MESSRS. ORMOND & STEVENS BEFORE THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 108, 27 April 1881, Page 4

MESSRS. ORMOND & STEVENS BEFORE THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

[Specially Telegraphed to Stab.]

(per united press association.)

Mr. Ormond addressed his constituents at Waipawa on Friday. He referred at length to the proceedings of the last Session, and strongly condemned the practice of the Government in relegating important functions to the Royal Commission, as likely to strike a blow at Constitutional Government. He urged the great necessity for legal reform, and hoped the result of the Judicature Commission would be satisfactory in simplifying the procedure, and reducing the cost. He thoroughly approved of the Government Charitable Aid and Hospital Bill, but dissented entirely from their Local Government measures. He believed a further reduction in Civil Service expenditure could be made, but did not expect much from Seed and Bat-, kin's mißßion. He disagreed with the Government policy to prevent natives selling land, and also with wholesale abandonment of Government advances on native lands. They should have completed the purchase of blocks suitable lor settlement, on many of which large sums had already been advanced. He approved of the Government policy on the West Coast up to the sending of the Governor's letter to Te Whiti ; that was impolitic, and a mistake made worse by sending it by an Imperial officer, as it gave the Maoris an idea there was a power behind greater than the representative Government of the colony. To have attempted to take Te Whiti prisoner, after that letter, would have been a breach of faith, but if the letter had not been sent, he would have heartily approved of Mr. Bryce's proposal, and believed Hiroki and Te Whiti could have been captured without any risk of war, and with most beneficial results. He believed that a scheme for the redistribution of seats must be left to a committee of the House. Other things than population would require to beconsidered.

Tax, as driving capital from the colony, and he criticised Major Atkinson's recent defence of the tax. He supported an Income Tax as the fairest. Did not approve of a Land Tax, although he agreed that land should bear official burthens. Probably it would soon have to bear the cost of education, and all local works. He condemned the present system of railway management; there was too much red tape, and no facilities to the public, or effort to attract trade. He complained that a promise made to him, that the settlers should be given small contracts to carry on the extension of the Napier line, had not been fulfilled. It would not do for the colony to borrow money to complete the main lines ; but he thought conditions might be offered which would induce English capitalists to do so. The present lines might be leased, and grants of land given or a minimum dividend guaranteed. He believed that road boards would ultimately have charge of all roads. He thought the country had made a mistake in abolishing Provinces; it should have instead endeavored to amend the system. He believed that Local Boards of Works would be required to take charge of all local works, charitable aid, and land administration. The question of local government was one of the leading questions of the day. He eulogised the personal character of the present Government, and regretted differing from them on many points of policy. The House should, next Session, confine itself to redistribution, by representation, and granting supplies. The people would then have an opportunity of expressing their views at a general election. A vote of confidence was carried.

Mr. Stevens addressed a large meeting of his constituents at Christchurch on Friday. He did not think the Colony was prepared to do away with the property vote, and confine the franchise to a residential qualification. He was in favor of representation being distributed on a purely population basis, but feared this would not be done. The present Government had not exaggerated the alarming state of the finances when they took office, but whether that state was due to their predecessors he would not say. The difficulty had now been manfully met, not by any party but by the country generally. Although there might be an apparent surplus this year, he believed there would still be a real deficit of about £130,000. The reductions in salaries, the withdrawal of subsidies, and the increased taxation, were all absolutely necessary. Any other system, than an all round reduction in salaries would, he was certain, have failed. He supported the Property Tax, and strongly condemned the Land Tax, he objected also to the Income Tax. He would oppose any reduction of the Education vote likely to impair the efficiency of the present system of primary education. He highly eulogised the West Coast Commissioners, and thought all Native Land Acts should tend to the individualisation of the title, and that the natives should then be left to deal with it as they liked. He regretted , that the Government Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill had not. passed, and that his Endowment Bill had also been lost. He believed the Colony was in a sound state, and that better times were coming — with prudent management the Colony would continue to go ahead. He would, support a concession of land to aid the construction of the West Coast Railway (Middle Island). A vote of thanks and confidence was passed.