MR MASLIN AT ORARI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2969, 9 May 1896, Page 2

MR MASLIN AT ORARI.

Mr W. S. Maslin, M.H.R., spoke at Orari on Thursday evening, when the schoolroom was crowded, and Mr Mason was voted to the chair. Mr Maslin at the outset mentioned that he was departing from the usual course in visiting outlying districts, especially because certain misrepresentations had been made respecting his conduct iu the past, and ha wished to place clearly before the electors what he had done, and leave it to them to judge whether his actions had not been iu their interests, and especially in the interests of small settlers. There was a time when members representing a constituency went to Parliament to follow the behests of some leader of the House, but that time was passing away. Representative Government instead of a reality was then becoming no less than a farce. The extension of the franchise, causing a more intelligent interest to be taken iu political matters, had caused electors to expect more from a member than a follow-my-leader business. He (Mr Maslin) had never spoken one way and voted another, as far as he could remember, and his vote in nearly every case had been in the right direction. As an instance, he referred to the MIDLAND RAILWAY proposals brought in by the Government iu the session of 1883-1884. An article appeared in the Temuka Leader about this time which I shallread to you [Article read finishing thus: “We see no reason why they should not finish their contract; because they are rich and powerful, they are presuming on it,” etc.] I quite agree with the sentiments of that article, and would make no exception with one contractor or another. But now the Government brought down the Midland Railway Bill. [Mr Maslin here stated the proposals of the Bill, showing it entailed an annual charge on the country for interest of £22,000, and other concessions, etc ] I could not see my way to support that Bill, and only Mr Hall Jones and myself, of the Canterbury members, opposed it. We thought it would be a ruinous policy to pursue. I had an Interview with the Premier and told him “ I cannot see my way to support you iu this, proposal.” That same evening I got a telegram from Mr J. M. Twomey, asking me, as a special favor, to support the Premier’s Bill in the House. I ask where was the consistency between that Bill and the article of Mr Twomey’s ; a Bill making concessions to rich contractors and upholding the cause of the rich man 1 I have that telegram at home, and shall keep it. (Loud applause). It shows to some extent how unreliable some people are as leaders, and the future has shown that the course I took was the right one, the result being a vindication of the rights of the colony, and we have been saved the expense of £22,000 interest, etc. An article appeared in the TEMUKA LEADER the other day, which, while it did not deny one statement I had made —which 1 was pleased to see—iu fact, I think that first article was written to get a dig at rny friend, Mr Flatmau, because Mr J. M. Twomey told both me and Mr Flatmau that unless we got him an M.L.C. ship ha would certainly make one or other of us lose his seat. I have correspondence in my possession from that gentleman, which I can produce at any time to show the pains he took to expect ns, as representatives of V'outh Canterbury, to raise heaven and earth to get. him appointed to a seat iu the Upper House. However much ho estimated his own worth, we could not get the Government to estimate it on the same level as he estimates it, and he is still out in the cold praying for an M L.C.-ship.

ADVANCES TO SSTTLEKS. Another matter Mr Twomey says I am not sound upon is the Advances to Settlers Act. (Mr Maslin then read the first proposals of the Government in this Act, and showed how they had to be considerably modified, and read his speech on the question on page 541, vol. 84 of Handsard. He also quoted his speech on the second reading of the Bill.) He thought, with a little more business tact, that this Act would prove a greater benefit than it had been in the past. Be admitted that it had been a blessing to some small settlers. How there is another matter that Mr Twomey referred to, and that was: He said I was opposed to the Government with respect to OLD AGE PENSION'S. It so happens, though, that the Government never brought down any proposal at all on this matter; never touched the matter with the tips of their fingers except to tald about it. I will just read +o you what the Colonial Treasurer said about it. There has been no definite proposal brought down by the Government. In the Financial Statement the Treasurer refers to the thing as a subject engrossing the attention of the greatest minds at Homo, but no satisfactory solution of the problem had been arrived at. (Mr Maslin then went in extenso into the question, giving his views.) Another matter I wish to refer to. It is said that I am wrong in giving information to the people in respect to certain things that are done. 1 hold myself that it is not the duty of a member to come down and give one side of the picture. Ministers are frail and human as everybody else, they are not infallible, and if they wanttoavoidmistakesit is the duty of their supporters, more so than their enemies, to point out their mistakes. There were returns called for in respect to MINISTERIAL ALLOWANCES and salaries. At the close of last session those returns were just received. They were public property, and in my speech at Geraldine I referred to the lavish expenditure in respect to Ministers’ travelling allowances, if Ministers were travelling on public business I would not mind, but if they attend to their farms and other business at the expense of the public that is what i object to. I have the returns here, and why should 1 not make them public 1 Now Mr Twomey in his article which I will read to you (article read), tries to justify this £3,000 expenditure, and says that the present Ministers are the only ones who received the present salary. Ho says : (article) “ Mr Soddou only gets £1000.” If his statement was correct I should humbly apologise and say 1 was wrong, but it so happens that Mr Twomey is absolutely inaccurate iu his figures. The Act fixing Ministers’ salaries was passed iu 1887, five years before the present Ministers took office Mr Twomey says : “ No previous Ministers received the present salaries.” Now the Act provides that the Premier's salary shall bo £IOOO and fixes the Ministers’ salaries at £BOO, also reduces the travelling allowances from £2 2s to £1 10s, and provides that no greater sum thau £IOOO shall be expended in respect to such allowances in any one year. That Act was passed in 1887, and yet Mr Twomey in his article says no previous Ministers received the salaries the present Ministers receive, u here he gels his information from 1 don’t know, One thing is absolutely certain, there is not one word of truth iu ijt. It is wrong from beginning to oud,

I should not have referred to this only in vindication of myself, and 1 cannot see how Ministers, who have free travelling through the country, can incur such expense as they did. We were never told how the expenditure was made up, and had to swallow the pill. (Laughter.) My own opinion is that these things should bo spoken about, and net left to our enemies to deal with. If we cannot speak about such things Representative Government is a farce. Suppose this lavish expenditure had been spent in scholarships for the primary schools, look what benefit it would have been to the whole colony. Another matter. I have to speak of the Tbmuka Grader again, because they have given such prominence to the remarks I made re Mr Hall Jones, and the paper circulates hare, though it does not ou the other side of the Rangitata, and the people there know nothing about it. The Temoka Leader ridicules me as an 8-hour-power Minister. I don’t know whether it is intended for a compliment, but 1 take it as such. (Loud laughter.) Mr Hall Jones in his speech on the Referendum, from which I quoted, wound up by saying, “Is that Liberalism? I say it is not.” Yet Mr Twomey speaks as if I said “it was not Liberalism.” Mr Maslia then touched ou the Fair Rent Bill and the Licensing Bill, and concluded without any further reference to the Tempka Leader. He was afterwards asked a number of questions, and, ou the motion of Mr Ensor, seconded by Mr Quantock, a vote of thanks and confidence was passed without a show of hands, no amendment being forthcoming.

MR TWOMEY IN REPLY

As Mr Maslin has done me the honor of referring to me by name as Editor of the Temuka Leader, I suppose I may as well acknowledge the soft impeachment. Somehow I cannot feel ashamed of it, though Mr Maslin doubtless thinks he has crushed me. It is against all the canons of good taste to identify the Editor of any paper by name and make a personal attack on him. Bat what does Mr Mas'iu know about good taste 1 A man like Mr Maslin, who does not respect private communications entrusted to him, cannot be expected to know the difference between good and bad taste. With regard to t te charge of having asked Mr Maslin to vote for the MIDLAND RAILWAY BILL I believe he is right. I got two telegrams from Wellington asking me to try to get Mr Maslin to vote for it, and I did exactly what 1 was asked. That I think is nothing very serious. The question now is whether that Bill was not right. Mr Maslin says that by not passing that Bill the colony saved £22,000 a year in interest. Will that make the railway ? Just think that out. Remember that if we have saved £22,000 we have to make the railway, aud the question is, Will half a million do it ? No, nor three times half millions, so that if wo have saved £22,000, we may possibly have to pay £60,000 eventually. However, it is so long ago that I have forgotten the exact figures, and I have not time to look them up. 1 shall probably deal with the matter again. Meantime will Mr Maslin give me the date of the article he quoted ? I cannot find anything like it in the paper. The next charge is that I aspired to a seat in the UPPER HOUSE. This Mr Maslin thinks “a crusher,” but 1 do not feel crushed yet. On the evening of the day after last election I mot Mr Maslin in Timaru, and after congratulating him on his election I said, “ Well, you are in, but I am left out iu the cold.” Ho said “ Never mind. We may get you a better.” I said “ What better?” He said “We may get you into the Legislative Council.” I said “ Hang it, you don’t call that better. Do you call putting a man who wishes for active political life into the hospital better ? ” He said “ Well, it is the best available now.” I said “ Yes, and of course I shall be very glad to get it, and thankful to you if you help me.” We travelled to Temuka by train together, and met often since and talked of it, but 1 have no recollection of ever having written to him. i may have done so. I oolysay I don’t recollect any letter to him. Here than the people can see that it was Mr Maslin himself who suggested the appointment to the Council, aud encouraged me to trust him and to confide in him. What has he done now ? He has violated my confidence, and abused the trust reposed in him by going on a public platform aud making use of my private telegrams and letters to him. I shall not employ the language which could properly characterise conduct so unmanly, but shall leave him to his constituents. I know that there is neither a men nor a woman possessed of any honorable feeling but will cry “ shame ” on such scandalous conduct. PEOPLE OP RANGIXATA. What has happened to me may happen me may happen to any of you. You can see now that if you write a private letter or send a private telegram to Mr Maslin he will hoard it up aud use it against you the first moment it suits him. You can see he cannot be trusted. What have 1 done to deserve this ? I simply criticised his speech, aud pointed out that it was moat damaging to the Government. That fact will show the people of Bangitata that they must be careful in dealing with Mr Maslin. What he has done to me he would do to any of them. As regards the Legislative Council 1 never tried to hide that I aspired to an appointment to it, but has the fact that I have been disappointed made me turn against the Ministry ? No. I am still left to direct attention to the tricky conduct of such shoddy Liberals as Mr Maslin. 1 am not a “ shent per shent ” Liberal; I do not care what others do, I do my duty. I am networking for Mr Seddon; 1 am working in a small humble way in the interest, of humanity, as I am desirous of contributing my humble mite to making this world better than I found it. I believe the Seddon Government the beat wo can get; they have done groat and grand work ; they have given this colony some of the most Liberal laws in the whole world, aud for those reasons I support them. What are the Seddon Government to me personally I Nothing. They have done absolutely nothing for me, and 1 don’t care for them only to the extent that I believe thorn the best we can find at present. I do not believe i that there is another man in public life iu New Zealand who would do what Mr Maslin has done, aud I do not believe there is a manly man or a womanly woman who will not look upon his conduct with a feeling of loathing. Doceutmindod, honorable people will not trust a man who cannot respect private confidence reposed iu him. 1 have to thank my stars that Mr Maslin has nothing disgraceful to say of me. Everyone knows 1 had hopes of the Logis lativo Council ; everyone knows I did nut, get it. 1 am not ashamed of this, and 1 do not care if the whole world knows it. Mr Maslin says that I told Mr Flatman aud himself that 1 would have my revenge on them. Now what 1 told Mr Maslin is this. I said : “ Sir Robert Stout told me he beard 1 was going for Raugitata next

election. If you hoar that know that 1 am not going for Rangitata.” Now after telling Mr Maslin that I would not oppose him, ho turns round and says I told him 1 would oppose either himself or Mr Whitman. This has been written hurriedly, and! may have to return to Mr Maslin again. Meantime let his constituents beware of writing private letters to him, as it is too risky a thing to do. J, M. Two.mky.

INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE.

Wellington, May 0. At the Fruit Conference a paper was road by Mr M. E. Manuel, Teviot, and was entitled “ Fruit Culture at Teviot, Otago” After a discussion Mr Manuel received a vote of thanks. The Intercolonial Fruit Conference resumed at 7 p. m. Mr L. J. Corrio (Queensland) read a paper ou the “ Cultivation of Citrus Fruits.” The “Cultivation of Citrus fruits in New Zealand,” was the title of another paper, the writer being Mr W. J. Palmer, New Zealand Government Pomologist. He pointed out that the climate and soil of the North of this island were well adapted to the cultivation of lemons, and ho gave some bints as to how the fruits should be handled when fit for removal from the trees.

A third paper was read by Mr W. S. Williams, of Victoria, and was entitled “ The Culture and Curing of Lemons.” The writer emphasised the necessity of placing trees in sheltered spots. He recommended that they should be sprayed with kerosene to eradicate insects. Lemons as good as those which came from Messina could be grown in Australasia, and he saw no reason why the colonies could not only supply all that was required south of the line, but send large quantities to Europe as well. Considerable discussion took place on the three papers. Mr Brabant, Bay of Plenty, said that the lemon was the most profitable fruit to cultivate, and that the soil of his district was well adapted for its cultivation. Mr Grubb, Auckland, maintained that oranges as good as those which came from the islands could be grown in the Auckland district. Mr Palmer asserted that New Zealand would never bo able to grow oranges equal to those produced in the South Sea Islands. The authors of the papers were accorded votes of thanks.

Separate papers on the cultivation of the vine in New Zealand were read by Messrs W. J. Palmer, Auckland, L. Hanlon, Wangarei, and W. Beetham, Master ton. In his paper Mr Palmer expressed the opinion that good grapes could be grown in the open, especially along the east coast of the North Island. He felt convinced that fruit-growing would become one of the principal industries of New Zealand. Mr Hanlon in his paper said that before long many parts of the colony between Central Otago and North of Auckland would become large producers of grapes, from which excellent wines could be made. The climate was not warm enough to enable strong alcoholic wines to be produced. He strongly condemned sophistication of wines. The premier vineyard of the colony was the Green Meadows. Taradale, near Napier. Ho strongly advocated the establishment by the Government of an experimental vineyard, believing that it would greatly tend to assist those engaged in viticulture in New Zealand. He deplored the prohibition by the Goverpment of the importation of vines and cuttings, and suggested that the Government should bring into the colony vines which were found to be absolutely free from disease. Mr Beetham believed that it would be found by- experiment that parts of New Zealand would prove equal to portions of the best wine-producing countries in Europe. No discussion took place and votes of thanks were passed to the authors of these papers.

At 10 p.m. the conference adjourned till 10 a.m. next day. May 7. The Intercolonial Fruit Conference resumed at 10 o’clock. Mr J. Williams (Victoria) road a paper on “ Profitable Fruits,” which dealt with the qualities best suited for market, export, packing and jam making. Ho stated that from an apple orchard of three acres in extent fruit valued at £BOO had been raised in a year. In the discussion that followed several delegates contended that the kinds suitable for one district were unsuitable for another. Mr Grubb (Auckland) said that apricots had been profitably raised iu the Thames Valley, five trees having yielded £37 yearly. Mr Carpenter (Christchurch) expressed surprise that the Royal George and Glondowniug species of peaches were not more generally cultivated. Mr Fowler|( Pemberton) was of opinion that small fruit was tho most profitable kind to cultivate. . Mr Beetham (Wairarapa) looked upon grapes as a profitable fruit both for table aud wine-making purposes, Mr Campbell (New South Wales) thought that the Black Hamburg grapes would be found moat suitable for cultivation iu New Zealand, especially in tho Auckland district. Mr Mackie (Auckland), advocated pears and Japanese plums as profitable fruits for cultivation. Oranges paid well in the North. Tho chairman expressed the opinion that there was a largo opening for tho prune industry in Now Zealand. Several other delegates spoke. In replying, Mr Williams said that iu order to dispose of overplus fruit, tho Victorian grower made it into pulp, which, when boiling, was scaled down. fie expressed dissatisfaction with Now Zealand peaches, and did not approve of tho Royal George as a profitable kind to grow.

Mr Williams was accorded a vote of thanks. 'lho Rev.E. H. Thompson (Tasmania) contributed a paper on “ Handling fruit in Tasmania.” Ho thought that the best fruit should be wrapped in paper and that the cases should also be prepared. Every additional handling depreciated the value of the fruit. As to cultivation, it is now recognised that every particular kind of tree must be treated on its merits. Mr W. E. Stoobridgo (Tasmania) forwarded a paper on “ Transit of fruit to Great Britain.” These two papers were discussed toe'ether, the discussion being interrupted by the luuchoou adjournment. The Conference resumed at SJ.3O p.m. Mr Ritchie (New Zealand Agricultural Department) suggested that a brick bnilding with hollow walls, ventilated with pipes and covered with thatch, wood, or iron, was suitable for cool storage of fruit. Mr Rlackmoro (Now Zealand Government Bomolugist) said that by attention to certain rules apples and pears could bo kept in good condition.- There must be uniform temperature of not more than u() dog. or 5o deg., and there should bo perfect stillness in the chamber, and an absence of light and draught.

The on .uio '.ii said that the principal thing w:., to keep draught away, otherwise" t would cause fruit to shrivel. Mr Missions (Chris.church) intimated that if the Government were willing to take clou go of an experimental shipment for England the Canterbury growers were willing to supply the fruit. Mi* Kitchiw said, ou bohalf of the Mimater of Agriculture, that he was almost sure that the Government would be willing to mule; take this. . ;

Mr Blaokmore said that if it was intended to make an experimental shipment at least 2000 cases should be provided. Votes of thanks were passed to the authors of the papers. Mr George tleilson (Victoiia) read paper on “ Foreign outlet for fruit, treating the subject from the standpoint of the Victuriau exporter. Mr A. Lorie (Teviot) read a paper on “ Go-operation in Marketing Fruit. Several delegates spoke, after which the authors received votes of thanks. _ Mr Hutton (Auckland) gave notice to move that the Governments of Australasia should, by legislation, prevent the introduction either on fruit or trees of fruit

posts. Mr Barker (Geraldine) gave notice to move that a ballot be taken of the twelve best varieties of apples and pears found most suitable for the various districts. At 5 p.m. the Conference adjourned till 7 p.nr On resuming Mr F. C. Smith (Sydney) submitted a paper cm “ Progress of Fruit-drying m South Australia.” 'J he writer stated that during the past few years fruit drying industry in that colony had made vast strides, and now provided a fair margin of profit. In the course of the discussion ou the paper, Mr Palmer (New Zealand Government pomologist) predicted a great future for the fruit industry in this colony. Mr Williams (Vicaoria) said that if he could get one penny per lb for his best peaches and apricots he would never go in for drying any more fruit. He also declared that the Mildura district alone could supply all the fresh fruit that was required in Victoria. Mr Beecroft (Auckland) said that there was practically no market for dried apples, and it was better to give the apples to pigs than to dry them. Other delegates said that there was evidently a poor outlook for New Zealand in fruit-drying lino. Mr Piper (Nelson) suggested that there was an opening in the fruit-canning industry. Mr Currie (Auckland) pointed out that in West Australia, where almost every brand was on the market, Auckland evaporated fruit and vegetables were in groat demand. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Smith for his paper. Mr Lorie (Dunedin) gave notice to move—“ That, in the opinion of this conference, fruit-drying is not sufficiently remunerative to warrant people settling on the laud with a view to deriving a living from it.” At ten o’clock the conference adjourned • till 10 a.m. next day.

THE FRUIT SHOW. The intercolonial fruit show, which opened to-day, partook more of an exhibition of New Zealand fruit than of a competitive character. The exhibits were divided into North Island and South Island sections. Messrs Hanlon and Palmer (Auckland), and Messrs Mayo Bros. (Palmerston North) had a fine collection of apples, pears, etc. Mr Williamson (Patea), Mr Beecroft (Port Albert), and Mr Gapes (Wellington) sent exhibits of fruit suitable for export. The growers in each province in the South Island had combined and made a united exhibit of various kinds of fruit. Some fine specimens of grapes were sent by the North Island and South island growers, and there were also several exhibits of wines, preserved and evaporated fruit, and horticultural appliances. The principal awards at the fruit show were:—Best desert fruit, North Island, Mr Palmer I, Government pomologist’s collection 2; South Island, Canterbury exhibit 1, Otago 2. The principal awards in apples were all taken by Canterbury, and in pears by Corrie and Morrison. The Department of Agriculture secured an award for a collection of dried fruit, and the Wanganui Fruit Drying Company for dried vegetables. Grapes, under glass, Palmer, North Island, 1, Canterbury 2, Grapes, open air, Dawson, Clyde, 1, and Southland collection commended.