SIR JOHN HALL'S ADDRESS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1667, 5 July 1887, Page 2

SIR JOHN HALL'S ADDRESS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. Sir John Hall has published an address to the electors of Selwyn, in which he says he believes the deficit in the revenue is more serious than Ministers admit. Unsparing retrenchment and rigid porsevering in economy in the publio servioe are imperative. Ministers and members must themselves set the example. A considerable saviug could be effected in education without impairing the system. Borrow* ing must be stopped without delay. A graduated property tax is icexpedieut and unjust. It did not really impose taxation either in proportion to the benefit received or to the ability to bear it. The Govern* ment tariff proposals would impose heavier duties than the circumstances of the colony justify. He disapproves the land policy of the Government, and condemns Mr. Ballance's notion in inourring a liability of £60,000 on account of special settlements without Parliamentary sanction. He supports Sir F. Whitiiker's proposal to elect the Upper House on the Hare system. He cannot concur in the blame cast on Government in some quarters for taking up with energy the question of defence. He considers the issue in the approaching political contest to be whether the future policy ahull be speculative finance and lavish expenditure with incessant borrowing, or prudence, economy, and thrift.