MR. ORMOND AT NAPIER. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7964, 7 September 1887, Page 2

MR. ORMOND AT NAPIER. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ]

Mr. Ormond addressed the electors at Napier on Tuesday night. He severely criticised the Government, and said the Ministers were not entitled to the support of the people. He sketched a history of the last session, and he considered the plain duty of the Government was to have brought down the taxation proposals and gone to the country on them. The re-fusal-of the Government to carry out the taxation promises was the reason of his secession from the Government ranks. As to retrenchment, he saw there was no real desire on the part of the Government to reduce the expenditure until they came before the country. He considered the salary and allowances to the Government might be reduced, along with the honorarium to members and Ministers, 1 emoluments. The Native Department would almost certainly be abolished by the new Parliament. Great reduotions could be made in the eduoation vote without impairing the system. He was in favor of giving aid, according to results, to Roman Catholics in large centres, but he denied that-the Opposition had any wish to injure education. In all, he thought a quarter of a million could easily be retrenched. He would not objeot to promote a land tax if a majority could be obtained in Parliament for it. Borrowing could not be stopped at present. He differed absolutely from the Government system of settling land, which was a series of fads. He was not averse to village settlements, but WdS opposed to the manner in which Government was carrying them out. He coni eluded by reminding the electors present that the fight was on the questions of additional taxation and the settlement of the land. A large number of questions were asked, and a vote of confidence was carried. The meeting lasted till nearly 11.30.