ADDRESS BY MR J. McGOWAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1896, Page 2

ADDRESS BY MR J. McGOWAN.

(FROM OtTR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Mr J&3. McG&vran addressed the electors of th 3 Thames in tha Academy of Music on Saturday evening, there being a large attendance. Hi 3 Worship the Mayor (Mr Thos. Radford) occupied the chair. Mr McGowan prefaced his remarks by Btating that he came before electors in a twofold capacity—as a member to give an account of hia eteward.ship, and as a candidate seeking their suffrages at the forthcoming election. He claimed he was a Liberal, nob in a narrow bub in a broad cense, that his actions in Parliament we're endeavoured to be based on the maxim of the greatest good for the greatest numbor, and it was becauee ho thought those now in power were so actuated that ho attached himself to them. Although he did ao, he did hot feel compelled to follow them in all their acts or attempted acts, and it was on the understanding that he would be free in that) particular that he would be a representative of any constituency. He defended the Government from the attacks of the Conservative press, and said that the chatgea of retarding eettlemenb and driving away capital and increasing the burdens of the people were distinctly untrue. Regarding tho progreea of the colony, he eaid the population had swollen since 1890 by 77,000 souls, and referring to education he contended that the increase of 18 per cent. of people who attended public worth ip aa compared with the number who did so previous to 1890 was prooi positive that there was little in tha talk that our ••godless" system of education, as come people called it, was tending to the building up of a population with little regard to morals, and he was convinced that New Zealand, if true td itself, would keep to the presenb system. Mr McGowan claimed that the Seddon Government measure Advances to Settlers had to a great extenb reduced the price of money in this colony, although he admitted it did nob do so altogether. It, however, only the flow of money had boen relied on the unfortunate settler or farmer who bad a mortgage would have had to wait a long time before he was benefited. A great deal had been eaid about the revision of the tariff actually throwing greater burdens on the people, but the fact was the increased revenue obtained through the Cuatome was derived almost wholly from articles not touched by tho 1895 tariff. On tea, on which there was a remission of £34,000, and other necessaries, then) had boon deductions. Aftor touching upon the public debt, labour and banking legislation, Mr Me Gowan referred to the Mining Act at come length, with particular reference to right of resumption and the ri^ht of the Grown to the Royal metais. On the latter point he said it could not ba tolerated when the birth right of tho people was Bod, and besides it was better for the indusferj, bettor for tho workers, and better for capitalists, that an understanding should be come to, and he was glad they had an enactment in New Zealand which madfe the matter clear. Resumption was no'injustice because compensation was fully provided for, and it was ouly land in mining districts open to be entered upon. Mr Mc<iowan mentioned tho clause in the Bill re mine managers' certificates, and said whiie be was glad to see practical men already placed on a better footing he would like to see the compulsory clause now existing expunged from the Act, giving the righb for a company or mine owner to employ whom they may choose aa managers. He hail heen working for some time past in an endeavour to get the Government to have a geological map of the Auckland goldtields drawn up. The whole area from To Aroba to Cape Col villa was one of the richest in the world, but ib is apparent come portions of ir. are poor and it necessarily follows that iin all the pegging out that haa taken place there is some land which has no value for mining purposes. His main idea in wanting the map was to prevent the flotage of *• wild cats," which does incalculable harm to the industry. Tba vwk would be a

large map probably taking two or three years to complete, but when finished, containing as ib would tho localities of the auriferous areas, a splendid protection would be afforded for the foreign investor. He hoped the Government geologist, Mr Mackay, who was now at Coromaudel, would be appointed to go on with the work which would do very great deal to develop the Geld. Othar matters were touched upon, and in reply to questions regarding the Tairua difficulty. Mr McGowan said that licenses were issued under the impression that Pakirarahi Nob. 1 and 2 were open to mining, but freehold rights were discovered and licenses were void. Mr Cadman, however, managed to get Pakirarahi No. 2 thrown open, and ha was now going into the position re No. 1 and have that opened also. He added that ha did everything he could for Mr McLiver, as he considered his working twenty years gave him the right to continue.

Mr McGowan was attentively likened to throughout, and was frequently applauded. He was accorded a hearty vobe of thanks and confidence at tho close.