PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6423, 21 April 1886, Page 5

PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

__S PEABSON, M.H.8,, AT OHOKA.

Mr W. F. Pearson, M.HJK. for the Ashley electoral district, addressed a large _-,_ -ofioential naeetirw of the electors at the Boad Board Office, Ohoka. last eve-dp*. Mr Hugh Elder, Chairman of. the Kyretoa Scad Boar—, occupied the chair. ... The C__r__L__ briefly introduced their member, referring in eulogistic terms to his past success, and pointing out that as a farmer's representative Mr Pearson had dane good service in reference to the question of the redaction of the tariff on grain. During the six years of bis representation of the district that gentleman had done his atmost in the interests ot the district. _ABT ea snow's xbasubbs. Mr P___so-, who was well received, said he had to explain to them now his opinions on various public matterß, which was a matter of some difficulty, aa on* several of them the opinions of the Government had not been quite matured as to their actions in the nest session. Beferring to the business of last session, they were already aware that, as aa upholder of free—-de principles, he had opposed any increase in the Customs tariff that would be prejudicial to their interests both in respect of their imports and exports, especially co in regard to the the items of grain exported, and relative to coal that might be brousht in from New South Wales in exchange for produce sent thithec It was clear to him thai to go in for protection meant the closing of several of our cutlers and a permanent damage to the commercial relations of the colony. He was pleased to state that the Tariff Bill was defeated. rCaeers.] Belstive to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, which was a matter now greatly agitating the public mind, it was m the main likely to be a satisfactory measure, although some amendment might be required before it came into -thorough working order, and before the Bi_<~_ae to be well administered. [Cheers.J It was his opinion that a hospital tor North and another for South Canterbury was needed, and that the question of charitable _S— —a—__ to —c fairly met, __d —__ he tyeLteved was done by the BQI in question. The management of the hospital and ad——atistration of the aid was made as local as it was possible in the mind of the House to make it. He had thought, snd still considered, that the representative local bodies might better administer the distribution of the sad —{"hear, hear,J —and a local board would the more readily relieve a real case of necessity, or detect a case in which the aid applied for was not required, however a system had been adopted which it was only fair should have a trial. It was his opinion that to administer the aid locally would cheapen the cost to the various districts aud he hoped that finally that plan might come into force. In proportion to the population in the Ashley county, ths cost of the aid might amount to 2a, whilst in the populous district of Christehurch it would not exceed 2d per head. It was his opinion that property should not pay all _ieOost, but that a basis should be decided upon that would be fair to one and all. The proposed' assistance to local bodies, county councils aud road boards, and the manner in which the Assembly proposed'to deal -ith them last session, was, he was pleased to say, thrown out, and for his part he approved of the system of grants under the Boads and Bridges Act, and the system under which the Government would contribute towards forming reads into new districts by giving subsidies instead ef taxing the districts to make the same. The Bill to take over the district railways he held was wrong in principle, and he opposed it, as the colony had no right to burden itself with railways of an unproductivenature, especially at a time when every branch of trade and industry was depressed.

THB W-ST COAST BAT-WAY. He explained-he action of the Canterbury members in regard te the Weßt Coast Bailway, whioh has been previously noticed, aad said that he never agreed with'the idea that this line should be made at any cost; but it it could be constructed at a reasonable rate by the colony, and so that the cost would not entail aa extra tax on the residents of North Canterbury, he was prepared to support it. rcheers.! He could never see why they should be taxed to pay for railways unless they were being economically made, or where the colony was already ec_D__itted to them, aa in the case of the Otago Central. He objected to being . ape-ally taxed for the East and West I Coast line, and he believed all iv his dis- / -feictwere of the same feeling. |_heera.J When the Canterbury members last session found they were being boycotted, by their requests for the railway not being granted; he considered the attitude they took in objecting to a certain portion of of the estimates was justifiable. He was no party to extreme borrowing, and believed the country was not prepared to sanction the raising of any very large } loans at present, except ao fax as was needed for the completion of public works in hand ef a reproductive character, when the same might be completed. While he would support the feast and West Coast Bailway, he always thought they . had | weakened the cause by not persisting in i the prosecution of the line direct to | Beefton. in the matter of his support to the t-i—-j-ig- of the line, he should be guided by the opinions of the majority of the Canterbury members. FOTUB— POIiICT. Beg-rding the future, he was glad roleee Mr Stout opposing a reckless borrowing policy, and he would be found supporting f_c.Bto.Htin that respect. ["Cheer*.J The management of Native matters, he went on to_ay,wß-_ußtr__j- contrast to the conduct of the Hon. Mr Larnacb, who was constantly perambulating about and pro__si_geverything which wouh_o_tain for him popularity at the expense of the State. fOheers.J It was nothing new to find him giving large bonuses for water rases where there was no evidence of a return for the expenditure. Touching oa the life assurance business of the Government he considered that grave objection was to be found with some of the resent appemtmmts made and the purchase of properties, which the Parliament would have a right to enquire into. [Cheers.J IU thanked tbe meeting for a patient hearing,- sad would answer any questions. fA___»a-eJ QTJ-STIOHB. In reply to questions, Mr Pbabsok said -elwoald sot depart from the action which, the' Canterbury members had decided to take-o regard to the West Coast Bailway last session. ToMrVerrall, in regard to the questisn ef Bsak of Issue, he said that the proposal _ was due which he was not in favor of- The West Coast Bailway Syndicate would pay its laborers in f ormir g the line as it thought best, either in gold, notes, or cheques. He did not believe in the Government wetnuningthe Banks by guaranteeing notes of-Hue. So far he had not sacrificed the __*rests of his constituents, and was not -Kiuar of either extravagant borrowing «r Musing funds for those who wished to, -S-fcTa-reat rise at the ,presents at the •sSnaeof the country and dear*out. T_fv_____- here said the State.Bank qwsSon was going to toe t*st., _h£ members m-Bt give an answer or the pobHc would not support - hear /?f m said ne was not•»*?«_«■ . the Government departuig from ™J*W* duties, and taking up those of bankers,. SSviwa fictitious Value to Bank notes, - 00-nbdea the State issue of notes had proved successful. ■ .. . vora ok 00-W-übjicb. * and confidence in ««_**» pxoudto see thathe had proved a good "fblL' Hor-i-s seconded the motion. " __rPearse_had proved, a good member in moved an amendment.flu* a vote of wantof confidence■ be «»J*JjJ regardtoMrP-arsoa-oouduofc. He Uopea SeTwould lead a new fashion at^ Ohoka. Mr iC-Lc__-i seconded <_menctaeut. Mr C-BiST-US considered there was no reason for the amendment, Mr Pearson did not agree wxthMr VerraU s

IfaPABHBT stated tha* a gentleman frmn. Otego had pci-ted out that it wasi imtSSmtto elect members of £*»_lu«unt -hoTere farmers, and he «"£"££»* had a member of thex- chowe in Mr Pewson. Be thought Mr Verrall hadthe State Bask on the l*«*__>^^lfc d JB2f ££_£ from that select _T£_j3Ser on other more vital grounds. C afaiexdm-nt _rasjput and declared the seconder of the toour WJ«*» «* «* •««M__*_E_or the fun of the thingof the West Coast Bailway League was subsequently new.

The Above is a very x-markable drug, it Perhaps it wffl have a name next fame it aan-as along.