MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9340, 8 April 1893, Page 3

MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Hokitika, Friday. Mr Seddnn addressed a crowded mccl ing at the Town-hall to-night. Th Major was in the chair, and a great nnm her of ladies were present. Mr Seddon spoke for three hoars, re ferring to the position of the colony whei the present Ministry took office, and tin position it had attained since then, not withstanding that the price of staple waa inuoli less than formerly He said that tho policy of tin Government on assuming office wit: the imposition of a land and Income tax the repeal of the property tax, the passing of liberal land laws, and the resnmptior of large estates when required for settle ment, not by the adoption of revolutionary measures, but taking over lane where offered. These had been carried ont point by point where praotic able. Since the Ministry's assumption of office the exodus had been stopped, and now their people were returning. The Atkinson Government hid promied abstention from borrowing for three years, but the present Government had been in office beyond that time, and were determined to do without borrowed money, Mr Seddon referred to Mr Bolleston's speeches, and drew attention to the fact that Mr Kolleaton formerly approved the land policy now advocated by the Government, whilst as regarded education the Opposition cow led by Mr Bolleston when in power endeavored to cut down the payment for education for 1888-89, when the expenditure for education was £345,000, while ab the present time it was £383,000, For the financial year the Treasurer had estimated the gross surplus at £330,277, from which appropriations amounting to £290,000 bad been made, leaving a neb surplus of £40,277, but the retnrns to hand Bhowed a net surplus of £154,000, and it waa believed that the surplus would yet go to £200,000. Instead of reducing taxation he believed In applying a portion of the surplus in necessary public works. Some pare of the amount would also be required for the exceptional exigencies of education, and for the contemplated increasing of the exemptions for improvements. The Government proposed, where possible, to further exempt improvements as the revenue permitted. With reference to the Cheviot estate, Mr Seddon said that several valuations had been made, and it was probable that a profit of £40,000 would result. Railway extension through to Blenheim was in contemplation, and it was proposed to | impose a betterment tax, payable by the owners of properties through which the railway passed, if the receipts were not sufficient to meet the charges. Mr Seddon spoke strongly against the present railway management, and expressed a determination to have the system altered. The Government, he said, wonld bring in an Electoral Reform Bill, the same as last session, bnt would insist upon the excision of electoral rights for women. j Mr Seddon received an enthusiastic reception, and on the close of his address a vote of thanks and confidence was passed, and also a special voteof appreciation of Mr ! Ballance was carried. Cheers were given for Mr Seddon and for the Premier,