The Minister of Defence and his Constituents.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 130, 3 June 1889, Page 3

The Minister of Defence and his Constituents.

[By Telegraph.] i united rkbss association.] Dunedin, This Day. Tho Hon. Mr. Forgus was accorded an enthusiastic reception at Queenstown, the Volunteer Band playing him through the town, and the Artillery firing a salute. In the evening ho addressed bis constituents, some of whom had travelled 50 rniies. He said as the outcome of Ministerial economies they were able to pay off £46,000 of deficit, and begin the new financial year with a credit of £22,000, without withholding a single payment from the publio accounts. The reorganisation of the Civil Service would be continued, not by cutting down poorly paid officers but by amalgamation of offices. Referring to the Railway Board, he said the reason why the expert was not appointed was because three days before the testimonials of the person recommended by the AgentGeneral could be considered by the Cabinet he withdrew his application. While in Victoria one of tho first experts south of the lino said — "You don't want a railway manager. You have got men good enough in New Zealand. What you want is a diplomatist, a man who will bring reason to bear with the people— an approachable man." Struck with the force of this advice he brought it under the notice of tho Premier. Mr. M'Kerrow fulfillpd those anticipations, and the appointment had been well received by the best thinking men, while there was a disposition on the part of the public to give the board a fair trial. He complained of the over-legislation, to which our Parliament waß prone. Since the creation of responsible government it had passed 2028 statutes, and repealed 1466. Government should not give bo much attention to fancy legislation, but give a great deal more to the goneral welfare of the country, and see that legislation, instead of being bulky, is good. That was what Government intended to bear in mind. During the present session they intended their work should be judged by quality rather than quantity. On the subject of Legislative Council reform, he Baid the Government favoured the House nominating. The Government intended to introduce a Bill similar to Sir F. Whitaker's, with some amendments. It would provide for the election by the House for a definite period and for empowering Government to call to the Council one member as a Minister for the purpose of facilitating their business, but to retire when the Government leave office. There was little fear of the Reduction of Members' Act being upset, but he was hopoful that a modification of the Hare system would be adopted. They proposed bringing in a measure to simplify the charitable aid law and allowing Hospital districts to exist much the same as at present, with this difference, that the management of the Hospitals would be given to local bodies, who may transfer the same to trustees. If the local body did not wish to undertake the burden they oould decline to do so. The local institution would bo supported partly by rates and partly by subscriptions, the Government subsidising tho latter liberally. They intended to give a liberal subsidy to hospitals, which were absolutely nocossary, and it reestod, whether these institutions should be maintained, entirely with the people themselves. With regard to Charitable Aid, they proposed to relieve local bodies from the maintenance of inveterate paupers, and incorrigible drnnkards, and proposed to put men who would not support their families in institutions where they would have to do something for their own support, giving subsidies to the local body to deal with the casual poor within its bounds. In amending tho Bankruptcy Act, they proposed to embody the principle recommended by the Chamber of Commerco, and to relieve the Supreme Court by empowering Resident Magistrates to deal with small ostates and distribute tho assets. The Government intended in dealing with the education question that there should be no departure from the main feature of the system, but that reforms in administration should be effected. The defects wero, want of uniformity in inspection, unequal salaries, tho non- grading of teachers. He was in favour of making inspectors colonial officers, and though the sweeping away of boards would facilitate tho ohanges indicated, he saw no adequate authority to take their place, and to band over the entire control to the central authority he would sincerely detest. The election of school committees also needed alteration. Re volunteering, he said that for the number of men on last year's papers. Government was able to make a slight increase of capitation this year. The Government had no intention of borrowing, and the question of raising another loan for publio works was never mooted in Cabinet. The Government meant to pay their way, live within their means, and raise the credit of the colony as muoh as they could, both at Home and abroad . The off orts of the Government in the past had been productive of much good. Our debentures, which were at lOOf , with dividend nearly due when the Government took office, by recent advices were up to 106 in tho London market. With tho equalisation of revenue and expenditure there had been a great recovery in the agricultural industry, and a move all along, and in commerce the* volume of natural trade was expanding, and tho colony, freed from the adventitious aid, borrowed money, was going forth to gather in the fruits of legitimate industry.