MR. COX ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5172, 14 June 1878, Page 2

MR. COX ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS.

[by telegraph, FROM OUB OWH corp p. PONMQiT.] ~ Hamilton, Thursday, 9 p . m> Mr. Cox representative of Wai Pa in House of Representatives, addressed hi* JS® stituents m the Court-house to-night tv" room was crowded. The Mayor oL, 1 the chair. 3 occupied Cox Baid he had f time past to call a meeting ID aft} !l f ° r S ° me some of his constituents t? e T, a i <!n !f t „ or acceded to their request ife i - referring to the abolition of the prominent question at hi& then held, and was a til! oi """'X 3 opinion, that the abolition oi the was only half the work; that it Was " sary also to create efficient leva! if ment. On that question th . e 1-. r ference of opinion between hiu.-t-if i McMino, his opponent, exoept ' > * m McMinn appeared to have for Sir George Grey, which he had not" [f was quite out of the question that the fn veroment at Wellington could do everything that should be done by a system of focal administration, and the Government would find it difficult to administer to all then* local matters, and stump the country from Jane to January. In connection with the incidence of taxation, they had heard more u P° n * aad ttan upon property If it was necessary to raise revenue a property in contradistinction to a land tax should be raised. Why should a man who invested £1000 in the purchase of land be taxed as opposed to a man who vested the same amount in house property. From all that had been said, one might come to the conclusion that to invest in house property was right, but that it was an unholy thing to purchase land. There were two classes of working men, to one of which they ail belonged, the only distinction being that one worked with his hands alone, the other with hands and head also, and the former frequently had the best of it It was an unnatural thing to try to separate labour and capital. Without labour, capital could do nothing and without capital, labour must be limited in its operations. The connection between the two was as natural and legitimate as matrimony, and as beneficial i n their results. The question of the rise and fall of the late Ministry had lost its interest, and he would not weary them with a repetition of the old story. He referred to the difficulty of getting suitable men to take office, and urged upon the people the fairness of giving to holders of office, who were consistent in their policy, fair support, and with this they would not fiud it a bed of roses. He gave his support to the late Government because they advocated the abolition of the provinces. It was a great satisfaction to know that the decision arrived at could not be reversed, and he trusted that the question of separation of the twe Islands might not again be brought up. He considered the nuestion of the land fund of great interest. He voted against the absorbing of the iaud fund in IST'J 7, because it simply meant at that time the absorbing into the colonial chest the whole of the land fund, but he would have voted differently had the questiou come up, as it did last session, by which 20 per cent, was reserved for local purposes. Unfortunately he had to be away from Wellington when the question came up, but he had taken the precaution to deposit with Mr. Sheehau Lis pair in favour of the land fund being made general revenue. If anyone doubted his word, he begged to refer them to Mr. Sheehan. He was particular upon this point, because his conduct had been entirely misrepresented by a portion of the Auckland Press. Mr. Cox then referred at some length to the Education Bill, and read extracts from speeches delivered in the House, and also referred to the difficulties which utatesmen had alwayß experienced with regard to the religious clauses. The Government, however, had wisely made education compulsory and general. Economy in general was always a favourite cry with the Opposition, but when they were in office he had seldom seen retrenchment carried out. He referred to the difficulty of practising economy in regard to native matters. He then referred to the question of re-adjust-ment of representation. They had lately heard a great deal on this subject. The question of universal snffrage, pure and simple, had been prominently brought before them. Mr. Balance had, however, recently placed his views before them, and with his views no objection could be taken, —the two prominent qualifications being registration and two or three years' residence. The great difficulty hitherto has been to get people to take the trouble to register. He then referred humorously to the question of admitting females to the franchise. Mr. Cox then adverted at considerable length to the Land Bill passed at the last session. All sides were agreed as to the necessity of some such measure. He quoted from speeches made by the Premier in favour of a land bill. He afterwards took occasion to refer to what was known as the Canterbury clauses, and from what had recently been said by the Premier in addressing them, one would suppose it was exceptionally in favour of the Canterbury runholders. But the clauses were general, and applied equally in all provincial districts of New Zealand. The clauses, of which so much had been said, merely gave power to land boards to assess the »carrying value of laud, and tax sheep at 9d per head, and that the present holders should have the option of an extension of 10 years of their leases. He denied that it was a wicked thing to men who had made the country and had invested thousands of pounds on those properties this extension. It should always be borne in mind, as an important fact, that these runs were always open to free selection, at any time by any person ; and referred to instances where persons had become small freeholders. Referring to the power given to the Auckland Waste Lands Board, theland was divided into three classes. In one and two the Board had power to reserve special settlements ; in class three they had power to lease for 21 years, and he drew a comparison between this tenure and that under the Canterbury Boards. It was no answer to say that Canterbury land was superior, as that made it more likely to be taken up. He was prouu. of hi 3 connection with Canterbury, and he was pleased to have an opportunity of saying some;hi.ig in behalf of it. Sir George Grey had represented the effect of the Canterbury system as a gross injustice to the rising generation, but they had heard not a word from him as to the Otago leases, not licences. The Otago runholders actually got compensation in case of selecting, to the tune of half-a-crown per acre. He did not object to this, as being the law of Otago ; but why should it be passed over in sileuce, and the Canterbury licence-holders be held up as worthy of execration ? Mr. Cox spoke at considerable length on native affairs, and deprecated the native question being aiade a political one. He spoke of what he considered the noble stand Mr. Sheehan had taken on his accession to office, when he referred to his predecessor, Sir I). McLean. He had the manliness to acknowiege the services he had rendered as Native Minister, —that they were indebted for the peace which had prevailed for so many years to his judicious forbearance. He regretted that the same magnanimous spirit had not been manifested by the Premier. He urged them to have patience with the Native Minister in the meantime, and not to believe every report that was circulated, while at the same time they should keep close watch on everything that transpired. The Native Department is thought to be very costly, but from statistics before him he did not think the expenditure excessive. ! £21,000 provided salaries, &c., £'11 ,%00 was paid for native schools, to which the Native Minister attaches much importance, and he \ thought rightly too. He thanked bis supporters / and those who had been active iu returning him, and his opponents for the forbearance they had shewn him. His resignation had already been written out and was on its way to the Speaker. He resumed his seat amidst great cheering. Mr. K. Hill moved, "That this meeting hears with regret that Mr. Cox's health necessitates his ceasing to represent the district, and that this meeting accords hiui a hearty vote of thanks for his services/' Mr. Potter seconded the motion. The vote of thanks was passed, Dr. Beale s being the only hand held up against it. Mr. Cox acknowledged the vote of thanks, expressing himself as extremely pleased and proud. The meeting then separated.