OPENING OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 381, 23 November 1889, Page 2

OPENING OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

MR REES AT McFABLANE'S HALL.

The political campaign wae opened last night, by Mr W. L. Rees addressing tho electors, in McFarlane’s Hall. The hall wae crowded, tha Mayor (Captain Tucker) being in the chair.

Mr Bees was received with lond and con. tinuous cheering. Dealing with the subjects of most interest to the district the one which naturally presented Itself first was the question of the harbor : roads. Hie opinions with regard to the harbor wore so well known that he need not go to any great length into that portion of the subject, ut a matter which etill might be arranged for with benefit to the district was the relief of the burdens which pressed eo heavily upon the people from the har> bor rate. The only method possible to relieve that burden was by obtaining a large endowment of Government land in the district (cheers), and by the restrictions, being taken from the present dealing wiih tho Tauwhare. parae Block. The question of further endow, mente was one which the members of both sides of the House would reasonably entertain. Thia district has oonfeseedly never bad justice done to it, and It in lieuot going to the Treasury, we ask the Government to appropriate a portion of the Grown lands for the purpose of relieving the people ot this pressure, and to open up the whole country, the Native lands and Crown lands, he believed that success would be achieved. He bad spoken to many members on both eidea ot the House upon this subject, and he had gathered from all sources that there ware at any rate favorable indications of the mind of members of Parliament. It was useless to say that such a thing would not be granted. The best way was to test it. It is certain nothing would be done without an effort being made. The Government might also be induced to convert the present harbor loan into one bearing less interest, say four per cent, which could be done without any very great difficulty, As we could have no railways we should have good mt in roads constructed between Gisborne and the Clyde, and through the different portions of th* district, as it is impossible without the means of communication and the transmission ot produce that the people oau profitably settle upon the waste lands. THE NATIVE LAND QUESTION is one or the greatest difficulties—a difficulty which hae been growing year by year, owing to the course ot legislation. The suggestions which he bad made in his printed address in regard to tribal dealings with land was merely reverting to the old methods of Maori dealings and which were simply and easily understood both by Maoris and Europeans. Home lands it was necessary should be completely sub* divided, and tha titles individualised; others might be better dealt with by tribes or hepps, But the necessity existed for a commission with unlimited powers to deal finally and equitably with all the involved questions which now hinder settlements of tho titles, and the profitable occupation of tho land.

IN EDUCATIONAL MATTERS he was strongly inclined to extend instead ot decrease the system ot edqcation, It wae tn that we must look for the intelligence and prosperity of the future. A decrease—or as it io called an economy—in expenditure for education would mean simply the paralysing of all tbs outposts of educational work, and the centralisation ot expenditure in the large towns. Part of the present expenditure on secondary education might be applied to primary education with great advantage, but that would be rather a shitting of the expenditure than a decrease. He referred to tho reference to the education question which Mr Arthur had made in his address—it was th> only straw in the whole thing, feat that straty showed which way tho others would fjiat. It Mr Arthur's policy was adopted it would mean that people in tfee isolated districts would not get their children educated, while the wealthier classes in the large towns woqld have all the benefit in spite of any redqotioq in out districts. In

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENX there waa a strong tendency throughout ths colony to revert to the principle ot decentralisation. Upon the abolition of the provinces, county system was introduced, but that had not been sufficient to ensure in any senes complete local self government. A Committee was formed at the close ot last session to consider and report on thia subject, but only very little evidence was tsken and but littl* consideration given to the subject. Indeed, there was not time for ah extended enquiry! Next session, however, local self government was bouad to assert its claims to consideration of Parliament. In this Jietrict it wquld adfl materially to success ji local matters could fee managed in the place itself without reference to Wellington. As to the shape and form of District Councils, that must be a matter for consideration, but if the principle be adopted the details would be easily worked out. Upon the larger matters concerning ths whole colony, thqre would ba few which were likely to be considered in the last session of th* present Parliament, The questioq of

TAXATION, was sure to arise, although it might not be decided. The great struggle against th* property tax would again be carried on. He believed that the property tax was inimical to the welfare of the country. It was a tax upon all improvements and upon all thd means and appliancoe for the production of wealth. A land and income tax might with advantage be substituted for the property tax. The land as a portion of property would still be taxed, but other property would not, save where it yielded aq income. By tho Income tax those people who without residing in tho country drew revenues from it would be called upon to bear their portion of taxation equally with residents in the colony and the bond holders; both investors in th* General Government and in the bond* of th*

16oal bodies would be called upon to pap 04 the Incomes they derived from New Zealand* The English bondholder* all nay Incom* tax.' as do the creditors ot some of the continental countries. Th* same reason would apply la us as applied to Great Britain, It might be said that the foreign creditors have lent th* money and we have to pay them, without deduction, for interest, inasmuch that when they had lent the money they were nof told that taxation would be levied. Rut any man who bought land from the Government before there was a land tax or property tax might have urged the same reason against his land being taxed. The taxation 0! the incomes derived from New Zealand would not drive capital away from the country, but would give the bondholders a direct interest in the prosperity of this colony. The

QUESTION OF COLONISATION was also rapidly coining to the front. The vast expenditure of borrowed money by which railways and roads have been constructed has prepared the way for tbs settlement ot a large population of the country. Every increase in settlement means a proportional decrease in taxation levied from each household, and it is only by increasing the produced wealth of tha country that pros* parity can arise. If there be not' a steady and satisfactory increase ot population and production in New Zealand during th* next few years, a very troublesome stat* state of public affairs must arise, W* have to send each year to foreign creditors nearly five millions pounds of money | two million two hundred thousand pounds to public creditors, both of the Government and local bodies, and about two millions end • halt tC private creditors, including banks sod loan companies. Ail this has to ba paid outside New Zealand. It can only be provided for by the export of our produce. Oor export* though laet year reaching an exceptionally high figure, had for some years averaged about £7,000,00Q. Retween four and fivg millions of this is consumed in the payment of interest, and yet we were importing steadily six million pounds worth of goods. To keep pace with these immense payments we must increase the producing and exporting powsr. Wool, frozen meat, dairy produce, flax, timber, fruit, and all those things which we can produce, must be produced in increasing quantities to enable us to overtake the demands which are made upon us, Thin could only be done by some adequate schema of colonisation.- He believed that on* great question on which parties would be divided at the next election would be this subject coloniiatiou.

LAND FOR BETTL2MSNT. The question of land for settlement was one of the greatest importance both for the present and for the future. It often happened that the first available land near the centres of population to which there were means of access by road or railway were taken up and held in large estates. A system by which the Government could purchase such es tates and cut them up for the settlement of large numbers of families would be of great advantage, not merely to individuals but to the locality and colo.iy at large. Sir George Grey has had a bill for some years before Parliament dealing with this subject. One session it got so far as to pass through the committee of the House of Representatives which approved of it in a modified form and returned it to the House. There were many large estates of lands which might with advantage be purchased by the Government and on which large numbers of industrious families could be placed with great gain to the country. No doubt, as in the question of colonization, great care and great prudence would be required, but the ends to be obtained were so beneficial that it could not be doubted in which direction lies the duty of the Government. As regards THE POLITICAL POSITION

and the question of Government and Opposi* tion he always had been and always would be a Liberal, that was to say he desired to see all such measures carried into effect as would increase the liberties and the happiness of the people as a whole. He was opposed to class Srivileges and to restriction of political power, Le should therefore support any individuals or party which proposed measures for the extension of political rights and for the equalization of the burdens of the state, and which consulted the interest of the many as against the interests of the few. He should desire to aid those who wished to see the industrial class of the population participate fully and fairly in the wealth which their industry created. This was a great question which had to be fought in the colonies as well as in the Mother Country. The political Struggles were partly things of the past. On religious matters men could think and speak and act as they choose, but in the economic

questions, the gravest questions of all so far as this world was concerned, the struggle had to come, a contest which was proMining the present strikes in Great Britain which gave prominence to those who such booksa, “ Progress and Poverty ”; Nrc in all discussions upon an overt action in Connection with thia question he should aid and assist those who desired to sea labor achieve it, proper position, and enjoy its proper reward. So many of these questions savored rather of economic than political matters that it was evident that legislation Was taking a new departure, and if that departure could be directed in the way of benefltting the great mass of the people, and improving their material condition there will be no reason for regret. If elected ha would Jo the beet that he could in the interests of the district and of the colony, It was not possible to have " political rest,” and if he were returned they might be sure there would be no political rest while the wants of the district required to be attended to. On resuming his seat Mr Bees was loudly applauded. In reply to Mr Sigley Mr Bee, said as a rule he was in favor of the perpetual lease system, gpd Mr Ballance’s Village Settlement scheme, though the latter was by no mean, perfect. In Auckland and other districts it had done splendid service. It was better instead of pauperising men to put them in a position to help themeelves. Mr Gannon, who was received with applause, said he had never in that hall heard a better exposition of political subject, than that made on this occasion by Mr Bees. He reviewed ,ome of the point, of the address, and drew comparisons between Messrs Bees and Arthur, unfavorable to the latter, and pertinently asked what public position he had eecnpied during the seventeen years he had been in the district (a voice—a member of the Harbor Board). Was it the people that put him there? (Emphatic No I—laughter). The people were not consulted (laughter). Unfortunately in the past there had been splits in the camp, and now for the first time in the history of the district the people had a chance of being represented, and not only a par ticular Class. He moved a hearty vote of cor fi ience in Mr Bees, (Loud applause). Mr DeLautour rose amid loud applause to second' the motion. As an individual he discounted Mr Bees very much, but better to have a man you could discount a little than one that no amount of premium would tnrn to public advantage. (Applause). Those who would support him might, like himself, not Altogether agree with his advanced views— Such as taxing foreign capital, which required consideration ; but Mr Bees represented the Party of Progress not in New Zealand alone, tytt throughout Australia and in the Old Country. He would rather be on that side than on the side of the party who were too timorous to move. He had sat in Parliament with four members from this district whose principal virtue was silence. (Cheers), He (nought that if in four—and perhaps in jive ’ cases—the elector, had such an experience that it might be wise to make a change and at least attempt to get thi, large and extensive East Coast district—the capabilities of which the people themselves seemed hardly to realize—adequately represented in Parliament. He bad also had the pleasure of sitting in the House with Mr Rees] Although be had seldom heard that gentleman mention the city of Auckland East in the House, he had a happy knack of getting all he wanted for his constituency, Mr Rees had come before them prepared to make sacrifices for the honor of representing them in Parliament. There wss pq actual necessity for him to come forward *ny more than there was for Mr Arthur, who W»s so very busy, and so very short of time (laughter), Perhaps on gome other occasion when Mr Arthur had time to explain hi, views, they also would have the time to listen to him (roert of laughter). If Mr Bees would take his advice he would not have so greatly sacrificed his personal interests. Mr DeLautour then alltided to the education question, upon wfi'ph he felt very strongly, He could understand and respect the opinions of those who mated religion being introduced into the system, but for a man to say, as 1 Mr Arthur had done, that he believed in our education system, and yet would not vote for it. was a’iogethar beyond bis comprehension, apd he could not vote for such a man (cheers), He pointed out that ths education vote was almost tbs only colonial benefit they had in this district. Mr DeLautour concluded by saying that he knew Mr Bees, and what he had done for the district he had formerly represented. He had therefore great pleasure in giving him his support and in seconding the resolution. (Loud and prolonged applause). The Chairman then put the resolution, pnly Mr P, E. Richardson and an unknown gentleman bolding up their hands aginst it.