THE COMING ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 6

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

MR. J. 0. ALLEN AT EDEN TERRACE. Mb. J. C. Allen, a candidate for the Parnell seat, addressed the electors at the Eden Terrace Hall last evening. There was a good attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr. J. T. Hough. Mr. Allen, in the course of his remarks, referred to the necessity for the construction of a . railway between Auckland and Wellington, in order to open up country which could not be otherwise developed. The advantages of both the proposed routes were put before the audience, the speaker mentioning that the cutting of the totara forest in the interior by forming the Central route would bring into the country a revenue of from two to eight million pounds. Ho would 1 e in favour of the Central route, but urged the necessity for united action on the part of the Auckland members. So long as one section strove for one thing and another for something elso they would get nothing. If tho Government continued to pursue the same policy as they had followed in the past, it was probable that tlioy would not live to see the completion of the railway. Ho thought it better that the railways should be under a responsible Minister than under irresponsible Commissioners, who were answercble to no one. With regard to tho management of the railways, there was room lor considerable improvement. They imported goods into the colony which could be manufactured here, and thereby increased the number of tho unemployed, and decreased the wages of the employed. With regard to tho appointment of cadots to the Railway Department, ho deprecated appointments by patronage, and believed in a system of competitive examinations, in order to got tho host men into the Department. He believed in pursuing a broad and liberal policy in the management of railways, and considered that Mr. Cadman had managed the railways much belter than the Commissioners had done. There was still room for improvement, however, and traffic which might have been taken on the railway lines was often diverted. At the present time cheap workmen's tickets were issued in Wellington, but such was not the case here. He thought that such a system should not prevail in Wellington alone, and believed it should be tried in Auckland, which had tho largest population of the four oities. With regard to protection, he admitted that revenue had to be raised by soms means, but thought that the necessaries of life should bo froo of duty. It would be well to reduce duties gradually ratlior than take them off all at once. New Zealand, with its vast resources, should become one of the greatest exporting countries in tho world, but the restrictions placed on imported machinery prevented tho proper development of those resources. It was the duty of the State to see that workmen did not work excessive hours, but lie did not believe in tho clause of the Conciliation Act giving preference to a man bccauso ho was a unionist. He was not in favour of class legislation of that kind, as it tended to drive capital out of the colony. Tho Government should encourage capital to come into the country in order to use the surplus labour. Dealing with tho Legislative Council ho asked if it was right that men who were rejected by tho people as their representatives should bo given seats in Hid Council and given the power to so amend measures as to practically render them inoperative, and all this simply because they wero supnorters of the Govornmcnt of tho day. The best method would bo to make it an Elective Assembly, not as in the case of the House of Representatives by giving one vote to one mail and three votes to another. He believed that m the election of membors of tho House of Representatives the cities should bo divided into wards, with ono member each. Ho commented on the large amount of time wasted in the House by blocking measures, and asked if a man who admitted having so little control over the House as to allow eight weeks to be wasted, should be still allowed to hold the reins of office. There was a good deal of corruption going on at tho present time, and it would continue to be so as long as members wero allowed to give appointments to their friends. He was in favour of an Elective Cabinet, which would enable tho people to elect their own Administrative Assembly, Then there was the referendum, but ho believed that if they had an Elective Cabinet, the need for a referendum would be practically done away with. Ho believed it was a mistake for Now Zealand to keep aloof from the question of federation, and thought that if we kept aloof from tho movement and tho Australians imposed a protective tariff, it would lie to our detriment, as wo would probably lose a large amount of our Sydney trade. If we federated wo ohould In? on a better footing with repaid to Australia than any other country. The Government ought to give the people of this colony an. opportunity of expressing their opinion on the subject. He believed that licensing should bo in (he hands of the people, but was not in favour of the abolition of all licenses by a bare majority, as it would _ lead to sly grog-selling. Ho behoved in a three-fifths majority. Where the majority of doctors wero not in favour of continuance, thoro should not be an extension of licenses. He was in favour of Auckland remaining the port of call for tho 'Frisco service, whether it was a fortnightly or monthly servico. He contended that tho late Vancouver servico was most unjust to Auckland, as it involved great loss of time, because letters used to be held over in London and sent by the Vancouver line instead of going via Suez. Coming to tho old ago pensions, ho was in favour of a contributory scheme for the rising generation, which might bo supplemented by the Slate. Ho believed that it was a mistake to give the pension to Maoris, as they paid little or nothing in the way of taxes. Alluding to the land question, ho said there were some 11,000,000 acres under cultivation, and fourfifths of the colony was not under cultivation. It was in the best interests of the country that it should bo brought under cultivation, as it would involve four times as much trade, and would get rid of the unemployed difficulty. He believed that rating on the unimproved value of land was the reason why more land was not taken up. At tho present time there were far fewer settlers going on the land than in 1893, and the number of forfeitures had enormously increased. He believed that tho natives were well able to look after themselves, and were competent to deal with their land and sell it to private individuals, especially as the Government were ceasing to purchase their lands. Ho did not think the natives should be denuded of their lands, but thought it unfair that they should be unable to sell their largo tracts, except at the miserable prico offered by tho Government. He believed in free and compulsory education, with a system of scholarships, and thought that technical education should be encouraged on children leaving school, so that they might grow up to be good and usefid citizens. He believed in religious instruction in State schools, not denominational education, but the teaching of those great truths which should be inculrated in every child, such as tho importance of truthfulness and honesty. He maintained that the Bible should be read in all schools, and that religion should not be the only thing left out of tho education of the children of the colony. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Allen answered a number of questions, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. MR. NAPIER AT ST, BENEDICT'S HALL. Mr. W. J. Napier, one of the candidate for Auckland City, addressed a very large meeting in St. Benedict's Hall last evening. There were upwards of 700 persons present. Aftei thanking the audience for attending in such large numbers, Mr. Nanier said they would not perhaps be unwilling if, before entering the contested field of local polities, he referred briofly to the event that had taken place in Afrioa, and which had stirred all their hearts that day. (Cheers.) Tho victory of Gleneoe showed that; the British array to-day had officers possessed of strategic skill, fertility of resourso, and indomitable courage such as were not surpassed in all its annals. (Cheers.) In face of a bravo and dogged enemy, greatly outnumbering them, the Imperial troops had wrested a viotory from the jaws of death, and he would ask them to send a cheer across the waters to those brave fellows who were upholding the honour of the Empire and the glory of the flag. (Loud cheers, during which the whole audience rose and gave three cheers for General Symons and the troops at Glencoe. Mr. Napier then dwelt on the necessity of improving the defences of the colony. He would like, ho said, to see drill more widely taught, and thought they might take a lesson from the Boers as to the extent to which the use of arms could be taught to the people. The volunteer system required remodelling, and better and more businesslike methods introduced. In the face of a possible European coalition against England, it was imperative that they should be prepared to defend their country against an invading foe. The recommendations of the Commander of the Forces should be carried out. They wanted more daylight parades, LeeMetford magazine rifles, more Maxim guns, and more volunteers. There ought to be partial payment of volunteers to recoup the men for their loss of wages at daylight drills, encampments, etc. Ho thought they ought to increaso then contribution to the Imperial navy. (Cheers.) But foi the .protecting shield of the navy they would be at the mercy of any foreign Power. Ho hoped the people of Auckland' would insist on retaining Freeman's Bay reclamation as a parade ground and for athletic purposes. (Applause.) He referred to the isolation of Auckland from

. V'-'-- -f- "p* : .■' xu «-4- nf the colony, mid strongly urged that the railways to IoW WeiDin)£oa should bo completed without way- im people should , insist 011 a, unitod Auckland Parliamentary party, to secure that adequate justice be done to the North. «■ lUieera.J The Opposition attack on the Government locally had fizzled out. He was sorry that, the Opposition representatives in the pri,ss and on the platform had so little to say a, , there was really nothing £ r him as a Government supporter to A" boding by molishcd t their charge assets borrowing by showing that they had assets m hand representing the money, and were making a profi over and above the interest paid for the loans of £53,357. He emphasised the necessity of speedily throwing open the native lands for settlement, and referred jo his plan of taking the native land-except papakamga reserves—under the Lands for Settlement Act, navine interest on present values to the pun--0 trustee in trust for the native owners. Referring to technical education, Mr. rapier urged its necessity if we were to become » manufacturing people, and cont fon progressive spirit shown by the \\ ellington Education Board as regards technical edilion with the apathetic indifference of the Auckland Board of Education. He nstanccd the technical instruction given by the Devonport School Committee as producing excellent results, and said a school inspector had displayed such ignorance as to what education meant by saying that tlie cultivation of the eye and hand was cry i good, but it was not education. Nothing was, in that gentleman's opinion "t? o ®?'™ ® . cept literary instruction. Mr. Napier next referred to the necessity of reafT°resting th country which was denuded of the kauri. We ought to make provision for the futile by planting forest trees on an extensive scale. Ho quoted figures as to tho progress of settlement on the land, and cited a speech of Mr. Rolleslon's as to the Governments sue cess in settling the land question. He said the exports of the colony had increased during tho present Government u term of office from £7,255,000 to £10,325,000, and that the people had been more self-reliant and thrifty, having increased the number of polices in the Government Lifo Insurance office from 26,168 to 37,148, an increaso of 45 per . cent. Tho colony's imports had "ncreaseddunng the last nine years from £5,430,000 to £8,211,409, showing that tho spending power of tho people had increased. Mr. Mpior then referred to the question of penal "forms, codification of the law and other matters, and concluded a speech of one hour and three-quarters amidst hearty applause. In reply to questions, he said ambition was a worthy motive if it was of the right kind. There was a sordid ambition and a laudable ambition. He desired to place Ills seruces at tho disposal of the people. He would not benefit pecuniarily by going into Par lament, but there were higher objects than tno pursuit of money. If lie could help to better the conditions of life and increase in a small degree the sum of human happiness 111 l\ew Zealand, he would be satisfied. He was not in favour of reopening the Colonial Bank After other questions had been asked and answered, a 'hearty vote of thanks and confidence was passed to Mr. Napier amidst cheers. ____ LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. A meetin" of the Liberal Association was hold in •tho°Wcsley Hall last night. There was a good attendance, and Mr. Clarke prosided. The Chairman explained that tho meeting had been called for the purpose of forming a platform programme for the forthcoining general election. Considerable discussion took place, and it was ultimately decided to adopt the platform set forth by the Premier at tho meeting held at Wellington on the 9th inßt., with the addition of several local planks, which are to be put into shape and added' to tho general programme before being issued to the electors. THE OHINEMURI SEAT. [by TELEGRAPH. — CORRESPONDENT. Thames, Monday. Between 500 and 600 names have been secured to the requisition which has been in circulation at Thames end of the Ohinemuri electorate asking Mr. Cadman to again contest that electorate at the forthcoming general elections. Tho lists wero forwarded to Paoroa to-day, prior to being sent on to Mr. Cadman at Wellington, with those that have been in circulation in the up-country districts. Mr. Hull addresses the electors of Manukau in St. Barnabas' Parish Hall to-morow evening. Mr. Taylor is announced to address tho electors at Onehunga this ovening.