MR RHODES AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2054, 3 June 1890, Page 2

MR RHODES AT TEMUKA.

At the conclusion of his address at Temuka on Friday last Mr Rhodes was asked the following questions : By Mr J. M. Twomey: You say that the benefits of the Representation Bill were limited to a few small boroughs, but that the ultimate result of the stonewalling was that country constituencies got considerable advantage. Don't you think that the thanks of the country constituencies are due to the stonewallers ? Mr Rhodes said that the «[uota would have been altered if the stonewall had not taken place; the bulk of the country members had made up their minds to that. Most of the city members stonewalled all the Representation Bills. Mr E. Lee asked if Mr Rhodes could inform the meeting as to the cost of the Sweating Commission ? Mr Rhodes had not the required information.

Mr Lee said much had been said of restoring their national credit. How could they do that when they let men file for £l9? With the permission of the meeting, he would read them a *poock~bjrone--o£ tho greatest men that had ever lived. [Mr Lee com- !? e ™ J°£ 6ad ' but waa irrupted by Mr M. Q aura> wao said that wifch all respect to Mr Lee, the meeting had come to hear their member speak He appealed to the chairman to see that only questions were put.] Mr Lee read the following question • -Swung that the bulk of the taxation is through the Customs duties, which fall very hard on the laboring classes more especially on those who are married and have families, would Mr Rhodes be m favor of imposing a tax equal to a legacy duty on all companies and financial institutions? Mr Lee proceeded to explain that bv this means from £IOO,OOO to £2OO 000 a year would be raised. "Four wealthv Sqoo W On°nf i? ia .l\ ctori a had caused £300,000 to be paid into the treasury Here it paid a rich man to so Horn a todie.-Mr Rhodes said that, as a matter of fact, a legacy duty had to be paid on any property owned bv persons m New Zealand if it had to be be transferred to beneficiaries Pompanies'and other institutions paid property ta* and shareholders paid their share of ordinary duties. Compames Wl th bead osces in England could not well be got at. ■ MU^iana

Mr Lee, amidst some little confusion, handed in the balance of his questions, which were written down: —-1. That there should be no borrowing for public works unless there was imposed a special land tax to pay interest. 2." That the Government should use its utmost power to establish the public credit of the colony on the soundest basis. 3. That all the District and Ciril Courte should be presided over by tbe best Judges that can bo procurred, seeing that there are so many appeals and so much expensive legislation. 4. That .Government should compel landlords to give tenant right. 5. That Government should bring into force the English poor laws, seeing that our charitable aid system is so much abused.—Mr Rhodes trusted that there would be no further borrowing with : or without a land tax. He felt sure that Government, would do its best to maintain public credit. The failure of one or two local bodies would not affect the colony at large. Any bonds issued by such bodies bear oh the face of Ihem that Government was in no way responsible. He could not say much about the appointment of Judges, not being a Minister. He hoped that the best men wereappointed. With regard to the English poor law he was not sufficiently acquainted with it to urge its adoption or otherwise. ' ,' -.--.■

Mr Lawson asked if Mr Rhodes was in favour of getting back the old management of railways.—Mr Rhodes thought the present time table an incoavenient one, but could not do muchto alter present arrangements unless the Commissioners were done away with. W

Mr E. W. Badham, amidst muck laughter, asked Mr Ehodes to inform the meeting how many lawyers and paper men there were in the Hone*, and also, who got most benefit, the working bees or the drones. The question was not pressed, but Mr Ehodes intimated his willingneM t« give a detailed answer of the first part of the question if necessary. There was considerable laughter and chaffing during the putting of the questions, and much of the argument by which Mr Lee backed up his views was consequently lost. PLEASANT POINT, Mr Ehodes addressed a large gathering of his constituents at Pleasant Point on Saturday evening, when Mr E. Acton presided. At the close of his speech, which was similar in effect to that at Temuka, he received a vote of thanks and confidence.