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Evening Star, Issue 7344, 17 October 1887, Page 4

require which was open for selection. This had hitherto not been the case, and consequently many intending settlers had been compelled to bo toother countries. With regard to the working of railwiys, he was of opinion that th« lines were worked fairly economically; but considered it would perhaps be better if the control of tho railways were placed in the hands of a nonpolitical body. With regard to the item contained in tho Speenh relating to the Tariff, ho trusted it did not point to the fact that a system of Protection would be inaugurated. Referring to the Education system, he was of opinion that the school age might be raised from five to seven years. Another way in which retrenchment might be effected was by the abolition of Education Boards—bodies which were quite irresponsible. The Imperial Conference was calculated to bind together the distant portions of the Empire. Tne Hon. J. W. Barnicoat seconded. He referred feelingly to the union of the Empire, which had been cemented by the Jubilee celebrations. Alluding te a paragraph in the Speech touching the proposed retrenchment, he oppressed an opinion that the people would prefer submitting to the present system of taxation rather than permitting great hardship and ltiin to overtake old Civil servants. The Hon. M. Holmes, referring to the question of deficiency bills, said that each succeeding Government had borrowed from trust funds to an extraordinary extent, and during the last year no less a sum than L 503,000 had been taken by the Government from those funds. ' In savings banks, for instance, no less a sum than L 1,600,015 was invested by the people, and, with the exception of L 69.000, the whole of this large sum had been borrowed by the State. He referred to thelarge sums of money which had been spent on public roads, a large proportion of which did no good ; and stigmatised the Crown Rating Act as robbery perpetrated by one part of the Colony upon the other. He expressed the hope that the Native Office would ba abolished, and with the Department would go tho present pernicious policy of coddling the Maoris, who were as well able to take care of themselves as were Europeans. The Defonce vote should be reduced as much or moro than any other in the catalogue. Trained men could be g t from Home for two yrars to take charge of the guns at the four chief ports, instead of paying 7s per day as at present. Referring to the cost of education, lie expressed an opinion that the outlay was too large, and said he was in favor of increasing the school age to seven years, establishing kindergartens, and closing the education of children at the Fifth Standard ; at the same time throwing the cost of education in high scho ds upon the parents ef those children who benefited by them. The hon. gentleman compared the property tax to the income tax in Great Britain, asking if it was fair to colonial property holdois. He strongly advocated the handing over of the railways to non-political boards, such as had been established in Victi ria. The Hon. G. M. Watebhousb referred to the danger which existed in the bank reserves in the Colony, which only amounted to 12& per cent, of the banks' note issue. With regard to promises of retrenchment, he believed that, pushed on by public opinion, the Government would, unless they desired to be ignominiously turned out, effect trenchant economy. Referring to the hope expressed that the land laws would secure prosperity, he said that only self-reliance would secure prosperity. The time of small holdings was passing away, and were giving way to capital, combined with agricultural ability and improved machinery. Small holdings would only pay in the neighborhood of large centres. As to education, he had no doubt a great saving might be effected, whether as regarded the buildings or minimum of school age. He favored the kindergarten system as being satisfactory and at the same time economical. The adoption of the kindergarten system would not exceed 30 per cent., and at the same time children might receive religious instruction from various denominations. The same system was adopted in England, and he trusted the time was not far distant whon the whole education system would be revised, not only with a view to its being carried on more economically, but more liberally so far as regarded religious instruction. The Hon. J. C. RIGHMOND hoped the Government would, during the recess, endeavor to effect some retrenchmeut in the Legislative Council which would have the eflvct of popularising the Chamber and admitting within its walls men and politicians of culture and experience when those who were now members had passed away. •Mludir.g to retrenchment, he said that if all classes of the community realised the fact that retrenchment was really necessary, there was nothing to prevent the Co'o-.y from becoming tho first Colony on the fice of the earth. The Address was then carried on the voices.