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Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5056, 21 November 1881, Page 4

thing which *&&& MwdoxaLj affect the public credit, and out roch moderate mc of that credit at file end o! next yew as will provide for the progress of public work! recwesry for developing the resources of the colony. I think we should encourage by means local industries and the settlement of the waste lands. _ We ebocld improve the coneUtotion of existing local bodies, and transfer to them some powers now rested in the Colonial Government. I believe we should in all cases treat the Satires with consideration and geaerosity, but should firmly repress any resistance to the law. This is not perhaps a very sensational programme. I might amuse you and endeavour to catch votes by what I may call a programme of political fireworks, affording a prospect of a short blaze of proepority based on a lavish expenditure of borrowed money. Bu I know that would have to be atoned for, as it has been in times pa*tj by a protracted period of gloom and depression. If I cannot win this election without rsrort to political artifices of that kitd, then 1 shsll be content to lo»e it. [Loud cheers.] The platform upon which I wish to stand, while it is a substantial and a safe one, i≤ aha a platform of progress. In a new country- the functions of Government ehould not be" confined merely to the protection of life tied property. They ohould extend to colcnisicg tho country, to inducing the introduction of a population to ocoupy its waste laeds and to developing its natural resources. Acd in Kβ* Zealand, gentlemen, we have a land worthy of our best efforts in that direction. We have a land blessed above most others aa regards climate, soil, and abundance o£ resources, which, by a polioy of steady, energetic, and prudent progress, may be made the proi perons home not only of our children, bnt of a large multitude of our fellow countrymer:. [Applause.] These are my opinions en the "principal questions of the day. If they raeet with your approval, and if, from wh&t tou know of my public conduct in the past, you believe that I am likely in future to do good service to you end to the colony, I shall feel it a great honor to be again elected your representative. Mr Hall resumed his seat amidst loud and continued applause, having spoken for two hours and ten minutes. A great many questions were then put to Kγ Uall, this part of the proceedings oocupying nearly an hour and a half. The principal questioners were—Mr John McLachlaD, Mr John Lambie, Mr Lockhead, Mr A. McLachlan, Mr Jones, and Mr Forsyth. Many cf the matters referred to were only of local interest. Mr Hall's replies may be summarised as follow* .—The extent of the reduction in the railway tariff, as regarded grain, was now under the consideration of the Government, who were anxious to give as muoh relief as possible, without too great a eaorifioe of public revenue. He could not honestly say he thought the Gaming and Lotteries Act was an unjustifiable interference with the liberties of the people. It might perhaps have gone rather tco far in some particulars, but the temptations held out to young men to gamble were much to be deprecated, and the extent m which they were in that way led away from steady induitry was very mischievous. He agreed that the present bankruptcy law was not a satisfactory one, and explained that the Government were prevented from proceeding ■with a Bill on the eubjeot last session partly owing to the waste of time which, had occurred and partly from a desire to await the passing cf a new bankraptoy law which was under consideration in England. He did not think th&t the system of dividing the colony into railway districts, with the view of obviating tho existing state of things, under which those living in districts where the railways were remunerative were obliged to pay for the deficiencies in other distrusts, would be practicable. It would involve a variety of tariffs, end lead to the greatest confusion ; if a district was made liable for any deficiency truing from the working of a railway, it ehould be allowed to regulate the tariff in that diitrict. Under such a system eaoh separate branoa i&ilway would probably have to form the centre of a district. There was considerable misapprehension as to the results of the working of railways in Canterbury. It was true that as a whole they returned a very good interest, but the branch lines did not pay ifiterest. Take the case of the Southbridge lino for instance. The profits on that line only paid interest on the cost of construction to the extent of 3i per cent, and the balance between that and 5 per cent, had to be found out of the general taxation. The railways, whether for better or worse, were now colonial property, and must be dealt with accordingly. - He admitted that the grain- growing districts were entitled to some relief. Altbongh he could not then s&y what the sew rates would be, he could elate that they would probably be lower than any grain tariil that had yet been in operation, and that they would be brought into force before the commencement of the grain season. _ [Applause.] Hβ would not move in the direotion cf plaoiug the management of the railways into the hands of local bodies. It must be obvious that a railway system extending from J one end of the colony to the other must be managed upon some uniform system and have one head, or else utter confusion would result [Applause.] In reference to distraint , far rent he thought a landlord should only have the same remedy that other creditors had. The public works and immigration policy might have had something to do with the imposition of the property tax, but that ] was a question of opinion. So doubt the railways did not return, over and above working expenses, the whole cost of the interest, but en the other hand they had, largely developed the resource* of the colony, had increased its population, and added to its revenue. It was exceedingly difficult to cay whether ornot the expenditure on railways, or other circumstances,.had necessitated the imposition of the property tax. Taking it on the whole it was doubtful whether that necessity had not rather arisen from expenditure under other heads in the public worn scheme. With regard to triennial Parliaments they would recollect that when he first appeared before them he stated frankly that he would prefer a Parliament which would last four years. Admitting, however, that there wu a large preponderance of publio opinion in favor of the triennial system, it was only right that it should be tried. He much doubted now whether the preponderance of opinion was in favor of triennial Parliaments. He did not say he would vote for abolishing the system* hut must decline to give any pledge an the eubjeot. He believed that a simplification of the mode of procedure in the law courts, with a view to saving expense to suitors, was exceedingly desirable. The reports of the Commission appointed to consider this question bad now reached the Government, and be bad no doubt that during next session alterations in the law would be effected, based upon those reports. [Applause.] He had already stated reasons why he thought it would be a very impolitic step for the colony to resort to the system of electing its Governor. The Governor ehould sot owe bis election to any party in the colony, but be independent of all parties, and hold the balance of power fairly between them. He hoped to ccc the time when the election of members fee "the Howe of Bepresentatives should be conducted upon Hare's system, but it was desirable that it ehould be better understood by the people at large than it was sow, before being adopted. It would be a very good commencement to (37 the system in the election of the Legislative Council. If it gave satisfaction there it might be applied to the House of Representative*. In this matter he was ody expressing bis own individual opinion. He w&e not in favor of abolishing the honorarium to Legislative Councillors, because to do so would be to render possible the attendance in the Upper Chamber only of men of property. They should not make it impossible for & poor man to be a member of the Legislative Council, and for that reason it was not desirable to abolish the honorarium. With regard giving assistance to schools not under the jurisdioties of the Education Boards, provided they patssd the inspector, ever since Qβ had taken pa?c in public affairs he bad been in favor of earn* such system, and was so stilL When he joiced the Government he reserved to himself the right of voting in favor of & proposal of this kind if it should be made. At the fame time, it was sot the proposal of the Government, but if any snob proposition were made he would vote, for it. Without raising the question of freetrade and protection, be weald state generally that, looking to the derlrability of encouraging in their infancy new industries in this oolony, he did not tfaiak the preteat tariff was an unfair or B&rsaeoaable one. The tloties were chiefly on article* of luxury, half the Customs taxation being levied on spirits, viae, and tobacco. Take it altogether, the patent tariff was a. very fas one, ""muring the *"m>"K of re* Teaae that had to be nnd.

, Mr J. Gardener moved the following rose* lobon;—" That this meeting expresses its feaake to Mr Hall for hie address and it. ooa.

fldenoe in him as the representative of the Selwyn district." Mr John McLaohlan seconded. Although he did not agree with all Mr Hall's opinione, he regarded him as without exception the best man they oould get to represent their varied interest*.

The resolution was then pat to the meeting and carried unanimously, amidst applause. Mr Hall heartily thanked the electors for their vote of confidence, and saict that for reasons whioh they would well understand he would be extremely gratified if returned without a contest. The meeting terminated with a vote 01 thanks to the chairman.