SIR. HUTCHISON AT PATEA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2326, 14 January 1893, Page 2

SIR. HUTCHISON AT PATEA

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) PATEA, January 14. Mr G. Hutchison addressed a large meeting last evening. Beferring to the past, he took first the Land and Income Tax Acts, which be characterised as a fairly sound measure now, but as far aa revenue from income was concerned, it would not fulfil the expectation, but the shortage would be balanced by an excess of revenue. As to the land tax, the chief blemishes in the original Bill had been removed, but fur* ther amendment was neoessary in the direction of removing the tax from im* provements. He estimated this portion of the tax to yield £40,000, and it was better for the colony to surrender this and Beoura tbe expenditure of capital consequent on employment to effect improvements. As to the Land Act, he considered it waß a serious step in tbe wrong direc* tion aa a direct attack on the freehold tenure. In tbe Act of 1885 there were three distinot tenures— oash purohase, deferred payment, and perpetual lease. Under these tenuree the settlement of the country proceeded rapidly. He considered that only a direot demand from the people could justify a change from those systems. Tbe Bill ot 1891 was a distinot move towards nationalisation of tbe land. Tbis was tbe evident intention. Tbe Premier stated that every acre sold was a step backward; and the Minister for Lands Itatecl that in fifty years a Crown !|-ant would be unknown. It was mpossible for tbe Government to buy up tbe freehold of tbe colony, Tbe last assessment was £112,250,000, and the Government were not able to raise tbe money. The object evidently was to reduce the freehold to the level of leasehold by taxing tbe land on land valuee. This attempt he should oppose to tbe utmost of bis ability. Tbe West Coast Settlement Reserves Act was of great importance to tbis coast, and be hoped it would be found to work well. Still it was by no means perfect. It might be termed a peace at nny price act, its greatest blot being tbe dictatorial power given Public Trustee. An attempt was made to have him associated with two or three others, but it failed. He still thought some such provision would be neoessary. The important work of the aeesion was the consideration of tbe Women's Franchise, which unfortunately was wrapped up in a large bill offering opportunities for delay. Tbe Government were guilty of treachery when appointing managers to confer with the Conncil in appointing those, known to be hostile to the meaßore. Tbe bill was lost on a trivial question of granting eleotoral rights, not tbe broad question of the franchise. He referred adversely to tbe action of the Upper House, and donbted whether the alteration was much improvement on last year. He expressed great indignation as to the Payment of Members Bill ; last year the Council rejected it by 13, bat tbis year they passed tbe measure by a majority of seven, showing it was not gaided by pubiio requirements, but personal consideration?. The unemployed question was assuming grave dimensions, becoming a factor in the government of the colony. The aotion of the Government would tend to induce the immigration of laborers and reduce wages, and injure the present working men of the colony. Upwards of £200,000 of loan money was now being ipent in railway works in the co-operative Byßtem. This was absolutely the last loan money, and what would become of tbe men when the money was finished nobody dare say. The Government had undertaken not to borrow in the London market, but at present were borrowing £150,000 per annum io the colony, £50,000 for the purchase of native lands ; £50,000 for purchase of private land ; and £50,000 for making roads to open op land for settlement. Tbe Government were to blame for not more fully exercising tbe last right. Last year only £8000 was spent, £7000 ot whioh was spent in tbe Minister of Lands' own district, and £1000 for the Waimarimo block* for which tbe Premier had a great liking. Referring to the proposed State farms he said he did not expect success. He thought if it bad to be tried it should be tried quiokly and let tbe colony know the result, and not keep on experimenting with part of the Socialists programme. Then the Government would have to undertake large industries each as the boot and shoe trade, and to make tbis profitable must bave no competition, but propose prohibitive duties on leather of all sorts, so that the hours of labor could easily be regulated and profitable results secured. This was tbe evident tendency of tbe protective policy. In answer Jto a question, he said he wa« in favor of one Eailway Commissioner, Minister to be answerable to Parliament for their actions. A vote of thanks was oarried by acclamation. An amendment of confidence was withdrawn at Mr. Hutchison's request.