POLITICAL.

Patea Mail, Volume XII, Issue 58, 26 May 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL.

ME HUTCHISON AT KAKAEAMEA. Mr Hutchison gave apolitical address in the Ivakaramea Hall on Monday evening, when the hall was full. Mr G. Y, Pearce was voted to the chair, and in a few words ashed Mr Hutchison to open his address.

Mr Hutchison at once came farward and was greeted with applause. He said he certainly did not, as the chairman had told them, require any introduction to a Ivakaramea audience, as for years past he had visited them, and always met with most favourable consideration in more ways than one. He had come in pursuance of Ids usual plan of meeting his constituents at the principal places in the electorate and made his visits extend over a considerable period, so that should anything occur in the meantime ho could deal with it. He was pleased to see that the Premier had visited this district twice and promised to come again, as lie had never found his speeches in the district followed by any result other than favourable to himself (speaker 1 . The Premier’s hearers may bo carried away for a short time by his speeches, but they invariably returned to him (Mr H.) and brought friends with them at election time. Ho noticed Mr Seddon, had spoken for three hours; but he thought loss than an hour and a half would suffice to utterly demolish the whole edifice constructed at such a cost of energy and oratory. He noticed the Premier went back into history as far back as the Sergeant-at-Arms affair nearly six years ago —an incident which he (Mr H.) certainly had no objection to having brought into prominence, as it Avas tire first direct instance of corruption on the part of the present administration. Mr Hutchison then showed that Colonel Eraser was a candidate for a seat in the House in the Government interest, but at the instance of Mr Seddon withdrew in order to avoid splitting the Government vote, and was shortly after appointed Sergeant-at-Arms (although practically under the ban of disqualification) and such acts of corruption had been going on ever since. He wished all electors had seen the arrival of the Premier at the Patea station, where he disembarked with his private secretary, his under-secretary, his interpreter, and the usual “ hangers on,” all travelling at the expense ox the taxpayers of the colony. Speaking of the remarks of fho Premier at Patea about the diversity of opinion which existed amongst the Opposition as to the future policy he considered it a merit that there Avas an absence of the slavish adhesion to one opinion Avhich characterised the present administration, especially as the divergence of opinion amongst the Opposition, Avas no divergence in large matters of principle; for ay Idle Mr Eolleston signified his preference for perpetual lease, it was still understood that even in that tenancy the acquisition of the freehold Avas to he placed Avithin reach of all settlers. As to tho general line of policy of the Opposition that had been indicated by Oapt. Eussell in his address at Auckland as well as at other places, Mr Hutchison referred to the Opposition proposal to reduce the duty on tho necessaries of life and the removal of Civil Servants from political control, a reform vvliicii if in force iu the immediate past Avould have prevented the scandal knoAvn as the Marine Scandal, Avhich later Mr Hutchison explained at length, and sot out the difference attaching to the two certificates, and also pointed out Avhoro the interference of the Premier and the Minister for Marino Avas visible, giving chapter and verse Avith telegrams and memos bearing out his references and the miserable attempts at defences and explanations made by the Ministers concerned. He also referred to tiro . whip beingplaced on Oapt. Allman, Avho Avas sent to trial in the Supremo Court, Avdion tho Grand Jury returned a true bill, Avith a rider strongly objecting to Ministerial interference in such matters. Mr Hutchison then said he Avas not there to say tho Government had done no good, but as they had draAvn from the colony since their accession to poAvor somewhere about £70,0Q0 in salaries, travelling expenses and allowances, it Avould he hard if they hail not done some good, but he thought it Avould ho easy to get seven or eight other men who Avould do the same amount of good and very much loss harm for much less money. Tho change in tho Cheviot Estate referred to by tho Premier Avas no doubt very desirable, but tho Premier spoke as if lie actually created the souls of those people; but if those settlers had not gone onto Cheviot they would have gone somewhere else iutho colony, and it must not ho forgotten that this particular estate had not been acquired under tho Land for Settle meat Act of tho present Government; but under the provisions of the old Stamp Act, which enabled tho Government to take any lands upon Avhich the proprietor declined to accept a fair valuation. Ho could not say if the Premier avus correctly reported at Patea Avhen ho Avas made to say that tho Pomohaka Estate avus all taken up, and was paying tho colony. If this Avcro so, some must have boon taken up since last reports ; but oven if it Avoro true, and all was taken, the purchase must still remain a blot on tho present administration. Mr Hutchison thon referred to tho circular of 18S7, spoken of by Mr Sodden, and reminded Ids hearers that tin's was issued at a period of the ■ greatest depression, and so far from its being iu any way meant to Hx tho wages of Avorkmen, it Avas distinctly staled to ho relief Avorks; but yet some of tho men employed on tho Government co-opora-tivo Avorks avoi’o paid less ; and then again, us to tho Premier saying tho

dci'eat of the Government might bring 1 a hout another riuc.li circular, lie would ask if it luul occurred to them that Capt. llussoll was now the only survivor of that Government ? As to giving the Premier credit for the groat advance in the value of the colony it would ho renxomherod that the system of valuation adopted in 1898 was quite different from that in force in ’B7, at the latter date the valuations wore made principally by County Councils and local

authorities, and were chiefly for rating purposes ; while the valuation in 1898 was made by specially appointed Government valuers. Mr Hutchison then referred to the revision of the Customs tariff, and said that a substantial reduction of duty on the necessaries of life won Id be one of the first acts of the Opposition when they came into power; and referred to the remarks of the Premier as to the anxiety of the Leader of the Oppositon to tax the thrift of the people stored in the Savings Panic, and reminded them of the previous Colonial Treasurer, who said in London that the Government had at its disposal three or four millions available for the public debt of the colony, when as a matter of fact there was nothing whatever available, except what was held for the people’s moneys in the Savings Bank. Mr Hutchison also referred to the Consols Act, which was passed to enable, as Mr Seddon put it, thrifty old ladies to empty their stockings and tea-pots into the safe repository of Government consols ; but as a fact had used the Act to borrow money from the Bank of Now —Zealand to lend itto theColonialßank the Bank of the then Colonial Treasurer. The Premier had styled his Government “ A Government of roads and bridges ” —hut that Government had in reality induced settlement by promises of roads which had never been fulfilled, and the Premier himself said that £IOO,OOO would not give access to all the settlements, and that he would have all lands roaded before settlement if lie could have his way; but he (speaker) would like to know when the Premier does not get his way. Mr Hutchison then referred to the amount of the votes for this electorate, and said he bad been fairly successful in getting votes for public, works in this electorate, but he only obtained what was fair and just and not the result of any truckling; but lie thought it was granted more for fear than favour. Ho then referred to the Premier’s statement about the vote for Westland, and the Premier had told his audience that Westland District contained two electorates, and therefore tho vote should be divided into two, and consequently be £2 per head instead of £4. This, however, Mr Hutchison said was not the ease, as he had quoted the amount per head for the electorate represented by Mr Seddon. Although satisfied with tho amount voted for this electorate lie was not quite satisfied with tho amount expended, and referred to votes for Anderson Hoad and Ball Hoad extension bridge. He would this session endeavour to get votes for Mabon Hoad, Ball Hoad extension, and the bridge over the Patea Hiver; those votes were all necessary and reasonable, and ho would use his best endeavour to get them. He anticipated that it would not bo difficult to get votes for this electorate during the coming session, as he thought great activity would be displayed in the prosecution of public works, and that settlers would see a large number of co-opera tive workmen imported into the district about election time. He however, did not fear them, as tho cooperative men were not absolute fools and wore able to guage the reason for their being sent here, and the probability of early dismissal after the election. Mr Holleston had been quoted by the Premier as practically endorsing tho policy of the Government by stating that tho colony had never been move prosperous than at present; but what Mr Holleston said about tho present prosperity was in effect that tho people of tho colony had made themselves prosperous in spilo of the ills of the present administration, one of his remarks being; “Tho political policy of the present Government js no adequate explanation of the prosperity of the colony. The people have worked out their own salvation, and in a hundred shrewd ways have adapted industrial enterprise to profitable commercial opportunity.” The next important question was as to whether the finance of tho present administration was sound. This, he thought, might well bo doubted when they hoard on the one hand of largo surplusses, and on the other of continued regular increase of a million a year to our national debt. Was tho colony paying its way'?

Tko answer is to be found in the account we have annually to strike on the balance of exchange in trade as represented by the excess value of om exports over and above the value of our imports. Wo send away wool, moat, dairy produce, and other products to bo sold so as to purchase what wo import and to meet as far as possible the interest on our advances even if we do rot clear any of these off. This annual charge falls under three main heads : (1) The sendee of our pub- £ lie debt which absorbs every your about .. 1,750,000 (‘2) Interest on the loans contracted by our municipalities and harbour boards . . . . . . 278,000 (0) Interest on money borborrowed on foreign mortgages ~ .. 000,000 Making a total of £2,928,000

To meet this annual drain wo are, apart from further borrowing’, dependent on tho excess in value of our exports oyor tho value of our imports. During the period of tho present administration there have boon only two years in which there was somewhat more than enough to balance accounts, while over the eight years corresponding to the term of the present Government the average has boon about £2,550,000. Thus it appears by the most conclusive proof that under present guidance avo are not paying our way. How is tire deficit covered? l!y tho constant borrowing of tho Government, which has averaged £1,000,000 a year. This is surely enough to make ns pause, especially as those who are so desperately striving to continue in power are so blind to the true tests of our condition or are so abandoned as to falsify them. After a further short reference to tho Premier’s Patea address, Mr Hutchison concluded by saying ho thought tho advantage and prosperity of the

whole colony would be advanced by a change in the administration. Mr Hutchison resumed his seat amidst enthusiastic applause. In reply to Mr Pearce, Mr Hutchison said he certainly was not in favour of robbing a poor man of his beer, or of anything else.

Mr Hudson asked if Mr Hutchison ever occupied the same position as Mr Seddon if he would not travel the same way and with the same followers ?

Mr Hutchison said he would not have such hi train of followers, as lie thought them excrescences quite unnecessary to the dignity of a Premier. Mr Payne then moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hutchison for his interesting address. He said he did not add confidence because he thought occasious of that sort were not for party opinions, but should enable every one to join -without any difference of opinion. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously, with much applause.

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.