THE WESTLAND SEAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13632, 29 June 1906, Page 5

THE WESTLAND SEAT.

(Fhoh Our Own Corbtspondikt.) ' HOKii'IKA, June 28. The ball «l set rolling to-night, when Mr Michel doliverdd his maiden address to an overflow mooting, 200 having to bo refined admission. Tho sneaker, \vli6 was fremtcntly cheered and received with loud applause, briefly referred in opening to tho death-of Mr Scddon, and to tho magnificent services rendered by tho deceased to the constituency. He announced himself as a lirm supporter of the present liberal, and progressive legislation under the party led by Sir J. 0. Ward. He would bo Ji6 party fo the formation of an Independent Labour party, as in the past all the victories achieved by labour had been obtained under flic flag of the great Liberal party, and ho did not desiro an introduction of ■ the three-party system of Govornmont. Sir J. R. Ward was tho ablest man in Parliament, and tho only ono with strong initiative. 110 favoured a continuance, of borrowing in order to moro fully develop' the resources of the colony, and thought thinlypopulated districts should receive a sliaro of the expenditure in order to encourage settlors. Ho should pursue a progressive ]>oliey, and in this connection would push with all his might for the completion of the Midland railway. Ho would amend tho Old-age Pensions Act in the direction of siyinir a pension to women at. 60 and to cripples and others mint for tho battle of life by reason of blindness, etc., irrespective of ago, to widows with large families 3 dependent on them and in poor circumstance?. It was said too many charges would lend to break down tho not,-but. lie did not fear this. Even if the predictions of croaker* came about, and there was a shortage of money for the purpose, ho would favour a 2 par cent, ad valorem dnty oir geneial imporn to make up tho deficiency. As to tho land question, ho favoured the optional tenure with the right of purchase of the freehold. He was opposed to the agw.'ation of large estates, anil would support the Government in its eli'orli Io buy up listing large estates to provide land for the people. As to Land linnnj«, they should be brought, into closer touch with the people by being made ymrt-iallv elective. In this connection bo charred 111- WeUlaml Land Board with failing in its dutv. Aiilr.ugh the revenue had considerably increase!, 'yet rebates under tho Crown Tenants Eebide Act had only reached £3, whereas were entitled, to clo ; e on £1100. For lust year alono, rent-* hud been regularly paid, uhd ,fivo years' rebate- wne real'v due to tenants. In this respect We-'il.-ind had been excepf'onnlly treated as cor.ipc.rwl' with tho rert <".[ Hl;a rolony. He was strongly in favour of it form in local government. The bodies were at ju'twnt numerous and expensive. ](c was iu favour of fewer and moro efficient bodies. The charitable aid tax required readjustment. At present a man without property, even though he might have a largo hank account, was not taxed. Tiiis v.ms unfair. It should be altered so ihul. all should hear an equal proportion. He favoured reform of the Legislative f'ounci! in il>o direction of making it elective. With this system they would got a belter class of men in (he Council, which during the past few years had failed lamentably. He vigorously combated an assertion that he was being run by tho Pro- ' liihiiion parly. He had not approached either side 011 this i]uestion. anil wanted to Ret in a* rcpre;enrnlive of tho people of tile, electorate. The licensing laws wero strict enough, and should lie given a few years' trial. He Would lie no parly to I heir amendment either in favour of tho trade or prohibifionßs. He was in favour of iii" continuance of the present free, seolilar, and compulsory system of education,-but, advocated «. substantial increase in teachers' salaries. Mchon! committees, too, should bo' given larger powers. Mining required State ■assistance. It had been neglected, during the past few years, and though the gold yield had increased the extra amount.was accounted for purely by reason' of the lai-jre yields of the Waihi'Company and the": th-edges. Individual mining was dead. Tho Government should place a substantial amount on the Estimates towards proving'■ flic Mm and Ktnnara flats and Wilberforoe r?efs. The tourist traffic required eneouraß- ■ ing, and ho knew it to lie Sir J. Ward's intention to make vast improvements in South Wesfland. He was entirely opposed . to (lie expenditure of public money on 8 population basis. He favoured a large* expenditure in sparsely-populated districts, so that settlement could bo encouraged. After refcrriu:,' to local works, tho improvement of (Im Hokitika and Okarito Harbours, Mr Michel made a vigorous appeal for support. No ono regretted mow) than ho that ho should contest an election wilh a fair yottnt; man bcarinpr the- nuno of Scddon. _ but it was never intended'in a- democratic country thnt a father should! transfer his seat to his son.—(Loud applause.) It was opposed to tho first principles of democracy. He would go to the poll, endeavour to get every vote, and had no fear of the The- speaker then read portion of a speech by the late • Air R. J. Scddon at Xascby. stating that the Mount Ida electorate suffered severely through heiitg represented by an 'absentee, lawyer residing in Wellington. Would not the same apply to West-land, when Mr Herdman would not do for Mount Ida?— (Applause.) It had been said that young Mr Scddon—whom ho referred to throughout as "My fair young opponent"—had the seal of approval. Well, flint Government would only be in office for five or six weeks. When Sir J. G. Ward reconstructed the Cabinet, ho (Mr ;>"ichel) would have tho Government seal of approval. Referring to the statement that Messrs Roderick M'Kcnzlo and James Carroll were to visit and lecture iit support of Mr Seddon's candidature, ho saidhe was prepared for a fight to an end. and would not be afraid to "Deal it out" from the nlatforrii even to the gonial "Jimmv." It was euito timo this emotional sympathy was dropped.—(Loud applause.) If they judged him on past records, he would have no fear of the result. The speaker spoke an hour and a-half, and sat down amid loud applause. No Questions liciiip; forthcoming, .ur (Michel defended bis action in a number of local matter*,'anu courted the fullest inquiry. Ho did not desire a vote of confidence. In conclusion, n vote of thanks was carried, and three cheers were given for (he candidate. The prooecdinss throughout were most enthusiastic. Already the usual election "yarns" and "taV." are going the rounds, and appearance' indicate a bitter and keen tight. WELLINGTON, .Tune 28. - It. is suggested in prohibition circles, hero thai, seeing there arc ahead" two candidates in the held for the Wesfland seat,, Mr T. E. Taylor, ot Christchuvch, might also consent to nomination.