MR ROLLESTON BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7717, 14 April 1887, Page 2

MR ROLLESTON BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

■ ' TEMUKA ( \\Vedncsday. Mr Eolleston addressed a meeting of Jiis constituents at (he Volunteer Hall, this evening. There was n. largo attendance. Mr Kolloston after a few preliminary remarks, briefly referred, to the political situation, jvhioh he ■ characterised as a •thorough ■ muddlo. Tiie policy ' of the Government was like- Joseph's, coat, of many colors,- or Jikp a knleiodosopic toy, which presents a different aspect at every turn. The Treasurer . at ; \Vaiwera- was probably concocting high-flown borrowing policies, or arranging " submarine cable schemes, or negotiating extravagant land purchases, with his . supporters. The Premier further south was. ; talking economy and decrying, borrowing. At We]lington the Minister of Lands was utilising the Press Associationto sing his praises and circulate the latest sensation with which. to divert the public mind. Mr Ballance's latest sensation was entirely outside his own department;- Tliis'lviis that the' Supreme Court was to be brought to the heel of the Legislature.. A judicial committee .of -both Houses was to sit continuously, and whenever a judgment was given which did not accord with the public mind, as represented- by a section" bftlio Press, thematter would be bronght before that, -committee of tho Legislature. Ho was" sorry- that' a "member of tho Legislature hml misunderstood his own position and that of , the Supreme Court, as Mr Ballance appeared to, have done. Mr Kolleston: then referred to ''Sir Julius Vogct'x speech at Christchurclt, which he characterised as a sad come-down from •the pedestal on which Sir Julius placed himself two years' ago.- , Sir. Julius Yogel could no\y' see that tlie. depression- was .'nob: confined 'to !New Zealand; and that ■the country was really progressing.. 1 Sir Julius was 'now of opinion that the prppurty tax- must be maintained, thati.be education '-, system was in' accord with tho •.. will of the" people, and that perpetual : , leasing was . the oest system of -disposing . of the laiKl. ,'i'lic (Jovernmont, 1 it would up.HC'en, we'ro playing on the lims* «f Ihe" Opposition, and while they did.so bar- .

imoriiously 'they "would receive a certain • ;amonnt Opposition support. In spite tat what the Premier had said there never ••was a session in which borrowm" was proposed more with regard to political •exigencies and less for reproductive purposes than last year. The GrahamstownAroha line, the YVestporfc-luangahua Hue. ■and the Blenheim-Tophouse line, as "Set forth in tho schedule of tho Leatis Bill, were instances of this. Over £3,000,000 ■\vonld lie required to make any of theso lines prod|ictive. Mr Rolleston then ' quoted statistics to show that the position ' of the country was more hopeful that it 3iod been for years past. The exports had largely increased since 1881, and the Savings Bank deposits were greater. The. Loans to Local Bodies Act of last .session would bo found a useful measure, Lut the Civil Service Reform Act was not of vast importaDWe. One of the important' Acts of the session was the Native Laads Administration Act, which was a very useful measure. The re : en»cllnent of the Government Insurance Act was a wise step. Mv Rolleston, then referred at length to \hc Expropriation Bill and the Representation Bj'.i, Both, ho said, were important "measures, and would require to be dealt with carefully. The Government had as , yet given no intimation as to their fuMte course of action with respect to financial scatters. He was of opinion that they would make the property tax their main stay. He did not think Mr Ballance's iproposal for Protection would be thorough, tj,ut as far -as he '(Mr 'Eolleston) was eonicerned he desired it to %c understood that liis vote wonld be given on any taxation in the interests of revenue and of removing restrictions from commerce. In conclusion Mr Rolleston again' expressed his convjeiion that the general prospects of the country were in a hopeful state. Mr Rolleston received a vote of thanks and confidence.