MESSRS. HAMLIN AND HARRIS AT MAKSTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5545, 25 August 1879, Page 5

MESSRS. HAMLIN AND HARRIS AT MAKSTU.

These candidates addressed a largo meeting on Wednesday niglit, Mr. Calliglian in_ tho chair, who opened the meeting with a" few remarks aud called Mr. Harris to the front. Mr. Harris stated that he did not believe in long speeches, and would compress his remarks into as small a space as possible. If returned, he would exert himself for the interests of Franklin first, the provincial district of Auckland next, then the whole of the colony. He bolieved in reducing taxation on the necessaries of life. He believed in laud taxation where good railway accommodation is the result. The nativo policy he did not understand, but would make the Maoris understand that their courtship had ceased, and would endeavour to keep them in their proper place. The immigration system he thought had been a success. He did not believe in giving land to immigrants whilst settlers' sons were denied the same privileges. He would advocate the deferred payments system to all alike. He did not believe in land monopoly, Buch as was practised in the Waikato. People could not get land there unless from settlers at an extreme price. This system of land-sharkiog was not right. He knew tho requirements of settlers, he might say, better than any other man in tho district, Mr. Hamlin excepted. He had been among them for a long time, and had taken notice of these things. The salary of Government officials should be the same throughout the colony. He believed in subsidising Road Boards, and would do his best for them. He was the first to call Mr. Hamlin's notice to the necessity of a station at Runoiman's siding, and would not overlook that matter if returned. Also, a branch line to Bombay through Maketu. (Cheers.) He thoroughly endorsed the policy of the late Government, and considered Sir George Grey the only man in the Auckland'province capable of keeping Parliament together. The Native Minister was a man who, he thought, had done the country good service. The Auckland members wore too much divided to render the Government any substantial help. They ought to be moro united. (Applause.) Mr. Lyans : How can Mr. Harris get money for Boards if others cannot ? Mr. Harris : Want of unity on the part of Auckland members had been the principal cause of failure in this respect. Mr. Hamlin, who was received with applause, said : In reference to the policy of the late Government, they did not get a fair chance. The Opposition attacked them so as to upset their policy and legislate for their own selfish ends. They feared the consequences of allowing the Government to bring down their policy. The electors of Franklin were misled by the promises of oandidates to their own losb. They should be careful to return two men on whom they could rely. Sir William Fox made statements, but had failed to prove them. He waß glad the dissolution had been granted.

It would have been better for the country if is had happened a year earlier. He thought the people should choose their leader now. Men could not be expected to follow a man to a battle in whom they had no confidence. If they preferred Mr. Whitaker to Sir George Grey, they should not vote for him, as he refused to follow euch a clan. As to the reduction of Minister's salaries, he said the Government tried to briog this about. The question wa3 made a Government one, but they were beaten by a majority of two, in proof of which ht» referred to the Hansard of 1577. Personal dislike to Sir George (irey had prompted the Opposition to act as they had done. They did not attack his policy, but the man. The Government adhered to their policy for the good of tho country. He believed in the Triennial Parliaments Bill, aud if the Opposition had not been too strong it would have been in operation now. He believed in the present policy of taxation. He objected to men making a lot of money, out of land in this country, and then going home. He was against people coming to this country to bccome tenants. He believed in the deferred payment system, also in subsidising Road Board*. It reference to the Thames railway, the Government had acted in accordance with the Act. He believed the reasou why they had not received justice in the North was want of unity on the part of the members. They had not worked together as they should have done. . He believed Mr. Macandrew had a very friendly feeling toward the North. He would be in favour of a Minister of Public Works for the North Island, and impressed upon the meeting the necessity of choosing two men whom they could trust to work together, (Applause.) He would now answer questions.

In reply to Mr. Jennings, he said he would be in favour of imposing a tax of £10 per head on all Chinamen coming to the country. Mr. F. Mander spoke strongly against the statement of Mr. Hamlin, that the Opposition were anxious to legislate for their own selfish ends. Ho had no party feeling, but thought it a rash and unjust statement. He did not think it to attribute wrong motives to such a number of men who, he thought, might be just as anxious for the good of the country as their opponents, only took a different view of the matter. If he understood correctly, the Opposition did not find so much fault with the policy of the Government as their ability to carry it out. Mr. Hamlin would repeat his statement. Mr. F. Mander: How is it that our side of the district never got any special assistance before last year ? Mr. Hamlin was glad to have an opportunity of saddliug the right horse. Mr. Hobbs had taken all the credit of getting this money. He had undermined him in every possible way. He had told Mr. Crispe that he (Mr. Hamlin) had taken money from Patumalioe and spent it in the Waiuku Creek. He was not worthy of confidence. He (Mr. Hamlin) had been deceived. Mr. Hobb3 had told the people he had done all, —he had used too many " I's." Mr. F. Mander : How is it we have never received any communication from you since the time of your election about matters concerning our dis'rict. When I was in the Board last year. Mr. Hobbs wrote to usseveral times. The first letter came about tho County Council election time, stating the money was promised. Tnat'was said by his opponents to be an electioneering trick. They had proved it wrong. If the money had been promised before Mr. Hobbs got in, there wa3 one thing he was quite sure of— that Mr. Hobbs had done his best to get that promise fulfilled. He could prove by those letters that Mr. Hobbs did not take all the credit to himself—they were not so full of I's as Mr. Hamlin thought. He would read them at the Ararimu meeting to-morrow night. Mr. Hamlin : I would not be bo mean, so despicable, as to advertise myself in such a way. I would scorn an unmanly action. I have no drapery establishment in town to occupy my time. Mr. F. Mander did not think it a disgrace to any man to own a drapery establishment in town, nor did he think it mean or despicable in a member writing to a Board on matters concerning their district. It would be greatly to the advantage of districts if there was more it.

In reply to Mr. Shaw, as to where all the money voted to the Native Department had gone, Mr. Hamlin said ho could not give particulars as to that, but the money got for their di9trict3 came out of it, and now Mr. Hobb3 had turned his back on the man who gave it. A vote of confidence wis proposed and seconded, also a vote of thanks. The vote of confidence was carried almost unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.

The meeting was very orderly throughout, —[A. Correspondent.]