MR. Mc'LEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 116, 25 May 1881, Page 2

MR. Mc'LEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

One of the most sensible pre-sessional speeches "which haa come under our notice is that delivered by the member for Waikouaiti, about a fortnight ago. A few of the more salient points, especially those wherein he most differs from others, who have been lately on the stump, may prove interesting. On the great and much-vexed question of Local Government, he, as one of those who helped to pass the Counties Act in 1876, asserts that it was intended to throw all the responsibility of Local Government, and local taxation, on the counties and road boards. It was desired, he said, "to throw the responsibility within a narrow compass, so that the people can see what is going on. and I believe it would be for the prosperity of the people." Though a good friend and hearty political supporter of Major Atkinson, he entirely differs from him as to what should be done. He said, "This question must be taken up and dealt with soon." Clearly he does not favor the Major's idea that two rival, and in some measure antagonistic, bodies having been created, they should be allowed to fight it out, like the two Kilkenny cats, till there was nothing but the two tails left.

With true Scotch humor and latent sarcasm, Mr. McLean puts the ques-

tion of the Income Tax very neatly before the tax-payers, thus : "I do not see the reason of crying out for an Income Tax. If the people of the colony want it, by all means let them have it." At the same time he admits that a professional man, who has no realised wealth, lives fully up to his income, but has, perhaps, made provision for his family after his death by a heavy life assurance, escapes the Property Tax, and does not bear his share.

On the question of what should be done about the native difficulty, Mr. McLean, though a Southern member, spoke words which will be heartily approved here. He said :

You are now able to dispense with a large force of men, required in consequence of the native troubles. I would, however, .be in favor of keeping a portion of that force for some time to come, because if their assistance came to be again required, it would mean great expense in getting them together after disbandment. They can in the meantime be employed in road-making, and so be of use in settling a part of the colony which is in no particular district. The expenditure of money in the making of these roads has been going on for some time. If such, had not been the case, lam sure the land would not have fetched £5, £6, and £7 per acre, and a great deal of money finds its way back to the Treasury on account of the increased value of the land.

While speaking on this subject, he took the opportunity of putting in a good word for Major Atkinson, of whom he said : — " He is an old colleague of mine, and during all the time I have been associated with him, I will say that no man took or sought to take advantage of his posision in the Government to get money for his district less than he." Mr. McLean's views on State Education will command the sympathy of a very large section of the " community. He expressed himself in favor of the State educating children to read, write, and count, and instituting scholarships for the encouragement of higher education. The estimated educational vote, inclusive of school buildings, was nearly £400,000. Altogether the speech is that of a sensible, clear-headed man; the points we have referred to, speak for themselves.