MR BARFF AT HOKITIKA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3488, 16 June 1879, Page 4

MR BARFF AT HOKITIKA.

[Br Tbibobaph.] [SPECIAL.] HOKITIKA, Junb 14. Mr Barff, M.H.R,, addressed his constituents in the Town Hall on Thursday. About 80 persons were present, and Mr R. Walker occupied the ohair. After referring • to the past policy of the Government, ho said he was in favour of Mr Curtifl' amendment on the Education Bill. Ho aaid thafc all schools up to the mark Bhould have State aid. He would like to see the principle oxtended, and any private schools which fulfilled the requirements should be assisted. They wero justly entitled to a portion of public money, and they had no right to say thafc one person Bhould benefit and another ehould suffer. During the laafc year the Board of Education had been in great straits from wanfc of funds. Another argument was that as they had one common end they ehould work in harmony. Those who kept the system within tho present bounds did not obtain thafc reault. In some parts of the Colony denominational schools were short of funds, and the standard of education was lowered. Their objeot should be to mako teaching as" efficient as possible. By this i means equal justice would be done. He referred at length to tho railways, and the part he had taken in getting the local lineß cocanenced. yHe also took credit to himself for getting monoy voted for the Hokitika harbour works. New licensing laws were wanted badly, and a Minister of Mines was also required, as at present the Ministry ignored mining interests, with which they had no sympathy. The gold duty ought to he subsidised, and a School of Mines established. He advocated a State Bank, and eaid ho was justified in getting the Jaokson's Bay Commission appointed. Ho objected to elected Governors, and spoke as follows on tho programme of the Government nexfc session : — First, it was intended to raise another £3,000,000 loan. Thero was at present no intention to borrow a larger sum ; the amount named would bo sufficient for all present requirements. It would be proposed to doublo the land tax, which at present was not heavy enough, and impose an income tax. It would be proposed to revise tho tariff, taking duties of the necessities of lifo, and adding ifc to tho duties on luxuries. This would bo a step in the righfc direction. The franchise was to be extended, but he did nofc know in what form. Tho general feeling was that it would be only fair to give every man of 21 years of age a vote, Ho would like to seo manhood suffrago pure and simplo undor certain restrictions. If thore was a probability of a dissolution, there would also be a redistribution of Beats. Ho thoughfc that the programme was good, but he was nofc prepared to say that the administration would be good. If the Government carried this out, he would be prepared to give thom a fair and honesfc support.

A voto of confidence was proposed and carried, about twenty hands being held up.