THE MEMBER FOR DUNEDIN WEST.

Evening Star, Issue 7610, 12 May 1888, Page 4

THE MEMBER FOR DUNEDIN WEST.

MrW. D. Stewart, M.H.R., addressed the electors of Dunedin West at Old Knox Church last night. There was a fair attendance, Mr J. T. Mackerras presiding. Mr Stewakt explained that he would have addressed his constituents some time ago but for a deßire to hear first what the Premier had to say. Sir Harry Atkinson, however, had not spoken ; and during the recess not one indication of what the policy of the Government was likely to be had been given. He and other members were therefore placed at a disadvantage in not being able to comment on their policy. Referring to the work of last session, the object of the Reduction of Members 15:11 was to secure the present Ministry in power for three years. Mr Menteath had proposed that the Bill should not come into force till the expiry of Parliament by effluxion of time. That he regarded as a very dangerous provision, and he introduced an amendment to the effect that it should not come into force unless a dissolution did not take place till 1889. The construction of the Midland Railway had been strongly supported by Sir Julius Vogcl and a large following, and the present Premier, on coming into power, began to outbid Sir Julius in making concessions to this company of a most extraordinary and extravagant kind. The colony would have been landed in liabilities beyond what they could calculate upon had his proposals been accepted. The matter was referred to a select committee, but the recommendations made were of such an ambiguous and unsatisfactory character that he proposed an amendment, which was lost in the Lower House, but was carried by the Upper House, and this forced the hand of the Government, with the result that they had to agree to it. He bolievcd that that amendment would be the means of saving a vcy large amount of money. There was a strong feeling in the House last year that borrowing should cease ; but no sooner did the present Ministry get into power than they wanted to borrow. They, however, frustrated their object by a clause in the

Loan Bill preventing borrowing for three yoars. This would cost the colony LGO.OOO or L 70.000, because the London market was in a much leas favorable condition now than formerly. In connection with the appointment of a Chief Commißsioner of Railways at a salary of L 2.500, that was altogether beyond what the colony was justified in paying or what was necessary to secure the services of an efficient officer. The gentleman who was to receive that large salary, instead of coming as the servant of the colony, would come practically as the " boss of the colony. The colony had not been careful with regard to its land in the past. He would like to have seen greater facilities for settling the people on the land. The whole country should have been opened up on small allotments so that every man might secure a freehold. There had been a struggle to get the people on the laud, and now that they were on the land many were not able to make a fair living. Able-bodied men who were willing and able to work were leaving the colony. That was not a healthy state of matters. We had gone to great expense tu get the people here, and it was the duty of the Government to see that these people were kept here at fair wages. But it was not only necessary to give people facilities for settling on the land ; they must also have facilities for getting their produce to a market. The shipping arrangements of tho colony were in a very unsatisfactory condition. It was only the day previous that he was talking to the manager of one of the large companies here who told him that the colony was in a perfectly congestive state on account of the settlers being unable to get their grain away. His policy had always been the land for the people and the people for the land. A great deal of money had been expended in promoting public works that had been and still were, comparatively speaking, unproductive. The proposed North Island Trunk Railway was such a Work. He believed that in the present state of affairs it was not desirable to launch out into a large expenditure of money in the construction of that line for some time to come. A serious mistake had been made by someone, because we found the cost had been greatly under-estimated) and the colony, was therefore entitled to reconsider the quostion whother or not it would go on with the line. He had been looking to the Governor's Speech anxiously to sec what the Government were going to do in the matter of Freetrade or Protection. But he was greatly disappointed at the vague, meaningless phrases in that document. It had no coherency, and seemed merely an attempt to conciliate both parties. The question was one in considering which we were entitled to look at the history and progress of other countries, and from that point of view he might say there was no country, from its natural resources, better adapted for a policy of Protection. Political economists admitted that in a young country encouragement should be given to those industries likely to prosper, and there was also the further fact that, however sound some of the Freetrade arguments might be, one or two countries could not hold out against the world on this question. When two countries like Canada and Amorica were prospering under Protection, it behoved us to consider whether we could progress under a policy of isolation. He did not think we could. No one could say that this colony had not quite as great advantages for adopting such a policy as Victoria. We had an immense quantity of coal, while in Victoria they had hardly any, but were dependent to a great extent on other colonies. As to the city of Melbourne having some charm about it rendering Protection specially applicable, in Sandhurst, for example, there were a number of thriving industries—foundries, boot factories, pottery works, coachbuilding works ; in Gcolong there had been woollen factories of importance for a long time ; and in Ballarat there were iron foundries able to compete with Melbourne. So the theory of a large population being almost entirely centred in Melbourne had no weight. His attention had also been directed to the fact that, while Freetraders said, Let us have absolute freedom of trade in everything, they yet advocated the special support of the Government being given to mining, and would not grudge any sums spent on races, sludge channels, or rewards for pro.spccting. As an example of the large number of articles we did not, but could, manufacture here, he stated that in ISS6 we imported slops to the value of L 205.000 ; boots and shoes, L 157.445 ; machinery (including locomotives, but excluding certain kinds that could not be manufactured here), L 150.000 ; and woollens and blankets, LlO-1,88.'>. If thi3 money, or a great part of it, were spent here, there would be far more work found for our people. How suicidally we were acting was to be seen in the matter of coal. Although surrounded by coal that could hardly be surpassed in the world, we imported coal in 1886 to the value of L1'23,345. Another matter which he brought up some years ago was the dairying industry, for which this colony was peculiarly adapted. He saw no reason why in time to come we should not almost supply the world with butter and cheese. Taking butter, for instance, there was imported into the United Kingdom in IBS 4 L 13,000,000 worth. He asked Was there any reason why, with ordinary enterprise, we should not get a large share in supplying the Home market ? Of this LI 3,000,000 worth of butter imported, L 5,000,000 worth was taken from America, and about the same from Holland. Preserved milk was another commodity we might export to a very profitable extent. Of these threo items, milk, butter, and cheese, L 62,000,000 worth was imported into Great Britain in 1884. A great deal had been said about intercolonial Freetrade, and he thought it would be a good think if we had it in natural products. This might be thought somewhat selfish seeing that New Zealand had advantages in many ways, but there were many things also we could take from other colonics that we could not well grow here. Another industry he should support and foster was the frozen meat trade, which was as yet only in its infancy, and could be extended far beyond its present limits. As to our present financial position, it was expected that there would be a large deficit, which he regarded with some anxiety, because it seemed to be growing larger instead of smaller, and it must mean more taxation. They were hoping that when tin present Premier got into power he would do away with his deficit, and that the colony would go on by leaps and bounds, but it seemed to be leaping and bounding in the wrong direction. On the subject of education he was a strong advocate of the national system, believing the country greatly benefited by giving tho people a fair education. But we might pay too dearly even for education, and this branch of expenditure should be jealously watched to see that efficiency was combined with fair economy. Referring to the mail service, he said that with the present variety of routes the cost to the colony was L 60.000 a-year. On the strength of the communication by telegraph that existed now, he believed that L 50,000 might be saved in this item alone. He was greatly in favor of the Shop Hourß Bill. The hours which shopmen and women worked now were far too long, and with some exceptions he would be in favor of closing the shops at six o'clock. The Mechanics' Lien Bill, which would enable a contractor or anyone supplying material for a building to havo a lien on the works until his debt was paid, had worked well in America, especially in New York, and it would have his hearty support. Another reform which ho advocated was that there should be greater facilities for recovering debts. Ho also favored a readjustment of the electoral districts, and was strongly of opinion that Dunedin should be one electorato. He believed the Government had some intention of introducing a modification of the Hare system. He would oppose the New Plymouth Harbor Board Bill unless a very strong case were made out. In conclusion, he said he was much indebted to those electors who had communicated with him during tho session, expressing their approval of the way ho had served them, and of those who had been opposed to him, but since his return had declared that they were pleased with his services. As regarded the syndicate for tho Otago Central Railway, he scarcely knew what it meant. He had asked Mr Pyke whether tho syndicate was to construct the unformed portion of the lino, getting tint part already done handed over; or if they were supposed to buy the portion already constructed and

complete the rest at their own risk. He had notbeen able to get at any dotinite statement, but believed the present Government intended to make tho syndicate pay for the portion constructed; but Mr Pyke, he thought, wanted to get it given in. The speaker had not at any rate been able to discover the precise lines on which the Government would be prepared to Bupport Mr Pyke. As regarded taxing tea and sugar, lie was one who believed they should be the last things taxed beyond a certain point; but if it was found necessary to do so, he should advocate a differential rate in favor of beet-root sugar to give encouragement to its growth. Speaking generally, he thought the necessaries of life should not be taxed except as a last resort. As to woollens, the present duty did not seem enough to keep out the imported article ; and if we could manufacture it, he did not see why a sufficient protective duty should not be imposed. Ho referred with regret to the throwing out of the Northern Cemetery Bill, which Mr Allen had been the only one of his Dunedin colleagues to oppose. It was a mistake to suppose that Protection would interfere with our shipping trade. Victoria's imports were increasing, showing that the spending power of her people increased under Protection.'—(Applause). In answer to questions, he said that the cumulative voting in connection with school committee elections was a most pernicious system. There was an undue amount of alarm regarding the invasion of the Chinese, but he weald be quite willing to take steps to prevent an undue influx of these people. Ha would not support the Government in borowing more money unless satisfied that it could be properly employed. There had been too much borrowing of money for political purposes in the past, and far too much office-seeking and office-keeping. That had a great deal to do with bringing us into our present position. Ho was in favor of a land and an income tax instead of a property tax. It was a mistake to suppose that under a protective tariff tho freight on grain for England would be greater than ever. In Victoria the Customs revenue had improved year by year, for as wealth increased the people bought things that they could not look at here. Mr Mathews proposed, and Mr Asher seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried unanimously.