POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 6

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

MR. T. THOMPSON, M.H.R.

Mb. T. Thompson addressed the electors of City North in the Temperance Hsll last evening. Ihe attendance was not large. Mr. J. P. King was voted to the ehair. . . .. . Mr. Thompson, who on rising was received with cheers, said that in accordance with the usual custom he now appeared before the electors to give them some account of the proceedings at Wellington during the past session. Hβ woulrt at the outset give an account of matters as seen from his point of view. Of course it would be for those present to judge whether be had formed a correct estimate or not. It would be recollected that jnst before last session the Atkinson Government, finding themselves in a minority, tendered their resignations. Those present were, no doubt, all pretty well aware of the attempts made at forming a Ministry. The conduct of some of the Auckland members might seem strange to some residing at a distance. He would state bis reasons for voting as he did. The speaker then referred to the attempts made by eaveral members of the House to form a Ministry. Under ail the circumstances, he saw nothing for it but to give his vote against Major Atkinson's Ministry. (Applause.) He saw that there was no possible chance of a Government being formed on purely party lines. He determined to a general support to any Ministry formed at that timereserving to himeelf the right to vote against any measure they might bring forward which he did not approve of. He did not think that next session a Government could be formed on purely party line 3 ; and, moreover, he did not think such a Ministry could be formed during this Parliament. He hoped that at the next election the electors would assist in placing in power a purely Liberal Ministry. (Applause.) Mr. Thompson then spoke on the chief measures brought before Parliament last session, Referring to the North Island Trunk Railway, he said he thought the committee appointed to consider the question of route could not come to any other conclusion than the one they did, looking at the evidence given before them. The Auckland members, however, were not satisfied with the result, being pledged to the Stratford line, and they determined to take a division. He then pointed out the importance of Auckland and Taranaki being conneoted by railway, and he thought the Auckland members and the people here ought not to rest until a branch line wat constructed to Taranaki. The Married Women's Property Bill, which became law last swsiou, was a measure of a liberal character. It was a step in the direction of granting female franchise. The Public Reserves Bill, introduced last session, was a Bill giving local bodies the right to exolude the public on certain days. He voted against this Bill, and as it would probably come up again he might say that he should always vote against it. His views had not changed in reference to the Education and Licensing Acts. As to licenuing elections, he was in favour of the extension of the fran chise to the eleotoral roll. Hβ thought one hour should be ffred throughout the colony for the closing of hotels. He was of opinion that there should be the right of appeal against decisions oi committees. He was entirely opposed to the amalgamation of the licensing districts. He voted for the Workmen's Wages Bill, a Bill giving workmen a priority of claim on moneys held on acoount of employers. He regretted that the Plurality of Votes Bill, a measure giving one man one vote, did not pass. He had no doubt, however, that it would beoome law. Several desirable and important amendments were made in committee in the Timber Floating Bill by himself and other Auckland members. Hβ supported Sir George Grey's Elective Justices of the Peace Bill, and would do so again. He opposed the District Railways Leasing Bill, which Bill, in his opinion, simply meant relieving certain shareholders of their liabilities and saddling the oountry with the oost of the railways,— and not only the oost of the railway at the time of construction, bnt all the rates which should have been paid to assist in construotion. The Legislative Council deserved well of the country for throwing this Bill out. Hβ voted againat the South Sea Island scheme, which he thought was too large an undertaking for the colony to enter into, but he gave his vote and cordial support for the granting of a subsidy to encourage trade between Auokland and the Islands. There had been considerable disoussion as to appointing local Insurance Boards. He approved of (ihe appointment of local Boards, because of the superior knowledge they would have of looal matters which wonld oome up from time to time for consideration and determination. He considered that the action taken in regard to the Property Assessment Act wag one step in the direotion of a land tax being imposed in lieu of the present property tax. Hβ should always vote for this change. The Government intended next session to bring down a measure dealing with looal government. At first the Colonial Treasurer stated that it was bis intention to call a meeting of all the Chairmen of local Boards, and get their opinions. He (Mr. Thompson) considered that a mistake, because it did not follow that the Chairman of a Board or Mayor of a Corporation, without consulting the body over which he presided, would truly represent the opinion of that body. He was glad to see that the Treasurer had abandoned that idea. He understood that it was the Treasurer's intention at an early date to distribute copies of the proposed measure to the local bodies. If it was still the intention to do that, it was time that copies of the proposed Bill were distributed. A similar course to this might be pursued with great advantage in many instances where importaat measures were to be brought down. Members could then ascertain the feelings of their constituents on the measures, before the proposals came up for consideration in the House. In reference to colonial federation, he approved of the intention of the Government—as it had been reported—namely, to submit the question to the consideration of the legislature. Hβ, personally, was much more in favour of federation of the empire than federation of the colonies. The question of the defences of the colony would no doubt take up the attention of the House very considerably during next session. The alacrity and energy of the Government in carrying out the defenoas, would be gratifying to those who were very anxious to see the work oarried out. He never participated in the uoare that the Russians were coming into our harbours. He regretted that there seemed to be a necessity for suoh a hasty expenditure being made. It was necessary that there should be expenditure, but he thought that it should have been done gradually. A good many of those who had been loudest in their ories for the expenditure would be loudest in their cries when they came to pay the piper. Mr. Thompson resumed his seat amidst cheers.

Iα reply to questions, Mr. Thompson said that some time ago he wu inclined to think much more harahly of the Legislative Council than be did at present. At the same time he thought the mode of appointment to that Chamber might he altered with great benefit to the colony generally. It had been suggested that the members of this body should be appointed for a term of ten years and not for life. That, he thought, would be a step in the right direotion. (A voice : We do uot want them'at all.) He (Mr. Thompson) thought it »?as absolutely necessary that there should be some oheok on hasty legislation in the Lower Chamber. He was in favour of the present system of eduoation. Several persons) complained of the Government House grounds being shut against the public, and thrown open to only a few. Mr. Thompson said he was not in favour of public property being dosed against the public; it should be thrown open to all. The only reason he could give why Auckland was not made-a port of oall lor the New Zealand Shipping Company's irteamere was that Auckland was the port of call for tho San Francisco line. So far as the matter bad come under his knowledge up to the present, he did not think that the freehold of any more land of the colony should be parted with. (Applause.) Both races should have equal advantages under the land laws. It was broadly stated last session that the absentees were not paying their just share of the property tax, and he believed that statement was oorreot. His opinion was that there was no necessity for legislation on the eight hours' question ; the objects sought would be better attained by trades unions. He thought the colony was as well without having Fiji annexed to it. Mr. Doonin moved, and Mr. Lkaht ■eoonded, the following resolution: "This meeting thanks Mr. Thompson for his address, and has confidence in him aa the representative of City North."

This motion was put and carried unanimontly. Mr. Thompson thanked the meeting for the vote of thanks and confidence which had jost been accorded to him. It would be bis constant aim to deserve their confidence. He felt proud that the vote bad come from two of hi* oldest friends, and had been so well reoeived. He hoped to merit a continuance of the confidence of the electors of Auckland North. (Cheers.) Mr, Thompson proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated.

MR. MOAT AT MABUB&NGI. Wakkwokth, Friday. Mk. Moat, M.fl.K, addressed a large and influential meeting of the eettiera in the M asonio Hall last night. Mr. T. B. Hawkins was voted to the chair. Mr, Moat gave a brief and precise account of the salient events that occurred during the last session. He explained the several financial measures introduced by Sir Julius Vogel, and alluded to the diagraceful and illegitimate means used to obtain the construction cf certain railways in the South. The speaker named the various Bills that he supported and those he opposed, and which information gave general satisfaction, Be did not approve of merging Road Boards into County Councils. He believed in entering into trade relations with Samoa and other islands of tho South Pecinc. He declared himself to be quite an independent member, belonging to nopurty, and voting as hie conscience dictated. Touching railways, he felt sure no railway in the North of Auck md would pay unlesa connected with the oity. He considered the Kamo and Kawakawa Railway would not form a part of such North Trunk Railway. After an excellent speech, in which Mr. Moat was most explicit, he sat down, inviting questions.. Mr.' C. Thomson. askeS whether Mn, "Moat would vote for the modification of . the present Game Laws, whion he thought auould never have been introduced, j Air. Moat aaid ho would. .': .., •

MrVN". Wilson asked whether Mr. Moat woujd:, do his best to obtain endowments for- the various counties in. the way- of landed estates-? 1 •= . ••; . „***»** .-s< •r.

Mr. 'Moat thought the Government intended to propose something of the kind, but he could not support it to the extent that Mr. Wilson proposed. Mr. G. Thomson aeked Mr. Moat whether he should support the. North Auckland Trunk Railway starting from the North Shore, which was the shortest route ? Mr. Moat : Yes ; but, rather than lose the railway, he wou'd vote for its terminus being appointed to elsewhere. Mr. N. Wilson : Would Mr. Moat agree to have the club licenses taken out of the Licensing Act? Mr. Moat thought the Act should be amended, if necessary, on this point. Mr. Such anked: Would he agree to support the abolition of cumulative voting at the election of school committees ? Mr. Moat : Yes. Mr. Hood : Would Mr. Moat do his best to get a flying enrvey made from the North Shore to Komokoriki (Knorpp's line) ? - Mr. Moat would do his best, but questioned whether it would be done, as the Government were in poasession of all necessary information.

A few more questions were asked, and an* swered satisfactorily by Mr. Moat. Mr. Bkadnam proposed a vote of confidence in Mr. Moat as our member, which was seconded by Mr. William Southgatjc, and carried unanimously with acclamation.