COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL AT WYNDHAM.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3217, 22 March 1900, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL AT WYNDHAM.

Per Press Association. WYNDHAM/ March 21. The complimentary social tendered to Mr I. W. Raymond, who contested Mataura against Mr R. McNab, M.H.R., was preceded by a political address by Mr James Allen, M.H.R. Mr Raymond's large grain store .was filled to the doors, about 300 being present. Mr James Walker, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and on the platform were Messrs Raymond, 0. O. Lewis, M.H.R., and prominent residents of the district. Mr Allen criticised the Wyndhara speech delivered by the Premier a short time ago ; and denounced the practice of the Premier taking credit for every beneficial reform and measure put on the statute book. Mr Seddon, Mr Allen said, did not introduce women's franchise and did not support it till it became necessary to do so by the pressure of public opinion. The Premier boasted of the exemption for improvements. When exemption for improvements was first before the House, it was favoured by the Opposition, and there voted against it Messrs Carroll, J. McKenzie, W. P. Reeves, Seddon, Ward and Bal lance. . That was m 1892. There was only a half truth m the Premier's statement, and only when pressure was put on him did he exempt the improvements. Mr Seddon said that the exports of 1890 were equal to the exports of 1898 m order to accuse the Opposition Government of bringing about the poverty of a people by bad government. If the Premier's figures were taken aa true why had he boasted of the prosperity of the country, not of increased exports. There had, however, been an increase of £900,000, and it would have been much larger had the Opposition been given a chance. He ventured to cay that their policy would have produced a much greater increase. The prosperity claimed by the Premier commenced when Mr Seddon was not m power. The people when called upon by Sir Harry Atkinson to retrench, put forth every effort, with the result that m three years exports rose from £6,500,000 to £9,500,000. As always happened, those compelled to face hard times and economise received no credit when their efforts brought about a better state of things. Another factor was the expenditure of borrowed money. When Sir Harry Atkinson took office £1,500,000 was being expended. He reduced the amount to £398,000. Now it had risen again to nearly £1,500,000 per annum. The policy with regard to railway concessions, freights and fares and dairying, that Mr Seddon clatmed as peculiarly h\s own, was that of the Opposition a\BO, and the Opposition had it more at heart. Land settlement was paraded by the Government, but figures showed that it had not been successful. In 1892 there were supposed to be 828 selectors under Special Settlements Associations occupying 187,000 acres. In 1897 under this scheme five selectors took up 442 acres, and m 1893 five selectors took up 607 acres. Between 1892 and the 31st Atarcb.lß99, it was said that 1780 selectors took up 350,000 aces. The Year Book showed that on the 31st March, 1899, the number of selectors was 715, who held 133.000 acres. Mr Allen wanted to know what had become of the difference. He then quoted the Year Book showing that there were 2040 surrenders and forfeitures during 1898-99. These settlers had surrendered or iorfeited because they could not pay the rents. The Government charged a rent that did not permit of a settler paying his way, and making a living. The Opposition were not opposed to purchase of land for settlement; they believed that land should be acquired if it were beneficial to the people, but it should be given to them at the lowest possible rental. The Opposition had saved the freehold. He quoted the words used by Mr John McKenzie : -" I shall take care while I am head of the Department that the freehold shall be kept out,.!' Mr Allen believed that people wanted the freehold. The " Premier at Wyndham only referred to the land and income tax; he said nothing about the insiduous increase of Customs which increased the cost of living and more than counterbalanced the vaunted increase m workmen's wages. If workmen got out of work now, they still had to pay for the high Customs, and were as worse off than before. The only real benefit bestowed on the people was the cheaper cost of necessaries. He denounced the action of the Premier m taking £1,742,000 from the Savings Bank and Government Insurance at 3 per cent. It had embarrassed the Insurance Department and accounted for the Premier's boasted borrowing at a cheap rate, The Premier could not have got the money on the market at such term?. Mr Allen concluded by regretting the loss of such men as Messrs Rolleston, Duthie, Buchanan, and Scobie Mackenzie. The Opposition had a duty to perform and would dc it. They would see that the burden put on the people would not be more than th«y could bear when times of came ; put land for settlement on an equitable footing ; see that technical education was introduced, and that the Civil Ser. vice and Upper House were reformed. The Premier took credit for everything except decreasing the birth rate and in 1 creasing crime. The Opposition though small m number would do their duty; and Mr Allen felt certain that the time would come when popular opinion would change, and people woijld recognise the work the Opposition had done, and find that reward to which they were justly entitled. The desire of the Opposition was to see the country prosperous, the people levelled up not down, justice done and the greatest good to the greatest number. Reierring to the war, Mr Allen said that those now parading their patriotism and loyalty once favoured an elective governor. He knew the temper of the House when he first entered Parliament, and it was then prepared to cut the painter. An elective governor was the thio end of the wedge. The Opposition opposed that, and were justified to-day. The country would realise one day who had foreseen the future moßt clearly and been most faithful. The speaker was very closely followed throughout, his remark^ being frequently interrupted by applause. A vote of thanks moved by Mr George Crosbie and seconded by Mr Alex. Beange, was carried unanimously by acclamation, and God Save the Queen was sung. The gathering then adjourned to Taylor's Hall where a social evening was spent. Short addresses were delivered by Mr James Allen and Mr C. O. Lewis, M.H.Rs., and the guest of the evening, Mr I. W. Raymond. A capital musical programme was gone through, and altogether the social was a most enjoyable function.