MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 92, 20 April 1893, Page 5

MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Mr Seddon addressed a crowded and en' bhusia3tic meebing at Hokitika on Apri7bh, the Mayor occupying bhe chair. There were v large number of ladies present.

Mr Seddon said thab on the last occasion he had met that audience he had asked them, as the Government had asked the country, to give the policy of the present Ministry a trial. He now asked for a judgment on that policy, which had broughbcontentinent and prosperity to the colony, and confidence abroad. The Government of Sir H. Atkinson had said thab there musb bo more borrowing, bub the existing Ministry had giveu this a denial. The three years' pledge of abstention given by tho former Government had now passed away, and two years additional, and they had no intention of asking for borrowed money. Whon in opposition they had roduced tho public expenditure by £50,000 and the Atkinson Government eaid ib could nob go below thab; bub since resuming office, the presenb Governmenb had reduced ib by another £'{,0,000. The Governmenb since assuming office had steadily pursued bhe policy they had laid down. They were not time-servants. They were not there for office or pay, but to carry out the policy they considered necessary in the interests of the country. They had abolished the property tax, and pubsbituted for ib the land and income tax. They had passed a most liberal Land Bill, and also a Land for Settlements Bill. This did nob provide for the taking of the land in a revolutionary manner, and offers had already been roceived for the disposal of the land. There was also the Electoral Reform Bill, which said thab manhood should exercise bhe franchise, and not property. If, it were not for the Legislative Council, the Bill extonding the franchise to women would now be law. They had also said there should be co-operation in public works, and the more the system was tried the better ib worked. The just rights of labour had also been protected, and bhey had reformed the Legislative Council. Previously bhe Council had frequently defied the representatives of the people, but they could not do so now. With the recent appointments, the Council represented all shades of political opinion. The Government insisted that the franchise should be extended to both sexes alike, and would not consider the electoral rights which the Council asked for, and which would enable the Conservatives to manipulate many of bhe women's votes. The measure would be re-introduced nexb session, and the Governmenb would not alter the position they had taken up. Referring to Mr Rolleston's speeches at Halswell and Auckland, he said he had gone to curse, bub that his curses proved to be blessings. The only specific charges he had made againsb them were in reference to land and education. The present land laws were as liberal as any one could desire, giving a choice of tenures ; but the only liberal land measure with which Mr Pvolleston was associated had been done away with by the party which he now led. Mv Rolleston charged them with neglecting the necessities for education, but Mr Rolleston's party when in power, strove <;o raise the school age to six, than which no more vibal blow could be aimed ab the system, whilst they took 48 off the capitation allowance, substituted the "working average" for the " strict average," and abolished the training schools. As showing whether the Governmenb had neglected education, he might say thab in 188S 89, the expenditure under this head cost £345,000, whilst now it was £380,000. Some complaiuts had boen made that the income tax pressed heavily on the mining companies, but the returns did not bear this view. Under the property tax the mining companies paid £2,272; under the income tax bhey paid £1,407. Tho result of their financial operations had been as follows : -1890*91: Surplus broughb forward, £143,965 ; revenue in excess of expenditure, £113,695 ; total, £257,600. Deductlandsettlement, £30,000; deduct land fund deficit, £12,820 ; deduct, postage stamps, £40,000; deduct native lease duty, £6,000 ; total, £197,820. The £40,000 however was nob taken for 1891-92. The excess was £168,140. For roads and

surplus, £34,277. The actual surplus was £154,000, and he believod, when all the accounts were in, ib would roach £200,000. The summary of their financial results for the two years was: Reduction of floating debt, £100,000 : net land fund deficit, £74,000; paid duly native lease, £6,000; land for settlement, £30,000; roads and bridges, £30,000; public works, £200,000: total, £440,000; and this had been done without borrowing, and whilst their products were bringing very low prices. They could not but give the highest praise to Mr Ballance for accomplishing such splendid results. As to the disposal of the surplus, a largo sum would bo required for educational purposes. The Government should also favourably consider a proposal to increase the exemption for improvements. Money would also be required for public works, especially in view of tho fact that they had determined on no more borrowing. Some made a talk aboub taking off duties and a froe breakfast table, but he considered ib more desirable to find work for a man than to save him sixpence a week through tho Customs. A revision of the tariff was necessary in some few instances, but it would uneettle commerce and was undesirable to bring before a moribund Parliament. Referring to the Cheviot purchase he said they had two independent valuations besides their own valuer and the Board of Reviewers, and he believed a profib of £40,000 would resulb. In any case ib would be far bebber to have a large population there than a few farm labourers and shepherds. Their ability to arrange the purchase proved the ; elasticity of their finances. I

Ib would probably be necessary to extend the railway to Blenheim, and, in the event of future constructed lines nob paying all charges and interest on cosb, he proposed a betterment tax, leviable on owners of property through which ib passed. With reference to the Midland Railway, he said tho presenb position was thab the Company's funds were exhausted. They had spent £1,200,000, of which only £600,000 had gone in construction, and the resb in financing obher expenditure. The shares of the Company, the original value of which was £10 per share, had shrunk to £5, and the debentures on £75,000, made a first charge on railway receipts, wero aba discount of 20 por cenb. The Company had made certain proposi bions, but, acting in the best interests of the country, hs said he could only return the answer he had done. He dwelt at some length on the attibude ot the Governmenb in respect of the Railway Commissioners.

Ministers had said there must be a change, and on this they would stand or fall. He did not propose to abolish them, but the Minister of Public Works must bo chairman of the Board, wibh a righb of veto. Lasst session the Commissioners senb down estaimabes for £700,000, and no one in the house could give bhe slightest information aboub any one ibem. The Governmenb were extremely desirous ot entering into reciprocal trade relations with the other colonies, and could wibh advautago enter inbo such relations with any one, or wibh the whole of them. He eulogised the nature and scope of the labour legislation of last session, and claimed it would materially improve the condition of labour. He hoped that soon strikes would be at an end, and both sides compelled to obey the decision of a properly constituted Court of Arbitration.

The native land laws required immediate attention in order to do justice to the natives and conserve the interests of bhe colony. They could not longer conAinue to allow the growth of a native landocracy, who would be able to shear 100,000 sheep, as one chief had done, and yet not be available to local taxation.

With reference to the charges made by Mr Rees against the Hon. Mr Cadman, Mr Seddon said he believed his colleague was entirely innocent of bhe charges. In any case, as the matter was before the Courts they must suspend their judgment until a decision was given, when, he felt satisfied, his colleague would emerge with glowing colours.

He had been asked to refer to local Government, and could say he thought that there was far too much of it. For instance, five local bodies on the coast were quite sufficient. The sameevil prevailed throughout the coiony, bub ib was not wiso to draft any measure for a moribund House.

Having made reference to local capitalists and their prospects, he concluded by saying he intended contesting this constituency at bhe nexb election. He had not 'the slightest thought of going elsewhere, an announcement which was received with enthusiastic applause.

Mr Bevan asked if he would, as a member of tho Ministry, urge on his colleagues the necessity of introducing a. measure for the extension of the Governmenb aijdib to embrace all public companies.

Mr Seddon reolied he would,

M r Bevan then moved:' 'That this meeting, in according Hon. Mr Seddon a hearty vote of thanks for his interesting at|d comprehensive address, desires to express fullest appreciation of him, both as a Minister of the Crown and representative of the district, and assures him of renewed and entire confidence. The meeting likewise desires to place on record its acknowledgment of the invaluable services rendered by the Premier (bhe Hon. J. Ballance) in having so successfully administered the affairs of the colony under very trying circumstances, and whilst rejoicing in his restoration to health, trusts that ho may long continue to direcb its destinies for the happiness and welfare of its people."

The motion was seconded by Mr Thompson, and carried amidst cheers for Mr Seddon and the Premier.

The usual complimentary vote to the chair terminated the proceedings.

On April 14 Mr Seddon addressed a numerously-attended meetingat Greymouth and received quite an ovation. In the course of his speech, Mr Seddon paid a warm tribute to the Premier. He had done more for New Zealand than they had any idea of. He did not wish to brag of the Ministry, bub he claimed for them that they were an honesb Ministry. Their finance was honesb, and they claimed credib for managing bhe affairs of bhe colony on commercial lines. He returned thanks for the cordial greeting that he had received from the Greymouth people. At the conclusion of Mr Seddon's address there was a perfect storm of applause. The following resolution was put and adopted unanimously*.—"Thab bhis meeting desires to convey to the Hon. Mr Soddon a hearty vote of thanks for his able and manly address, and to express its entire confidence in tbe present Liberal Government ; also, that this meeting trusts that every opportunity will be afforded to the Government for bringing to a successful issue the policy which it has so boldly initiated."