SIR WILLIAM POX AT WAVERLEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1480, 19 June 1879, Page 3

SIR WILLIAM POX AT WAVERLEY.

(Weekly Chronicle, June 7.) We avail ourselves of Mr Fox's addressing his constituents at Waverley, to reproduce more precisely than before some of the leading points of his speeches, giving as nearly as we can his exact words, but omitting some of the discursive and general remarks, by which the various heads were connected or illustrated. 7IHANOB OP LIST BBSSIOH. 1. The Government financial changes consisted m the imposition of a Land Tax, and

the removal of a few Customs Duties. In proposing the first, the Colonial Treasurer found itnecesary to divest it of the character of vindictiveness. which, on accoun 1 - of Sir George Grey's hatred of the landi-d inti-re-'t, was supposed to a'tach to it, and he did this by proposing two tuxes on other species of properly : notably on beer, and on the Incrnies of Jo nt Slock Companies. The Government told the house that it must treat the three tazeß as one, " and that it would stand or fall upon the question." When, however, it was defeated on the second reading of the Beer Bill, it pusillanimously abandoned it and the Companies Tax, but failed to fulfil its pledge to stand or fall by the three, and not to take the Land Tax without the others. Mr Ballance had afterwards the assurance to deny this, but reference to Haneard proves that both he and his colleagues had pledged themselves to do bo, and I hat their more devoted followers, such as Mr Bryce and Mr Pyke, bad only voted for the Land lax on that assurance, and they upbraided the Government, m no measured terms, for their utter want of truth and honesty m the matter. Sir William read the following extracts from the speeches of the members named m proof of what he stated ; — Mr Ballance, on the second reading of the Land Tax Bill: — Now, reviewing our proposals generally, I would cay that honorable members must look at them as a whole. You must look upon them as a fiscal whole— that is to say, as the policy of the Government. The custom has been for many years past m England to embody the whole of the changes proposed m a Financial Statement m one Bill. We did not do so on the present occasion, because, m order to make our proposals clear, we thought it better to place them m separate measures. Perhaps, looking at the course of the debate, it would have been better if all the proposals had been embodied m one measure; but I would call tho attention of honorable members to the fact that all our proposals are intimately connected with each other. If you strike off £30,000 m one place you must make it up m another. Ido not think it necessary to go into all the different points which have been touched upon m the debate, as I think the case of the Government is sufficiently strong without going into it any further. I accept the division which has taken place as a test of the principle ; bnt I hope that honorable gontlen.en will not consider that, having voted for the second reading, they are at liberty to emasculate our measures m Commit lee. That is a cardinal point, and I think it is a print on which lion >rable members should etjnd before the country m their true colors and not put themselves m a false light towards the people of, this country, who, after all, will be the ultimate judges of the justice or injustice of our proposals. Mr Stout on the same : — Notwithstanding that some of our fiiends m the House, for whom we have an entire respect, and who generally think with us, are opposed to us, we hare made up our minds as to these measures, and by these measures we will stand or fall. Mr Bryce on the Beer Bill withdrawal : — I am very glad that, through a misconception, I was not allowed to speak when I first, rose, as I should very likely have expressed tho astonishment that Ifeltathearingtheannouncement of the Premier, m terms which I should most likely have regretted. I say, now, that bit statement gave me the utmost astonishment. I could not have believed that he himself was capable of taking the course which the Government have determined to take. Why, ■Sir, I appeal to the recollection of honorable members if they have not been assured again and again that the Government looked upon theßo three measures as a whole. They have given such an assurance ; and are we to have our respect for the word of Ministers given m that manner altogether destroyed ? I think that Borne regard for truth and honor ought to have prevented the Government abandoning these measures after having adopted the line of conduct they did. I confer that I am at a great loas for appropriate words to exprees my sentiments upon the subject; but I have felt the greatest degree of astonishment at tho announcement which the Premier has made. If he had made this announcement after having succeeded m obtaining a majority on the question I should have been astonished ; but my astonishment has been enormously increased by the recollection that the Government were defeated last night by a majority of two, aud it is m view of that defeat they now withdraw tho measure. I shall say no more. What ore we to depend upon if we are not to depend upon the solemn declaration of Ministers that these Bills, including the Land Tax Bill, were to be regarded as essential parts of their pol'uy. If we are not to depend upon the assurance of Ministers that they would stand or fall by these measures, I should like to know what we can depend upon. Mr Pyke, a most devoted follower of the Government, said : — The only complaint comes from the brewing interest ; and I should be sorry if this House was so debased as to give way on a portion of the financial policy on which the Colonial Treasurer has told us he would stand or fall because the brewers and publicans objected to it. No man will accuße me of boing anything but a thick-aud-lhin supporter of the preseut Government ; but 1 say that the Government have committed a great fault m this ; that they have treated their followers as though they were merely to obey orders without being consulted at all. After that, the only course for tho Government to follow will be to paBB their estimates as quickly as they may, and, having secured supplies, let them get the House prorogued, and then, during the recess, prepare measures for next session more m accordance with the wishes of the House and tho country than those (hey have introduced this year. It is clear that to bring forward any new measure of finance this session would be an absolute failure. Having at heart the honor of the Government, and being jealous of it, I ask them, distinctly and positively, not to attempt to bring forward any new financial measures this eeseion. They have suffered already, as much degradation as any Ministry could suffer m one session, and I would seriously ask them not to bring more of it on their heads. I feel that I have been injured. lam prepared to follow my leeder through shot and shell ' into the mouth of hell," if he will be but bold, and have the courage of his opinions. I am willing to go through that, and put up with any trouble and surmount any difficulty if my leader be but bold; but I am not prepared, and never have been and never shall be propured to follow leaders who havo not the courage -to carry out that which they have declared they wou'd stand by. That is the fault which the present Government have committed m connection with this Bill — that, without even consulting their supporters, they have retreated from the fight m the most ignominious manner. In future, when the Government come down with any measure to the House, and tell us they are prepsred to stand or fall by -it, I shall feel a doubt as to whether they mean what they say. That feeling will never be eradicated from my mind, and I am not singular m this respect. The country is m a state of trouble, not knowing whom to trust or where to look for honesty of measures and of political conduct. These extracts prove beyond all doubt, that the Government only got the Land Tax Bill through by giving pledges, which it broke as soon as it had done so, m defiance, as its own supporters told it, of honor and truth. And now that they have got it passed, the heavenborn Treasurer, Mr Ballanoe, cannot collect it. Never whs there such a bungling piece of administration! as bis Land Tax papers, which have been hawked about the country for so many months, as so great an expense ; and it now appears pretty certain that not a shilling of the Tax will be collected m the present financial year. There is every probability that the Treasurer will meet Parliament with a deficiency of thtee-quarters of a million. He estimated £400,000 (o be received from the Waimate Plains. Thanks to the blunderirjg of his colleague, the Native Minister, not a shilling of that will come m. Then the general Land Revenue will probably be short by a quarter of a million, and, as already stated, not a shilling during thii financial year from the Land Tax. What could the colony expect from a Treasurer who had neither experience nor genial t H» bad bees called m a South-

era pap*r, " The Hobble-cie-hoy Minister." The phrase well described him. Without any previous experience of finance, without a particle of originality of mind, be is incapable of devising the means of extricating the colony from any financial emergency, such ai seems to be pending. Doubtlesß we ehall have more Land Tax, which seems to be his only finance. Could anything be more unstate?manlike than his abandonment of £100,000 of Customs Dutie*, easily collected, of which nobody complained, m favor of a Land Tax, uncertain m amount, anil which so far ho has failed lo collect, and which it would cost an enormous percentage to collect ? It was a piece of political clap-trap, to carry out Sir George Grey's promise of a free breakfast table, and a spoonful extra of sugar for his poor little starveling babes, who were being deprived of the necessarie a of life by cruel Canterbury landowners. He (Sir W. Fox) had asked any number of people of all classes if they got their breakfast any cheaper than before; they all answered " No ;" if anybody gets any benefit it is the storekeeper and merchant. He was bound to tell his constituents that he feared the prospect of tne finance of the coming session was one of an extremely gloomy character. HATITB AJFAIB9. When the Nativo War terminated, Sir Donald McLean's policy was to let the King party alone. They had retired into the lastncßsei of their own country, and for a number of years showed no intentions of hostility to us. His belief wa», that time would reunite them to us, and that they would gradually resume frienc'ly intercourse. This policy was substantially continued after his death by Major Atkinson's Government, and was entirely successful. There was no dissatisfaction among the natives anywhere, except a little on the subject of tho Land Courts, which had been chiefly Btirred up by the Repudiation office m Hawke's Bay. Grey no sooner got into office, than he resorted to bis old practice, which he bad found so profitable all through his career, of making political capital out of the natives. Forcing himself upon the King party, he offered them Royal independence, vast tracts of land, life annuities of large amount, and nothing to be given m return, except to favor us by riding m our railway carriages, and perhaps lunching at Government-house. This had been done at a fearful expeiue to the country, but the nativeß Bcouted his offer*, and treated him with contempt. Never before m tbe history of the colony, had any Gorernment been so dragged through the dirt us had Sir George Grey and the Nalivo Minister, m their late interviews with Tawhiao and To Whiti. " New Zealand belongs to me," said Tawhiao, " I will hnve none of Grey's doings. There he tits," pointing at him with scornful finger. " You are a thief," shouted Te Whiti to Sheehan. " You have tried to steal my land. Hiroki (the murderer), has served you right," and m both cases the crestfallen Minister bad to retreat brow-beaten and discomfited. Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan h»d acted m defiance of the first principles which should guide our intercourse with the natives. To make overtures to a beaten enemy was the certain way amongst natives to encourage them to stand out and make exorbitant demands. This was what Bir George Grey did m Mb attempts on the King party. Mr Sheehan, with strange inconsistency, did exactly the reverse ; he attempted to " bounce " a big chief on a land question ; a proceeding which has never yet, and never will succeed. But mark the inconsistency. They criwled into the presence of Tawniai on all fours, uninvited guests, and meekly sat m the presence of murderers : and they shake their fislß m Te Whiti's face, and demand the immediate surrender of Hiroki ! Of course such absurd folly has produced its natural fruits, aud what they are, the exhibitions at Kopua, aud what is now going on at Tsranaki sufficiently prove. Where is the boast that .Peace is at last made? Where is the railway from Taranaki tJ Auckland, over the lands of the King party ? Where is the grand territory which Kewi was going to assist us to colonise? Where is the acceptance by that chief of a seat m the Legislative Council ? Where aro all tie other benefits that were to flow fiom Sir George Gre;'s exhibition of himßelf aB the great Maori tamer, and Mr Sheehan's us the " voice crying m the wilderness ?" Another matter relating to native affairs waß the Native Land Court Act. When Sir George Grey was m opposition t'oia was one of his principal points of attack, and it was on this subject that Mr Ballance moved his reeolution, which was the first hint of his coming apost&cy from the Atkinson Government. The Act of 1873 was denounced m the strongest terms ; ouo of its greatest defects, urged by Mr Ballunce, wa9 the existence of political judges m the Court ; it was utterly unworkable ; not a day should be lost m bringing m a Bill to repeal it, and enact something more satisfactory. The Grey Government, as soon as m office, pledged themselves to do so the next session. What did they do ? Absolutely nothing, except pass a. little rag of a Bill at the end of tho session for the benefit of illegitimate Maori children, and amend one or two small technical points. They have gone on working the utterly impracticable Aot of 1873, just as it was, and is now, and have even added to the number of political judges, who formed one of its very worst features. Among its other changes, the Government hnd immediately on coming into office pledged itself to cease altogether from purchasing any land from the natives, and would havo the field open for private persons, who might carry out this intention of Mr Ballauce'a resolution, which was to bring the intended farmer and the natives into direct communication, and to phut happy villages all over the native territory. Here are a few extracts from Mr Sheehan's tig speech on native affairs immediately after ho took office : — '• The Government should go out of the market as a general purchaser of native lands." "The Government propose to retire from the field as laud purchasers on a lurge scale. They consider it proper under existing circumstances to leave private persona to be the chief operators m the purchase of the native lands." "It appears to me also, that, us a Government having ceased to ba land buyers, we shall be able lo act somewhat m the direction of advising, ie, and directing the native people m regard to their purchases. Having ourselves ceased to be purchasers, we shall bo able to give independent and impartial advice that must have a good effeot on the native mind. If we Bhow th it we are really uniious to assist them, we shall very soon have applications from all parts of the country, asking us to advise and assist them m selling their lands." — Hansard, Nor. 15, 1877. Now what has the Gorernment done m the matter ? Exactly the reverse of what Mr Sheehan promised. They have not retired from the market ; they have been rushing into large land purchases all over the island, buying extensive tracts of rubbishing country of the kind which tho natives call " Queen's land ;" they have, by a forced construction of an Act of Parliament, claimed a right of pre-emption over hundreds of thousands of acres on which the Government had paid only a few shillings deposit-, and they have competed with the private purchaser far more keenly that ever Sir D. McLean did. Where are the happy villages founded m conformity with Mr Ballanee's resolution, by which the natives were to aid m the colonisation of this country, and to become the founders of new settlements ? All these things are nowhere, and were never intended by the Government to be anywhere. As m a hundred other instances, they are carrying out m a much greater degree the practices for which they condemned their predecessors. EIECTOBAI FBAHCHISB. Sir William explained the existing franchise, under which natives havo the power to qualify themselves m the tarns way as Europeans, by being the individual poesesßOri of a £50 freehold, a £10 or £5 house, a leasehold, a miner's right, or a business licence: and ia addition to this franchise, which many hundreds of them possess and exercise, they also have a special manhood suffrage rote for four representatives of their own nice, with which European electors cannot interfere. Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, m addition to this, proposed to give the Maoris a vote for European representatives for mere tribal, not individual, ownership, without payment of rates or taxes; thus enabling them m numerous districts m the North Island to twamp the European constituencies. By dint of lobbying, and frightening the Southern

members, as to tbe effr cts m the native mind of a rejection of the Bill, they carried this through the Lower House ; but most fortunately the Legislative Council stood o».t, and Bent, tbe bill back with this objectionable feature struck out. Now the Bill had been brought iv professedly to give Sir George Grey's "70,000 down-trodrlen Kuropenn serfß," « franchise of which they had been deprived by the wicked landowners who bad ma^e tbe laws ; and originally it only provided for them, and the Maori dual (or aa it. ought to be called treble) vote was not m it. That was only udrled by Mr Sheehan »nd Sir George Grey, after it was nearly through the Houße. If Sir George Grey had really cared one ruah for the 70,000 down-trodden serfs, he would have taken the Bill as sent back from the Upper Bouse, because, though it failed him on the Maori treble vote, it gave all he had asked for his imaginary down-trodden serfs. Instead of that, this friend of humanity dropped the Bill, leaving the " serfs" m their previous destitute condition, without tbe franchise, and no better than negro Blares. What sh'ill we think of his sincerity ? It need not be said that these 70,000 serfs are simply creatures of the same fertile imagination as detected the plot to bombard Auckland and the conspiracy '.to poison ex-Superinten-dents ; and, m point of fact, as no one would have been benefited if tbe Act had passed, nobody was actually injured by its falling through. But this is statesmanship ! This is the personal Government of the great Reformer ! INCONSISTENCIES OF THK GOVERNMENT. It was clear from the proceedings of tbe Session, that the only object of the Government wai to stick to office, into which they had succeeded m getting by political treachery, and by reckless imputations on the character of their predecessors, not one of which they had proved, though of course, since they have been m office, they have had every opportunity of proving their chargea if they had been true. There was hardly any enormity they had charged against the Atkinson Government, which they had not intensified m their own career. Some of the instances of this were amusing. For example, they were never tired when m opposition of denouncing the extravagance of Ministerial residence?, which they alleged Bhould be cold, and Ministers go and live m private lodgings at 15s a-week, and bo forth. Since they had been m office, property had been sold at unexampled priceß, and the Ministerial residences might have been sold, no doubt, at large profits, but they had lost all sense of the enormity, and every member of the Ministry is enjoying his easy chair, and gives his political dinners, m the very rooms where their predecessors had so wickedly and wastefully done the same. Then thero was the Hinemoa, which they were never done reviling the late Government for possessicg; which they urged should be sold for old iron, rather than be kept as a pleasure yacht for Ministers. Well, since they have been m office, that detestable vessel has been employed for little else than to carry Sir George Grey about to make political speeches, or when he wished to take hii ease m private retreat at Eawau, or to take his colleagues about when they travelled on their holiday trips. Yet, when thu ex-Governor, the Marquis of Normauby, and his invalid lady (both of whom had gained golilen opinions from everybody but these Ministers), asked to have the use of the yacht to take them to Melbourne, it was rudely refused, though the Marquis, it is said, offered himself to pay the cost of the voyage. The Attorney- General has written a letter to a Wanganui paper, trying to exculpate himself from blamo m reference to his part of this discreditable transaction. He did not wonder thut ho should be desirous of making it appear he wub not m fault. He shifted the blame on to Captain Fairchild and the sahxon ova. This was rather hard on tho little fisheß. But the public was not anx'ous to ascortaiu what precise fhure of the blame rested on each particular Minister. It had given its verdict, even m the subsidised Government papers, and theuniversul judgment wasthal lha retiring Governor had been treated with great unkindness and discourtesy, and that it was all owing to the bad temper of the Premier, and the bud laßte of his colleagues. There are probably not ten people m thr olony who have arrived at any other conclusion. It is humiliating to know that the colony has a Mi ni<l ry which chnuot ccc it.