SIR JOHN HALL ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 97, 26 April 1893, Page 5

SIR JOHN HALL ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS.

inteisded RESIGNATION,

(by tklegraph.—press association.)

Christchurch, this day. Sir John Hall addressed a well-attended meeting of his constituents at Lees ton last evening. Ho referred to the unitedness of bhe Opposition under Mr Rolleston and de* fended his party from charges of obstruction. He dwelt at length with tho finances of the Government, and said thab the state of the Colonial Treasury was, from causes independent of the action of the presenb rulers, no longer a source of anxiety. He pointed oub, however, bhat the receipts over expenditure loft no surplus, and estimated that the surplus of £330,000 was nob a genuine one. He ridiculed the idea tha. the Government were carrying oub a selfreliant, non - borrowing policy. He pointed out several inequalities in .the present system of taxation, and quoted from a recent speech of the Hon. J. Seddon to show that the Government by intending to put the whole taxation on bho land, wero nob friends of bhe farmers. Dealing with the subject of female suffrage, he said some ministers would by hook or by crook endeavour to prevent ib passing next session. He advocated electoral reform, giving protection to minorities, and expressed dissabisfacbion with the presenb mode of appointing members to the Upper House. He also looked upon the Labour Bill, and referred to the drifting of miners towards Socialism. At the close of a two hours' address, Sir John announced his intention of retiring at the close of Parliament. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence and regret at his intended re* tirement was passed.