MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

Southland Times, Issue 3290, 6 January 1879, Page 2

MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

' — : — : ♦— — — : — - ' - (by electric telegraph, per press AGENCY.) TIMARU, Sunday. Mr Wakefield, M.H.E., addressed his Teimika constituents last evening. , About 400 persons 1 were present. He said he was one of those who put Sir George Grey in power, as the majority of the House then believed that a change of Government was absolutely hecessaiy, and saw no one but Sir George Grey able to conduct the administration. He had supported Sir George so far as to give him a chance of executing reforms, but Avhen he found members of the Ministry stumping tlie country instead of attending to business, aud when, last session, it became clear that they had no intention of carrying out promised reforms, he Avent into opposition as an indepeudent member, for he saw the only object of the Ministry was to stick to their seats at all hazards. Even then, to save evil consequences, he and others were willing to assist the Government in their measures, but, owing principally- to Mr Stout's obstinate attitude, it was found utterly impossible to do any good. The Electoral Bill did not and was not intended io provide manhood suffrage. It was a timid measure, and threw the door open to corruption. The Bribery BUI, Avhich was withdrawn, was a highly necessary measure, as an instance of which Mr Wakefield quoted an election Avhich cost a candidate £1200, and when 350 glasses of liquor were paid for. Everything went to prove the Electoral Bill a sham and a delusion. If the Maori qualification clause had been passed, it would have put eight or nine seats of the North Island in the power of the pakeha Maori, and because the Council threw out the Maori clause the Government was prepared to let the BUI go altogether, which clearly showed the hollo wness of their promised reforms. The question would come up again in the future, and he would state, at once and for all, that he would refuse to allow any Maori to vote for Europeans unless he paid rates. The Maoris had been a pampered race, and would be till they were extinct. Mr Wakefield went on to say that the Government, instead of acting on the expressed wish of the House, that both income and property taxes should be brought down, had only introduced a property tax. Tbe idea of the Government was to pass a law punishing the rural districts, and by which men living at Home and drawing large sums of money from the colony, as well as Avealthy dealers in town, escaped taxation. The measure was most iniquitous, and the land tax was inquisitorial, and would be better and easier and more advisably collected by local bodies in the shape of rates. He learnt that it was already being found out that it was quite impossible to value land without tlie improvements, and he believed the result would be endless law suits, and Avidespread dissatisfaction. (Cheers.) Then there was the beer tax. That bill was defeated with the approval of the Premier and Native Minister. Tbey should have put a tax on outside beer, but not on local manufactures. The Joint Stock Companies Tax Bill Avas quite as iniquitous as the beer tax, for it was dead against the working man of small capital who invested in joint-stock companies. He thoroughly approved of the public works scheme, by Avhich land was to be reserved near projected railways, and so prevent it falling into the hands of speculators : but when the bill was brought down he at once saw that the Minister of Works had no intention of making the Canterbury lines at all, but intended giving everything to Otago. Therefore he opposed the bill, and instead of allowing the Government to spend £6,000,000 at theirown wUI, they only gave them power to spend half a million on specified objects. He believed that the only railways Avhich would be made in the colony this year would be those in Otago, and it was a monstrous thing to use the land fund of Canterbury to make railways in Otago while all others in the Colony were neglected. He said the Government' did not fake steps for the redistribution of representation as was promised, because when the census returns Avere" published they found Canterbury would be entitled to' 22 seats, Avhilst some of their North Island pocket , boroughs wouid lose their members, and therefore it would be against the Government interests. With regard to the future, he believed tbe people had lost all confidence in the Grey Government, although Sir George Grey had had the best chances of any man of introducing reforms. He believed that next year a strong stand would be made against .. them. During the last recess, and at the present time, Government were wandering about the colonies and riding their own private hobbies, and he Avas convinced a fresh Ministry would be placed [ in power, who would honestly, steadily, and impartially attend tq public. business. He '< complimented the Legislative CouncU for always exercising moderation and giving ; general satisfaction. With regard to. ecluca- ' tion'*lr Wakefield gave his reasons for sup- ; porting Curtis' Bill, and said the fact of its : j only being defeated by seven votes' Avas the ' strongest argument that the public Avas tend- ' ing towards denominational education. .He expressed, in strong . terms, his belief that - ' religion and moraUty couid not be taught ■ without the help of the Bible. Mr Wakefield. J sat down amid prolonged cheers, and after ] a number' of questions had been put and ' answered a resolution was carried, Avith only , four dissentient voices, thanking him most ' heartily for his address, and for the able ] services he had rendered in the past. The '- four electors who voted against the resolution ] did so because, jas a county "elector, he ex- '' pressed himself against the. Counties Act' j being brought into force in- the Geraldine ' County, and thus prevented Temuka being; ' male the centre of the county administra- !; A tion. { ' in' ' ■ nil " ' l-_ ]