THE GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7713, 19 November 1890, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION

SIB JOHN HALL AT LBESTtMT. Sir John Hall, member for Sal wye in &h* late Parliament, and a cnndldata for eh« district of BUeamere at the coming elee* tioa, addressed & meeting of elector* on Monday evening, at the Town Hall* Leas , ton. There was a very large attendance. The body of the hall was crowded with electors, sad In the gallery every st&t *M occupied by the lady visitors. Mr <§. G. Waby, Chairman of the Eileamefe Boai Board, occupied the chair. In a brief fetal appropriate speech he introdeeed , „ Sm John Haix, who after the applassi bad subsided, said—Mr Chairman, ls<3|e» and gentlemen, I appear to-night nob onlf to ask you to renew tor Che fourth time the trust which yoa hare on three previous occasions reposed In mc, but to heas from mc an account of the workof tb« last Parliament, and my views in regaxtf to the future. « ••"- I propose, therefore, to refer* first, to the chief events of last session and to what ha* been effected by the Parliament ■which has just expired, and than to state my opinions upon the principal questions which it appears likely the next P&rlia* ment will have to deal with. If X fttn not sufficiently explicit in this respect I hope any elector will question mc farther, because while I have ever refused to enter Parliament as a mere delegate, bouod • hand and foot as to the votes I am to etfcro, I have always contended that the electors, before giving their suffrages to a candidate, should have the fullest - possible information as to his opinions, and be able to judge by these, ana, when possible, by his known antecedents, whether or cot he is a fit person to be entrusted with the important task of representing them, to Parliament. You may remember tteat when I spoke in this hail in Mayiaao I gave reasons for anticipating that the coming session would not bo & fraitSal one. It turned out to be even lees so than I anticipated; our time was wasted mere than ever by obstruction—less, perhaps, in the shape of an organised "stonewall (although that was also attempted) than by a systematic monopolising of the time of the House by a email number pi • leathern-lunged, unreasonable individuals, noisy gabblers, who contribute in no degree to the careful or Intelligent decision of any question; on the eontr&Vy. they silence men who could make useful contributions to the debate, and lower the whole tone of the House, I a&ree with some of the older members who have recently deplored the deterioration of the proceedings in our Parliament, and of the character of ita debates. My recollection of it goes back for over thirty-foar years, and I cannot' help exprotsslaa ray deep regret at the alteration which til late has come over the House of Bepse* sentatlvea. It is, perhaps, some cooaola* tion to find, as I have done, that throajchout the country this decadence is under , stood and deplored; one may hope that this feeling will before long lead to a much-needed reform. The unavoidable absence from the House of the Premies (Sir Harry Atkinson) was a great mils* fortune, both for the House and the Government; the latter were unable. oa many occasions to act with the decision and promptitude which are often accessary. It is only fair to Sir Harry to afcsfca that he retained his position as Premlei under these circumstances at tha almost unanimous request of his party* which comprised a majority of the House, 1 sincerely trust, as do even his political opponents, that before the House again meets, hie health will be sufficiently reestablished to enable him to resume fefct place he has so long and so ably filled (Applause). ,■ - FINANCIAL STATEMENT. It Is a source of satisfaction that tht Financial Statement Iβ no longer looknd forward to with the feverish anxiety which was the case a short time eln<?e. We are no longer anxious to leaua how the colony is to be extracted from ifcc financial difficulties. The Treasurer , ! statement last session was delivered early. Though conveying much useful information It was short, and the result* it exhibited satisfactory. It disclosed tic important changes, but rather exhibited the outcome of the retrenchment and the revision of taxation, which were introduced three years aaco. The revenue during the past year was somewhat' larger, and the expenditure somewhat less than had been estimated, and left a surplus, about which there has been much controversy. The fact Iβ, if we consider only the ordinary expenditure and the ordinary income of the colony, the surplus was considerable, but there was a deficiency In the land fund arising from the small amounfcof land which had been sold for cash. It appears to mc, however, as unreasonable that such a deficiency should be included or should, be mixed up with the ordinary expenSlture of the year, as it ' would be if a surplus land fund were applied to ordinary expenditure.. One satisfactory feature of the finance of the past year was che conversion which the Treasurer has effected of some of but loans, and by which the Improved credit of the colony has enabled him to eflefcfc a saving of £30,000 a year. For the #rat time in our history New Zealand issued a 3| per cent, loan, which was taken np at only i per cent, underjpar. The Treasurer's proposals contained no startling noveltlot for the current year, the most aebafceaole feature wag the proposal to continue th« primage duty ot 1 per cent, on Imports M provide for school buildings and lunatic asylums, without throwing their cost ujton loan. Eventually this duty was given foe six months only, and some of the proposed buildings must bo gone without, The expenditure proposed toe the present yeai was £4000 less, than lest year, asd Jf tin Treasurer's anticipations ot xqvquw &n realised, will leave a surplus at £88,000 Of course itw&s the sacred dqty o£,|h< Opposition—under the present; uysteui of so called party government—-to find fawU with Sir ; Harry Atkinson's statement whatever it might be. . '■: ;;■';, ". RBTR&NCHMBOT "': i ' having proved In the past a very p&o&a? policy, the Opposition decided iw «ehe the "roar for retrenchment,* , nrhUjh'waa heard so loudly In I*B7, and their leados moved an amendment declaring further re* ductiona Imperatively necessary. Thle is the :same gentleman who is 1887 stated that oothing could be reduced from an espeaditiare which was subsequently dimlalsrlscxJ by Sir Harry Atkinson by over £,sfiO f w% A long debate followed. Some , oi the Government supporters insisted on a redaction of £50,000; the €ro« vermnettt undertook to make this tW&ujtion. explalaing that it necessarily aaeanb a reduction of Public Services; that; each a sum could not be reduced Croat Jtal&tles. The Opposition, however, persisted In very harassing tactics, making Indiserinalnate onslaughts on nearly all salaries, evjthbaft possessing or seddng information em to the effect of their proposals. They also Ip-nered the fact that of the sum set down ns salaries, one-half had already been pgfd. An Illustration of thefe proceedings is shown in the treatment of the Audit Department, The discussion of the Bailmates dragged on for nearly & month; many Opposition members, as ara&iens freetraders}, brought down Flnan&Ud Statements of their own; most of them differed from the Treasurer's, sad they all differed from each otfrer. ana none of them were thought much of. None ot these gentlemen took hold of the Treasurer's owa figures and proceeded to shot la detail where he was wfong.' The outcome of the lon« contest was a reduction in salaries, which did. not exceed £5271; other savings, mainly la setvfcee, made this ap to'JBMJOT, a total leas by MM thas the ■. Government bad voluntarily offeree to effect. 1 have no occasion to vindicate to? character as en economist, bat generally I fettle my doty to vote against redactions proposed in salaries. I do not thlnlc that as a rule they are now too high, and tne proposals were generally made < without knowledge. 1 eufjggestscL how. ever, find Itl have fehe opssort«nUy I wball again, that the estimates should ba re* fcrrsd to a scrong Committee, m ia done In many Legtelacares. I -stilt hope soma expedient of that kind will be adopted. It would ohiaiit for the House ail the accessary intot' matidn as to the reasons why some. reductions can, and others eamtot, be mode, and would jiive the Houee a grip on } ha publio expeodlitttre, which S believe can W obtained In ao other way. Xna GovernmeaS has* I am gka to 4ay, undertakett to appoini during tna reoass an Commiesloa to enquire whether it Pi*** ticable, without afrectiftg the «?ti!oifi«cf °" the pubJio service, to make farter ve«ui> ilone than thota already cjirrlecf p^ 6, Aγ the light of its labor* I httpe rtHMWJ ,1 ? service will be placed oh *«o« economical cemw«M fl «2™effiofency. One featar® *i ■ b,r . e ,?2 r ff coostaatly borne in mlB&J* made a csoniuieucewettt ot charges to loan to ofdinftff^jg^^-fiKS , v -•■ I > * . ' • ' "

process that -we can expect to live really Within our income, and make ourselves independent of borrowed money. (Applause). ■ ... ; JUOAS SXPBHDITtraB. The expenditure of borrowed money Iβ becoming, I am glad to say, a gradually diminishing quantity. Necessary as it is to watch closely our departmental expenditure, it is necessary to be even more Vigilant with regard to the expendltare ef borrowed money, the former is a payment out of one New Zealand pocket into another, and cannot be so perip Injurious as an expenditure which entails paying a never ending tribute to another country. It is most satisfactory, there, tore, to find that the loan ™?™7>7Z hlob . to 1887 was going out at the rate of 4*1,200,000, was list year only drawn npon for .£410,000. The task of such * reduction must have been an arduous one, but it is the only way to avoidj still further increasing our enfortunate indebtedness. It is too often forgotten that ie is not always those Ministers who float a loan, who are responsible for the necessity of doing to, more frequently it is predecessors •whose contracts and engagements have tendered such loans unavoidable. Of our borrowed millions there remains at present about one million unexpended- It *ottid be folly to say that New Zealand should not, under any circumstances, or at any time, borrow •sain, but I see nothing at present which makes mc doubt that we may well keep out of the London money market for three years. ;Our Loan expenditure has been brought down to £400,000, and during the last six months to less than £150,000; during tbe next three years it can surely be reduced to 300,000, so that the Parliament now to be elected may be distinguished by the fact that during fts lifetime we have not borrowed onttide the colony. If it should prove eecessary to raise some comparatively sums to acquire Native Lands, and open up Crown Lands for settlement, the moderate amounts required |or these purposes may well be laised in the colony.

- ■' . . HUTCHISON CHABGES. '-~: i now come to a subject upon which I tear I may trespass somewhat on your patience, viz., the grave charges brought by Mr Hutchison against the Government. The question is a very important one, indriving as it does the character, not only for capacity, but for honor and honesty, of our highest public officers. I wish, for two reasons, that I could have passed the matter over. Firstly, because the question is going to be tried in the Supreme Court; and secondly, fctecause leading members of the Opposition have as a rule shown their diebelief io rhe charges, by generally dropiiinK any allusion to them. Even Mr -Ballance in his speech at Wanganui was " careful to state that he did not say he - believed these charges to be true. Such a statement from one who possesses the experience of a Colonial Treasurer, and Iβ now the leader of the Opposition to the Government, has an especial significance. It seems to mc, however, a duty SO refer to these allegations, because they - have evidently been made and persisted fa with a view to influencing the elections, . and the electors ought to have every true : light which can possibly be thrown --upon them. I feel further bound to do so because they have, to 3 BBT surprise, been endorsed in an > adjoining electorate by a gentleman with whom on many public questions I agree, and whose statements may create a wrong impression. The subject is one • fepon which 1 have some qualifications for : forming aa opinion. I have : myself acted - as Treasurer of the colony, and therefore know something of the task of providing; ' for its financial requirements. 1 was al3p a member of the Select Committee appointed to investigate Mr Hutchison's Statements, and although the Committee did not get the length of taking evidence on the subject we gave much time to its Consideration, and heard arguments from both eidss. Substantially Mr Hutchison's charges amount to this—That, through the Agent-General, the Government endeavored to bolster up the Bank of New Zealand in London and deceive the public. That the Government, to assist the Bank, Issued deficiency bills to a much larger amount than was actually required by the colony. That they left unnecessarily large turns uninvested in the coffers of the Bank. .In short, that they created an abnormal «tat<e of finance to the advantage of the Bank and to the loss of the colony; and that they did all this because some of the " Ministers were indebted to the Bank and therefore under its influence. Iα other words, that they made a corrupt use of their official position to favor their creditor, the Bank. With regard to the first charge, not a tittle of evidence has been produced in Support cf it, although this could have been .done in the lengthy debates which took place. With regard to the others, the Treasurer kid before Parliament a full and detailed statement of the Banking 1 operations of the Government during the test two and a half years, giving the balances day by day in London and Wellington, the manner in which money was raised, and the purposes for which it was received and to which it was applied— every detail is given—nothing is kept ' lacs. The memorandum is too long and complicated to be gone into at a public meeting, but a careful study must satisfy *Teiy reasonable man that during a very critical period, when want of forethought ■ might have landed the colony in a very :, dangerous position, the greatest care and ' prudence was exercised, and that there can be absolutely no justification whatever for the statements that the interests of the colony were sacrificed to those of the Bank of New Zealand. A comparison .of the balances kept in the Bank by the Atkinson Government shows that the average was very much smaller than that , Jkept by the late Government, and that the "Aoms kept unproductive in the Bank trere two and a half times less ; titan was the case with their predecessors. r Sdrae persons may think that I have taken up too much of your time with this question. I cannot agree with this.' -, iOaeof the most valuable possessions of c> *n°T country, especially under a demo- ;, static form of Government, is the char- -- *cter of its public men for uprightness t end honorable conduct, and there are few ■ MSbjeets which are more deserving of the eerioue consideration of the electors. If \ 'Ministers have been guilty of the abuse .of power with which they are charged, they are unfit, not only to be Ministers, . . bat to sit in Parliament. If on the other hand it turns out that Mr Hutchison has . made charges which he has neither the to prove nor the candour to withdraw, then he is deserving of the gravest ' jweaible censure. I regret exceedingly that the case is not to come to trial before -. the elections. The electors ought to know the truth of this matter before they have : to give their votes. I omitted to . notice c statement that the Govern- - jpent wish to drive Mr Hutchison < fcito pleading Parliamentary privilege. I jjhould not be surprised if it turned out tnat Mr Hutchison had attempted to . shelter himself behind this privilege and . had failed. I now leave this subject for the present, being ready, however, to - return to it in much greater detail if any etatement I have made should be challenged. I must add that 1 was for several -Tears & Ministerial colleague of Sir F. Whitaker's, while that gentleman was -. solicitor to the Bank of Ne w Zealand, and . Chat he never at any time, or by any word tfs in any way, attempted to influence the - eoQduct of the Government towards the {tank. (Applause). LAND SETTLEMENT.

- I will now refer at once to & 4oestioa of the highest importance, ' *!«., the progress of settlement upon the land* Upon this subject we are V In the habit of hearing vagne and - 1, Indefinite charges of the present Govern--jaent having neglected settlement. These general assertions are repeated in the columns of Opposition newspapers, and ; to Opposition speeches, from that of Mr Ballance to the utterances of the Opposition candidate at the present election. You may notice, however, that these assertions are rarely, if '*ver. supported by facts and figures, and that when these are produced in reply such iacoavenient things are generally poohpoohed. It has been asserted that the Minister for Lands (Mr Richardson) has ? UO » V S? no sympathy with settlement—is Indifferent, if not hostile, to it. This gentleman has one very serious defect for a eploafel politician, he has not practised vie art of blowing his own trumpet, bat Wfien he Iβ Induced to speak upon the ™^^K at ■&.%* department, he dis£f«««r t » ou H lffi ? ul^'of ail these accaw?^?S !e tfa in J£ e legislation which he - hif a ? d K m the administration of 2?s£.miT.f hsfc co«ld do to further SS « fc, femarbable sac- " €i!h •!«. c %*** **U prove. First, with regard to leMslafciftn -Mediately office Bicbardson introduced 18 ?.^ 1116111 8? ye to intending settlers «et«reea deferred payment or nernetnal anrcash, the aSbS The area for deiemdSySinf *«*»o«9 was also increased from W JS

640 acree, the price reduced to 20s per acre, and the time* of payment extended from ten to fourteen years. Mr Richardson's Bill contained other liberal provisions, such as opening ont hill farms of say 2000 acres at 10s per acre, or 640 acres of better land at 20s per acre. With regard to forest lands, it enabled actual residence to be dispensed with If the settler effected twice the amount of improvements required by the ordinary settlement conditions. This sorely was liberal legislation, and in the interests of settlement. It was on this occasion that a provision was introduced, advocated by both sides of the House, by which simultaneous applications for a favorite piece of land were thenceforward to be decided by ballot: formerly it had to be done by auction, and it was said with truth that this plan led to men giving, under the excitement of an auction, more than the land was worth, and also gave the man with a long purse a great; advantage over the man with the short one. Unfortunately this ballot system has led to an abuse called " dummyism;" a person desiring to secure a favorite section of land having induced his friends and relations to apply for such section, so as to Rive him an additional chance of the lot becoming his property. tThis matter was enquired into last- session by the Waste Lands Committee, and undoubted cases of dummyism proved. Legislation will be required to make such practices impossible, and should be effected during the coming session. In the meantime, I trust that the attention which has been called to the matter, and increased -vigilance on the part of the Waste Land Boards, will practically prevent a renewal of the system. So much for legislation. Now, as to Mr Richardson's land administration, and its results. To show what has been done I will quote from figures given in the Financial Statement, which are at anybody's disposal. The Crown lands disposed of. not for cash, but on settlement conditions, have more than doubled in three and a half years. In the three years prior to 1887, 700,000 acres were thus settled. In the two and a half years since then 1,150,000 acres have been so settled. In 1887 for one acre sold for cash, four were sold on settlement conditions. In 1890 for every acre cold for cash, six were sold on settlement conditions. The increase of separate agricultural holdings last year was 1000 greater than the average annual increase for the last six years. Since Mr Richardson took office these holdings have risen in number from 33,332 to 38,178, a greater increase than during any similar period in our history. There is also a gradual diminution in the size of the Holdings. In 1876 only 1488 per cent, of the adult male population of New Zealand we're occupiers of land; 23.22 per cent, are now so settled, being a larger proportion than at any time previously. This fact, though extending beyond the three years I am speaking of, is worthy of especial attention. Last year the acreage under crop in the colony was increased by 92,000 acres, and the area under grass by 160,000 acres. ' It is abundantly clear that the population of this colony is settling on the land in larger proportion than ever before in its historyl This is naturally more the case in the North Island, and in other unsettled parts of the Colony, than it can be in districts like Canterbury, where settlementprogressed more speedily in days gone by. If this does not show success in promoting settlement on the land I don't know what will. It is possible that some cases of abuse and evasion of the land regulations may have occurred, but they are prayed by the returns attached to the report of the Committee of Inquiry noc to be numerous enough to affect the general results which I have shewn, and which to every well-wisher of New Zealand must be eminently satisfactory. While these results are owing partly to liberal legislation and administration, they are partly also due to a comparative cessation of loan expenditure. This expenditure, while it lasted, gave to a part of our population better pay than farming, and so far in fact the Public Work expen diture retarded settlement. In defaulc of loan money the population are now settling down to the beneficial occupation of the land, in greater numbers than ever before. Mr Richardson's administration has further been a most economical onehe has reduced tbe cost of his department by 27 per cent. In addressing his constituents at Mataura he stated, and I doubt not can prove, that every acre dealt with by the late Government cost the Colony 10s, and that the present Government has reduced this cost to 4s per acre. I have' thought it desirable to give you these facts, because very unfair attempts have been made to make the electors dissatisfied with Mr Richardson's land administration. THE PtTTTJBE. Now with regard to the future. Nothing can be more desirable, as I have often said before in this room, than the beneficial occupation of the waste land of the colony. This will promote the interests, not of any one class only, but of the whole community, and of every individual in it. Our policy should therefore be. to encourage by every legitimate means settlement of a self-supporting and permanent character. Give every facility for settling on the land to those who are at all fitted to succeed there. If any further legislation can be devised for assisting small settlers, I shall gladly support it. At the same time it would be a- mistake, through unreasonable jealousy of capital, to stop its investment in the cultivation of the laud. In settlement of the best kind labor and capital are necessary to each other. Capital in moderate quantity will help labor over the most difficult stages of settlement. Iα some quarters proposals are ventilated that private estates should be acquired for subdivision, either by simple confiscation, or by what is pretty much tbe same thing, eonflscatory taxation. As to confiscation, partial or complete, I need say very little. Independently of the bare-faced injustice of the proposal, we may rest satisfied that one-fourth of the male population of New Zealand, now settled on the land, will not allow themselves to be deprived of what they have a right to consider their inalienable property. Henry George's theory means in reality confiscation, not only of large estates, but of every five acres won by careful thrift and patient toil—the working man's savings as well as the wealthy man's property. I regret the ownership of large estates by absentee English Companies ; but we must not forget that this community invited these purchases, and were glad to obtain the money they brought in, and which was spent among our people In the construction of roads, bridges, and other public works. During the year 1878 the Grey Ministry sold land for over one million four hundred thousand pounds, largely in Canterbury, and the Public Works Minister estimated that in the following five years, four million acres of Crown lands would be sold in the Middle Island, realising £4,612,000. If it should be deemed expedient to recover possession of these properties, it can only be justly done by reasonable compensation being paid for them. A different mode of proceeding would be a systematic public plunder, which would not atop at lame properties or at land. With regard to the acquisition by purchase, .voluntary or compulsory, you may remember that years ago in this hall I have said that when such a proceeding becomes necessary for the purpose of providing land for settlement, it would be a justifiable proceeding, but in the public interest we ought not to embark in such a venture u«til it is actually necessary, and we should be most cautious, not for the sake of the landowners but of the taxpayer, as to tbe terms on which It is conducted. The owners of a great part of the land in New Zealand would be only too glad to part; with it on a property tax valuation, aod there is no tittle fear that land might be bought for i other reasons than the public interest. : But is the acquisition cf private estates necessary at the present time ? Is there yet a scarcity of land available for settlement? The facts are as follows:—There are at the present time in New Zealand, independently of land in the possession ot the Maoris, thirty - four million acres of Crown lands for disposal; of these nine millions are mountain cops and worthless coun.ry, ten millions are forest, and fifteen millions are described in the " Crown Lands Guide" as open grass or fern country., A portion of this latter is occupied for .pastoral purposes, but it is practically tanimproved, and will remain so undey its present tenure. At the rate of 203 acres For settlement, and 5000 acres for pastoral holdings, the waste lands in pur hands will provide for 50,000 cew homesteads. What did bir R Stout say on this subject? Speaking at Invercargill some time ago he said—"The proposal to buy up private estates would never work, as farmers could not afford to pay 5 per cent, on the cost of it. .... With tbe .enormous area of Crown land and Native land still available, it was folly to propose to buy up large estates." Then Sir Robert, speaking in the House on Sir Geo. Grev*s Settlement Bill, said "First—l would ask the House not to be led away with the idea that we have no good land Available in the colony, end that unless this BUI is carried out there will be no farms for

anybody. "Wβ have at the lowest computation, excluding Native lands, at lease 25,000,000 acres of good l&od left in this colony still belonging to the State. There are, I believe, 8,000.000 or 9,000.000 acres of Native land also suitable for settlement, so that there are at least 33,000,000 to 35,000,000 acres still left suitable for settlement." He then showed how much it would cost to purchase land to settle 500 f armere on 200 acres each at Oamaru, and continued-" It would take J31.500.000 , to settle 500 farmers, and 3,000,000 to i settle 1000. To come down with a Bill - like this, and lead people to think you are going to have a rush of agricultural settle-i ment, and that you are going to revolutionise tbe colony, is aimpl> deluding the people." Of the available Crown land it is stated officially that nearly a raillioc acres, suitable for settlement, are ready, surveyed and open for selection, and 241,000 acres more will be ready in two and a half months. For the Government therefore to purchase private estates which are already occupied and productive, would be investing money to divert settlement from unoccupied Crown lands already at oar disposal. Such a policy would surely be a mistaken and shortsighted one. I am speaking of the purchase of any large extent of land. The acquisition in some cases of smaller areas for the purpose of providing homesteads —near rural centres of population—stands on a different footing. If surrounded by very careful safeguards and abundant publicity, I should be willing to see this experiment tried, though with some hesitation. (Applause). Upon the system of so-called LAND NATIONALISATION, under which the State would become the universal landlord, and every occupier a tenant of the State. I have spoken so fally on this platform that I need not trouble you at length. The per- [ sons who advocate it are chiefly residents in towns. It has been well described by Mr John Morley as either enormous robbery or enormous folly. No actual cultivator will advocate a system under which, if he has by careful farming largely increased the intrinsic value of his holding, he will, on an adjustment of rent, be made to pay for this improvement, while a thriftless neighbor will get his impoverished land again at a lower rental. It would discourage careful farming. I don't believe this plan will ever be Introduced with the consent of the people of New Zealand, and if it were tried, it would never last. Ifc is clear that the progress of the colony in the matter of settlement on the land has of late yearsbeen exceedingly rapid, and credit is due to the present Minister for what he has done. I believe that his predecessor, Mr Ballance, was equally anxious to see settlement progress. 1 do not agree with some of the measures adopted by him, btit I cheerfully acknowledge his anxiety to forward settlement. What we have now to do is to continue pushing on settlement, and to, with this view, help, where we can, the producer to find a market for his produce; also to make the advantages of the colony known as widely as possible, and to discountenance proposals of a character which,- by throwing unfair and excessive burdens upon the occupiers of land, cannot but deter intending emigrants of the farming class. In one respect I have been unable to see that the Government have presented a satisfactory record, viz., in the purchase of Native lands. No douht thi« operation is often surrounded with difficulties of which the outside public cannot judge; but the fact exists that not much progress appears to have been made in this respect during the last twelve months. Whatever Ministry is to hold office in future should exert itself in inducing the Natives to surrender on fair terms prood lands which they cannot utilize, and to chrow them open for settlement. In connection with this, we shall have to consider for how lone; Native land is to continue exempt from the taxation and the rates which is borne by land the property of Europeans. (Applause.) The INCIDENCE OF TAXATION is made to occupy a considerable share of public attention, tfpon the single tax, which I need hardly say is a single tax upon land, I need not detain you long. It is a revised edition of Mr George's confiscation scheme. It was proposed by so-called philosophers more than a hundred years ago, and its absurdity was wittily demonstrated by a well-known French writer. I wish that time allowed mc to give you his illustration. Whenever New Zealand decides to raise its four millions of revenue by a single tax upon land, .seeking a colonial home will give her a wide berth, and those who are on the land will seek to get off it. A land and income tax, in substitution for the present property tax, finds more numerous advocates, especially in large cities. What does ifc mean? What a property tax mean* we know, but it is difficult to ascertain what Is meant by the advocates of a land and income tax. They do not seem to agree, but the majority propose to tax all incomes, whether arising from land or other property; and then, in addition,, to put a special taxupon land. Against a tax upon incomes which now altogether escape taxation I have no objection, although I fear it would produce less than is talked about. But why land in beneficial occupation should be treated differently to other property I fail to see. According to the official returns, She following is the amount of personal property in New Zealand:—Cattle, sheep, horses, stock-in-trade, mortgages, and, other items, amount to 74 millions sterling. Of this sum 20 millions are returned as belonging to twenty-three Owners, Yet these owners are to be relieved at the expense of the land. Now;, why should the owners of this property.as c, rule, be taxed differently from the owners and occupiers of land, and why should land be taxed doubly?- The cost of government ought to be borne by those who are protected and benefited by it, and in proportion to the benefit or protection they receive; in other words, in proportion to the amount of their properly. Land is already taxed in this proportion, and in addition bears separate taxation in the shape of rates for roads, public work*, hospitals and charitable aid. The injustice ot the special taxation on land introduced in 1873 was denounced by the electors generally in 1879. and they are not likely to reverse the decision. then arrived at. In fact, Opposition members representing country constituencies deolare their objection to the proposed land and income tax. It would altogether exempt owners of large amounts of personal property which minister to enjoyment but do not produce an actual income. I will read you what Sir Robert Stout said recently at Napier on this question :— "It was complete nonsense for anyone to say that by any joggle or change of taxation from land tax to property tax or income tax, and so on, they could get rid of paying the money needed. They might exact from one man a pound or two more, and take a pound or two less from another, but the total money had to be paid. In his opinion it was not safe for the present financial state of the colony to change the present system of taxation in any revolutionary way. Whatever was I done would have to be done gradually and carefully. They must remember that if they obtained a land and income tax to-mor i row, they could not get the same revenue I from a land tax as from the property tax, ! unless, by imposing burdens so high and so oppressive, that it would press the ! country settlers hard, and it snould be the policy of the country not to discourage settlement, but to encourage it." In the city and suburbs of Auckland the property tax has become unpopular, j although little of it is paid there. The complaints against it when examined are chiefly of unfair valuations, which, of course, are not a necessary part of the tax. The Government introduced amendments of the Act last year, but obstructive tactics rendered it impossible to pass them. The subject of exemptions is a fair matter for consideration. Some are I now made, including agricultural imple- ! ments. It is proposed to exempt agricul- ' tur&i improvements up to a certain i amount. As a matter of principle it is ! difficult to see why capital invested in ' agricultural improvements is not as fairly taxable as other investments, but as a matter of policy it is most desirable to encourage the improvement of the land, and I should be ready to consider this, and other questions of the kind, from that point of view. A graduated property tax is also being suggested. This is at tempted to be justified by what is miscalled "equality of sacrifice." Now. equality of sacrifice appears to mc to exist when A who owns twice as much as B pays twice as much in taxes. Thss he should pay three or four times as much is surely inequality of sacrifice. Then it is argued he has more to spare, and win not feel the sacrifice so much. That depends on circumstances. But if you carry that principle to its logical result you must tax away bis property ttfitii A is brought down to the same level as B. In other words, when a man by a. life-long application of brains, industry, and capital has accumulated more than his neighbor, the surplus is to be taxed away from him. Such a state of things would be disastrous to the pro-'

Es of any country. tTpon this subI will quote, as I have done once re, the opinions of authorities whose judgment must carry weight, and which, although they were directed fio the income tax, are obviously equally applicable to the taxation of realised property. Adam Smith says:—" The subjects of any State ought to contribute to the support of the Government as much as possible in proportion to their respective abilities. That is in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the State. In the observation or neglect of this maxim consists what is called the equality or inequality of taxation." John Stuart Mill says :— "lam as desirous as anyone that measures should be taken to diminish, these inequalities (of wealth), bat not so as to relieve the prodigal at the expense of the prudent. To tax the larger incomes at a higher percentage than the smaller is to ■ lay a tax on industry and economy, to impose a penalty on people for having worked harder and saved more than their neighI bors. A wise and just legislation would abstain from holding out motives for dissipation, rather saving the earnings of honest exertion." Farther on he states— "As in a case of voluntary subscription for a purpose in which all are interested, all are thought to have done their part fairly when each has contributed according to his means—that is, has made an equal sacrifice for the common object; in like manner should this be the principle of compulsory contributions, and it is superfluous to look for a more ingenious or recondite ground to rest the principle, upon." No sufficient; ground is shown why the man who by industry and thrift, has succeeded in accumulating property, and, by producing large exports, has enriched the colony, should be looked upon as a public enemy and taxed out of existence. —I have been speaking of lands which are beneficially occupied, not of those which are held for speculative purposes, and are not improved according co their capacity for improvement, which, of course, varies greatly. I hold that the community should observe religiously a bargain which it has made; but I cannot admit that agricultural lands were sold to be left untouched nntil they were raised in value by the exertions and the improvements of adjoining occupiers. I have not the slightest sympathy with non-improvers, and believe we could, without injustice devise means for putting pressure on them, either to beneficially occupy their land, or transfer it to others who will do so. A return appended to the property tax report Is, however, quite misleading as to the improvements effected, as the report itself admits. Legacy duties stand upon a different footIng. The terms upon which a man may inherit that which be has not earned is a different matter, and has always been held as a fit subject for regulation by the State. Accordingly we find that legacy duties are graduated both by the amount of the property and the degree of relationship of the deceased person to the inheritor. I believe it is a good thing to inquire into and discuss this whole question of taxation. If we inquire fairly into tbe whole subject, and compare the taxation of property in this colony with that of others, we shall find that ie is as heavily taxed, if not more so, as in any part of tbe world. FEDERATION. A subject which" I think received less consideration than it deserved from Parliament is the proposed Federation of the Australasian Colonies, and the position which New Zealand should assume towards it. The present movement was brought about chiefly by a report from General Edwards upon the Defences of Australia. He found in the Australian military forces, excellent material, but greatly .requiring better organisation, and above all unity of control and authority: the necessity in fact for one well organised Australian force, available wherever in Australia it might be wanted, and not several little armies, only available in tho3e parts of Australia in which they are raised. The consideration whicu this report provoked showed that, for other reasons closer union was desirable. Prominent among these are the questions of naval defence, the commercial relations of the -Australian . colonies with each other, and many Other subjects. The commercial relations are in a' moat, unsatisfactory condition, excessive - Customs duties between. . colonies separated only ■ by an imaginary line presenting serious barriers to their commercial and economical progress. There is not as between the colonies the necessity for protection against cheapness of production, * which justifies high duties in other cases. A preliminary conference of delegates, in which- Captain Russell and myself represented New Zealand, resulted in an agreement that while difficulties might exist in certain cases to complete immediate federation, the general principle should be accepted, and that the time bad arrived when steps should be taken for giving effect to it. We believed that it is the manifest destiny of the several Australian through which, as has been well said, there runs the golden thread of kinship, to form hereafter one great people, and that we should fail in our duty if we did hot endeavor to shape thab destiny wisely and well, and to establish a nation with the old love of freedom, the old capacity of self-government, repeating in this Southern Ocean the great history of our old country in the Northern Hemisphere. The p only serious objection to such federation which I have heard, is that It would tend to promote separation from the mother country. I do not think so. Not one word fell from a single one of the representatives at the Melbourne Conference indicative of any disposition of the kind, nor has the federation of the great Dominion of Canada led in that The question for us in New Zealand is what position is it to the interest of this colony that we should assume towards the movement. Freetrade with Australia would, no doubt, be a great advantage to many classes in New Zealand, but entering the federation would mean our being governed in a great measure from a place twelve : hundred miles distant from our -shores,, and would be too dear a price, in my estimation, to pay for the advantages we should obtain. This seems to mc, however, no reason why New Zealand should be unrepresented at the Convention which will shortly assemble for the framing of a Federal Constitution, and to which we have been invited. No colony will be committed to entering the federation, unless with the deliberate consent of its Legislature subsequentlygiven. The questions to be determined cannot but be of much interest, and even of serious concern to as. We may have opportunities of influencing the Convention in a direction favorable to New Zealand, and in any case it will enable us to cultivate friendly relations with our Australian neighbors. (Loud applause). DEFENCE. In some quarters impatience Is being shown at the amount which has been and Is being spent on harbor defence, although this amount is now very largely reduced. I fearthatttaedeslrability a?preparations for oar own defence is often under-estimated. I have never joined In the condemnation passed on the Stout-Vogel Government for the expenditure they incurred under ! this head. There is np doubt that about that time we were within a hairs-breadth of a great war. Neither is there any doubt ! that New Zealand was to be one of the first points to be attacked by oar enemy. It Iβ lamentable that immense sums should be spent on mere instruments of destruction, but looking to the ever-increas-ing naval and military armaments of the eld world where twelve million of armed men are kept ready to ny at each other's throats, and also to the increasing anxiety of European powers to obtainnew lands as outlets for their population and their trade our position in New Zealand is a far more precarious one than it Used to be. The Imperial navy would no doubt do what any navy can do, but it could hot protect all the harbors of Australasia, and it would soon be useless, unless it had fortified harbors in which to repair, refit, and re-coal. We must do our share in harbor defence, or be prepared to suffer. Large sums have already been spent in fortifications and artillery, bat unless we are ready to man the batteries and work the guns (hey will be a source of danger instead of safety, and we had better do away with them. The able speech of the Defence Minister on this subject shows that we are lamentably deficient in this matter of preparation. To properly man the batteries would take 1200 men; we have 133, and no trained Volunteers. For the guns provided at so great a cost, the Minister showed that the ammunition was utterly deficient. In the event of war it might be impossible to replenish it. The carriages of some of the field guns are absolutely rotten. We have submarine mines, on which great reliance is placed, bnt not enough gun-cotton to charge them with. Oar Volunteers have no efficient rifles. To meet fcbese deficiencies tbe Minister proposed a scheme under which we should nave bad a email partially-paid force, and a trained Volunteer force, for a less annual cost than was incurred by the late Government. I trust

that eventually this plan will be into operation. (Applause). F£HJILB STTFFRAGE. .-. , Daring last session I was able at last to brine on the subject of the extension of Parliamentary suffrage to females." Both the debate and the division thereon were noteworthy, the former as showing how absolutely insignificant are tbe arguments which can be brought against the proposal—that, in fact, the opposition to this important reform rests really upon blind and thoughtless prejudice. Some copies of the report of the debate are on the table, and I trust that any person who is unconvinced upon the subject will take a copy and read it. My motion was carried by a majority of no less than 87 to 11, a greater success than I had ventured to hope for. My subsequent attempt to at once place this reform on the Statute-book \ was not successful. The feeling seemed to be that, althoueh the principle wa3 correct, there was hardly time to bring tfc into practical operation for the present election. The subject will, I trust, be pressed forward next session. Two difficulties stand in our way. Firstly, probable opposition in the Legislative Council, and, secondly, the old difference amongst oar own friends, some of whom would at at once Rive the franchise to all women, and others, who will in the first instance give it only to those occupying an independent position and paying taxes. I sincerely trust that these differences may ! not be pressed to such an extent as to inter- \ fere with the practical realisation of this reform. I wilt not now trouble you with a reoetitlon cf arguments which have never been answered; we may, I think, feel sore that the day is not far distant when the denial to one-half of our populalatioa of the right given to every adult maie, whatever his disqualifications, will no longer be persisted in. Petitions to Parliament in favor of the Immediate granting of the right to vote are being circulated and largely signed by women, so that it cannot on a future occasion be said that women are indifferent to the acquisition of this right. (Loud applause)

PARTY GOVEBNMJSNT. An interesting discussion took place on the working of the system of party Government in New Zealand. We have copied this system of Government by Parliamentary parties from the Ola Country, but our circumstances aro different, and I have growing doubts whether the system is that which is best adapted to our case; at any rate it is attended with serious evils. In tbe Imperial Parliament parties are generally divided by intelligible lines,between- which there are clear and broad issues of constitutional principle, but in New Zealand at this day it would puzzle a careful observer to say what are the questions of political principle which divide members who sib on the right hand of the Speaker from those who sit en his left. For instance, the Opposition party proclaims its policy to be retrenchment and economy, and the Government party point out that they hare practised this to a much greater extent than the Opposition. The Opposition party now denounces further borrowing. The Government party has for three vearj done the same, and the Government has so reduced loan expenditure as to render non-borrowing practicable. The Opposition party advocate the settlement of the people on the land. The Government prove to demonstration that they have done more in this respect than was ever done before. Witli regard to taxation the Opposition party are by no means united—the" town members seem to favor a land and income tax, which is denounced by the Opposition members from the country. During the debates of last session there was in fact liitle difference as to what the policy of the Colony shoald be—the only difference was as to which side had been most successful in carrying out that .policy. As a further illustration, I notice that Mr Perceval, who steadily votes on the Opposition side, has advertised an address in four-fifths of which Government supporters would agree. Parties in the New Zealand Parliaraenb are little more than personal co • binations. The House is divided between the followers of Sir Harry Atkinson and the followers of Mr Ballance. In spite, however, of the absence o£ substantial difference, members are constantly induced by party ties to give votes which they dislike. As candidates they somewhat hastily call themselves Opposition or Government supporters, and afterwards, find • themselves bound to vote with their party, however much they may disapprove of its proceedings. It is possible that in the not distant future we may see real differences represented by a town and a country party, but At present there is no such division. While acknowledging some of the uses of Parliamentary organisation, I believe It is not altogether suitable to our circumstances, and think it could be modified with advantage. The debate on this question was useful as illustrating the evils of the present system, and the possible alternatives which may be adopted. I have brought wltn mc copies of this debate, which are at the service of any per* sons present. (Applause). INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE. To this important question of developing local industries, such as flax-dressing, dairying, and fruit preparing, the House in three months devoted about one hour. This sufficed, however, to appoint a wellselected Committee to inquire into the progress which was being made in these industries, and what could be done to encourage them. The member who proposed ifc,MriJeetham,i3Oueof those who apeaks but little, but by his action he did more to serve the country than all the talking windbags put together. The Committee collected valuable evidence and made some useful recommendations, although I regret that they stopped short of urging the establishment of peripatetic dairy schools, which in Denmark and England have done wonders in improving the quality of this produce. It is very satisfactory to learn from-the report of the Committee that Our export of dairy produce has, from £1983 Iα 1831, steadily increased to £67,105 this year. I see no reason why it should not ultimately equal the export of grain or meat. No industry seems to mc more deserving of encouragement. It will afford employment to a considerable population, and not exhaust the soil. . LABOR BILLS. In pursuance of the report of a Commission appointed by the Government to inquire into the alleged existence of •• sweating" in the manufacturing industries of the colony, several Bills were. introduced last session to provide against the growth of abuses of this character, which have prevailed in the Mother Country. . The outbreak of the labor struggle made it difficult to consider the Bills advantageously at the present moment, and they have therefore been deferred. They will, no doubt, be taken up early next session and receive full consideration. While containing man; valuable and necessary provisions. I think that in some respects the proposals went too far, and especially is tbe universal application to purely country districts of regulations which were, no doubt, suitable to large centres of population, in which considerable manufacturing establishments exist. Probably the delay, as , it will afford opportunity for careful ' observation, will not prove a disadvantage. I I TEMPERANCE QUESTION. I The only change effected in the law re- j lating to the liquor traffic was one to make i the election ot Licensing Committees triennial, to be held at the same time aa the triennial poll on the question of the issue of new licensee. I supported this Bill, because I believe the public wQI take greater interest in elections so held than they now do in the annual elections. I suggest to my temperance friends, whose excellent work I sincerely sympathise with, that by this means they will be able to bring the influence, of public opinions to bear on the question of issuing licensee more effectually than has hitherto been the case. EDUCATION. As no material alteration has taken place in this respect, I shoald not have touched upon this subject were it: not that a strong feeling appears to exist npoa it id some parts of this electorate. Notbing whatever was done lant session, but during the session of 1889 a Bill was introduced for enabling the Government to make a grant in aid to Private Schools, under certain conditions. They were to have a minimum attendance, be up to the standard of State Schools in secular teaching, subject to Government inspec* tioo, and other conditions. Those electors who have beard the opinions I have always expressed on this subject will know that I gave my vote in favour of this Bill. I should isave broken my word it I had not done so. Some electors are afraid that such a concession would endanger our National system. If I could think so I would oppose, it strenuously. Oα the contrary, I am persuaded it will give as peace, and mike our system truly National. In this I am supported by the leaser of the Government, Sir H. Atkinson, the leader of the Opposition, Mr Ballanee, the late Mr TarnbuH, Ms Hatchinson, $Sr Smithy .and others whose liberal views no one has eVep questioned; They all stated In tbe debate that ft would

not ;:«!»■■ National gyateis , of Bdtsc&tion. of wince-we- ere so ;•': -WORK DO**® B* IATX IPASIJt ASSENT. I,~#ai now «laac& fcrtefly at the work which has beea accomplished by the Parliament jest expired. The mission given to it at the elections was to extricate, toe colony from the critical financial position in which it was then placed. You will remember that a deficiency in the Colonial Treasury existed, which eventually proved to be over half a million, and the credit of New Zealand was at a very low ebb. Parliament and Government took the matter seriously in hand, economies were introduced all round, commencing with the Governor, his Ministers, the honoraria of members, and extending to all branches of the public service. By these means retrenchment was effected of over a quarter of a million, and for the first time in the history of the colony, a large portion of the deficit was not added to our debt, but paid off by a special tax, the primage duty of 1 per cent, which can hardly he said to nave pressed severely upon any person. "With regard to the still more Important question of loan expenditure, which was golnjf on at the rate of over £1,200,000 a year, this has been gradually reduced to £400,000, and will admit of further reduction. In addition to this several important branches of pablic expenditure, Mtherto charged to loan, axe now charged upon the ordinary revenue of the colony—a valuable though difficult operation. With regard to the large question of our fiscal system, which occupied so much of our attention, I think that a reasonable adjustment has been arrived at. Customs duties give substantial encouragement to local {industries, which have responded to this encouragement, and I am bound to admit that In the adjustment of these duties the farming interest, which can derive no direct benefit from Protection, has as far as possible been spared. The additional revenue yielded by the Customs has largely helped to establish the satisfactory balance between locome and expenditure which we now enjoy. The late Parliament effected a difficult and important operation In reducing the number of its own members from 93 to 74. I trust that thi? reduction, while effecting some saving in money, will have the more important effect of ensuring a saving in time and talk. The country electoral districts have obtained a partial restitution of the concessions In the matter of representation given to them in 1831, and of which they bad been unjustly deprived by Sir R. Stout's Goveruraent. It lslno more than Is absolutely necessary to place the country on a footing of practical equality with the town districts. (Applause.) CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE. Among minorquestious of interest to the agricultural community, I may point out that an alteration In the law with regard to insurance companies has been obtained, with a view co giving farmers the opportunity of securing by co-operation among themselves, advantages In the insurance ot their property corresponding to the benefits which co-operation has obtained for them in many other respects. (Applause.) "WORK FOR XBXT PARLIAMENT. In one important respect the late Parliament has utterly failed, viz., in reforming its own procedure or even maintaining its reputation for business-litre and dignified dealing with the business of the country. Theconduetofaemall,unreasonable, loquacious, and inconsiderate group ot members bos certainly placed the House in a lower position in the esteem of the public ot this country than it used co hold. One of the moat urgent tasks of the new Parliament will be to effect a reform in this matter, to take such measures as will not interfere . 'with the liberty of discussion, but protect it by putting down deliberate obstruction and the monopolizing of the time of the House by a few unreasonable individuals, tTnles3 this is done, we shall ere long he landed In something like legislative anarchy. (Applause.) PUBCJC KXPSSDITCBE, ETC. With regard to the public expenditure, Parliament will no doubt have before H the report of the Commission about to be appointed. With this help, and possibly that of a Budget Committee, it ought to have no difficulty in , reducing departmental expenditure to the minimum requisite for providing an efficient public service. With regard to borrowing, as already stated, I think that may well be averted for at lease three years. The most important workou which your members can be engaged will be m promoting settlement on the land. I have already stated my opinions on that subject. . PBOTKCTION. 'Wjitti respect to the question of protective Customs duties, au increase of which Is suggested in some quarters, I think that anything like a distinct; increase should be resisted. The amount of protection now afforded H as great as can be given in justice to the consuming community, and especially to the agricultural community, which cannot benetlt by a protective system. Should, however, the experience of the last three years have disclosed some anomalies in the pretieng; settlement which.can be removed without any material increase of duty I shall be disposed to support any necessary amendment. • LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. : Three attempts have been made to reform the constitution of the Legislative Council, but unfortunately without success. A reform, should,! think, be persevered inland supported by the whole influence of whatever Government may be in power? o, l believe that the continued appointment of life members by the Govern meat of the day is a serious and increasing evil, and that some change in this respect is urgently required. While admitting the good work the Council has done, I cannot help noticing that its beat , men have passed or are passing i away, and that it Is time that some provisions were made for an im* ftroveraent ia its composition, and n securing that it shall .be more in harmony with deliberate public opluion than Otherwise it soon will be. (Applause.) ' PARTY GOVEBNMENT. The possibility of removing some of the evils ot the system of Party Government as now worked, to which I have referred, should receive careful consideration, without regard to its bearlog. on the interest* o? parties as now existing. I do not think however, that any radical change should be effected without the subject being: submitted to the judgment of the constituencies. Effect will no doubt be given to the opinion expressed by a vast majority of the late Parliament; in favor of female suffrage; and I trust that the question of proportional represeatatioo, so necessary to give full effect to a genuine Democratic system, may also be favorably considered. LABOR DIFFICULTY. I have not yet said anything upon the labor question, which has so recently disturbed the community. My reason it is but little which Parliament or Government can do in the matter. The differences which have arisen are earnestly to be deplored, both for the sake of the present loss and suffering which they have entailed, and even more for the lack of .confidence which may easae on the part of persons to whom we might look to invest capital in labor-employ log industries. U anything like a position of chronic hostility between capital and labor is to be established, we may say good bye to any development of manufacturing mii dtretries, and even to the continuance of those, now in existence. Unionism will continue to be a very powerful weapon, whether we think it good or bad. I believe it will be good, and should exist on the part of both employers and employed, bach an organisation on both sides will provide facilities for the careful consideration of differences which may arise, prevent extreme measures being adopted rashly, and in most cases lead to as amicable" < settlement of. disputes. In theory the best means of reconciling these interests would be a system of productive co-operation, in which capital and labor would share profits as well as risks, and the colony would be greatly indebted to any persons who would break ground in fehafc direction. The experience of the old world in this respect has, so far, not been very encouraging. Failing this, or in any event, 1 trust that Iα future recourse to arbitration, or to Conciliation Boards, may avert fresh straggles of the character of that now ending. In this matter Government and Parliament may help by such legislation as will afford facilities far voluntary arbttr&tioa. Anything like compulsory arbitration appears to mc impracticable. It is to be rsgrefcted that a Bill of this kind, introduced byMr&ownle Stewart last session,. was resisted fo? putty purposes and defeated. In one matter connected with the labor question, the Government lias a distinct duty, ana that is 'to ensure that the national railways shall ever be Available to all portions of. the community. We have an excellent milway staff, i»at I trust it will ngjjsr: b© ; .seriously eonleadcd that they have a light to give fthe use of the people % railways to one portion of the people, and to withhold it from another. Sir R, (Stout

Iβ sjtldto have advocated such a have riot Been ? ny proof that he hJ* I"- X co, ana donofcbefie>e Ib. It woald^T ,18 our nllwafs.iato.an greatest oppression and injustice fS SSliffniSS °e W Parliament Till E j CONCLUSION. P&s3'n« now from details of we* awaiting the new Parliament to th. general position of the colony, w 0 m»l I fairly congratu ate ourselves that the IS Parliament will meet under far S favorable circumstances than were countered by Its predecessor. It face a period of depression which seem*! never enc*ing. Our Treasurer was sed on an empty Treasury cheat, a yawnlne deficiency Iα front of him, fishine; for ® a budget which would balance hi» accounts; our credtb had euuk below that of any Australian colony. The new Parliament will find a balance established between public income and expenditure • end our public securities at a prleo than ever before in the history ot N? w Zealand. The condition ot the prodticinii community has very greatly imoroved 8 and if the same improvement has not yet reached the trading classes, It v partly owing to increasedeconomv. Tvhlcb as tbo property tax returns ahow," Usm» d«! creasad private indebtedness by over five millions sterling in three years. Aβ I have already pointed out, a greater pro* portion of our population is now settled on the land than ever before, and settlement is etill progressing at an increased I rate. During the Quarter just expired there were Grown lands disposed of on settlement conditions to the amount at 262,331 acres in 644 holding* averaging 4m acres, and for cash 60,605 acres to 288 holdings averaging only 250 acres. The number ot small flock-owners hat since 1881, Increased 55 per cent, |» correspondence with these changes we have a remarkable increase in exports ol agricultural produce—while our total ex« ports have In three years risen bvover three and a half millions. I am glad to my we export more and import leas. Side by nide with this, local manufactures have been largely developed, and I ela« cereiy trust that nothing will occur to mar their progress. Every teat that can be applied proves increased prosperity. The reeretable exodus of population which took place for a time, was ihe result ot diminished loan spending in New Zea; land, and increased loan money in the adjoining colonies. The tide hat now turned without the employment Ot any artificial stimulus—the last returns show a considerable excess ol Immigration over emigration. (Applause). It is true that our terrible debt still remains, and that the public debt Iβ even somewhat increased. Its influence must continue for many a long day to press likes millstone upon every interest in the colonji If It were any use crying over spilt milk I would cry by the hour. (Laughter.) Bat such a proceeding would be neither manly nor useful. Let us rather consider bow we can strengthen our shoulders to bear the Inevitable burden,.determined thafctt snail not be increased, and how much we have to be thankful for. We are, remember, occupiers of a laud which, for extent and variety of resources. Is almost uneur* passed, and in which Ibelfeve material comfort is more widely distributed than In any country on the face of the earth, and I have seen nearly every country pOßeees« ing a tomporate climate. There is mocU tn our position to call forcareand economy, but nothing to warrant despondency, (Loud applause.) MT POSITION. With regard to the position which, it returned to Parliament, I should take, I must again stipulate for an independent position. Should Sir Harry Atkinson be enabled to resume the active leadership X have no doubt that I shall be found glvlag him a general support. If, unfortunately, his health will not admit of his doing en, n new Government will have to be formed, and with regard to this, I cannot now express "any opinion. All I can say is that I shall endeavor to support any Ministry whose policy will be one ot economy and prudence in the matter of public finance, of general abstention from borrowing, and of en* erpetic development of our resources by encouraging settlement of the land. Any new-fangled theories of taxation or land administration which would deter persona in the colony or out of it from investing their capital tn the development of our resources I should fee) it my duty to oppose, PERSONAL. It now only remains forme to add a few words of a personal character. Oα three former occasions you have elected mc as your representative. As your representative I have filled important public offices, and done Important public work. If you think that I have done my duty, I re< spectfully ask you and the other elector* now included in this electorate to reaow once more the trust you have reposed id mc and to send once wore your old member to represent his old constituency in the House of Representatives, of whfcfs I have for some tttne been the oldest! momber. (Applause), I make this appeal with confidence, because while I have no reason to believe that I have forfeited the good opinion of those electors who tot* raerly supported mc, I have had very pleasing assurances of support from many trentlemen who on a former occasion feft It their duty to oppose mo, and for which assurances I heartily thank them. 1 feel grateful for the patient and iadulszeuii hearing you have given ms. (Loud applause). In answer to questions Sir John HaH said tiiat he was not in' favour of raisisg the school age to six or seven years, w$ would he impose fees above the fourth standard. As regarded grunts 60 denoml* national schools he thought he had gives an answer in hie speech. He did not know who were agitating for an Increase fa the size of the flounders which shoa'i be taken, but he would advocate BC alteration in the present regulations eon* cerning the size of flounders unless aftwt a very careful and exhaustive inquiry had been made. Mr Henry Overton proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Sir John Hall for his addtess and past services, and a votes? confidence In him as their, future rapir* , aentative. (Loud applause). The motion was seconded by Mr ft Hogg and carried. •; Sir John Hall thanked them for tfctfc unanimous vote of confidence, and temk . nated the proceedings by proposing &h§ usual compliment to the Chairman.