CITY WEST ELECTORATE.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 61, 12 November 1881, Page 142

CITY WEST ELECTORATE.

Pursuant to notice, Mr J. M. Dargaville commenced his candidature of City West, by addressing a meeting on Wednesday evening at St. James' Hall, Wellington-street. At 7.45 the proceedings were commenced, Captain McGregor being voted to the chair upon the motion of Mr Morrison, seconded by MiHarris. The hall, at that time, was about half -filled. Mr Dargaville said it was now eight years since he had had the honour of soliciting the votes of the City West electors for a seat in Parliament, and in view o f the shortness of the intimation given of his intention to speak that night, he was flattered at seeing so large an attendance of the people. The only matters exercising the minds of the electors at present were the native difficulty on the West Coast and a languid sort of curiosity with respect to the candidates for Parliamentary honours, and, consequently, large political assemblages could hardly be looked for yet. Native affairs were just now in a very delicate position, and as momentous issues depended upon tlie result of the Government's action, their opponents should be very sparing of their censure or criticism. It would be for ministers to explain early next session wliy they had so suddenly altered their policy in this respect, atid nntil that explanation was forthcoming, he thought it would be very unbecoming of himself or any other public man, to pass any strictures upon them. The speaker then proceeded to review the leading results of last session. He thought the Licensing Act should be given a two or three years' trial before being disturbed, and therefore he would strenuously oppose any meddling or pottering with it nntil a trial had disclosed its merits or demerits. The Representation Act had inflicted a great injustice upon the North Island, by largely augmenting the preponderance of power whicli the South enjoyed. He had never been an advocate of separation, but if he found that tlie Southern representatives were indisposed to use their increased voting powers with moderation, he would throw in his weight with those who endeavoured to seperate the islands financially. With respect to local government, he considered that there was great room for improvement. He objected altogether to the nominee system, whether as applied to the Legislative Council, Waste Lands Board, or any other public institution, for they were quite incomputable with the genius of the representative system. He would be in favour of fche establishment of local administrative bodies, which might be given the control of roads, bridges, district harbours, waste lands, hospitals, and charitable institutions, but, whose functions should stop short of legislation. At present he did not see any immediate prospect of obtaining separation, even were it desired unanimously in this province, for Taranaki and Wellington, cognisant of the favours which they derived from a centralized administration located at Cook's Strait, would be indisposed to support a scheme which would interfere with these advantages. One instance ofthe unfairness with which this part of the colony was treated was disclosed in the fact that the Government had declined to erect a light at the entrance of Kaipara harbour, involving an expenditure of something like £200, while a quarter of a million was being frittered away at New Plymouth. The Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill was a measure which, to his mind, Avas calculated to do much good, and he had been sorry, therefore to see it dropped. If elected he would seek to have it re-introduced into Parliament. Mr Macandrew's proposal for direct steam communication with England, would, if carried out, be a brilliant achievement for tlie South, and would affect Auckland most injuriously ; while it would necessiate the full expenditure of £60,000 per annum on fche part of tlie colony, besides lengthening the period of mail transmission. The chief benefits would be to enable southern stock-owners to kill and freeze their cattle and send them Home, and to aggrandise tlie contractors ; but Auckland would suffer grievously by it. During next session the question of taxation would have to be re-considered, and a fairer system resorted to. The Land Tax passed by the late Government had been a wise and satisfactory measure, but on the accession to power of the present Cabinet they abolished it ancl substituted the Property Tax, which virtually released the large landed proprietors from the burthens that they were fairly entitled to bear, while it pressed very severely indeed upon pcoplo less able to stand the pressure. As an indication of the injurious and peculiar manner in whicli it affected Auckland, lie might mention that it made this province pay 330 per cent, moro than she did under tlie Land Tax, while Otago and Canterbury paid only 50 per cent. more. This shewed that tho intention of the farmers of the Act had been to reach the small property owners, ancl to let the larger ones slip quietly by. It affected enterprise, cramped industry, and drove capital out of the country. He would oppose that tax, and endeavour, by every means in his power, to replace it with the Land Tax. The Legislature should sternly discourage the accumulation of large estates, by making it unprofitable for speculators to hold tliem unutilized. His views had undergone no change on these and similar questions, and to his persistency in battling for them when they wero " less popular than they arc now he attributed moro than one of liis defeats. He had lately given some consideration to the subject of education. The Diocesan Synod had yearly for some time passed a resolution in favour of' clergymen visiting schools during school hours, similar to the New South Wales system. While in that colony recently, lie had taken the trouble to enquire into the working of tlie system, wliich, his hearers were doubtless aware, allowed clergymen to enter the schools during school hours and instruct tlie children in religious matters. He was told in a general way that it worked most unsatisfactorily, but he was not to be contented with anything so vague and indefinite, and he therefore pressed for statistics. Through his endeavours a return on the subject , was laid before Parliament, and the following was a summary of it : There were 750 public schools in

New South Wales, and of that number 550 had not been visited once by a clergyman during two years ; 50 had been visited once, 100 at irregular intervals, and only 50 at anything decently approaching regularity. In view of these eloquent figures we should be very jealous of any interference with onr present admirable educational system, whether that interference came underlie guise of a false economy or masked by professions by offering facilities for the religious instruction of the young. He would determinedly oppose any mecldling° with it. Parents were responsible for tlie religious training of their offspring, and if they did their duty in that respect its refining and elevating effect would make them better men and better women. There avus one other matter to which he wished to direct attention, and that was the encouragement of local industries. No Liberal who had carefully thought the matter out could consistently advocate the adoption of a free trade policy for a young colony like this. Some nations, as, for instance, America and various countries of Europe, were wiser in their generation than others, their wisdom being displayed in the sheltering and fostering of immature but growing industries from powerfully and better situated rivals. Canada for a long time languished under a free trade policy, and the people became so depressed and discontented in consequence, that had not a protectionist policy been resorted to, he believed that annexation to the United States would have been the result. He had often been told of the evils which protection had brought upon Victoria, but a recent visit to that colony had opened his eyes to the actual condition of things. He found local industries numerous and thriving, high rates of wa"-es ruling, and the people contented and happy, while the colony prospered to an extraordinary decree. He did not know that he liad anything more to say, but if he had omitted any matter of interest he would be pleased to be reminded of the fact. He was ambitious of representing the constituency in Parliament, and he would consistently observe any pledges that might be exacted from him, but he wished them clearly to understand that he would not go down to Wellington as a mere delegate. If he went at all it must be as an independent man, prepared to exercise his unfettered judgment, and to vote strictly in accordance with his convictions. Mr A. Campbell began a philippic upon the Government, but after being interrupted several tinies he resumed his seat. Mr Dargaville, in reply to the gentleman, said that he was a Liberal, and a declared enemy of the Government on the property tax question, but a follower of no man. If elected, he would associate himself with the Liberals, and loyally serve under any leader whom the party might choose. In answer to other questions, Mr Dargaville said that he would support the eight hours system for manual work, and that he would be very loth to increase the price of the necessaries of life by protecting wheat and similar products. Mr A. Walker proposed a vote of confidence in Mr J. M. Dargaville as a fit and proper person to represent the electorate of City West in Parliament. Mr Menzies seconded the motion. Mr McMaster enquired if the candidate was in favour of the general policy of the Government. Mr Dargaville professed himself ignorant of what tho Government's general policy was. It seemed to be a re-hash of the policy of their predecessors dished up to serve the popular taste. In answer to further questions by Mr Donald, Mr Staines, and Mr Laing, ho said that the present Government had done very little for Auckland ; that the manufactures of Protectionist Victoria had pushed their way into the markets of Free Trade New South Wales ; that either Road Boards or County Councils should be abolished ; that he favoured the system of triennial Parliaments ; that he would offer evory possible obstacle to the introduction of Chinese ; that there should cither be absolute free trade in native land or else resumption of the Crown's preemptive _ right ; that any member accepting office in a Cabinet should return to his constituents for re-election ; that if any new questions cropped np in Parliament he would be willing to consult the feeling of his constituents upon them, and if he perceived that their feelings were not in accord with Lis own that he would give them back their trust ; that he would not respond to any requisition calling upon him to resign until his three years' term was up ; and that he would not favour a too ready throwing open of the legal prof ession ■ to comparatively untrained men. such as would be clone by Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners Act. The candidate also explained his action in the Provincial Council with respect to the export duty on gum. Mr McMaster proposed, as an amendment to the motion, that a vote of thanks should be accorded to Mr Dargaville for his address. Mr Houghman seconded it. Upon the questions being put, the chairman declared the motion, according Mr Dargaville the confidence of the electors and pledging that meeting to support him, to be carried. Tlie meeting was brought to a close with the passing of a vote of thanks to the chairman.