DR. NEWMAN AT FOXTON.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 94, 19 October 1881, Page 2

DR. NEWMAN AT FOXTON.

Dr. Newman addressed a meeting of the I electors at fc'oxton on Saturday evening. We coniense a report of his remarks from tha Manawatu Herald's account of the proceedings. After commenting on the remarkable character of the Foxton electorate, as constituted by the Government, and condemning the spirit

whioh led each^ portion of a district to want a local man as representative. Dr. Newman said the colony had now received manhood suffrage, triennial parliaments, and other things of that kind, and Bhould now turn to more practical matters. It Bhould lay itself out to seek to bring a renewal of that pro3perty we experienced before tho depression which had settled on us. Parliament shonld find out new sources of wealth, and develop new industries. He wouli like to Bee Vogelism back again ; yet during the two years of I the depression the Government had levied a burden of half a million of money by extra taxation on the country, and about •£•!¦ per head for every man. If Vogel or some other master mini had been at the head of affairs he wonld have brought back prosperity. He waa glad as a shareholder, and a prominent member of the West Coast Railway Company directory, to tell them that the work would soon be begun, as it would bring to this electoral district, if not to the people and town of Foxton, great prosperity. He expressed his regret that the Foxton people had not supported the railway. Dr. Newman then said that with a botter line of steamers trading to Foxton, and the Wellington railway, Foxton ought to rival ¦\\aaganni, and be a prosperous place. The railways of the colony he held khonld be under an independent board of management, as at present voters bothered Ministers, who then altered the tariff to suit particular persons. -They must have tho people Bettled on tho land, and that could not be done without roads. The worst thing that had been doLC was to abolish the 20 per cent, of the Land Fund payments to ceunties, though that had been remedied by subsidies of £ for £on rates collect ad. With reference to the Local Government question, he Eaid the tendency of the past had been to divide and subdivide, and either the counties Bhould be made smaller, or 088 the Koad Boards should be abolished, or something of that kind effected. After visiting Parihaka, he could say Mr. JBvyce wag right when he desired to march on Parihaka. (Applause.) He thought it monstrous that a body of soldiers should be kept in a state of turmoil and that settlement should be retarded, so that an armed foroo was kept on the alert, and the Government were compelled to ask for a vote of jfiIOO.OOO for contingent defence. It was high time to Btop this. The Government had the ohance when the Maori prisoners were in gaol, but neglected it. Ihen the European force was double that of the natives, but aftor the release of the prisoners the European foroe waa reduced to 400, and the natives were double that number. The Government should have demanded the arrest of Hiroki, and sent a Magistrate to read the Riot Aot, as was done when any body of Europeans gathered {together and defied the law. Parihaka was easy of access, and the troops could easily enter it. The Government Bhould have taken Mr. Bryce's advice, and he held the Queen's writ Bhould run throughout the length and breadth of the island. The Governor waß placed in a false position when his aide-de-cayip was sent to Parihaka, | only to be snubbed. He quite agreed with tho doctrine of reciprocity. Victoria demanded a duty of 6d per bashel on oats going into the country, and he thought that an arrangement might be come to by which some of Victoria's productions could come to New Zealand free, and we could send our grain thpre free also. '1 he Governmont should also encourage the growth and manufacture of tobacco, whioh would lead to the expenditure in the colony of large sums of money whiph now ¦ went «nt of it. Quito recently duties were put on baoon, jam, &c. and he held New Zealand would never be a really prosperous country until there was a greater number of industries. He thought Borne means should be devised by which criminal' labour Bhould be made a source of revenue to the State, instead of being a drag. Regarding education, he considered children should not be allowed to go to school until they were eight years of ago, as they cost tho country a lot of momy, and learnt almost nothing before attaining that ago. The teaching should be oonfined to reading, writing, and arithmetic. If children were to be taught more, let the parents p*y tho extra amount He considered that thore Bhould bo two houses to the Legislature, but that the Upper House should be elected, though not for lifo. In conclusion, Dr. Newman said there oould be no more bor- - rowing at present, and the colony must husband its resources, and develop netv. ones and thus endeavour to bring back a return of prosperity. In answer to Mr. Puroell, Dr. Newman said he was in favour of the payment of members. J n answer to Mr. Loudon, he said ho would not snpport the Government as at present constituted. He thought the Government would have to be reconstructed under tho leadership of Mr. Ormond. Tho Chairman (Mr. F. Loudon) then moved a hearty voto of thanks to Dr. Newman. This was carried, and tho meeting broke up.