POST-SESSIONAL SPEECHES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4240, 22 October 1874, Page 3

POST-SESSIONAL SPEECHES.

MR. 0. PARKER AT MOTUEKA. Mr. C. Parker, the member for Motueka, met his constituents there on the 15 th inst. The Nelson Colonist reports his speech as follows : It was the usual practice for a member after the session of Parliament was over—especially when any great changes had been made—to meet his constituents and give any explanation! that might be required on the conduct of public affairs. He was before , them for that purpose. The principal measure brought. forward during the late session had been the proposed abolition of the provinces in the North Island. But not having mot them since his election, he (Mr. Parker) would refer to another measure of great importance, viz., the change in the tariff. He had received a telegram from the district which he represented requesthim to oppose it, and he also knew that influential meetings had been held by merchants and others with the same object, on the ground that it would greatly increase taxation to the consumer. He was in--favor of an ad valorem duty, and felt that the working classes' (on whom Customs duties pressed most heavily) would benefit by the substitution of an ad valorem duty for the measurement duty. He knew that the people of Motueka felt strongly on the subject at the time, but believed that their views altered soon after, and it was necessary that the revenue should be increased. The Government proposed a duty of from 12 to 15 per cent., but it was finally passed at 10 per cent. He had always thought a land-tax would be a fairer method of raising revenue, but then that would also come very hard on the small holders; therefore ho thought it better that articles of luxury should be more heavily taxed, and this the ad valorem duty effected. He then referred to what had been done during the last session. It was proposed by Mr. Vogel that the provinces should be abolished in the North Island; the question had been previously agitated during Mr. Stafford’s Ministry, and Mr. Vogel and Mr. Pox, at that time strong provincialists, were opposed to the change, but have since felt that the time had arrived when a change was necessary, and a resolution was passed that the Government should, during the recess, prepare a measure in order that the feeling of the people on the subject might be known. Ho thought that outlying districts should be benefitted by having extended powers, as they (would then be able to spend money raised by themselves. The money under the provincial system was more largely spent near the centre of Government, and out-districts suffered in consequence. In all probability the grants to road boards would cease. The £50,000 grant for this purpose was opposed by Hr. Curtis, but he (Mr. Parker) thought they were entitled to it, as the trunk lines were of little use without feeders, which ought to he paid for out of this grant. He thought provinces should now be done away with, and some more simple method introduced. He considered that so much time need not be taken up in sessions of Provincial Councils. (Applause.) Mr. Curtis had stated that provincial debts would become colonial debts, and that Nelson only being liable for £60,000, would have to pay a, portion of the liabilities of Otago and Canterbury. Could they suppose for a moment that the people of Nelson would be called upon to pay equally with Otago and Canterbury when the Nelson liability was only £3 or £4 per head, and that of Otago and Canterbury £lO or £l2. The question would be brought forward for the North Island only, and it would depend upon how it worked there whether the Middle Island would be placed in the same position. His opponent at the last election (Sir David Monro) said that he (Mr. Parker) had helped to ruin the country by having given his vote in favor of the Consolidation of Debentures Bill and caused a loss to

the province of £200,000 or £300,000, instead of which it had really saved the colony a very large sum, and the Crown Agent showed that the saving at the end of the twenty-eight years Would amount to £537,600. If he went up next session, he should vote for the Abolition of Provinces Bill if he approved of it when it was brought forward., He had made one promise only at his last election, and that was that he-would resign on the request of a majority of the electors, which promise he adhered to. (Applause.) With regard to the increase on the honorarium received by members, he said ho had voted for the increase as he considered that members should receive sufficient compensation to cover their expenses duriug the session. The amount received was not so great as in many other countries, and without payment of members the electors would be restricted in their choice of representatives to the wealthier class, and it was not always the rich who were best fitted for the duties of a statesman. A tradesman -would not consider himself. overpaid by the amount ■ when his loss of time and business was taken into consideration. It was proposed- that the Government should bring in a Bill to fix the amount, and a select committee was appointed for the purpose of reporting on the subject. Mr. Jordan proposed,—“ Tliat this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived when provincial institutions should be done away ■with throughout the colony.” Mr. Grant seconded-the motion, and said he thought that the people were ready to see it carried out. Carried unanimously. Mr. Grant proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Parker for the lucid manner in which he had explained his conduct in the General Assembly. Mr. W. W. Coffins seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. MESSRS. BUOKLAND AND MAY AT WAIUKU. We supplement the too brief report by telegram, published a few days ago, with the following from the New Zealand Herald : Messrs. Buckland and May met their constituents on the 9th instant, at the Commercial Hall, Waiuku. There were only about forty electors present, the notice given of the meeting having been very short. Mr. Hamlin, M.P.C., presided.

Mr. Buckland said the last time he addressed them, some four years ago, it was to solicit their suffrages, but now be did not intend to give his views, but merely tell them what he had done. He would commence with the Protection of Animals Act. Whilst at Wellington, he and his colleague received a memorial asking to have some alterations in the Act. There was no law to bnable any one to remove the game laws for any part of a province. The Acclimatisation Society in Auckland sent down telegrams to members in Wellington to oppose any alterations, and he believed where pheasants have become a nuisance power can be had from Superintendents to protect property. Tlie speaker went on to explain the part he took on tlie abolition of the provinces question. He voted for the Bill, and the reason he did so was because he looked on provincial institutions as a farce. He referred to the last session, when forty or fifty men were detained for a long time passing Acts, many of them such bungles that there was no doubt some trouble would be caused by them. The Provincial Council voted away about £120,000 during its last session, and tlie provincial revenue was £30,000. He thought it was best to throw ourselves into the arms of the General Government and share their revenue. He did not think that Mr. Vogel would be leaving the colony so shortly after passing the resolutions, and leaving the work of the. colony on other shoulders. The speaker then explained the compact of 1856, which he put down as a bad bargain. He believed the Vogel policy was to do away with the provinces altogether, and make all land revenue colonial money. He thought the Premier’s policy ■ was bad, and would work miseries unparalleled in the history of the colony. Mr. Vogel acknowledged having to pay a million and a half of money, for which he got nothing, but had to pay it to carry out his policy. The speaker next referred to the Polynesian Island scheme, which, he thought, must ultimately benefit Auckland greatly. The State Forests Bill he condemned as absurd, and concluded by saying that, as the settlers were well posted up by the newspapers, he thought it unnecessary to go into minor matters. If any one wished to ask him questions he would be most willing to answer. In answer to a question, he thought that Minister’s salaries were not too high—that £1250 a year was nut too much for the heat men—but he doubted if we had the best men. As regards the honorarium, he voted-against it, but many members thought that £l5O was not too much to allow them to be comfortable, and take their wives with them to Wellington. Mr. Buckland then resumed his seat.

Mr. May, on rising, said he was not such an old member as bis friend, Mr. Buckland, and would only’refer to the last session. He first spoke on the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill, to which he was not favorable. He was also opposed to the State Eorests Bill, which he thought was a mistake. The next question was tlie colonial distilleries. The Government found that they were injuring the revenue very much by a differential duty, and found that something must be done. It had been, therefore, decided that distilleries should receive about £27,000, the duty on colonial spirits being raised to the same as on imported spirits. Mr. Vogel had called Mr. Williams and himself delegates, not representatives, but he did not care for that; he believed in knowing the wishes of his constituents. Mr. Vogel said that Mr. Gillies would oppose anything brought down by him ; but he thought Mr. Vogel was measuring other people’s corn by his own bushel. He next spoke of the Licensing Bill, and thought it had been improved on. The public works and immigration scheme had gone so far that they must now be carried on. He referred to the Fiji Island scheme ; also to the Qualification of Electors Bill ; and believed that the abolition of the provinces in the North Island was brought in by Mr. Vogel so suddenly through the opposition of Superintendents to the State Eorests Bill. He (the speaker) voted against the resolutions because there were some provinces in the Middle Island similarly situated to those in the North, and they could battle better with iill than part. The Protection of Animals Act stated that no imported bird should be destroyed. He thought the Superintendent should have power to deal in the matter. We were getting overstocked with - pheasants ; and these birds, where too numerous, are ruinous to the small farmer.

Mr. May wished any elector to ask him any questions, but none were put. On the motion of Mr. 0. Hosting, seconded by Mr. Hedge, a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Buckland and May.