MR GEORGE M'LEAN, M.H R, AT WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1488, 22 May 1880, Page 12

MR GEORGE M'LEAN, M.H R , AT WAIKOUAITI.

(from oue special befobter.) Waikotjaiti, May 18th.

Mr George M'Lean, M.H.R., addreestd bis constituents in the Public Hall this evening. About 180 electors were present. The chair was taken by the Mayor (Mr Letham).

la addressing the electors, Mr M'Lean said that as usual he bad <?one round New Zealand for the purpose of making peraonal ob'trvations of the state of the country before addressing his constituents. The last tiitifi he addressed them it was his duty to criticise the late Government, and now he would review the action of their successors, to wLoin he had conscientiously given his support, belitvsnß that they were aoting for the good of lhe country, and in a manner likely to bring it safely through a- crisis such as Now Zoaland had never before encountered, and, he hoped, would never arise agaio. Ho bad told them last time tbat (hey would have a large deficiency stsring tjsem in the face, ami though iV, would have aff'ud^d him tho greatest pleasure to tell them be kul beei» rnißfcftken, unhappily ho could not do po. Tho late Government; bad profe«ed th.'/; Too finances of tho Colony woie in such a fl 'Uiiimug condition that they were able to rsduce taxation, though they were told priva' 1 1-, and publicly thut they were miscalculating, "a/d tfcat there rnußi be a deficiency. It had hurpiised biin when tho pry.sent Colonial Treasurer mado a statement that tho deficiency was LBOO.OOO, but examination provoA that it was so, although, on behalf of the Opposition, it was alleged "that the statement, was an exaggeration rrmda for party purposes. He believed thai, when all waa discovered they would find an additional deficiency of L 250.000. Ho would uot go into matters affecting the late Government. That Government had been liuniahed by being turned out of office, but ho would nay that tho syalero. ifc adopted of having (separate respond bility for different departments was one fraught with clanger to tlio country, and that against such a r-ystem ho would raibo his voice, no matter by what Government it waa adopted. He bud previously congratulated the electors on the fact tbat »■ clause had been placed iv tho Loan Bill to prevent t)neGovninn,eul from appropriating any momy w-tXI ifc had bwn voioil by tbo As-embly, but ha was g >rry way the olauae had had proved usaltßj. Tuo Urty Government overload 5Ue h preventive nieaas adopted by fcue House, aud anticipated, the loan to

the extent of over L 2,000,000. This had been disputed, and the late Minister of Public Works produced returns to show that the contracts let only amounted to L 500,000 or L 600.00 0; but authority given to buy plant ia England and do necessary work on the lines was not included in these returns, and on investigation it was found to be as was stated by tbe Treasurer. It was also proved that the commitments for Native land purchase were also to the extent stated by Major Atkinson. No doubt it was a pleasing thing to spend money, and he knew that if some members of the late Government had the reserve of the Bank of England at their command they would spend ie all in » c«jpk of years, and jolly times we should have until it was expended. If the present Government followed in the footsteps of the late oDe in the matter of expenditure, they would find in him a strong opponent ; but he bad confidence that a very different system would be followed. He considered the Government; had set to work in a manner for the benefit of the country, and although the task of retrenchment was an unpleasant one, and must excite much hostility in certain quarters he hoped his constituents would support the Government in carrying out thepolicvadopted, and would require their rapresentatiyes to be explicit in promises to support a policy of retrenchment. If this policy were not continued, the taxation would have to be increased to such an extent that it would be almost impossible for the country to bear it. Commerce would be paralysed, and the progress of the country most seriously retarded. He approved of the form of increased taxation adopted, as he considered it was equitable, although it was irritating and somewhat; oppressive; but taxation was necessary, and no better syHtem had been advocated. If he could conscientiously have oppoßtd the imposition of this tax he would have dona co, for it was a whip for his own back. A great deal had been said about the loan, and it was trumpeted that New Zealand was not in so bad a state after all, when its loan had been so successfully floated. He had hoped its floatinghad been successful, but on looking into the transaction he found that in respect of it New Zealand cut a very poor figure in the Home market, so great were the inducements offered for the floating of th« loan. The loan was put in the market at; L 97 10s. With accrued interest it amounted to L 96 10s, and it was taken up afc 5 pee cent. The inducement, however w^s tbw : ihafcthe parties taking up these debo'iuives "'"'d exchange « hem, getting 1 for 4 per cent. Ll2O debentures for their L 96 10s. The only 0 W loan transaction he could compare with this was the South Australian loan in Febiuary last. The South Australian loan was for L 3,300,000 at 4 per cent., and applications were received for L 15.000,000 What New Zealand offered to the public was equal to 4 per cent, debentures at LBO, while South Australia netted for fche same debentures L 93 17s. If 17s were taken off for accrued interest, and supposing they had floated a five million loan, New Zealand would have come off worse in the transaction to the extent of L 650 000 in a five million loan than South Aus« tralia would have done. There had been nothing like this since the Otago loan was floated, when the Provincial Government went into works in the same manner that the Grey Ministry had done, and had spent a portion of the loan before they had raised it. and tben found that they had to sell for L 75. These were our two expert nccs of anticipating loans, an experience he hoped would never be re* poated. The Colony had given an undertaking fcha*. Ib would borrow no more for three years. We' owed L 27.000.000, and paid L 1,500,000 annually for interest. It would now be judicious to insist that Government, with the small amount left out of fcho loan, should complete such railways as could be completed and were likely to pay, and should make such provision as was possibleforreducing our indebtedness. The effect of the monetary depression tbat existed would be to reduce the customs revenue, because with dull times and increased taxation people were compelled to economise. The Govern, meat in the coming session must face the financial question. Last session the question could only be hastily glanced at, the Government being harassed in every direction. Ihe Native Land Bill muat also come up for consideration, and he for one was very anxious to support such a measure. A great deal had been said about the vote for roads m the North Island, while there was none for the South. This had never been properly explained. Ihe fact was that it was necessary to keep roads open through the Maori country. That Maori country was not taxable, and it had to be done aft the expense of he Colony. The roads were, however, necesnary in connection with the administration of Native affairs, and as the roads would opon up some Government land, and ai all the land when settled by Europeans would be taxable, the country would reap the benefit of the exnencliture. Ho considered the present adminiatration of Native affairs was admirable. The Natives were beiag frankly, fairly, and firmly dealt with. It had been found out that it would never do to run after the Maoris The Government of which he was a member left Native attiira in a tranquil condition, but the policy of the Grey Government in running after the Maoris had produced an entire chango. If there was b-> be a disturbance it would be a very bad thing far the Colony. All means should ba fcakon to avert it, but if it did come ifc should be the last Maori War He felt sure, however tbat the Mauris didn't want to make wor They knew they were being fairly dealt with, and there would be no disturbance. Statements were being made that the railways in tha North Is'and were proceeding, whilst all contract* wer--3 stopped in fche South. He way not aware that any railway in the North was boinsr made further thau one which led to Ibis disaffected country— a railway which anyone who bad had experience of tha roads knew was necessary. It should have bwen made long »»<>, and was absolutely necessary, and it should now be pushed on to completion. The Government were showing wisd;m in. iha reduction* th<r were making in Native expenditure and in endeavouring to aweep away the Native Ofrba, which he trusted would coase to exiat for ever. The Natives should be governed in the earno way as Euro pearis. llefemng to tho position, of parlies in the House, Mr M'Lean pointed cut that tho opposition to tbe present Government was, on tho admissirn 0? some of its members, incapable of forming a Ministry, ft, wj\s <siaorg&tiised. On the other band the M*nistorial party was so compact that only two folfc »gprieved becauso tlu-y did not got office. As p. consequence, they weut over to tho Opposition. Tho Government were justified in [.Maintaining their position by the employment of tactics taught thorn by tho Grey Government iv tho previous xe^ion until tlvy coul i iuvesti^at.o tho financial portion of the Colony, end wben that was done tlwr werp content to allow the no-confidencß motion t> coma on. He justified tho conduct of the Auckland four, and hiid tbat Hie promises eon-Jo to t-eui were* ouch r 4 wight ho ma-le fc ■> a»iyono. No pr nniae was ; -yon, nor anything dona detrimsn al to the interests of the country, b?rausi nuy \ roposftls oven if there had been a compart, must come before the Assembly to be dealt with,. The

present Government had passed! the measures which the Grey Government had simply dangled before the people of New Zealand. Although he was willing to extend the franchise, he did not think that the Qualification of Electors Bill would add many to the roll, but he thought the Registration of Electors Bill might have that effect. He was opposed to the taking away of the franchise which previously existed. As to the Triennial Parhamenfa Bill, he had voted for it because the constituencies wanted it, but he did not consider it a Liberal measure. The term waa too short to learn the rudiments of, Parliamentary work, nor long enough to enable them to pass good laws. After referring to the other legislation of the session, Mr M'Lean again referred to the matter of retrenchment, especially in the Railway Department. Although the railways showed a profit of something Uke 2£ per cent, on paper, yet he thought, if properly searched into, the charges for maintenance that had been borne by loan had been paid out of revenue, the percentage would have been smaller. The railways must be made to pay. The expenditure must be reduced and the tariff revised. He was pleased to see that the Government were treating the matter in an energetic manner. It was ■ ridiculous to his mind that the Ohristchurch- ™ Invercargill line did not pay better. He thought that the policy of the Government would succeed in improving matters, but warned his constituents not to expect too much, because in dull times people would not travel to the extent they had formerly done. They mußt reduce the expenditure to the lowest limit, as was energetically being done. He hoped the terrible expenditure on the Native difficulty would soon cease. They were keeping up a large armed force, but they could not afford to maintain au armed peace. The Government's management of Native affairs would, he hoped, soon enable them to disperse with a larg9 number of the force, and gradually to do away with it altogether. Tfce proposal to buy up the district railways had been greatly exaggerated. The proposal was to buy up four lines which were part and parcel of the Government railways. They had the rating powers over the land which they purposed to retain. They had also to pay the 2 per cent, oa tbeinterest on the outlay on these railways. Wit h the exception of one, these railways should never have been sanctioned as district railways at all, but should either have been made by tbe Government or left alone. The first one in the schedule was the Ashburton Forks line. It was almost finished, and they proposed to take to deal with it L 74 J OOO. Ife was left to the Government to make what bargain they pleaaed, but the railway waa a proper district one, ana might be left alone, and he believed that the proprietors did not wish the Government to buy it or to interfere with it. The Waimafe branch was an extension of the Government line, and this was settled by the Government buyiug the rails and stopping the line. Then as to the Duntroon-Hakateramea line, the Government proposal was to finish the con« tract, which would give an extension to their own branch line of some 41 miles, at a cost of L 45.000. Then as to the Waimea Plains line, the proposal was to take it over fi v L 90.000. This latter line lessened the distance to the Lakes from Dunedin by 41 miles. It was one of the cheapest-constructed lines in the Colony, and must ultimately be acquired by tho Colony, and he considered it would have been an excellent bargain for the Colony. Mr M'Lean than criticised the speeches of Sir George Grey at the Thames and Auckland. He said there was very little in them but what had been said before. Sir George had, however, told the Thames people that tbe Thames railway which be (Mr M'Lean) could not pronounce as other tin 11 one of the biggest railway jobs in the Colony, must be made, and that the Go - vprnment dared not stop it. In reference to the alleged disenfranchisement of 1350 electors through the action of the Election Committee Mr M'Lean pointed out that as Sir George Grey's majority was only 88, that was really the number of persons unrepresented. The question of an elective Governor he would not trouble them with. It was a matter that could very well stand over, and he thought they would probably care to know very little about any man who^ would stump the country to secure election to the office, and that the Governor as appointed at present was much likelier to keep a fair balance between parties than any partisan elected by tbe people of New Zealand. With reference to Sir George's tirade against the landed aristocracy, he advised him to show an example by cutting up the Kawau and soiling it. The manner in which Sir George grossly exaggerated everything for party purposes had caused him (Mr M'Lean) to withhold from him the support he would otherwise have given him. He had never Been anything of Sir George's Native Land Bill. He would havo baen very glad to have supported a Native Land Bill, but had always opposed, and would always oppose the buying of Native lands by the Government. The property tax waa the land tax doubled, and an income tax as well. If the valuation was the same, Sir George would pay upon the Kawau L9O instead of L 3 16s 9d ; and if Sir George had out at interest L 50.000 he would have to pay nearly L3OO. On the education question he noticed that Sir George had said, " They were seeking down South to take away the free education"; but in his speech on the Education Bill they would find that Sir George had said that if the bill was passed it would be a lasting monument of the folly and incompetence of those who devised Its principles, He (Mr M'Lean) thought it would have been a good thing to have retained the capitation claase. After criticising other portions of Sir George Grey's speeches, he s&id that instead of strangling the counties, ho hoped the tendency of future legislation would be to throw power out of the Legislature on to^fc the counties. la conclusion, he said that he^ was not anxious to have anything to > do with the Government. Although he might say rffice had been pressed on him by pome of his friends, he wag not afraid to tackle the mess the country was in. No oue who knew him would think that he desired to withdraw his services if they were necessary ; but some people thought more of his abilities than he did himself. He would support the present Government while they were reducia? tho expenditure and lessening the liabilities of tho people ; but his support was independent— he wanted nothing for it. In answer to'questionß, Mr M'Loausaid tbat he w&s iv hopes of obtaining at an endowment, to aid the recreation reserve, certain sections above Edinburgh street. These sections might be leaded, and the proceeds would in time provide funds with which to improve the recroationgrouuds and show-yards. The knowledge he posseted of Waikouaiti Bay waa obtained from reading the reports on ifc. Ho certainly belkivad the br.y would hold any ship brought out, and to put a breakwater there might; not be snch a great undertaking as somo thought ; but at the present time he considered U nas utterly uhclcps to attempt to get eucfo s\ work panned," and he was rot going to mislead tho people into thinking thero was a cbanee of getting it. However, if a petition was sent up to him on the subject he would present it to tb,e House. He certainly

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thought Boine good would come out of the Commissions, especially from the Railway Commission. The Minister of Worts was not likely to shirk his duty. Ha was, perhaps 1 , too blunt and plain spokeo for ft politician, iio was afraid to meddle with the Education Mil), because he did not know whore the thing rmp^'c end; but be had no hesitation in sayusptlnt if in the present state of the Colony the maty v came up. and it came to a vote for impoMHg 1 school fees, he would voie for thoir tion. Mr MaIIiOOH proposed a vote of thanks lo Mr M'Lean for his address, and of confidence Q ]Slr John Duncan (of Ch'rry IT&mn) proposed a special vote of thanks to Mr M'Lean for his action in obtaining: for the counties of Otago the impounded land fund. Both motions were carried unanimously.