ELECTION ADDRESS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8925, 5 November 1890, Page 2

ELECTION ADDRESS.

. *_ MR E. M. SMITH AT ALEXANDRA HALL. One of the largest audiences ever seen in New Plymouth assembled in the Alexandra Hall on Tuesday night to hear Mr E. M. Smith deliver his political address. There raaet have been fully one thousand persons in the hall, a fair proportion being ladies, j His Worship the Mayob, who acted as j chairman, introduced the candidate in a few appropriate remarks, bespeaking for him a fair nearing. Mr Smith, who was received with applause, referred briefly to his political opponents. He made a few remarks concerning Mr R. C. Hughes. He also referred to his other political opponent, Mr Elliot, with whom he had always been friendly, and with whom he had travelled in many parts of the district. He did not intend to fall out with that gentleman, but in a political warfare like the present he had to show them that he was a better man than he to represent them in Parliament, and he was going to show them where his superiority came in. (Applause and laughter.) There was another gentleman — James Kenyon — who had como out with a desire to represent the district — so he saw by an address in one of the newspapers—but he had learned on enquiry that it was only a bit of fun, which he enjo3-ed as much aB anyone. He had seen Mr Kenyon, who had given him his assurance that he would not" contest the election, and who stated that he intended to give his vote to him. (Applause.) The words — Satire should, tik& a, polished razor keen, Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen, could appropriately be used with respect to Mr Kenyon's address. (Great applause.) Mr Elliot had stated a point in his favor — that he was born in Taranaki; but he (the speaker) was born in Old England. Vol taire had expressed the Avish that if he could be born again ho would like to be born in England; but it was not so with | him, as he would like to born in tho land [ of his adoption; and although he could not lay claim to Taranaki as his birthplace, yet there were fourteen of his progeny who | could. (Loud applause.) They had met together to hear him on the question of how the interests of this district and the colony as a whole could be best advanced ; and the first question he would touch on in his address would be THE PROPERTY TAX, which he had touched on in his manifesto, and copies of which had been eagerly sought after by the electors of this district. The j Property Tax was a monster, which was killing industry, and arresting the progress of the country by frightening away capital. Such a tax amounted, in short, to confiscation. If he was returned to Parliament ho would do his best-to remove the tax. [The speaker then gave illustrations showing how industry had been crippled by the tax, and how persons had been deterred from investing capital in the co'ony.] As money was needed to carry on the Government of the colony, there would havo to be some substitution for the tax if it was abolished, and he would, therefore, propose a land and income tax in lieu of the Property .Tax. He would be in favor of an income tax on all salaries over £200— he would not grumble at such a tax if he was drawing such a salary. He alpo advocated a tax on the raw and unimproved land, as it was monstrous to tax a man's industry in the shape of improvements. Some said that such a tax would be injurious to the farmer, but he could not see it. He was going to be the farmer's friend, and he would not advocate anything that would be unjust to them. A tax of 3d per acre on unimproved land, 2d on grass land, and .Id on land under crop, wauld, he considered,- be a fair and equitable mode of taxation. All he wished to do was to catch the land sharks and j land grabbers, and make them pay for the land they held.* (Applause.) With respect to his LAND POLICr, he stated that he had always advocated persons dealing in land on the cash, deferred payment, and perpetual lease systems. The land laws, he considered, \vere liberal. He would prevent dummyism in the sale of Crown lands, and encourage bma fid*, settlement by every means. (Applause). He did not want to s°e all the lands gobbled up by rich men, but desired to see the 1 ' millions of acres that still remained untouched to the north and east of this district occupied by an indußtrious population. When he read the history of the countries in the old world, he could see how applicable were the words of Oliver Goldsmith — 111 fares the land, Where wealth accumulates and men decay; Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, A breath can make them, Aa a breath has made ; But a bold peasantry, a country's pride, | W hen once destroyed can never be supplied. These words, he hoped, would never be applicable to this colony. (Great applause). NATIVE LANDS, he thought, should ; not be hampered by so many restrictions a* at present. He was of opinion that the Government should buy the surplus lands of the Maoris, as the latter wished, and if the Government had not the money to do so, then the Maoris bhould be allowed to deal with private persons. It he was returned as their representative — which he had no doubt about — he would advocate dealing like this in native lands. (Applause). He would like to see people come in to the country and settle on the land, and not cave the country, as they did last year, to the number of 11,000, who went out of the back door, and the Government winking at it. He desired to keep all the people in the country, and if Imb views were followed out this district would be as thickly populated as New Zealand was at present, viz, by 600,000 people. (Applause). PROTECTION. He was a protectionist, but not a rabid one ; he called himself a fair trader. Tin? customs were now nicely arranged, and he would not like to sea any further increases. It was stated that tho customs was the only way to catch the natives, tax luxury, ana foster and encourage local industry. The speaker then referred to tho last named point, and said that it was through his exertions some years ago that bonuses were offorcd by tho Government for the promotion and encouragomont of local industries. Ho now saw that the Government had revived this system, and it was proposed to offer bonuses to the oxtent of £20,000. [At this stage an individual named E. Marshall caused some diversion by his entrance into the hall. He was at once accommodated with a chair by the speaker] Such a proposal, he continued was sure to materially aid him when he wont to England to; float a big company to work the mineral wealth of this district. (Applause). THE EDUCATION VOTE, he thought, could be largely reduced, and he would use his , best endeavors in that direction if returned. He had hoard candidates state that they were in favour of economy, and they went to the House, but still no economy was effected. They could rest assured that he would leave no stone unturned to, effect every possible economy. He believed in free, Becular, and compulsory education up to the 4th standard, and then the State had done its duty to a child. If persons wanted education above that standard then they sliould pay for it. Ho would make high' class educational institutions eelf supporting ; iogl got a biirder} oo the Stye *i they

were at the present time. Ho advocated the instituting of night schools, for boys who were compelled to leave school early to go to work. He -was death against denominational education, and would not vote therefore for any particular sect. If returned, he would do his best to effect a reduction in the vote for education. PARTY GOVERNMENT. The next item on his programme was the nightmare — party government. (Laughter and applause). It was a monster as bad as the property tax. He believed in it, provided men were honest and patriotic, but what he could see of it as practised in New Zealand, was that it was used by men to gain their own ends. The parliament of the colony cost £40,000 or £50,000 a year, yet the way it was carried on through party Government was a disgrace on this 19th century. The speaker then sketched the tactics pursued by parties in the House, and said that the Opposition, waiting for the Government's Policy Bill were like dogs in a cage. They could see how Friendly Societies and companies were managed with success, and it was just as easy to have a Parliament on the same lines. He would prefer this being a Crown colony with a Dictator, than continue on with the form of party Government as practised in New Zealand. He felt the sentiment conveyed in the words — Arise, thou champion of the public good; In me embrace a young aspiring blood; What may we not obtain in euch a cause ? Not barren glory, not the crowd's applause, Not party praise alone — a gaudy flower — But solid pelf conjoined with solid power. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Lord Hartington had stated that all the House of Lords had done was to preserve the game laws, and that lord had ridiculed the work of that House. In the Upper House in New Zealand there was a good deal to ridicule at, and he was one who would go in for re-modelling it. He would be in favor of making the term three times that of the Lower House, so that there would be a limit to the time that members occupied scats. He considered that some of the present members were no good, and gave instances. On tho other hand there were some good members, whose namos he mentioned. He would like to see a lot of the fossils in this House filed — (laughter and applauso)--and handed over to the Colonial Museum. If returned ho would strongly support a measure ' to re -model the Upper House. RAILWAYS. This brought him to the important question of railways. Ho eulogised tho appointment of the Commissioners, and said that it was already evident that the railways were better managed by this non-political board than they were before. (Applaune.) The Commissioners were three good men, and he knew one of them— Mr Maxwell — personally, because he had done a deal of business with him. Should the electors send him down to the House, Mr Maxwell would see more of him, for he would press tho requirements of this district before him. He would sec why they should have a crooked bridge in Liardet-street — (laughter and applause) — why the station of the principal town of the province should bo lit with kerosene when gas was so cheap and handy, and why the Moiieystreet goods' shed was not shifted to a Bite more convenient to the public. (Applause.) In fact, ho would like to see to see goods' sheds from the breakwater into town, and when tho industries of the district were properly taken in hand such a sight would be seen. (Applause.) He then referred to the stonework lately put down before the railway station to stop the encroachment of the sea, and pointed out that by bridging the Huatoki a better railway site could " be obtained which would be far more commodious and convenient than the one now in use. (Applause.) The speaker then condemned the system of sending Homo for men, when some position in the colony had to be filled. He believed that the men in the colony should get a chance to fill these positions, for there were men here who were competent to do so. If they wanted an Inspector of Lunatics they sent Home for one (applause), and when they did get men from the Old Country they did not get handsome ones. (Laughter and applause.) He would like to see the harbors of New Zealand national property as well as the railways, but until the big Harbor Boards — such as Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin — got into the same muddle as we were in they could not hope for such a thing. There were still railways that he would like to see made, and he would show later on how money could be raised, without borrowing to carry these out He did not believe in the wild, extravagant borrowing policy of the past, but he believed that some effort should be made to open up their mineral country for the march of industry and settlement. How to effect this without further borrowing he intended to show them. MANAWATU RAILWAY. Quite recently, in Wellington, Mr T. K. Macdonald, an old friend of his, had been speaking. Mr Macdonald was trying to got into the House, and so was he (laughter and applause), and he hoped he would have the pleasure of meeting his friend in the House. (Applause). Mr Macdonald had shown in a speech how the Manawatu Company had prospered, and gave figures to bear him out. It was not long ago, however, that the New Zealand Times in an article also referred to tho prosperity of the company, but deplored tho fact that the profit, which should go to the shareholders, was oaten up by the property Ux and other Government charges. Now, ho would advocate the Government taking over this line. The shareholders ■ were paying tho bondholders 6 per oont., he believed, for the money, and he understood that 3 per cent, was the interest on Government consolidated loans. It would be easy for tho Government to buy this railway, consolidate the loan, and thus get a cheap rate of interest. Not only would the Government be securing a bargain, but they would be doing an act of justice to the shareholders, who were so heavily hit through Government taxes. They wanted more railways in this district, but he did not know when they were going to get them ; if they waited for tho Government they would havo to wait a long time, and he therefore intended to show thorn how it could bo done. (Applause). THE HARBOR QUESTION was one of considerable importance to the district. They had a harbor which had cost between £200,000 and £300,000, and it was not yet completed. The settlers were taxed for it by a harbor rate, and a heavy one it was too. It was his intention to show them how they could take this tax off. Mr Elliot had told thorn that he was in favor of removing the ra'e, but he did not tell them how ho was g ing to do it. He asked the electors not to give their vote to Mr Elliot, to wield a crowbar with which to rip up tho blocks of the breakwater, so to speak, when he got in. (laughter and appJause). He asked them to vote for him, and ho would see that the harbor matters wero put right. The speaker then referred to the Government helping the Greymouth and Westport Harbor Boards out of their I difficulty, and also to the development of j the coal industry near these ports. He gave figures to show the money that had been spoilt on these works, and the aid given by the Government, who oven bougLt a dredger for £16,000 for the Westport harbor, at a time, when parts of the colony were bowling mad because the Government had adv»;w4 £g,OQQ to (hi Kew Plymouth

Harbor Board, so as the floating of the Government conversion loan in London would not be damaged by the Harbor Board's default. Now if tho Government had helped these boards, he was of opinion that they should help our board tho same way, because there were vast deposits of coal in this district that should be worked. Private enterprise and the Government aid had started to work the coal deposits at the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, and Dimedin, then why should the Government not help this district to develop their coal industry. He considered that this district had been hoodwinked, because he was not in the House. (Applause). Let them put him in and he would show them how he would work for the good of this district. (Renewed applause). Mr Smith then referred to the Harbor Board and prison labcr, and held that when the Board had prison labor recently they should hay kept it, and not given it up .in the way they had done. He touched on the question of the plan for the harbor drawn by Mr F. A. Carrington, which he had advacated years ago — (applause) — and added that if this plan bad been carried out they would have had a harbor free from sand difficulties. There was coal in the Mokau district, which would last, it had been estimated, this colony and the neighboring colonies for the next 300 years, and if Mr Richmond was present he could give figures showing the estimate . of coal that lay in the 5,000 acre lease held by the Mokau. Coal Company, Of which he was a member. The speaker hero showed the coal bearing country on a large map, and pointed out how a railway from Sentry Hiir through the Tikorangi district would tap this district in a distance of 25 miles. He explained that coal could be found much nearer Waitara if a boring plant was brought into use. , Not only was this back country iuinoral«producing, but there were other parts of it that could not bo surpassed for settlement. He would like his hearers to read an account of this country in the Budget of last week, given by a surveyor who had been over it. That account would show them that there was an exten sive area of capital country awaiting settlement still in this district. He referred to the limestone at tho Mokau, and said that when farmers could get this at sixpence per bushel they would be able to grow wheat which would make flour of the color of best Canterbury. There were othor rich mineral deposits in the district, and to work these the Government should aid them like they had aided other parts of the colony. It was his intention, if returned, to advocate the making of the line ho had indicated. CIVIL SERVICE. He was in favor of the Civil Service Classification Bill, which would give promotion on merit, when required, and would do away with the system of appointment through political influence. He would support such a bill if returned. FEDERATION was a question which was surrounded by a good deal of difficulty, but after he had been in the House a few sessions he would give his views at length. (Laughter and applause.) CAPITAL AND LABOB. This was a question which had caused a good deal of stir lately, on account of tho strikes. He did not like to see the two falling out as they could not well get on without each other. He wo aid do his best to re-marry capital and labor if returned to the House. I He believed in Unionism where it was I need to protect tho men's interests, and redress their grievances, but he could not sympathise with the actioD of some in the late strike. He did not believe that legislation should take place on tho question of capital and labor, but considered that they would do bettor if left to themselves. He considered the system, of deciding by majority in Unions, was tho best way, and thought that courts of Arbitiation could be established to settle certain points in all such disputes. INDUSTRIES were o£ vital importance to this colony, as,' by their development the burdens of taxation would be decreased. Industries meant population and wealth to tho country, aud if he was returned he would not flag in I the great work of pushing on the development of our resources. He pointed out that the -new railway carriages were made in the colony, that the woodwork was of New Zealand timber, but the iron was all imported. Now, this was a matter to be j deplored, for if they had the iron works here they could turn out such work in the colony. (Applause). When he went to London to float his big company, he would show them that there was wealth in the sea beach of this coast. (Applause). In dustries were everything to a country, and he could not do better than quote some appropriate poetry. (Great applause). Mr Smith then quoted — O'er the forge's heat and ashes, O'er the engine's iron head, Where the rapid shuttle flashes, And the spindle whirls its thread, There is labor lowly tending Each requirement of the hour, There is genius still extending, Science and the world of power. Amidst the dust, the speed and clamour Of the loom shed and the mill, Amidst the clink of wheel and hammer, Great results are growing still. Though too oft by fashion creatures Work and workers may bo blamed ; Commerce need not bide its features, Or Industry bo ashamed. What is noble ? That which places truth onfranchis'd will, Leaving steps like angels' traces That mankind may follow still. In those scorns malignant glances Proves him poorest of his clan ; Ho i 8 noble who advances Freedom and the cause of man. THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. After the applause had subsided over Mr Smith's recitation, ho referred short y to the temperance questions, bis views on which were embodied in his manifesto. CONCLUSION. In concluding his speech he informed the meeting that he was prepared to answer any question which had reference to i political or public subjects. If any lady asked him a question he would answer her. (Applause). Before he concluded he would like to say a few words about Mr Elliot. Now he liked a man to bo conBiatont, aud to say what was correct. He did not wish to be personal — (laughtor) — but Mr Elliot tried to make out at liis meeting things which were not correct. Mr Elliot had stated that when he went into the County Council as chairman things weie very bad, and when he left they had improved. Mr Elliot stated tho overdraft was only £1700 when he loft, whereat), according to tho balance-sheet, which ho hold in his hand, the overdraft was £25*00 a month after Mr Elliot vacated tlie chair. Mr Elliot also took great credit for tho extension of roads in the County. Colonel Trimble, ho believed, was going to j give Mr Elliot fits over this. (Laughter.) Mr Elliot did not tell the meeting how Colonel Trimble worked when in tho House to gut road extension in Taranaki, but " noblo John " took the credit and put in his schedule. (Laughter and applause.) Mr Elliot did not tell them that he got £200 a year as chairman. Mr Elliot said ho had a down on the harbour rate, yet only the other month he got a resolution passed at the County Council meeting to embody in a bill so aB to borrow money without the ratepayers' consent. This did not look coneißlopt, He then referred to tho hut that the lawyers wero

running a candidate against him because they were afraid he would support tho Law Practitioners' Bill. He would like to see lawyers out of the House, and " bush lawyers " too, because one class was .as bad as the other. He asked thorn to return him as their representative — it would be one of the grandest things that ever happened to tho colony. (Laughter and applause.) Look what a grand advertisement it would bo for the colony when he went homo to float his Company. He could say at one time he was lighting lamps and watering streets in New Plymouth, now ho was an M.H.R. This would show how a man could rise in this colony. (Laughter and applause.) Abe Lincoln rose from the ranks; and although perhaps he was not Abe Lincoln, yet he was lit le " E.M." (Renewed applaue ) and anpluuse.) Mr Smith then referred to his endeavors in the past to push forward tho interests of Taranaki in the way of promoting companies to work our industries. It had been urged that if he was returned he would do something that would get him turned out of the House in a fortnight. All he could say to this was that if ho ever did anything which the electors thought was not proper then they could call a public meeting and ask him to resign, which request he would accede to at once. (Applause). In conclusion, he would say — Hoist the Liberal bauner high, On to victory grand, All other candidates' crews defy, And vote for Ironsand." QUESTIONS. Mr E. Marshall : Are you, Mr Smith, in favor of long beers being reduced to 4d if you go down ? Mr Smith : Judging by your question, old fellow, one would be under the impression that you wanted to swim in it. [Applause und laughtor, and crios of "go it Ed'ard!" and counter cries of " Don't answer him Smith !" " Sling him out !" " Sit down Marshall !"] Mr Smith said he was quite willing to answer the questions. Mr Marshall was one of his supporters, and intended to give him his vote, which was worth as much as the man who had £10,000. They must remembor the one man one vote system. Mr Marshall again rose and said] " Are you in favor of having pubs open for one hour on Sunday — jußt one hour before church ?" A demonstrat'on was hero made against the questioner, and crios of " Chuck him out " wore heard. Mr Marshall stated that the systoui was in vogue in other places. Mr Smith : Where V Mr Marshall : Most places. Mr Smith : Look here, I would advise you to get a keg of liquor in on Saturday night, and then you can lie down and sleep alongside it all Sunda}. (Great applause and laughter.) Mr Marshall here handed in some questions on paper, which Mr Smith put in his pocket, and said he would peruse later on, as he recognised the handwriting. Mr Elliot wanted to know if Mr Smith meant to say that his statement about the Taranaki County finance was untrue. Mr Smith said if Mr Elliot liked he would wait till the ladies went, and then discuss the question at length with Mr Elliot. (Applause). A month after Mr Elliot had left the Council as chairman, the overdraft stood at £2,500, and the extension of roads waß due to CoL Trimble, and not Mr Elliot. Mr Elliot : That ia no. answer to my question. Mr Smith said it was easily explained, as instead of renewing the contracts at once in January they wero put back to the end of the financial year, so as a good statement could bo shown. Did Mr Elliot consider him such a numbskull as not to see through it ? He had the statement on tho best authority that the overdraft was £2500 a month after the chair was vacated by Mr Elliot. Mr Elliot again rose, but what he said could not be caught on acconnt of the cries of " Give him a crowbar J" " Order !" " Sit down," etc. Mr Smith referred to the inclusion of the Awakino in this district, which he considered was only done to checkmate him. Mr Martin Petrie, who was in full evening costume, rose from a front seat, and wanted to ask Mr Elliot a question about " the oath and the chained wheel," which Mr Petrie assured the audience would show what a man Mr Elliot was. There was a perfect babel of voices at this juncture, and when quiet was restored the Chairman informed Mr Petrie that ho could not ask Mr Elliot questions. Mr Smith informed Mr Elliot that he would pay him out ; he would just attend a couple of his meetiugs and give him " some sneezers" he would not get over in a hurry. (Laughter and applause.) Mr Sorensen wanted to know where Mr Smith was going to get money to build the Mokau railwdy V Mr Smith gave a long account, which was in effect that a company should be raised to work the natural products of this district, and then the railway would be built. Mr R. Snell (from the gallery) : Are you a freetrader or a protectionist, Mr Smith ? Mr Smith : The Lord protect me from such men as you (Tremendous applause and laughter ) In answer to another question Mr Smith said he would suppress dummyism oven if he had to go to the Awakino. Mr Snell : Do you believe ia every man paying his just debts ? Mr Smith : Yos, I do ; but I don't believe in a man paying what he does not owe. Mr Corkill : What would you soil out your show in the election for ? Mr Smith replied, that he would not sell out at all. He had boon offered one bribe of £100, but he had refused it with scorn. (Applause). Mr Snell here attempted to speak, but evorytime he raised his voice, it would be drowned in groans from the gallery. Such fragments could be heard as " This is a public meeting." (Heavy groans). "Mr Smith is I say." (More groans, and shouts of " Shut up Bobby.") This stonewall was kept -up between Mr Snell, and his Opponeuts for fully 15 minutes, and it is difficult to tell how it would have ended, if Mr Snell had not been requested to step down to near the stage. Blr Smith then read the remarks of Mr Snell, when that gentleman nominated him at the last election, and eiid that ought to put the set on Mr Snell. [The extract was received with a great demonstration]. Someone here knocked Mr Snell over among a lot of ladies, and then Constable Roche led Mr Snell downstairs. Mr Snell came down and mounted the stage, apparently to make a speech, but the chairman stopped him, aud requested him to ask questions. In.answer to Mr Snell, the speaker said he was in favor of preventing brewers having interests in hotels ; was in favor of analysis of liquor, which lie believed was done now ; was in favor of a progressive property and income tax ; and believed in, children being compelled to attend schools; and ho believed in the colony meeting its just engagements, both as regards local as well as Government loans. A Voice : Who wrote the questions ? Another Voice: Bobby Hughes. ' Mr Snell : I did, if you want to know. There was quite a hubbub here, and after its subsidence Mr Snell said ; Were you ever a judge at a horse race ? Mr Smith ; I don't kuow about being a judge at a lions uw, but I %m ft pretty

good judge of an ass. (Continued laughter and applause). - Mr Smith, in continuing, said he had associated with all classes of men in his lifetime, but none, compared with Mr Snell, who wrote to a local paper a letter, in which he referred to an Archimedean lever being unable to lift him one inch out of boll in 1000 years. The letter, ho said, depicted the character of tho man. (Applause). The chairman called for further questions when Mr Snell rose and said, " Ibegto pro- j pose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Smith for his agreeable entertainment." _ The proposition was seconded by someone at the back. Mr Clark proposed as an amendment, " That a hearty vote of thanks be passed to Mr Smith for his address." Seconded by Mr Sobbensen, and carried nem con. The original motion was therefore lost. The usual compliment to the chair brought tho meeting to a close at about a quarter to 11 o'clock.