MR BAKER AT PAHIATUA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7824, 17 August 1887, Page 3

MR BAKER AT PAHIATUA.

(ritOM orit ow.v coiiKKsroxnicvr.)

Mr Horace Baker addre.-ss.ed a meeting of electors on Saturday. Not a great number were present, .is it hud been snowing all day, and the roads were bad. There was not much in the speech, and perhaps that was its best feature, for nearly all our wisc.'t heads .seem agreed that it is now no time for new deimriiirc*, heioic schemes, or perilous experiments. Mr Baker saiil that our finance was what needed most attention, and that we must lower our eN punditnre by at least £200,000. He pointed out where retrenchment could be clleeted ; supported n land and income tax, and advised the gradual abolition of

the Native Department. He was strongly opposed to the present Government, both on account of their extravagance and their laud policy. The systems of alienating Crown lands were so complicated and numerous that ho, as Coin-

misMoner of Crown Lauds, could not undeistand them. The special settlements meant that while capitalists were debarred from coming in and employing labor, adherents of tlie (Sovernment wore allowed to take up sections for speculative purpose 1 -. The village settlements meant placing men without capital on bush where they 0011 M make nothing out ot the land for years, and then only a home, not a living. This was tantamount to creating a great class of unemployed in the bush districts. He would mention that at Woodville lately a small jolt of fencing was advertised (material found), and one man tendered at 4s 4d per chain, and numbers at os. This proved that munl.er.s of men were willing to work simply for tucker. Numerous questions were asked, to all of which answers of a satisfactory kind were given by Sir Bakei. Then Mr M'Cardle aro.se to propose a vote of thanks, and took the opportunity to make a most curious speech. Me said that both he and Mr Baker were anxious that Smith should not get in, and that if he (Mr M'Cardle) had anything like an equal chance of being returned he would oll'cr to accept some arbitrament as to which should retire, lie or Mr Baker, This was as good as saying to Mr Baker " You have no chance ; stand aside and let me oust Smith." This was all very ingenious, but as a matter of fact M'Cardle and Smith me Government men, running each other close ; while Baker is distinctly an Opposition man. Hence the idea of Baker retiring is absurd. If I regarded the Hjckai.d as a mere partisan journal I should suppress all this, and simply say that Mr Baker was well received. But as I believe you wish your readers to know the facts, independently of the interests of ins and outs, I must say that at present it is almost certain that Mr Baker will get all the votes of the (unnamed) party who believe in orderly progress. I can't deiineit. 1 mean, vaguely, theparty of Bryce, Ormond, Atkinson, Hall, &c, M'Cardle, and (Smith will split the votes of the (unnamed) party who believe in nothing in particular, but practise the ancient arc of inclining liabilities they cannot meet. I mean, vaguely, the party of Yogel, Stout, lliilliiucc, &c. Hence it is essential to Mr Baker's success that both Smith and M'Cardle should stand. Tf either retires, T think Mr Baker will have a very strong follow ing ; and indeed nearly nil the more, sober, ipiiet-, solvent, thoughtful crowd will vote fsr him. Hut so many votcis aie bound by their old traditions ami led .way by these fantastic schemes of making the poor mnn rich by tiovernment .aid, that Smith or M'Cavdle (whichever does not retire) will get a large majority. As I have seen no criticism of Mr linker's "form it may be proper to say that he speaks well, seems to know very clearly what ln> means has the courage of his opinions, and is by no means a " nominee." put- forward to echo a leader's ideas. If elected he will be a credit to the djstrict and a power in the House. As Minister of Lands lie would probably render great .services to the country, for bis education and special training would peculiarly lit him for the post.