The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1884. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1230, 21 August 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1884. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

As we stated in our last issue, it is impossible for any Ministry to set forth their policy in a Governor’s speech. Much less is it possible for new men getting into office to prepare a policy in a few days, and lay it before the country. The speech delivered last Tuesday, however, goes beyond previous efforts of the same kind. It gives a general outline of what the Government mean to do in the immediate future, and leaves room to hope that as soon as they have time to mature their plans, the field of operations will be extended. They purpose dealing with local industries, the extension of railways, and with native lands. The property tax is to he abolished and a land tax put in its stead ; the railways are to be placed under the management of a nonpolitical board, and the Insurance Department under local boards elected by policy-holders. The policy is that which Sir Julius Vogel enunciated in his Ashburton speech. All the other members of the Ministry have evidently swallowed their own views and allowtd the great Sir Julius to rule the roost. Time will not permit a thorough examination of the speech in this issue, but we may say, however, that we do not agree with a great deal of the Ministerial programme. First it says that local industries must be fostered j but that it cannot be done through the customs, as the tariff ia very high already. The only alternative to a protective tariff fur encouraging the developement of our resources is the bonus system, which has been tried and found wanting—a system as contemptible as it is useless. Then there are railways to be made everywhere, both in the North and South Islands, in fact it is the railway mania all over again, the object obviously being to secure support. The fact is our railways have gone beyond the population already, and to extend them is to make them less remunerative, for the very reason that our population is not sufficient to make them pay. The abolition of the property tax is the next feature of the policy to which we object. We believe that there never was a fairer tax, and that it is absolutely the only tax that is suitable to the condition of this colony at present. As wo have requently remarked many of the “ landholders” of this colony do notown their rand, but only work it for the mortgagee. Now the mortgagee is to escape scot free and the taxation is to be thrown on the shoulders of .jtlio farmers who have more than

they can do already to meet their engagements. The railways are to be placed under the control of non-political boards, but “ the control of the tariff of charges will be retained by Parliament.” This is nonsense. If the control of the tariff ot charges is to be retained by Parliament what is the good of a Board of Management ? There is one thing in this ; it will make a snug billet for the Hon. Mr Richardson and increase the cost of administration. On the whole the programme of the Ministry is in onr opinion destructive of good government. However, let us hope that wiser counsels will prevail and that a modification of these proposals will be the result.

COMING ROUND. The Otago Daily Times is coming round to support the new Ministry. In last Tuesday’s issue it says :—“ Leaving leaders altogether out of the question, and judging solely by principles, there were two parties in the ranks of the members who were returned in opposition to Major Atkinson. For want of better we will call them the Moderates and the Extremes. Neither was strong enough to stand without the help of the other,” Now our contention has been all along that the man who cemented these discordant elements deserved credit, and that the new Ministry ought to get a fair show. The Times is coming round to this idea now, for it says in the same article;— “It seems to be generally agreed that the Ministry is unsatisfactory ; but can a more satisfactory one he formed out of the ranks of its opponents, and what chances are there of any new Ministry that may be formed lasting any longer than the present one ? These are serious questions for hon. members to ponder over. Upon the reply which is given to them the most important issues depend. Ihe man who decides them rashly and without full consideration and a searching examination incurs a heavy responsibility. After a most careful consideration of the position in all its bearings, we are confirmed in the opinion that if the policy of the Ministry is at all acceptable it ought to be given a fair trial. This is a time when all parties should try and make the best of things, and any Government that is installed is entitled to the benefit of any doubt that may exist as to its capacities.” This is good of the Otago Daily Times, which only a few days ago expressed its entire disapproval of the new Ministry. It again blows hot against the Ministry in yesterday’s issue.

PROTECTION. Wk have received the first number of a new monthly publication entitled “ The, Australian Market and Metal Trade’s Register,” a monthly publication printed in Auckland. It is printed in the interest of those engaged in the iron trade and will of course prove specially interesting to them. We notice it adopts protection as its policy, and we strongly commend it on that ground. We have always held that a modified form of protection was the only means of encouraging industry in this colony, and it gives us pleasure to find this journal, published in the interests of one of the most important industries in New Zealand, adopting the same view. Free trade means that we shall not do anything which others can do for us cheaper ; protection means that we shall do our own work even if it costs us a little more. The free trade superstition is bursting up, and we hope to see it altogether forgotten in a few years.

CO-OPERATIVE MONEY CLUB. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the rules of “The Christchurch and Suburban Co-operative Money Club.” The second rule of this Club explains the object which it has in view as follows ; “2. The object of the Club shall be to raise funds by means of weekly subscriptions from members, and from such funds to make advances to those members requiring them on the security of freehold or leasehold properties, personal, or other securities, approved of by the Directors, at such rates of interest and cn such terms of repayment as may be from time to time determined. Members will be admitted at any time on payment of an entrance fee of one shilling per share. The subscription on account of each share to be one shilling per week, payable every Saturday evening at the office of the Club, between the hours of 7.30 and 9 p.m., and 6d per share per quarter for working expenses. The Directors shall have the power to cancel the admission of any member. In the event of their declining to admit any person, any moneys he may have paid shall be returned to him. As soon as a member is admitted he shall be entitled to make application for a loan ; and in the event of subscriptions not being paid at the expiration of the fourth week, a fine of one penny per share per week shall be imposed for the first month in arrears, twopence per share per week for the second month in addition to the fines of the preceding month ; threepence per share per week for the third month in addition to the fines of the preceding two months, and so on in proportion. When the amount of fines shaP equal the amount paid in as subscriptions in respect of shares, the same shall be forfeited, and become the property of the Club.” The Secretary in forwarding bs this says : “ I have a hope that it will become the neucleus of a people’s bank, reversing to a certain extent the present order of banking, viz., the many working for the few, as you point out in your Bank scheme. In this the profits will be shared by those who make them and not by a few capitalists.” We sincerely wish the new undertakinglsuccess. About three years ago the writer of this article suggested in the Timaru Herald that an association of farmers ought to be formed on lines similar to those adopted by the above Club, “ The Farmers Co-operative Society was formed, but on different lines, with the result that

it is not as useful as it niiglit.be. We are therefore in sympathy with the objects of the club, but we are afraid it will not reach the goal ifs Secretary, has iu bis mind’s eye. It will take many shares to make up sufficient money ,to carry on business on a large scale. The worst of these co-operative associations is that they always depart from the objects the promoters have in view and generally get into the hands of selfish demagogues who care little about anything but what will suit themselves. However, it give us pleasure to find reference made to the Bank scheme by the Secretary, as it gives us hope that it will eventually be taken up generally, and if it does it must become law. We commend it to the consideration of the Christchurch Co-operative Money Club, and trust they will give it their attention.