Mr Buckland at Blueskin.

Otago Witness, Issue 1796, 24 April 1886, Page 22

Mr Buckland at Blueskin.

Mr Buckland addressed the Blueskin electors at the Good Templars' Hall on Saturday evening, about 50 gentlemen being present ; Mr John Elmer, J.P., in the chair. Mr Buckland said it was not from any feeling of disrespect to the disti ict, which ho considered an important one, that lie had put off addressing the electors until the last. Indeed, he had done so with the intention of paying a co apliment, as any political matters which might crop up concerning the country he could ventilate before the session commenced. In the future he would address them first. He then referred to the reasons which induced him to withdraw hit, support from the Government party. He strongly objected to what the Ministry had done in nominating 11 new members to the Upper House, and said he consideied £220 a year to be too much for tho services of the members so nominated. With regard lo local government, he was very much afraid that in the future no assistance would be granted to local bodies. There was, he thought, a larger expense going on for the Armed Constabulary than was necessary. He disapproved of the formation of a standing army. He said he mentioned the question to show that the Government policy was an extravagant our 1 , whereas he was in favour of cutting down expenditure as much as possible. Another illustration of extravagance was to be found in the travelling expenses of Ministers. As patriotic men he considered Ministers should be content with their salaries. With regard to New Guinea, he was of opinion the question did not concern ratepayers of New Zealand, although it might adjacent Colonies, where black labour was wanted, yet £2600 a year was being paid out by the Government. In connection with the land boards, he took to task the Administration for the late appointments, which he thought should bo inquired into. He then referred to the action of Sir Julius Vogel in connection with Government Insurance Board, and condemned some of the purchases made. The East and West Coast railway, he observed, had been taken up by a syndicate, otherwise he would have spoken fully on the matter. As it was, he thought no syndicate could make it pay. Regarding the vote for West Coast harbours, he approved of it, as in his opinion the line could not compete with water carriage. He knew the country well, and it was absolutely useless for settlement. It was the intermediate traffic which paid the railways, and there could be no such traffic on the West Coast line. He disapproved of borrowing 10 millions. If past borrowing had been a success, how was it we were not now reaping the benefit instead of suffering ? Mr Buckland made a few remarks about customs duties, and announced himself a Freetrader. As regarded speaking in the House, he said he had not often done so, for he had quickly formed an opinion that to do so except on rery important questions was simply throwing money away, the cost to the Colony for a member addressing the House being something M.o £30 an hour. Mr Buckland was frequently applauded when delivering his speech; and at its conclusion, after a couple of questions asked by Mr Rochford had been answered, that gentleman moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Buckland, which, being seconded, was carried. In returning thanks, Mr JBuckland referred in very complimentary terms to tho respect in which the late member (Mr J. Green) was held in Wellington and elsewhere. A vote of thanks to the chair- | man closed the proceedings.