POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10565, 26 January 1895, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE HON W. P. REEVES AT WELLINGTON. [Pbb Press Assooia TION.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. Ihe Hon W. P. Beeves addressed a large public meeting in the Skating Rink, tonight, under the auspices of the Wellington Federated Trades Union Council. Mr Allan Ward, President of the Council, occupied the chair. Mr Beeves, who received a splendid reception, expressed hia great pleasure st meeting the people face to face, and said the members of , the Government were always pleased to give an account of their stewardship on a pub! ic platform. Ho said he _ would deal chiefly with the labour legislation of the Government. Eeferring to bis recent visit to the Australian colonies, he said he had been treated with e* 6 *?, possible courtesy and kindness on all bides, and everywhere he went he found the greatest interest taken in the work of the Liberal and Labour Party in New Zealand. This he took as a -great compliment to the colony and to the party to which he belonged. He could_ nob help contrasting the change of opinion That bad occurred in, Australia regarding New Zeeland since he last visited Australia five years ago. Since that time things had chan god for the ■'Worse in Australia, but they had changed for the better in New Zealand, and this was generally admitted in the other colonies. Politically, Australia seemed a generation behind New Zealand. The labour party was only beginning the work that the Government bad successfully accomplished in New Zealand, and they marvelled that so much good work could be done in such a short apace of time. As to the comparative failure of the Labour Party in Victoria and New South Wales, he pointed out that it was due to the fact that there were no political parties in those colonies to which labour leaders felt themselves justified in giving allegiance. Hia experience showed him that it was advisable in New Zealand to widen rather than limit the sphere of the Labour Party, so aa to admit into it all ranks of the community. He had pointed out courteously to fcho other colonies that the real source of the success of the Labour Party in New Zealand was the broad and national basis on which the party was formed, while in Australia the Labour Party was cut off from certain sections of the community. South Australia, although much smaller than the other two colonies, was much in advance of them in regard to Libera], progressive legislation, and Now Zealand really had something to learn from her. Under the Kingston Government labour and village [settlements had been a great success, and there were now fully twelve thousand human beings on these settlements. Their position was a moat hopeful and promising one; After sketching his visits to these Labour settlements, ho said he hoped that the Government to which he belonged wonld try similar experiments before long. The settlements he visited on the banks of the Murray would, if they succeeded—and he believed they would—in years to come attract social students from all .parts of the world. If the necessity arose, the New Zealand Government would take advantage of the compulsory clauses of the Laud for Settlements Act, and, perhaps, before many weeks were over, would use some of the blocks of land acquired under the Act for the establishing of village and artisan settlements on similar lines to those in South Australia. These were some of the lessons he had learned in Australia, and another was that the Labour Party should have a practical programme. It was because of the practical programme put forth that the New Zealand Labour and Liberal Party had been able to do such good work, and it was for want of such a programme that the party in Australia had failed. Coming to THE LABOUR LEGISLATION OFIfBW ZEALAND, he said the colony now possessed the best code of labour laws in the whole world, but the Government was not tired yet* It was only about half-way through its work, and if it was fortunate it hoped to be able to poas several more good-labour laws during the next few years. He strongly urged upon, working men to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the labour laws of the colony and watch that they were administered up to the letter. To do this working men should keep in touch with the Labour Bureau. Take, for instance, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. If employers and workers would accept that Act in the spirit in which it was framed, it would be a boon to all, and an Act of which New Zealand would in years to come be proud. But it really rested with the people. Unions should register under it, and so should employers. They should take the Act up heartily, register under it, and take part in the election of the Conciliation and Arbitration Court. He explained the constitution of the Arbitration Court, and said they might look for prudence, good cense and moderation as a result of its deliberations. He hoped, however, that the Arbitration Court wonld have little to do, and that the local Conciliation Boards would do all, or nearly all, the work necessary to bo done under the Aot. There were practically three stages of the Act. The first stage was for private arrangement among disputants, and ho hoped that very few disputes would go beyond this. ‘ The- fact of this Act being on the Statute Book should bo a preventive of disputes. The second stage would bring disputes before the local Conciliation Boards, and he imagined that very few disputes would go beyond this stage. Finally, there was a legal and national tribunal, the Arbitration Court, presided over by a Judge of the Supreme Court. With this Act he hoped that the days of strikes belonged to the past, and that they would never be revived in the colony of His earnest hope was that both employers and employes would come under that Act and establish local Conciliation Boards. IE this were done, resort to the Arbitration Court would bo avoided in ninety-five cases out of a hundred. Coming to the SHOBB AND SHOP ASSISTANTS ACT, he said his ideal day for the half-holiday was Saturday, and he hoped to seethe time when this day would be universally adopted throughout the colony. If a local body failed to elect a day for the halfholiday, hia idea was that it would be the duty of the Government to at once fix on Saturday in that particular district. He had thought that the Government would have to do this in Auckland, but be had learnt to-day that the Mayors of the suburban bodies had done their duty and decided on Saturday for the half-holiday. While on this subject he might say ho was surprised to see a paper of tho standing of the New Zealand Herald advise tho Auckland Qitj Council to disobey the law of the land and refuse to appoint representatives to the conference. This made him think that really the only enemies to law and order in Now Zealand were the Conservative newspapers. The Government, he thought, took a wise

course in leaving the selection of the day for the half-holiday to the local bodies, and the difference of opinion on_ tho subject was a justification for this course. As to the question of closing publichouses, ho pointed out that hotel employes, including barmaids, were entitled to a halfholiday in each week. This provision had been put in by himself, and he would take good care that his inspectors saw that the hotel employes got the halt-holiday. If a majority of Parliament wanted the hotels closed on a half-holiday in the week, the Licsnsiag Act was the proper place for such a clause. Hia own opinion was that the day should be the same as tho day chosen for the half-holiday. Alluding to THE SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S ACT, he said it provided not only that adequate life-saving appliances should be supplied on vessels, but that the Marine Department should see that boat drill was properly carried out on board. In face of the revelations in connection with the wreck of the Waiiarapa, this, he contended, was not an unnecessary and arbitrary provision, aa had been assorted. He also referred to other Labour Acts passed last session, and went on to explain the Masters and Apprentices Bill, .tho Labour Department Bill, the Eight Hours Bill and the Servants’Registry Bill, which the Government would go on with next session. As to THE UNDESIRABLE .EMIGRANTS BILL, ho declared that .ho intended to go on talking to the people of New Zealand about it until he had converted them to his way of thinking. Even now, public opinion was gradually changing in its favour. The Bill simply provided that the democracy should have the right to select those whom they took into permanent partnership. The State had to be careful about opening its doors to a rush of population from outside. A big influx of destitute persons and aliens to a small colony like this might break down the finances of tho country. He strongly defended the principal provisions of the Bill, and said the object of the Government was to make the colony admired and envied by outside nations, for taking care of its own people first. ’ At the dose of hia address, which had lasted about two hours, Mr Reeves was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. At the close of the public meeting in the Skating Rink to-night Mr Reeves took the opportunity of referring to the cable message appearing in the evening papers stating that tho cable message published in London announcing an estimated deficit of a quarter of a million in the New Zealand revenue, had occasioned surprise and uneasiness in tho city. He said it was only right that he, as the first Minister speaking in public after the appearance of that message, should tako tho opportunity of emphatically denying, firstly, that there was the slightest ground for supposing that there would be a deficit of a quarter of a million or any other sum, and, secondly, that there was any apprehension in New Zealand that there would be a deficit of any kind. It was surprising to him that men in responsible positions should send the reckless gossip of Conservative newspapers to London aa facts. There was absolutely no reason whatever for expecting that there would be any deficit whatever. It was most unfortunate and deplorable, ho said, that party spirit should so seize hold of editors and lead them to play ducks and drakes with the finances of tho colony in order to find material for abusive leading articles.

GISBORNE, Jan. 25.

The Hon J. Carroll addressed hia constituents last night, delivering a good speech in support of the Government policy. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. MR G. J. SMITH AT THE OPERA HOUSE. Mr G. J. Smith, one of the members of the House of Representatives for Christchurch, addressed a meeting of his constituents in the Opera House last evening. There was a very large attendance, and the chair was occupied by the Mayor of Christchurch. . ■ Mr Smith, who was received with loud ■applause, said that ho had intended to address them directly he came down from Wellington, but aa in hia remarks at the reception tendered to him at that time ho had to eoma extent anticipated the speech he proposed delivering, and as the holidays shortly afterwards intervened, ho had thought it better to wait until the present time. He had hoped that Mr EeeveSi as senior member, would have spoken before him, but as he had not done so, and as the junior member had already addressed them, he supposed the Minister would come down and correct any mistakes they might have made. When he (Mr Smith) sought election, he bad plainly indicated the line of action which he intended to follow, and no one could truthfully say that ha had departed from the views he then expressed. Ho did not intend to risk the criticism of the Liberal organ by having a carefully-prepared resolution of confidence, as had been the case lately. He would leave the matter of the resolution entirely to tho audience. The last session was remarkable for the fact that it was the first Parliament which had represented tho whole adult population of the colony. It had been thought that granting the franchise to women wonld have given a purer tone to politics, but he was sorry to say this was not the case. The House had the largest number of Liberal members that ever sat in a New Zealand Parliament. Had this majority of Liberals satisfied the people? [A voice: “ No.”] He also said “ no.” The amending of the Standing Orders had been expected to extinguish some of the evils of Parliament, but a study of Hansard should convince anyone that that expectation had not been fulfilled. The session had lasted eighteen weeks, and the legislation carried might have been effected in much less time and consequently with much less expense to the colony. The _ banking legislation cams upon the House in a vary sudden manner. He gave the Government credit for tho bold' course it had taken, but questioned its conduct in allowing an expression of satisfaction with the financial affairs of tho colony to form part of the Governor’s Speech, when at that time it must have been acquainted with the situation of the Bank of New Zealand. Ha would have preferred seeing the assets valued, and the Bank at once taken over as a State Bank j and until this was done he would not be a party to saddling the colony with any further liability in this matter. He spoke briefly upon the Bank amalgamation scheme, and then referred to the Government proposals to advance money to settlers. Tho Bill, as brought down, gave the Government power to borrow a million ‘and a half yearly without limiting the period during which money might bo borrowed, and it was provided that the money should be lent at-4 per cent, with 1 per cent for sinking fund. This, he thought, scarcely allowed a sufficient margin for paying off the loan. The Bill, as passed, limited the amount to be borrowed to three millions, to be lent in sums of from £SO to £2500, the maximum amount having been cut down from £SOOO by the Upper House. He was in favour of the amount being

further reduced to <3IOOO, and of only borrowing a million and a half for on® year. Ha thought that this would hsv.“ been better, as they would 1 then have fo" their way, and the financial business 01 the colony would have bean conductad o n sound business principles. Ho also was i n favour of those engaged in business in th e towns, as well as the country cottiers, participating in any advantages which might bo derived from the Government scheme. Ee had opposed the Consola Bill oa the ground that the money was to go into the public funds without being ear-marked. It was virtually borrowing money on the sly, which money could afterwards be converted into stock in the London market. Pressure was brought to bear privately upon the Treasurer to make certain alterations, and the amount receivable was reduced to half a million, and the money was to be paid into a separate account, which reduced the harm done by one half- There was danger to the Post-office Savings Bank from this Consols Bill, and the Banka would probably be depleted, and the money so diverted locked up. for forty years. The Bill was not in the best interests of the colony, and was all in favour of tho capitalists. Itwould have the effect of keeping np the rate of interest in the colony; and the newspaper report that the Bank of New Zealand had already invested £150,000 in these consols, which were supposed to be issued solely in the interests of the people of the colony, showed that the measure might work solely in the interest of the foreign money-lender. He next referred to the Laud for Settlements Bill, which contained a provision for the compulaoryrepurchasa of lands, and of this ha heartily approved, although he had obiected to the member for tho district having a seat on the Land Purchase Board. Ho had opposed the provision for an eternal lease, the principle of which, he contended, was wrong, and instead of it they ought to havo had a perpetual lease, with a revaluation clauso. He was satisfied, however, that the principle of the eternal lease must be taken out next session if members were to redeem their election pledges. He had opposed tho control of the railways being left in the hands of the three Commissioners, but he hoped that the present management under Government would not be made a political weapon. Tho Arbitration and Conciliation Bill was the principal labour measure brought forward. He had supported this Bill, as well as all tho other labour measures passed; Referring to the Midland Railway Bill, he said that the Nelson members had joined hands with the northern and southern members to defeat the Bill, and tho result was that the colony was now threatened with a heavy claim for damages. He could not understand the attitude taken up by the other members towards Canterbury in this matter; It was promised that the subject of the revision of the tariff would be brought forward in the early part of nest session. A tariff commission had bean set up, and was now taking evidence, with a view to framing a more equitable tariff, and one which would encourage local industry. As, to the old age pension scheme, he thought something should be done which would render the old age of those who had spent the best years of their lives for the colony, more comfortable. Nothing, however, had yet been done, though the Government had declared that the matter would be taken up next session. He hoped that during the recess the Government would propound some sensible scheme by which all would benefit. Neither the electors nor tho members of Parliament had any idea at the opening of last session of the immense amount of financial work that was to be put before Parliament, or of the immense amount of money proposed to bo raised. Tho legislation agreed to had resulted in a -fresh burden of interest of £170,000 a year being saddled on the colony. In view of tho fact of the Land tax having to be collected four months before it was due, and the depression and low prices ruling for produce, ho called this reckless plunging. Speaking of tho Sargeant-at-Arms episode, he declared that Fraser’s appointment was an evasion of the law, an evasion of which the Premier of tho colony ought never to have been guilty. (Hear, hoar, and cheers.) This incident, and the circumstances connected with thepassing of Clauso 21 of the Licensing Act, showed that it was quite time the electors woke up. If the Liberals did not insist on the hands of their representatives being kept clean, they would soon have a "Tammany” Ring here as in America. He contrasted the attitudes taken np by the Premier on the Clause 21 question with that of the Minister of Lands on the Pomahaka purchase. The former declined to allow his actions to be inquired into, while the latter insisted on an inquiry into the charges made against him by Mr Scobia Mackenzie, and was acquitted of any wrong-doing. He must say that on tho Licensing Bill, as in other matters, ho had reason to doubt the sincerity of the Premier, and he did not think,the Bill was ever Intended to pass. Members were told in the Governor’s Speech that oa some measures they wore to vote as they were told, but on the Licensing Bill they were to be allowed to vote as they liked. This was a pretty state of affairs, and he was satisfied that the Premier never intended the Bill to go through. He might say hero that ho objected to his colleague having styled the temperance section of the community "fanatical faddists.” [A Voice: “He’s nobody.”] He thought they ware as sensible as any other members of the community. They only asked that the men and women of tho colony who believed in temperance should at least ha given credit for sin cerity in their convictions. The temperance question would have to be settled very shortly, and tho sooner the bettor for the interests of the colony. Party government, as now carried on, was s curso to the country, and led to legislation being passed in the interest of the Ministry rather than in that of the colony. Party government should ba abolished. Measures would thon be debated entirely in regard to their bearing on the welfare of tho colony, and members would not bo driven into the lobbies to save the Ministry, but would vote according to their convictions. For carrying out his election pledges he had, by order of the Premier, been excluded from a meeting of Liberal members. Was the Premier to be the judge of a man’s consistency. («No.’’) The only judges he accepted were his constituents. (Cheers). The Liberals in the House were, if need arose, quite capable of forming another party, and he prophesied that members would rise to the honour and dignity of their position next session, and would decline to be driven to vote against their convictions. With confidence iu themselves, and with the colony they possessed, there was, iu hia opinion, nothing to prevent New Zealand keepingin the front rank of the Australasian colonies. (Loud and prolonged applause). Mr Smith having answered a number of questions, he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on tho motion of Mr S. Billcliff, seconded by Mr Shaw. A vote of thanks to the Mayor, for presiding, brought the proceedings to a close.