CITY NORTH ELECTORATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6253, 1 December 1881, Page 6

CITY NORTH ELECTORATE.

MR. PEACOCK AT THE TSMPEIiANCE HALL. I MR T Peacock, a candidate for City North, "dretsed a meeting of electora at the Tomoerance Hall, Albert-street, lastui e !it. I here a crowded attendance, standing room scarc-ly available for many. On the motion of Mr. McDoSald, seconded by Mr. McDocgall, Mr. J. H. Field was called to the chair. He briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Peacock, who was received with applause, said in addressing them in the capacity of a candidate, he felt on the one hand a certain measure ol conti.leiice from the fact that he was no' a stranger, to the prominent position he had taken in the management of city aiiairs, but he was somewhat at a disadvantage as compared with those who being in the House had _de\ oted a large amount of time to public aiiairs. lie would refrain from wearying them with a tedious array of figures, but would pass in review some of the leading questions which -mst occupy the attention of the Legislature and indicate his views upon the action required iu the future, aud aiter.va.ds reter to some of the subjects that possess local interest. The question of all others which most intimately affected the interests of the psople was the land question, and it was one of first importance to them, situated as they ■were in a "new ana richly endowed conn try. It was their duty to take warning, and learn wisdom from the systems which had obtained in the countries of the Old World, and to avoid that which had been injurious to the welfare of their teemin.' populations. There were Urge tracts of land held by comparatively few people, and the affluence of a small number iu contrast with the poverty of the masses was painful and striking. He would give place to uo one in the desire to avoid such a state of things here, to prevent a monopoly of laud. There was abundance of land at present for those who required it, but it was their duty to aim at a system ■which should discourage excessively large holdings and secure that in coming years. Facilities should exist for the ready acquisition and cultivation of the soil by a farming population. He wished to impress on them the fact that New Zealand was specially adapted for that, and quoted a table of statistics for the last six years, as follows : — Mean yield for six years from 1574 to l≤7o inclusive: Bushels per Acre. Tons. Wheat. Oats. Potatoes. Victoria .. .. IS S3 3 ST. Mew Sooth Wales.. IV3S 1907 2 02 Queensland .. 12'00 9'S3 •'"!? South Australia .. 8 C 4 1275 3 2i Western Australia. 1157 l<l2l i 03 Tasmania .. .. 17 48 24 09 3 41 New Zealand .. 5715 32i>0 sio These figures, he said, spoke volumes for the capabilities of the country, and the great future which lay before it. Hh must not be understood to join in the cry against the reclamation of land, which would have been utterly useless but for the expenditure of lan;e capital, but lie held that it was true statesmanlike policy to guard against the introduction of perpetuation here of the sj'3tein of huge territorial possessions, which have been so prolific of evil elsewhere, and so to shape their course by legislation as to bring this about in a natural yot ceitain manner. This could be done, first, by abolishing the law of entail. A step had been taken in this direction iu the Land Transfer Acr, which had not only simplified the transfer of title, bat the moment a man's name was on the register, uo matter how the land had been tied up, he could dispose of it as he thought St. He heartily approved of that measure and of the Bill introduced last session by the Attorney-General, having for its object the extension of the principle to other titles. The second means of securing the ultimate subdivision of large estates was by bringing taxation to bear on them, especially on those which were unoccupied, so as to render it unprofitable to retain them. Mr. Peacock strongly objected to the proposal for leasiug the Crown lands of the colony for farming purposes, and considered that colonists in future, as well as at present, should readily obtain land, which they could call their own. (Cheers.) On the question of trade and manufactures Mr. Peacock said : "Another important quustion, especially to a city constituency, is the encouragement of trade and manufactures, and the development of oar natural resources in this direction. Now, whatever may be said about free trade, and I believe in it, both as a system which should be applied generally among nations, and by old established countries, yet I do not consider it to be a piinciple so definite in its character as to be applicable without modification in all circumstances. In a new colony, we have reasonable ground for a limited amount of protection, so as to enable local industries to take root amongst us. To this end the Customs tariff should be adjusted to give a balance in favour of those articles which can be produced in the colony, especially in the early period of their development. I also approve of the system of bonuses offered for the production of sugar, silk, linseed oil, &c, which act towards the same end by encouraging capital to flow into these channels, and assisting to supplement the unproductive initial stages of manufactures. Wβ have only to look at the case of our relations with America to see the absurdity of a young community like ours attempting to have free trade against such a powerful nation. They tax our wool aud other products, while we would be supposed to give free entrance to theirs, without the least reciprocity. I am a strong advocate of the self-reliant policy. But I submit that, with colonies as with individuals, it must be a gradual thing. We must pass througli infancy, and arrive at the adolescent stage, and develop this principle as the constitution acquires stability, and the muscles become knit and strong, and the mind expands for the work of life. Or, we may liken it to a , young tree, which requires shelter at first, I till its roots are ramified through the ground, and then it will rear ita head heavenwards and defy the fury of the present storm." (Cheers). Then, on the question of taxation, it was the duty of the legislature to see that a fair and equitable contribution was made by all classes to the public Treasury. He considered the property tax a fair one, although some wealthy people had strongly objected to it. Taking into account that £255,000 could be raised at Id in the pound, , and only fall on 22,000 people out of 480,000, ; it must be admitted that property was taxed to very good purpose ; and by the amended i Property Act, property belonging to people out of the colony would be included, and yield £45,000. He also approved of County Councils and Highway Boards taking the triennial valuation, as it would set free about £16,000 of local taxation for necessary works. Mr. Peacock then referred to the taxation on the unearned increment. He agreed with the principle, but it was difficult of application. Railways were supposed to be made with a view to colonial importance, although that could not be said of some of them, still the owners of land through which they passed had not been consulted. The larger cities and towns derived a large benefit, and how were the business people to be assessed ? Then again, small towns and villages through which railways passed were injured in their business by its diversion to the large cities. Mr. Peacock then referred to the question of the efficiency of government, the necessity for adapting our institutions to our circumstances. On the question of local self-government, Mr. Peacock did not think the Counties Act had taken 3uf£oient

hold of the public mind to be ueeful, and , h3 thought the powers of Road Boards might bo extended, bat he was opposed to a return to any such system of legislation as the provincial system, and instanced the advantages which had been gaiued by the consolidation of Acts such as the Licensing Act and the Fencing Act—the former consolidating 52 Ajts and the latter 22 Acts. The functions of local government should, in his opinion, be chiefly administrative and not lJ.MsUitTve. On the question of economy of 3 administration, he approved of the action taken by the present Government. On the question of further borrowing 'or public works, he said that if returned he should feel it his duty to urge that, in the event of any further borrowing, tli.it the purposes to which it was to be applied should be distinctly decided upon before it was raised, and that the North should have iU fair share of expenditure, and that the money was not diverted to any other purpose. The main trunk line to Taranaki—a work which would not only be a benefit to Auckland, but a colonial advantage —should be prosecuted. The native dilfieulty had stood in the way ; but now that the King natives were friendly, he thought the Government should leave no stone unturned to effect this object. At all events, the colony should be pledged to that work before any money was raised. Ou the question of educationMr.lVacoeksaid : ••I heartily approve of a general scheme of education, aud am opposed to grants for denominational purposes. The present svstem has been doing good work, and by its means schools have been established in country districts which, otherwise, would have ■ ecu almost neglected. Speaking as a member of the Board of Education, there are some points on which we, in Auckland, are uos so favoured as our Southern neigh- , bouis, aud ou which we have more claims j for assistance. Certainly, if we are to keep | pace with other nations, and hold our own iu the race of business and manufactures, j we must open the door of knowledge and couvoy the children over the threshold, training them to habits of thought ami reflection, and fitting them to form intelligent opinions on public questions." Referring to the mail service, he said : "Let mo now lUrect your attention to a question 01 local interest. You are aware that in both Houses last session committees were appoiuted to consider the question of a direct steam service. The establishment of such a service bi-monthly with three steamers means an expenditure of £80,000 for subsidy, or with six steamers nearly double that amount, making some Southern port the terminus aud the discontinuance of the Sau Francisco mail service. It is true the committee recommended G per cent, on £1,000,000, or £60,000 as the extreme limit. But once begin the matter aud more may be voted. jVoiv, as you are all aware, we pay conjointly with New South Wales £37,000, and I believe the returns from letters bring down the actual cost to the colony to i'SOOO. The service is performed by rirstl class steamers, although Mr. Macandrew spoke of them as small steamer?. The time is J kept with exemplary punctuality. Letters are received in less than 42 days from London. But it so happens that Auckland, Irom h-jr geographical position and harbour facilities, Is the only place suited as a port of call, and therefore we must have a direct and costly steam service to a Southern port. This is a matter which Auckland interests require to be watched in the next session of Parliament, for the contract terminates iu November, ISS:S. I have thus endeavoured to place before you iu a gpnenil way my position with regard to public ijUL'stiuns. I have no personal or seliish ends in view iu seeking election at your hands. In the event of my going to Wellington on your behalf, I should do my best to promote the interests of my constituents and the good of the colony as a whole. (Cheers. QUESTIONS.

The candidate was questioned at great length by Mr. Garrard, Mr. Kaftan, and u hers. In reply to questions, many of which were written, he said if returned he would do his best to have the reclamation works carried out. As to whether it would be a disgrace if Sir George Grey was rejected at City East, lie could only fay that he was seeking the suffrages of City North; City East was well able to take care of itself. He was not prepared to follow Sir George Grey as the leader of the Liberal party. He was favourably disposed to the Government's preemptive right to the purchase of native lands. He was in favour of placing landlords in the same position as other creditors, but would not do away with distraint for rent, for as the law now stood the landlord had no other protection. If distraint for rent was abolished it would be an injury to the tenants, for landlords would insist on payment beforehand, and the accommodation the tenant would yet would not be so good. A butcher or a baker had power to stop a man's credit when he chose, but a landlord had not that power, except througli an expensive course of law, but put the landlord in the same position as other creditors aud he was with them, He was in favour of lighthouses being erected in the North Island where ne essary, and any measure to prevent an unseaworthy vessel going to sea would have his hearty sympathy. If Sir George Grey brought in a measure for the good of the colony, he would undoubtedly support it. He had not studied Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners' Bill, but thought if proper qualifications were insisted on no harm could result from its passing. He would support the equalization of police pay North and South. He was not in favour of an elective Governor. He was not in favour of prison labour competing with free labour, but provision should be made to make prison labour reproductive. He thought the Government deserved credit for their successful operations in native matters on the West Coast. He had no understanding with Mr. Clark in regard to this election. He was of opinion that property, if taxed, should have votes. He had not studied the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, aud was not prepared to give an opinion on it. He was of opinion that Boards of Inquiry should, as far as possible, be open to the public. If the Government dealt illegally with lands he would oppose them. The question of bringing into operation the English Factory Act, to prevent the use of bad machinery, or the employment of boys of tender age about machinery, had his hearty sympathy; but he was not sufficiently acquainted with the Act to know all its provisions. He was not prepared to say that he would do away with Uiraiid Juries, although they did not seem to serve any useful purpose. He was not in favour of elective magistrates, and did not see liowr companies could be made liable for the debts of contractors to their workmen, provided they took proper precautions. He would do all in his power to encourage silk culture and other industries.

Mr. Egbert Bartlky then proposed, " That this meeting has entire confidence in Mr. Peacock as the representative of City North, and will use its utmost endeavours to secure his return." (No, no; and cheers.) Mr. Matthew Henderson seconded the motion. Mr. Rafton moved, as an amendment, "That this meeting has no confidence in Mr. Peacock as representative of City West." (Cheers and hisses.) Mr. Netlok, as a further amendment, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Peacock for his address. Mr. DnsuiNOHAM asked Mr. Peacock if he was in favour of a man losing his license

under the present Act getting compensa'°Mr. Pkacock said the Act only provided for taking away a license for misconduct, and if that was so. then the person losing his lisenae had no right to compensation. The local option principles of the Bill only applied to new licenses. Mr. Neylon'e amendment was then put, and a few hands were held up on each side. Mr. Raf ton's amendment was ruled to be only a negative to the motion, and he acquiesced. The motion was. then put, and declared by the chairman to be carried. A large number present refrained from voting. On the motion of the candidate a vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman.