MR D. BUDDO AT FERNSIDE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8622, 25 October 1893, Page 3

MR D. BUDDO AT FERNSIDE.

Mr D. Bnddo, the Liberal candidate for the Kaiapoi electorate, addressed a wellattended meeting of ladies and genblemen ab bhe Schoolroom, Fernside, on Monday evening. Mr D. Mclnbyre was voted to the chair.

Air Buddo, who was.well received, stated that he had been 'invited tocontest tbe seat by the Liberal Association. As the district was an agricultural one,- and four-fifths of the exports of the colony were from farms, they must be the heaviest taxpayers, and should have the largest interest in the expenditure of these taxes. He had therefore consented to join in the contest, as there were only . about two bona fide farmers representing the South Island. Liberalism to his mind meant progressive reform id* railway managemenb, education, making provision for pensions, j fair trade, and lands opened for settlement to enable young men to have a chance for getting on in the world. The defence of the country ought to be provided for, in order that a hob reception might be given in case of invasion bo any enemy. When it came to taxation, let them suit bhe burden to the back. Mr Buddo spoke at some length in favour of bhe land and income tax as against the property tax. It was. said the land tax would raise interest to borrowers. He could assert interest was as low, if not lower, than three ypars ago. After referring to the graduation principle, he added thab he did nob say bhe tax was perfection. In fact, he considered a farmer i with a, highly improved place paid more in proportion bhan the grazier who had only a wire fence round 300 acres. It appeared the farmer was taxed on his industry, and i should have a measure of relief. Ib was | satisfactory that all improvements were now exempted. He need hardly tell small farmers they wer3 better off than under the property tax, and lie contended that no higher taxation was imposed for road rates. When the valuation was made, land was £1 to £3 per acre dearer than at the former valuation, so that the valuation would have been the same for property tax. Coming to the education system,- he considered it second to none in the Empire. As to grants to denominational schools, the many sects precluded the idea of a general system of religious teaching in the schools that would be agreeable bo the majority. The longer he lived, the more he was con-, vinced any interference wibh the spirit of education would be wrong, however much he sympathised with the efforts for religious education at public schools. With an improvemenb in finances he trusted a time would come when they might afford a certain amouub of free secondary education. He favoured the offering of scholarships in the primary schools. Upon the licensing question he was one of the moderate party, and felt tbab any rash act in closing licensed houses would have the effect of causing them to be opened at next election. In large electoral districts he considered a majority should rule the question, bub in smaller areas, such as wards, boroughs, and road districts, the three-fifths majority should be required. He entirely disagreed with the idea that the control of the rail"ways ought to revert to the Government. There was danger in an impecunious Government imposing higher railway charges on produce, and thus handicapping the industry of the colony. If high rates only wenb bo passenger fares they could stop at home, but produce was compelled to be sent to market. The system of managemenb might be perhaps improved by retiring two Commissioners and allowing one of the Minis try to .act. as Chairman, when, any important matter was before the Railway Board, but the Minister not to have a casbing vote. It was shameful to witness the numbers of freezing sheep sent to the works by road. Not only was it cruel, but when slaughtered the animals, being bruised, were in' many' cases rejected. Whatever form of management was adopted, he shonld, if elected, strive to have farmers better served for their stock and grain, and the fares should be lowered all round, so as to not return more than 2 per can— On the question of freetrade —ad protection, they must foster their' industries in the same way that babies were raised, namely, upon porridge, and not upon pies. If the industries of towns would thrive by honest means, adopt those means, but if only by

high protective duties, then he considered it was unwise to adopt the latter course. He was a fair trader, and would favour a bonus on the first year's output, to be approved by a Parliamentary Committee. A matter of some importance at present was the readjustment of the Legislative Council. He believed the time must soon come when they will be elected by the people for a term of years. Personally he would be in favour of a gradual working up to this end. He wished some Heaven-born genius would solve the unemployed question once and for ever. The Government, he said, deserved credit for keeping the unemployed in a fair way of making a living without becoming too heavy a tax on the Aid Board. He did not know what to do with the regular "sundowner,"' unless a settlement could be found for him at Stewart's Island, where each might be provided with some corn and appliances for catching fish. He considered the State should adopt a simple system of pensions or insurance for the aged in which the co-operation of employers should be obtained. The employer, by keeping an account of all money paid for labour could deduct from each pound a small sum of say 2d or 3d and at the end of each quarter make a declaration of the wages paid, mid place the sum of the insurance in the nearest Post office, to go to the Government Insurance Office. The fund so formed to provide for men and women over fiftyfive years who declare they have no income. The State might be expected to help this fund from time to time. He was pleased the Government had the Eluck to dispute the value of Cheviot and uy it for settlement at a price which he thought was a fair market rate. If true to themselves the electors would support a Government that would conserve the land and not press it on the market for cash. As to defence, as an ex-Volunteer he deprecated the cheese paring which would render ports insecure aud the Volunteers inefficient. Instead of buying 1000 rifles of an obsolete pattern the Government he thought should have purchased 3000 of the latest magazine pattern aud improved guns for the four large harbours. Concluding his address he pointed out Liberalism meant progression, anda thoughtfulness for the interests of posterity, while to his mind Conservatism meant running as they were years ago. In asking the electors to return him he said he wasone of themselves. The policy that suited him must suit them be they farmers, tradesmen, citizens, or labourers.

In reply to questions Mr Buddo said that in the matter of the licensing question, if he were in the House he would vote according to his conviction and not as directed by the party to which he would belong. He would be in favour of a reduction ot the honorarium only if his party desired it; as he did not think £240 a year too much to pay a representative. He thought that party Governmeut was not a failure in New Zealand, but should be prepared to support a better scheme if one could be devised. He was m favour of female franchise, bub the time had not come for the ladies to go to Parliament. Was in favour ot the Government lending money to small settlers, and thought they might lend more than one-half the value on agricultural laud where required.

Mr W. Harrison proposed—"That a hearty vote of thanks be given Mr Buddo for his address." He thought as they were all neighbours and friends it would be better that a vote of confidence should not be pub bo the meeting. Captain Parsons seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation.