PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1687, 29 June 1904, Page 52

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

MR RUOHiVNAN AT CARTERTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Thursday

Mr W. C. Buchanan, gave a pre-sessional address at Carterton last night before a large audience. Mr Buchanan sincerely regretted the indisposition of Mr Seddon, but hoped to see him restored to his usual health and vigour and ready to ‘take his seat in the House on Tuesday. The speaker referred to the great waste of time during the session, the blame of which was thrust on the Opposition. He refuted this charge, and said the blame was duo to Air Seddon and his supporters. While the first part of the session was wasted in. trifling arguments, the business at. the latter end was rushed through in a discreditable way. He quoted figures from “Hansard’’ in support of bis argument, and stated not one Bill had been blocked by the, Opposition. Large sums of money were voted ‘ where more consideration should.. have been given, and in many cases these votes were , literally rushed through. Air Buchanan said h 9 was in sympathy with the principle of preferential trade, but it was a matter that needed proper consideration. As regards the Bank of New Zealand, he would like to see it free from Government patronage, and become a strong, independent business concern on the lines of other commercial institutions. The speaker briefly referred to bush and swamp lands. He was in favour of allowing settlers to go upon heavy bush lands without paying rent or rates for four years., on light oush or swamp free for three years, and bn scrub lands free, for three years. He was not satisfied with the State Fire Insurance Act, but was glad to be able to help to pass an amendment to the, accident insurance scheme. He considered the Government hasty in increasing by one half per cent, the interest on loans to local bodies. He was strongly in favour of reforming the Upper Chamber so ah to bring it more in touch with the people, ~ and not elect men who had no legislative ability or political knowledge,- as was now the case. Ho also objected to members being on several committees. Some members were on half a dozen committees, and lihd to rush from one door to the other to make up quorums. Was that a proper way to conduct the t business of the House? He would also like to see more men elected fit to represent the country. In regard to financial matters, he said they were to be congratulated on the position of the country, but at the same time a great deal of money was expended recklessly. Mr Buchanan blamed the Government for not taking more stringent measures to stay the spread of anthrax. It had been stated all over the colony that the Opposition wished to destroy the leasehold and thus deprive a poor man from getting on the land. He denied this, and said it was simply a miserable “redlierring” drawn across the scent to distort the real issue. Air Buchanan then referred to what he termed the “licensing tangle,” and protested that the law had not been amended to enable a fresh poll to be taken in the void licensing polls of Bruce, Chalmers and Newtown. Finally, Air Buchanan intimated his intention of standing for Parliament as long as he was possibly able. The speaker was frequently applauded, and at the conclusion was accorded a hearty vote or thanks. HaWERA June 23. Air Alajor, M.H.R.., concluded a tour of his electorate with a meeting in Hawera last evening, at the conclusion of which a vote of thanks and confidence was carried.