PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6006, 27 May 1880, Page 5

PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION.

ME S. P, ANDREWS AT THE ACADEMY OS’ MUSIC.

Mr S. P. Ahdbews addressed his constituents last night at the Academy of Music.; At the opening of the meeting the attendance was not very numerous, but before the close the Theatre was nearly full. His Worship the Mayor was in the chair, and on the stage were Mr Montgomery and other gentlemen, members of the Liberal Reform Association,

The Ohaibman briefly introduced Mr Andrews to the meeting. Mr Ahdebws, who was received with loud cheers, addressed the meeting to the following effect :—He had come before them in accordance with a custom adopted in Christchurch and in the Colony generally for representatives to give an account of their stewardship, and to take the opinions of their constituents from time to time. He had been new to Parliamentary life, for his experience in the Canterbury Provincial Council was very different to that of the Parliament in Wellington. He did not for a moment mean to say that he had been given the cold shoulder on account of his -being a working man. He had gone there to express the sentiments of his constituents, and had done sO respectfully, and what he had said had always been fairly listened to. He had been pledged to support Sir George Grey. (Cheers.) He had promised to support Sir George Grey if a vote of want of confidence was moved, but if Sir George was turned out, ho (Mr Andrews) was to be perfectly free. The meeting was well aware of what had been done, but he wished to explain what hie position had been. To the resolution of No Confidence in the Grey Ministry, had been attached the words “as at present constituted.” This was the first lesson he had learnt from this, that people of high position could be led away by a subterfuge. It was not an electioneering, but a political dodge. Had those words been omitted, the resolution would never have been carried. (Applause). The Ministry were ousted by a majority of two votes. After this vote some looked for a Coalition Ministry,others wished for an entirely new Ministry. He was now perhaps at liberty to say what took place at the caucuses. The Premier at once called together his party and friends, and awaited their decision. They proposed that Sir George should be deposed and another gentleman be placed at the head of the party. This was a mistake. (Cheers.) Had Sir George Grey led the Opposition, something more satisfactory would have resulted. Some of the party desired to have Mr Macandrew as leader. Here he must, allude to Mr Swanaton, member for Newton, Auckland. That gentleman had honestly and straightforwardly said, “ It is one thing to depose Sir George Grey and .another to place Mr Macandrew at the head.” . After speaking to Mr Sheehan, he (Mr Swanson) said, “This is no place for me,” and though he was induced to remain a shorr. time he eventually withdrew. He (the speaker) wished to say this much for Mr Swanson, who had always been straighforward. (Applause.) He (Mr Andrews) regretted that he had nob explained to his constituents his actions immediately after the session. He had postponed doing so because the Hon John Hall had promised to declare his policy.- That gentleman had not. yet done so, and he (Mr Andrews) did not know what the policy of the Government was. [A voice: “ They have no policy, and never had one.”J (Cheers.) The Ministry consisted of such men as Messrs Hall, Rollcston and Major Atkinson, men accustomed to address the public, yet they had kept back the policy of the Government. He did not forget that the Hon John Hall had addressed his constituents lately, but he (Mr Andrews) had been disappointed with the Leeston. speech., In looking through the papers he had marvelled at that gentleman’s speaking for two hours at least, taking up two columns of the newspapers in abusing a

mani who, he said, could not be esteemed in the Oohmy. ; (Cheers J./Hq spent tbat ; time in defending himself froiueutli a nnin, yeti left the great subjects—like the district railways and finance— entirely in the shade. What did he say of the Addington workshops and removal : of the railway stiff to Dunedin? (Cheers) Such a tirade of abuse he (Mr Andrews) had not; read since he had come to . Few Zealand. (Cheers.) He- did not wish j to be dragged or to drag any one in the dirt. The Mon John Hall had spoken of the Oppo- J sition in terms of ’ontemst, but he (Mr , Andrews) would say that Bir tteorge Grey had bad good and honourable men around him,‘ and .such statements as those of the Hon John Hall should not be allowed i to go unchallenged. . He. would now allude to ; the paragraph in Mr Hull’s speech referring to the 6000 paupers; ’ [The speaker here read j from Mr Hall’s speech the despatch referred to as quoted by him, and the Premier’s' remarks upon it.] He would ask if such lan- j guage was a credit to the Premier. Could the words of that despatch mean that Sir Gt. Grey sent for 6000 paupers? No; he sent for 6000 ; able-bodied men. Ho (Mr, Andrews) would not go into the question of whether Sir George Grey, was right in: doing this ; but beheld that a gentleman who could so misrepresent Sir George Grey was not worthy the confidence of the country. (Cheers.) Ho would now read what Mr ; Stout had said at Dunedin. [Here the speaker read from Mr Stout’s speech that gentleman’s avowal (hat he was responsible l for the despatch.] The Hon John Hall was aware of the facte which Mr Stout had now made public, and yet had attacked Sir George ,Grey on the point. Ho would now refer to the Hon John Hall’s speaking of Sir George’s sneering at his (Mr Hall’s) going to a few-farmers, in a country district. Mr Hall called it “ rubbish ” which might go down at Christchurch, where any man who differed from Sir George Grey would be expelled from a public meeting. This was a gross libel upon the electors of Christchurch, a libel which might not have been surprising if uttered by the people of the North Island; (Applause.) Thera had been a remark of the kind made in the House by Mr Saunders, the member for Cheviot, to the effect that a man opposed to Sir George Grey would be refused a hearing in Christchurch. He (Mr Andrews) had asked Mr Bollestou to go with him and enquire into this. • Mr Bolleston had replied that : he himself was - one who had been prevented from addressing the electors in the Oddfellows’ Hall. He (the speaker) was surprised to hear this,-and said that he had been in charge of the Hall, and was sure that Mr Bolleston would have been given a fair hearing. Mr Bolleston said it was not at the last meeting, but'at a previous one. Then he (Mr Andrews) reminded Mr Bolleston that that meeting took place when Sir George Grey was in the bands of Mr Saunders himself. (Laughter.) : The Hon John Hall had boasted that the measures which the Liberal party had promised to bring in were proceeded with by the present Ministry. What had been done with the Bill for Bedistribution of Seats? The Triennial Parliaments Bill was the first which the Ministry had brought in, and what was that Bill ? He must say that he had not made up his mind that it was a very liberal one, though he had voted for it, as he had pledged himself to do. Many members of the Liberal party had urged upon the Government to carry through the whole of the Liberal programme. The Hon John Hall had promised to introduce this session the measures of reform that were not passed last session ; a Bill for the Begulation of Elections, a Bill for the Prevention of Bribery and Corruption, and a Bill as to the Trial of Election Petitions. A little lower down in his speech he had said, “ We hope to introduce at an early period of the session, the Bedistribution of Heats Bill.” Did the people expect that the Ministry would? If they did he (Mr Andrews) did not. He would endeavour to push it on, as a fair representation must be insisted upon. .<) r Hall was alive to its necessity. [Here the speaker again quoted from Mr Hall’s speech at Leeston,] There was nothing new in what Mr Hall bad said, but still nothing had yet been done. When that Bill became law there would be an alteration in the balance of power in the House, and that alteration would be unfavourable to the present Government. Nelson and other places had been promised much in order that certain votes might be secured. He did not believe the promises would be kept, but nothing but the buying of votes in this way would have held the Ministry together. The District Eailways Bill was another way by which the support of members for the South had been secured. For a Government to make itself liable for £150,000, as Mr Hall said, [Mb Montgomery : “ It would be nearer £600,000.”] He (Mr Andrews) was aware of that, but quoted Mr Hall’s figures, and must say it was a disgraceful state of things. Sir George Grey had stated in the House that he had the promise of six votes if he would agree to the District Bailway Bill. He had refused to make such terms. Mr Maoahdrew, he might say, had been in favour of the Bill, and he might here remark that if Canterbury were ever to take her proper position in New Zealand, she must have a Mr Maeandrew. It would pay the people of Canterbury to give Mr Maeandrew £2OOO a year. (Cheers and laughter.) The chief penal settlement wae to be in Otago now, simply because'the Chief Engineer was there. Thsy wanted to make the port there the principal harbour of the Colony. [Cheers, and a Yoice ; “ Where is Stevens ? ”] [The speaker here referred to the sending up of Mr Conyers being declared by Mr Oliver to be only a temporary arrangement, and. Mr Stead having shown that Mr Conyers had, while here, been appointed Commissioner for the South Island.] But Otago men always drifted back to Otago. Mr Conyers had gone back, and now everything in the management was to drift there. [A voice: “ Better send Johnny Hall there.”] Mr Oliver had said that it was a very small matter where Mr Conyers ate his bread and butter. But Mr Hall must have been thoroughly informed of the cruel injustice done to poor men who had invested their savings in land, trusting that the works were to be at Addington. Those men had been as clearly sold as any men ever were. (Cheers.) The country had a Premier, who could take a couple of columns of a newspaper for abusing his opponents, but could not refer to a matter of vital importance to Canterbury like this. (Cheers.) He (Mr Andrews) had been asked to refer to the telegram business. He had been asked if he approved of the Ministry prying into the correspondence of anyone. He said, in reply to that question, that it was a monstrous thing. It might bo said that the telegrams had been paid for with public money. The Premier said he had taken the precaution to look through them to see that none had been improperly included, and had laid aside one or two which had been improperly sent up. That was a most unbecoming position for the Premier to take. (Applause.) Unless the Telegraph Department was to be considered sacred, how could confidence ever be placed in it ? It was debasing for the Premier to take such a position. Could he not have found officials sufficiently trustworthy ? They . were gentlemen sworn to secresy, and might surely have been trusted. But no, Mr Hall himself must pry into the matter. This reminded him of that inquisitorial tax the Property tax. Would there be any secresy in regard to the statements they would have to ‘ make in the schedule ? [A Yoice : " We won’t fill them up. We will go to chokey first, and Government will have to keep our families.”] He had voted aga'nab that BUI, as unjust and most inquisitorial. In his opinion there was no necessity to go into all the business secrets of the people, who were bound to answer under a fine of £IOO, or a prosecution for perjury. That was bad enough; but in imdition to that, he maintained that it wae a BUI which had a tendency to crush out any enterprise in New: Zealand.. Buildings, land, machinery, everything was to be taxed, even although it could not pay for the first two or three years. This was wrong in principle. Let them have an Income tax. (Cheers.) The great objection which had been made to the 1 Land tax was that it brought in nothing. He i replied to that objection by saying ifn penny I: was not enough, let it be doubled. The ProJ perty tax would involve a tax upon the mere | paintings of a house. Lefc the land pay* It : had been improved in value through the

axation of the people. Under the Property , tax the land would pay comparatively ( nothing..... If .lancl ]-u.xba»ed at £2 was sr.ow worth £6O, it should be taxed somewhat in 1 proportion. He (Mr Andrews) would not) refer to what Mr Hall had said in reference to Akaroa, as Mr Montgomery, he was proud { to say, had. favoured him with his presence. He believed that a Property tax would never exist, here. It had been said that Mr M'Caughan, at Riverton, had given the keynote of the policy of the Ministry when he said that the Peer tax wat to be renewed, and the duties on sugar and tea were to be reimposed, and that the education vote must be rescinded. Why, this meant that the whole burden would come upon the working classes. (Applause.) It was an .attempt to take them back to the darkest days. He considered it a laudable subject for pride that our children should be better educated than ourselves. It was greatly to the credit of Canterbury that she had led in the cause of education. During the recent crisis where could the children have found. the money for fees ? He would now come to the question of finance. The whole of the Cabinet had mourned over the financial state of the country. They might have reason for this. He for one had assured Major Atkinson and Mr Hall that if they desired to know what the real state of the country was, they should have his vote to give them time for doing so. Those present had read Mr Ballanco’s statement, and had heard Sir George Grey and some of the present Ministry. The country now had all this before them, and Mr Ballance had replied that the Ministers had given a false colouring to the statement of the finances. Mr Macandrew had shown this also. Major Atkinson had said that he could not vouch for the condition of the finances, but that he would thoroughly investigate them. He (the speaker) would not quote figures. Christchurch had two papers, one thoroughly Ministerial, the other as strongly Liberal, and the public were sure to have the figures. (Cheers.) This he would say, the country would recover itself provided the management of the finances were placed in proper hands. When a business was not paying, expenses would be curtailed. Where however, was Government curtailing expenses? He. failed to see. (Cheers.) If the country was in the state Major Atkinson said it was in, he should not have granted a pound to the Auckland “rats,” to the West Coast members, or to anyone else. (Cheers.) There were a lot of knowing ones among those “rats.” He could not tell them what promises had been made to Mr Masters. That gentleman had stated that promises were made, Mr Hall had denied this, but did Mr Masters act in the House as if he had received no promise ? He had gone straight into the opposite camp. If the promises to Mr Masters were not fulfilled, it would be a different thing with the Auckland men. Mr Swanson had gone to Mr Hall and asked him if be considered Auckland was entitled to this and that. Mr Hall had said “Yes.” Mr Swanson then said, “ Give it in writing." (Laughter.) Mr Swanson had offered to show the writing to him (Mr Andrews), but he had refused to see it because it was marked confidential, initialled and marked confidential—(applause)—and he could never keep a secret. (Laughter.) If Government had money for these northern constituencies and West Coast constituencies, they need not put on extra taxes. (Applause.) Canterbury would pay towards the Property tax more than the whole of the North Island. [“We won’t pay.”] Yes, they would pay. When the Canterbury Province died it died worth nearly a million. Now their lunatics were dying on the floor, though the Provincial Government would have built a proper asylum for them. He had never made a greater mistake than when he voted for Abolition. (Cheers.) As comparatively a baby in politics he would not attempt to shadow forth a scheme for saving, but Mr Hall had invited suggestions on what he called a most difficult question, and it was a difficult one, for every member of the Civil Service was jammed in his position by “ his sisters, his cousins, or his aunts.” (Laughter.) There must, however, be a reduction of expenditure, by an equalisation of salaries in proportion to work done. The whole Civil Service must he classed, whether boys cr men, and each one’s appointment must be duly gazetted. Men were getting £SOO, £6OO, or £BOO a year for doing almost nothing. He did not wish to single out individuals, but the whole matter must be inquired into. He had moved that the whole of the salaries, including those of the Ministers, should be reduced oy 10 per cent. Mr Swanson had at once turned to him and said, “ Man, you might as well attempt to fly as touch the Civil Servants." [The speaker caused considerable amusement by quoting Mr Swanson at some length.] He had been supported in this matter by Mr Turnbull, of Timaru. He looked with pride •upon the public schools, and hoped that the young men there would become the rulers of New Zealand. Those who took scholarships were just the men for the Civil Service. They might be the children of mechanics, but their prowess at school would show that they were not fitted for the plough. They were the proper men for the Civil Service, and not those with no other recommendation than the possession of “sisters, cousins, and aunts.” (Laughter.) He felt that a radical reform was required. (Cheers.) Though member fop Christchurch, be would look after the welfare of all New Zealand. (Cheers.) Mr Hall had said on one occasion that if you wanted a thing shelved you should appoint a Commission on it. He (Mr Andrews) objected to Commissions. Those now in existence were unfairly appointed. Mr Hall had said there was not intelligence enough on the Opposition side of the House for Commissioners to be appointed from it. Commissions shifted the responsibility from the shoulders of the Government. Supposing the Commissioners recommended, for instance, the Hororata railway, the Premier would at once say, “ The responsibility, gentlemen, is not with us, but with the Commission.” These Commissions were composed almost entirely of friends of the Government, and had their instructions to bring in a certain verdict. (Applause.) What were the Government doing to encourage local industries ? A gentleman had told him only that day that things in Wellington were ten times worse than in Canterbury, and that in other parts of New Zealand matters were just as bad. He (Mr Andrews) did not believe in the Government doling forth relief, but they should put out the public works to tender, then men would work with spirit even for low wages. He would read a document which had been given to him by a gentleman. [The speaker read an advertisement for rolling stock for the Canadian Pacific Bailway. The materials, carriages, engines, &0., were to be delivered so much each year for four years, but were to be manufactured entirely in the Dominion of Canada.] Something like this was wanted here. (Cheers.) It was dated Otawa, Feb. 7,1880. It was no antiquated notion they would see. He would not delay the meeting longer, but would now answer any questions, and if he could not would imitate Mr Hall and say “gentlemen, give notice of your motion; table the question.” (Cheers and laughter.) The speaker after sitting down again rose and asked if the electors expected him to follow the Hon John Hall. (No, no ) If they did he would resign his seat into the hands of the Speaker at once. (Cheers.)

Mr Gaeeabd asked Mr Andrews’ opinion of the action taken by Mr Allwright in the matter of the unseating of Sir George Grey. Mr Andeews replied that he had been in conference with Mr Allwright ten minutes before that gentleman gave his verdict in the case. He had been standing on the steps in company with Mr Afallance, when Mr Allwright said “I am undecided.” He (Mr Andrews) said “ It would give me no concern for a moment. It is perfectly clear. You say you are hampered from the legal point of view. You have often sat on the Bench as a Justice of the Peace, and know that the law says always «*- ve the prisoner the benefit of the doubt. Sir George Grey came to Christchurch in good faith. There was no necessity for him to have come, and he believed that if the people elected him he could sit for Christchurch. The people relied on him, and said they would put him in. A number of his friends and mine worked hard and put him in. If he came in good faith, and the people thought everything w.iß sound and square, and elected

him in goi d faith, what further could be required ? I say if there is a doubt give the prisoner the benefit ” Mr Ballance had said to Mr Aliwright, “It ought not to occupy your mind for a moment. Allow the existing state of things to remain,” Just then the Clerk of the Committee said, “Mr Aliwright, the Committee are waiting for you.” Mr Aliwright then left them, and the meeting knew what the result had been. [A Voice: “ He is a traitor.”] Mr Moffat asked Mr Andrews’ opinion as to the best way of disposing of the waste lands of the Colony. Mr Akdbbws was in favour of the auction system, provided the laud was put up in blocks of a convenient size. (Applause.) Mr Moffat asked if Mr Andrews would vote for an increased Land tax. Mr Andeews, while he would vote against a Property tax, would stand by a Land tax, and if necessary an Income tax. (Cheers.) Mr Moffatt asked if Mr Andrews would present and support a petition for expunging lirom the records of Parliament the vote unseating Sir George Grey. (Cheers.) Mr Ahdbbws said the question was a poser. He was not prepared to support such a petition, and he would tell them why. An attempt in that direction had been made last session, and the Speaker had ruled that the question could not be re-opened. A petition from 2000 to 3000 electors would be a serious tax upon its promoters, and would be of no use. What sympathy could a petition have from the House until the tide turned, and another power ruled P Such a petition at the present time would occupy a week or more in profitless debate. He would vote straight against it. Mr Moffat asked if Mr Andrews would support the Be-distribution of Seats Bill. Mr Akdeews would do his best to hurry it on, but the Ministry could place the Bills as they pleased. They took good care last session to place at the bottom of the list the measure that had been prepared on the subject. Mr J. W. Treadwell after referring to the subject of the Property tax moved:— “ That inasmuch as this meeting is of opinion that the Property tax passed by the present Government is iniquitous and inquisitorial, steps should be taken to repeal the same in favour of a Land and Income tax.” Mr Treadwell enlarged at considerable length on the incidence of the Property tax in reply to the Hon John Hall’s statement that five-sixths of the population would escape, and pointed out that the Christchurch people, whose intelligence the Premier ridiculed, knew better than to say with that gentleman that a tax of 3d in the £ was 20 per cent. Mr Kent seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Akdbews might mention that originally the exemption was £3OO, but by hard pressure the Liberal Party had succeeded in having it raised to £SOO. In answer to further questions, Mr Andbews stated that he was in favour of the trying of election petitions in courts of justice in preference to Committees of the House, and did not know what measure the Ministry intended to propose for the regulation of publicans’ licenses. Mr Cxephanb moved—“ That a vote of thanks be given to Mr Andrews for his address that evening, and a hearty vote of confidence in him as the Liberal representative for Christchurch.”

Mr Lockwood seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. In response to loud calls.

Mr Montgomery said he had come not to make a speech, but as an elector to testify that Mr Andrews was thoroughly worthy of confidence; he had come also in consideration of the party to which he and Mr Andrews belonged. Despite of what might be said to the contrary, the Liberal party was determined that j ustice should be done to the whole of New Zealand. Mr Andrews had referred to the removal of the workshops, &o. Nothing of that kind had been attempted by Sir George Grey and Mr Macandrew. A great cry had been raised that they intended to do so, but never was a more unjust cry raised. The staff had now been removed by the present Government. Mr Macandrew had taken care that Otago had got justice. After Sir George Grey had voluntarily resigned, the party had unanimously chosen Mr Macandrew as their leader. When the House met, he trusted the Liberal party would be unanimous. He, for one, would accept Mr Macandrew as his leader. That gentleman had never in his actions had other than the welfare of the whole country at heart. Whether the Canterbury members had done their best for Canterbury was another question. Ha would reiterate that the present Ministry got support by promises, and something more than promises. They had carried the promises into effect. Mr Andrews had always spoken and acted with intrepidity in the House, and a more honest and independent man could not represent Christchurch. (Cheers.) Mr Andrews acknowledged the vote which had been passed and the compliment which the last speaker had paid him. He was not a paragon of virtue, but would try to do right. He had undertaken a trust which he would faithfully fulfil for the three years the Parliament sat, unless the electors wished to get rid of him sooner. (Cheers.) Ho concluded by moving a. vote of thanks to the Chairman. The vote was duly seconded and carried by acclamation. This brought the meeting, which had been a most orderly one, to a close. SIE G. GEET AND ME TUENBULL AT TIMAEU. [By Telegraph.] TIMAEU, May 26. Sir George Grey arrived from Dunedin by express train to-day. He addressed a crowded meeting at the Queen’s Hall this evening, and met with a very enthusiastic reception. His speech was mainly a repetition of those delivered at other large centres. Mr E, Turnbull, M.H.E. for Timaru, delivered a short address to his constituents, and concluded by moving a vote of thanks to Sir G. Grey for his able address. This was seconded by Mr E. Wood and carried with cheers. Sir George Grey proceeds to Christchurch to-morrow.

MR H. DRIVER AT EO3LYN. [By Tbieseaph.J DUNEDIN, May 26, Mr H. Driver, M.H.E. for Boslyn, addressed his constituents last night; 150 were present. He said he had entered Parliament as an opponent of the late Government, and ho had not seen any reason to change his opinion. He accused the late Government of extravagance, insincerity, and want of organisation. Referring to Sir George Grey’s Dunedin speech he said that as a public man the ExPremier ought not to go about the Colony addressing the people, unless he was prepared to lay before them some system by which they could get over the present difficulties. He admired Sir George Grey as a speaker, so much that ho would go some distance to hear him, but he would not undertake to believe a single word that he said. He had such a beautiful manner of speaking, and told people so pleasantly how miserable they were, that he made them quite happy. With regard to the railways, he asserted that our system was entirely wrong, and that the only way to make them profitable would be to farm them out on a systematic plan to some American or English Company. He defended his own action with regard to the District Railways Bill, and denied the statements made by Sir George, saying that the Grey Government had made promises in connection with this matter. Bor two months before he voted for the Bill he had not received any communications or promises from the Government on the subject. He was a freetrader. A vote of thanksand confidence was carried.