THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AT INVERCARGILL.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1084, 4 February 1879, Page 6

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AT INVERCARGILL.

Invercargill, February 1 The Hon. Messrs Stout and Ballance arrived this afternoon by special train. In the evening Mr stout addressed a public meetiug at Eamsay's Hall, Mr Schuider was voted to the chair. The Attorney-General said he had much pleasure in adresaing the meeting. He thought it vas the duty of every representative to address the people occasionally. He thought it best in addressing a meeting to look at politics in two aspects — to look at the past and to glance at the future. He would not go back to the grevt struggle between the Centralists and Provincialists. Each of those parties were subdivided into Liberals and Conservatives. It was felt that a party division was necessary in this Colony. All other countries had it, and why not this one. He mentioned all the principal couutries in Europe, and pointed to the United States and the Australian colonies. Parties in all these were well defined. This was rational. Some were satisfied with things as they were, but others ever looked forward to a change for the better. These feelings constituted the difference between the reformers and conservatives. In coming to this Colony the most of them hoped for a better social life here than that in the Old Country where vested powers were all powerful. Here it was hoped there would be less difficulty in instituting reforms and developing a healthy national life. Hence the reform programme sketched out by the Grey party as it was termed. It was seen that, before any lasting reform could be effected a proper system of representation muit be estab-

lished. Then the Ministry attempted to achieve electoral reform by widening the franchise, and by taking measures to ensure to all the f reest exerci3e of ie onthe polling day, and that representation should bear some proportion to population. J-Jenoe the .Bribery, the Redistribution uf Seat* 8.11 and others. The Governmeut attempted to get r two of their measures through, bit found the time too short to pass such measures i:i one session. It 'was so at Some,- where never nv>ra thar ■ one reform measure uf importance was got through in one Parliament^ and always at the expense of great agitation, and lapse of time. The ministry had not succeeded with: the BilU .an that account. He then explained how the eleotoral Bill was lost, and the difficulties of reconciling the d ffjrenoes of many franchises in the : Colony. The Ministry favoured basing the suffa^e on ihd manhood principle ; that men, as men, were entitled to equal electoral rights; He did not think any difference should be recognised betveen freehold -wd leasehold residence qualifications. ' The term of residence was evemuaDy fixed at two years, although ha was in favor of one paly. The Ministry took credit for attempting to extend the franchise to women. Registering had been provided for, because the electors should have the right to re giater all the year round, and not twice a- year only. The Maori franchise was the obstacle to the Bill. Mr Stout explained the circumfttances of the rejection of the Bill by the' Council, and what occurred at the conference between the Houses to reconcile differences, and how the Upper House proved obstructive, influenced solely by the desire to restrict the extension of the franchise not only in the case of the Maoris, but also in that of the other race. He was influenced solely by the desire to extend equitable representation to the Maori, and to so promote good feeling between the two races. It was better that the Maoris should have the opportunity of redressing grievances by appeal to legislation than to war and bloodshed. He hoped the day would arrive when all the nations would refer their differences to arbitration. It had been industriously circulated that the object of tbe Government to increase the Maori franchise was ia order to swamp the North liland con stituenoies. This he denied. The liberal advances made by him at the conference were rejected by the other side. Two members of the conference voted aga'nst the second reading of the Electoral Bill, so it was not difficult to gauge tbe motives for tbe rejection of the 8.11. It tended to isolate the Maoris. By studying the map of the North Island, it would be seen that the best area in the Colony was held by the Maoris. The only object of the Ministry was electoral reform, and tbat in itself was only a means to an end, namely, other reforms. If the colonies had equal electoral rights they would be able to obtuin many social reforms not yet dreamt of. He hoped the Bcheme for electoral reform wou'd be accomplished next session, and tbat tbe Bribery 8.1 l would be passed. Afc present the rich m:»n was overpowering the poor by theer force of wealth. He spoke at length on the subject of tueßi-distiibuuon of Bill, and advocated the measures alopfced in Upper Canada, where representation was based oa population. This was the only principle to guide them in accomplishing electoral reform, aud other reforms needed. Tue question got taxation was next referred to, aad Mr Stout went overthe old grouud of increasing theval ie of iaad through improvements by pubic worfce, and referred to the injustice of permittiogthe owner to bf tbe only one benefited. He explained the meaning of the term " unearued increment." Hj theu went on to refer to the Education question The poorest boy should have the doors of the colleges and high schools thrown open to him. Tae rich had not a monopoly of brains ; and in regard to tbe religious question the State had no right to interfere with any man's religion, and should allow freedom of thought. He denounced the denominational system forcibly. It had failed wherever it had been tried. Neither would he tolerate the reading of the Bible in schools. Every effort should be made to avoid perpetuating sectarian differences, and boys of every religious denomination should be able to sit together in peace on one form, and there should be no difference between them save ability. Religions training should be provided by ministers and parents. He spoke at length on the Admiuiatration Aot, then awaiting the Queen's asßent. He hoped it would become law, and tend to prevent monopoly. He next touched on the necessity for reform, the constitution of the Legislative Council, and condemned the life tenure of the members of the Upper Houße. He was not altogether in favour of an elective chamber, as the case of Victoria showed that snch tended to cause a deadlock, than which nothing was so disastrous. He had been blamed tor the views he in common with Sir George Grey held in reference to an elective Governor. He pointed cut the advantages of the system in the absolute independence and self reliance of the Colony, whilst it would not detract from their loyalty to the Queen, or make them think leßs of the land they came from. He reviewed what the present Government had done for the colony, and eulogised Macandrew's Public Works scheme. It was superior to anything preceding it. The Opposition had obstructed the measure for local government, and thought that some measure should be introduced to provide for co-operation of counties to cany out any great schemes for their joint benefit. He concluded by exhorting his hearers to take a lively interest ia politics, and to be free and independent in expressing their political opinions, without fear of offending anyone. He was much applauded, and at the conclusion of his speech received a vote of thanks.