SIR D. McLEAN AT NAPIER.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3214, 18 December 1875, Page 2

SIR D. McLEAN AT NAPIER.

Napieb, December IS. Sir Donald McLean addressed the electors in the Oddfellows' Hall to-night. Thera was a very full house. Mr K. Newton in the chair. The chairman dwelt on Sir D. McLean's long connection with the province, and his successful efforts for the establishment of the peace throughout the colony. Sir D. McLean, who was received with loud applause, gave a sketch of his early connection with the province. He had purchased the lands from the natives which now carried a large population. For several years he had been Superintendent, and since a member of the House. In 1869 be had joined the Fox-Vogel Ministry. When he heard that tbe troops were about to be withdrawn, he had entered into a compact with the Waikato, which compact they had ever since honorably maintained. He felt, when he received their assurance, that it did not matter now whether the troops were withdrawn or not. [Applause.] He trusted that he might now say a permanent peace had been established. [Applause.J Tae Government of which he was a member bad taken an important step in inaugurating a public works and immigration policy, which had advanced the progress of the col >ny unquestionably by many years. They already were seeing the fruits of it. Four hundred miles of railway were open, and 300 unrtrr contract, and 2000 miles of roads hed been completed. fMany able men in the colony previously had contemplated the same policy. He and his colleagues alone had had the courage to make it a reality. When he took office the native expenditure was at the rate of £350,000 per annum. The first year he reduced it by £200,000. [Applause.] They were directing their efforts ti educate the Maoris ; 1800 children were at school through -the island. He trusted in the time when they were educated that exceptional legislation wonld be unnecessary. [Applause] In regard to the abolition of the provinces, he and his colleagues felt in 1870, when th« public works were started, that the doom of the provinces was"•'* sealed. When their olonising functions were taken from them, aid tbeir boundaries so annihilated by roads and railways, they were no longer necessary. In due time, last session, the Abolition Bill was introduced, and carried by three to one. The majority expressed the sense of the country, as had since been verified. The question that now presented itself was how were the provinces to be re placed. It wa-i his view that the colony should be divided into shirep, with Shire Councils, consisting of an aggregation of Koad Boards. The shires should have control of main roads, bridge?, and other public works, and should have powers to borrow on the county rates aucb sums as were necessary. They should -in fact be the administrative bedies of the "colony, legislation' being carried on exclusively by the Asssmbly. This system had worked well in Victoria, and now that the barriers between the provinces were broken down by the construction of roads and railways, they had every reason to anticipate that it would work well here. He could not nod xa*.and how anyone could desire to see afystem introduced under which there would be two provinces in each island, as was tiiked of in some quarters. That would mean handing "Hawkte'i* Bay back to.Wellington, Taranaki to Auckland, and the West Coast, of the MiddlevlelaiKl to-C*mte*boliy. He felt sure tbatifliiwkeS Bay %1? not wfchrAhfs. He coolalmawer for it'that Taranaki did not, and there was no dotibt that the people oi -$he West Coast would prefer managing theii 11. ,

own Iocs! affairs to K<2™& them managed for themly peon*ta 1 ? ho T kn f w nothing aboufrfSem. [A^ DtauM -1. 11 Un ?« r the Abolition of the *ProvV ,ceß B i"» the .municipalities wojl* get -CI *>/ om t ° e . cc l D ' so*|idated revenneTfor every £1 rai . Bed b * rates. This would promote the ewi>.' ° g ? ut of sanffery measures, wlrieh wewffgr>^ ww i ng daily mote necessary as- populfstioa 7 n * creased. They would also' get few a)St» licenses. Boad Boards wotflfr get sfmfTat I contributions from the consolidated revenue, ; as also £1 for *1 from the land land. Tbey would also get license fees raised : within their boundaries. On the question < of taxation he said they most accept it as inevitable if they wished to carry out tbe public improvements inaugurated. He thought a tax should be levied on property, which had acquired a great increase in- - value owing to the construction of the public works. [Applause, j He hoped such a tax would lead to the cutting np of large hold*- . ings into small ones. [Applause.J In regard to education, he thougbt assistance was : needed from the general revenue, as it was ' necessary to see that the weaker districts should not suffer. He thought at the same time they should accept the organization already in existence. In regard to the proposed constitutional changes their great object should be to keep intact the unity of the colony. [Applause .J To separate would seriously . affect their credit at home, while they were united they would be strong ; to separate would be a gross mistake, and one to which he never would be a party. He begged them to excuse him for not speaking at a greater length. The press of official duties prevented his preparing a longer speech. He would be glad to answer any questions. [Loud applause.] " Mr Swan asked what particular description of property tax he contemplated-—-a land tax or income tax ? [Applause.] Sir D. McLean said taxation wws inevitable, but was not immediately imminent. jPL time was coming when no doubt the question as to the precise form would occupy the foremost minds in the colony. In speaking on the subject, he had" had ifl view the desirableness of taxing lands which benefited by public expenditure. [Applause.] Mr R. C. Harding asked to what extent he was in favor of the permissive principle in legislation. Sir D. McLean said it was not a Government question. Personally he had veted for Mr Fox's Permissive Bill. Mr Harding asked again would he (Sir D. McLean) endeavor to improve it, and make workable if brought on again. Sir D. McLean replied in the affirmative. Mr Holder moved—" That this meeting having heard Sir D. McLean's statement, express its entire confidence in him, and will support bis election as one of the members of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Napier." Mr Sutton, who was received with immense applause, had an amendment to move, but not hostile. He thought the resolution did not go far enough. He should do more than send up Sir D. McLean as one member, he moved—"That the electors of Napier district beg to assure Sir D. McLean of their unanimous confidence in him as their representative, and resolve that no effort shall be spared to place him at the head of the poll." [Load applause.J Mr R. D'Maney, received with loud applause, said circumstances had occurred which might prevent his appearing as a candidate. He was not certain; he was taking legal advice, and would at any rate second Mr Sutton's amendment. He believed none of the candidates dreamt of displacing Sir D. M'Lean. They all had the highest appreciation of Sir Donald's services. | Applause.] Mr Holder withdrew his motion, and Mr i Sutton's amendment was put aud carried unanimously on a show of hands. Sir Donald M'Lean then thanked the ■ electors for their cordial reception.