POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11887, 10 May 1899, Page 6

POLITICAL.

THE HON. W. HALL-JONES AT TIMABU. [Per Press Association.] TIMARU, May 9 The Hon W. Hall-Jones addressed a public meeting at the Theatre Koyal to-nigbt. There was a veiy large attendance, and the Mayor, Mr Keith, presided. Mr Hali-Jones spoke of the hard work of Ministers and of the false charges of corruption brought against them by men who were not above using a Chinaman to concoct a “ Bun Tuck ” fraud. He criticised briefly Mr Scobie Mackenzie’s recent speech, and then referred to and explained away some of the charges of' corruption. Concerning Comet Wrigg’s New Zealand cross, that was given on the recommendation of a number of officers and some Imperial officers of high standing. The treatment of Sir Walter Buller had been Justified by recent events, Sir Walter having bought at £8 an acre land that he had previously leased from the natives at 2s 6d. He then dealt at considerable length with the marine scandal on the lines of Iris evidence in the recent Supreme Court case, and quoted from the same documents. He exhibited a photograph of the envelope memorandum, and asked if any business man would have acted upon such a tiring. It was impossible for the Minister to be behind all his officers, to see that they did their duty properly, and, in all walks of life there were some who would not do the right thing. The difference was that in a private firm less noise would be made about such a tiring than in the case of a Government servant. He (Mr Hall-Jones) had escaped attack before, and even this case had been seized upon with the intention of getting a “ slap ” at the Premier rather than of injuring himself. The fact was that the Premier knew absolutely nothing about Jones’s examination. The Opposition critics had blundered by failing to distinguish between a certificate of service and a certificate of competency. The Premier had heard,of the former, which had. been refused, but not of the latter. Jones tried to get the sendee certificate by means of exaggerated records, and Captain Allman advised that Jones was not entitled to it. Then, for the first time, examination was mentioned by Captain Allman, who suggested that Jones’s service might enable him to dispense with a mate’s certificate, which he did not possess. He (Mr Hall-Jones) thought that there was something in the regulaions bearing on the point, and allowing a-per-mit to be given. On this assumption he wrote, on an envelope, the memorandum of which so much had been heard. In doing this he had followed his usual practice, and it had been his intention to ask the Secretary for Marino, -Mr Glasgow, for information. As Captain Allman was leaving the room he said that he would look into the matter, and was given the memorandum. He asked Captain Allman to let him know the result of his inquiries. That was in 1897, and lie (Mr Hall-Jones) never saw the envelope again, till early this year. He asked his hearers if any business man would take such a scrawled note as authority for anything. The matter passed from his mind, and even when Mr J. Hutcheson spoke of it in the House he did not know to whom he referred until Mr Hutcheson told him that it was some one he knew. This reduced the case to two men, and Jones’s case was 1 easily separated. He then, demanded all the papers and threshed the matter out thoroughly. (The subsequent proceedings were detailed at length.) In connection with this matter the papers connected with between 130 and 140 persons had been carefully examined, and there was no evidence of wrong-doing, except in some four or five, of which some doubts were entertained, and these were being inquired into. In regard to-Mr Glasgow’s evidence, that the Minister had discussed the matter with him at the timey Mr Hall-Jones said that Mr Glasgow was a most conscientious man, but he must he mistaken in what he believed had, occurred. This was the latest charge of corruption, and those who had commented, on it as such had not taken the trouble to find out what were the circumstances of. the case. Mr Hall-Jones next briefly referred to the changed relations between the colony and the Bank of New .Zealand. Formerly, as Sir George Grey so strongly asserted, the Bank’ruled the colony, now the colony ruled the Bank. He pointed out the unfairness of the Opposition comparisons of the prosperity of the colony in 1820 and 1897, as 1890 was an exceptionally good year of high yields and Irigh prices. The complaint of over-crowded lunatic asylums was, he said, unfair, as, though some were too full, others had spare room, and extensions were in hand. Reform of the Upper House was now demanded because the seven, years’ tenure had Liberalised it. If the Chamber were made elective, it must not be on the Hare system of large electorates, or only rich<<men could contest the elections. He described at some length the opposition to the Old Age Pensions, and the prolonged, stone-wailing that had taken place last session, and said that next election, must decide whether the Act should be continued. It was only in force for three years at present, and the electors must not forget that. He was in favour, of reducing the limitation of the residence qualification to twenty years, increasing the pension to 10s a week, and finally malting it universal.' Ho gave some figures relating to land settlement, and advances to settlers’, and claimed that by these means the Government had really done much to increase the prosperity of the colony. They would see a vast difference at once if the estates-that had been cut up. and settled were restored to their former condition as sheep-runs. The unemployed had . been dealt with in a more satisfactory way than ever before, and generally the results of the Government policy were its complete justification. He was unable to speak of all the subjects he wished to touch upon, but he would take another opportunity of speaking before. the session opened. Several questions were asked, and, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks and confidence to Mr Hall-Jones and an expression of confidence in the Government. MR MILLAR AT DUNEDIN. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, May 9. Mr J. A. Miliar addressed his constituents at the Princess ' Theatre to-night. There was a good attendance. Mr Mdlar defended the policy and administration of the Government, and spoke 'of the success of the land policy and advances to settlers. He defended Ministers in connection with the Jones certificate case, and threw the whole blame on the Secretary of Customs and the Chief Clerk, for having permitted the examination, adding that -if he had,' been in the Ministry, he would have suspended these officers at once, and reported the matter to the Cabinet ; and if they had not been dismissed, he would not have remained in the Ministry five minutes. He criticised the speeches of Mr Scobie Mackenzie and Captain Russell. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed, arid also one of continued confidence in the Government.

MR TANNER AT NEW BRIGHTON. A meeting, at which it was announced, that Mr W. W. Tanner would address his New Brighton constituents, was held in the New Brighton Schoolroom last evening. Mr R. C. Bishop occupied, the chair. Mr Tanner said that in consequence of the poor attendance attendant upon the inclemency of, the Weather, he would make a few remarks, rather than deliver an O/ddress. He then dealt with the operation of the Old Age Pension Act. It was far from complete in its present stage, one weak point being that the pension did not accrue from 'day to day, which debarred relatives from receiving auy money duo over the last complete month prior to the death of the pensioner. The speaker also touched upon the law of divorce, with which ho expressed himself satislicd ;is it stood, and on the irrigation of the plains. A few questions were answered, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the speaker and to- the Chairman. On Monday evening, Mr R. -Meredith, M.H.R., addressed the electors of Ashley in the schoolroom at Waiau. _ Ihsre wao a large attendance, and Mr Waller Rut.icrfoul war in the chair. ■Mr Meredith spo.-.e civic 11 v on laud settlement, and gave a.i explanation as regards the Waste Lands Committee inquiry into the alleged land maladministration at Kaikoura. ,