CAPTAIN RUSSELL AT AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 39

CAPTAIN RUSSELL AT AUCKLAND.

Captain Russell, M.II.Tt. for Hawke’s Bay, addressed a public meeting of the citizens in the Auckland City Hall last Thursday night. The Mayor (Mr J. J. Holland) presided, and there was a largo attendance. Captain Russell, who was received with cheers, said this was not his first appearance in Auckland. He was here a subaltern in 1858, to take part in the defence of the Colony, and was back again now to meet them. The country was not now so self-reliant as then, and men were looking to the Government, and taught to look to the Government to do everything for them, and having their independence sapped by paternal legislation. What was the position of tbo Colony at the present time ? Certainly it was unsatisfactory, although he had to congratulate Auckland on her present prosperity. THE CHANGES IN THE MINISTRY. The Ministry had now got Mr HallJones, a good man, and Mr Thomas Thompson. When the latter spoke in the House, he (Captain Russell) always put his hand on his head and mentally asked himself to what party did he belong. Rive years ago the Government promised higher wages and more work, and to make men happy. Had these hopes been realised ? It was a most noticablo fact that the members of the Ministry had looked out for themselves, and had appointed friends to ollice, while the officers of the Civil Service found the only road to promotion was by truckling and sycophancy. The Government was now carried on in a despotic, autocratic and dogmatic spirit which had never been submitted to by any free race of JJritish men in any part of the world.

THE GOVERNMENT I'OIiICY

They had not grappled with the unemployed difficulty in a statesmanlike way, and they had harassed trade. Referring to the Premier’s speech at Nelson as to personalities, the speaker expressed a hope that the next Premier would have a better idea of courtesy towards his political opponents. He complained of undue delay by the Premier in furnishing information as to the financial condition of the Colony. The language used by the Colonial Treasurer in London in raising the three million loan would yet possibly have to be retracted, if not apologised for. The financial arrangements were the poorest specimens of financing which he had ever seen. What had the present Government done to earn the title of the true Liberal Ministry? Positively nothing. The Conservatives first introduced election by ballot, and triennial Parliaments, and had initiated much of the labour legislalegislation. The Seddon Ministry opposed the enfranchisement of women at the outset, until,seeing the tide rising, they floated with tbo tide. Mr McKenzie, Mr Ward, Mr Carroll and Mr Thompson voted against it, while the Premier went out of the House, not having the courage his opinions. The greatest blessing New Zealand enjoyed was the Education Act, introduced by a Conservative Government. As to tho Christchurch election, its political effect could not be over-estimated, for that constituency was the most influential in tho Colony, and had given tho Government support for years past. The speaker then referred to the Advances to Settlers Act, and said the loss to tho Colony in its administration would ho serious. During the present year, the Hoard was being urged to put out the money, showing that demand for money was not so great as had been represented. THE POSITION OF THE COLONY.

Ho did not believe all tho evils befalling the Colony were due to the Government, for ho wished to be fair. It would be more pleasant to state that the Colony was in a prosperous condition, but to say so was simply to live in a fool’s paradise. Som« important sources of revenue were diminishing and Die liabilities of tho Colony were increasing.. Some people imagined that if tho Opposition got into power they would revolutionise everythin"'. They did not intend to do so, or to interfere with land and income tax or tho labour legislation on the Statute book. They accepted the action of Parliament and accomplished facts. As

to the professed surplus that was announced, lie did not believe that theie was any surplus in the legitimate sense of tho word, but that it was the residue left of the year’s income after expenditure. Several windfalls came in which had nothing to do with the year’s revenue. LAND SETTLEMENT. With regard to the settlement of the land, it was stated that he (tho speaker) was inimical to land settlement. I hat was not true. He welcomed every man who settled on tho land, as he was sure to come round in tho end to his political creed. Ihe statements of tho Minister of Lands as to tho success of settlement were misleading, but ho believed the Hon Mr McKenzie honestly desired to promote land settlement. Tho Liberals seemed to forget that Mr Rolleston was the father of Liberal land laws and tho author of tho perpetual lease. With regard to suburban dwellings for city workmen, ho did not believe in any Government undertaking the project. It could bo better accomplished by Corporations, who could supervise tho scheme. THE DEFENCES. As to colonial defence, speaking as a soldier, he believed tho Colony was practically defenceless, as there was only one trained gunner to each gun, and a Volunteer force poorly organised. H tho warships in war met with disastei, they would be afraid to come to dock or refit, through a doubt as to whether they could be protected by harbour defences. I ho number of officers and gunners should bo increased, and fffivieut) fwe raised

in tho four largo centres of the Colony well dosciplined and fairly paid. At present tho Colony got for the ,£BO,OOO defence vote practically nothing; but for £IIO,OOO moro matters] might bo put on a much better footing. Captain Russell received an excellent hearing. Three or four members of the Liberal Association kept up a running fire of interruptions till the chairman interposed. Mr Hugh Campbell moved, and Mr Arthur Heather seconded, a hearty veto of thanks to Captain Russell for his able address, which was carried by acclamation amid prolonged applause.