not address the electors at Helensville on his return from Parliament when he represented them was because he was not requested to do so. He had addressed the whole electorate at Devon port. He thought the rabbit question a very serious one with the people down South, and he hoped some feasible plan would soon be inaugurated whereby they would be exterminated. He believed in one law for both races—Maori and European —and that the Native Department might be abolished. Was of opinion that the port charges all over the colony were excessive, and interfered with trade and shipping, and therefore should be lowered. He was not in favour of the election of a member to Parliament to solely represent sailors and shipping interests, as he deprecated anything in the shape of class legislation. He had no objection to the appointment of German professors if they were better than English. He was opposed to the present Ministry. He advocated an income in lieu of a property tax ; the latter tax was one on industry and thrift, and was inquisitorial and vexatious,aswellas highly mischievous, for it discouraged all enterprise and alarmed English capitalists. He certainly went Home and negotiated the first war loan, which was urgently required for the defence of the colony. He believed an income tax would yield as much revenue as a property tax. He had no objection to Customs duties —he had merely endeavoured to illustrate how they operated. He was decidedly adverse to the imposition of an export duty on baulk timber, as it would quench the last spark of vitality in the timber trade. (This question engendered some considerable discussion, but Mr Wood maintained his opinion). If elected, he wished it to be clearly understood that he was not going into Parliament to carry out the individual wishes of his constituents, but, having stated his views generally, lie would act in the way he considered would be most beneficial for the colony. He was quite in favour of the present system of education, but he deemed it was too expensively administered. He explained the so-called "ratting" by pointing out that at that particular period the supplies were stopped, that he had been wired to by some of his principal constituents that something must be done, and that upon his return ho had explained the matter to the electors at Devonport, and had then received a full vote of confidence ; and further, that their late respected member, the late Mr Hurst, who subsequently received their confidence, had acted conjunctively with him and other Auckland members at that crisis. A number of other questions of minor importance were answered most satisfactorily.

Mr William Crowe moved a vote of thanks and confidence to Mr Reader W rood as the representative for Waitemata, which was duly seconded by Mr W. R. Fosbroke. Mr H. Howlett moved, as an amendment, a vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr J. A. Walker.

The amendment, upon being put to the meeting, was approved of by nine hands being held up.

For the vote of confidence a perfect forest of hands was raised.

Mr John McNaughtori, of the Vale of Avoca, then called for three cheers for MiReader Wood, which were heartily given.

A strong and influential committee was formed in Mr Wood's interests.