Parliament Out of Session.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4990, 1 May 1884, Page 3

Parliament Out of Session.

» MR HOLMES AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL. EENEWED CONFIDENCE. Mr John Holmes, M.H.E.. for the district of Christchurch South, addressed the electors at the Oddfellows' Hall last night. There was a very large attendance. His Worship the Mayor presided, and on the platform were Messrs Montgomery, Andrews, Reese, Ivess, White, Howland, Pavitt, and others. The appearance of Mr Montgomery was the signal for loud and long-continued applause. The Chaibman briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Holmes,, whotwas loudly applauded, spoke to the following effect :: — He considered it the duty of every representative to meet his constituents after every session to give an account of his actions in Parliament. A representative was a delegate, bound to carry out certain principles as much as if he had entered into a bond to do so. He would ask if he had fulfilled his promises ? [Voices : " Yes," and applause.] The past session had not been a fruitful one. On going to Wellington at the opening of Parliament,, he had taken action with the other Canterbury members, and the representatives of the West Coast, for the purpose of furthering the initiation of the West Coast railway, a work which he believed would be of the greatest advantage to Canterbury and the West Coast. Those with whom he had connected himself had passed two resolutions — one condemning the East Coast line, another that the Government should make the West Coast line ; and had endeavoured to carry a third to allocate the £180,000 to the West Coast railway. In this he had been supported by only Messrs White and Ivess. The Canterbury members had been unanimous up to this point, but Messrs Thomson and Allwright — (hisses) — had preferred the welfare of the Government to that of their constituencies, and had refused to do anything that would embarrass the Government. (Hisaea.) They had accused him of personal motives. (Hisses.) The Government had consented to surveys, which were now being made. The opponent to the project was the Hon Major Atkinson — (hisses) — while the Hon Mr Whitaker had proved himself to be friendly disposed. (Applause.) They would recollect that the *Minister of Lands had brought down his Land Bill containing the principle of perpetual leases. The Bill at its second reading had been supported by him (Mr Holmes), but Mr Eolleston found that his own party would not support him, and he would have been defeated but for his (Mr Holmes') vote. Mr Rolleston blamed the Opposition, instead of his own want of pluck, like that of Mr Bryce, who had acted very differently under similar circumstances. Had he done so, the Bill would have been passed, and would have proved of incalculable benefit to the State. Some people seemed to think this question of leasing the land of little importance j but it was one — taken in connection with the heavy burden of taxation — which could not be over-estimated. He would instance a case in which some reserves which, a few years ago, would have been sold for £2 an acre, had been let for 3s an acre for 14 yeai'3 ; and now that their first lease was expired, these lands were tendered for at 93, 105, and even 11s. Had such a system been adopted with the land throughout, they could easily see how great a relief the revenue derivable from leasing would have been to the burden of taxation. He would, therefore, support the Bill if it came again before the House, though it did not apply to th\j agricultural lands. He (Mr Holmes) said that not one single more acre should be sold. (Applause.) With regard to Federation, he was opposed to such a chimerical project, and, with Mr WynnWilliams, had opposed any money being spent upon it. Had Major Atkinson had the power when in Australia to spend money, he would have pledged the Colony to such a scheme as would have involved them in a war with France, and entailed a heavy expenditure. The Russell Exchange of Land Bill had been brought down by the Minister of Lands. Mr Thomas Russell, in contravention of the Land Act, had negotiated with the Natives for the sale of their land in the North Island. Mr Russell was not alone in this ignoring of the law, for the Government were in sympathy with him. The Government took over Mr Russell's agent, and agreed to give him compensation for giving up his right. Now, . Mr Russell had no right at all, and the Government for some years refused to recognise the claim, until Mr Russell's partner, Mr Whitaker, came into office. The Bill wa3 brought in by Mr Rolleaton, but the hand of Mr Whitaker could be recognised in it. The Bill was for an exchange of land, to which Mr Russell had no claim. [A Voice: "Talk about the unemployed."] Mr Holmes would say what he had done about the unemployed. With others he had urged Government to provide work. The Government did provide a sort of work for the unemployed, and devoted a portion of the money they had obtained for bringing people into the Colony to the support of the people already in the Colony. (Applause.) He came now to discuss THE PBESENT CONDITION OF AFFATEB. Let the past bury its past. (Applause.) He would first enquire into the causes of the present position of affairs, and then consider the remedies. The population of the Colony was 500,000, and the public debt was .£30,000,000, and the private debt as much more. Of this .£45,000,000 was owing to foreigners, requiring an annual interest of .£3,000,000. Major Atkinson spoke slightingly of this, but in his (Mr Holmes') opinion the position was desperate. Let them consider what the payment of .£3,000,000 per annum meant. There were about 120,000 taxpayers, and they had to pay about .£2O per head. Trade was stagnant, employment was difficult to find. (Applause.) This was the position ; and, in addition, there had been a bad harvest, and the staple, products, grain and wool, brought low prices. More than this, there was a spendthrift and corrupt Government which had brought upon the Colony half the evils they were now suffering from. The result of the depression was a diminution in the Customs revenue. To make up for this Government had raised the railway tariff, and particularly the charge on grain, for the express purpose of catching the farmers of Canterbury. In consequence of the outcry this caused, Ministers had been making a stumping tour. (Applause.) Major Atkinson had begun at Hawera, and then he had come here, where he had shown himself egotistic, a braggart, a bully, and totally devoid of tact to a degree. His whole desire was to fight anyone who disagreed with him. (Laughter.) He (Mr Holmes) had been present last Saturday in the gallery of the Tuam street Kill, and could not help saying to himself, " What would any stranger think of our public men, judging by the demeanour of the Premier." Major Atkinson was wanting in selfrespect, and hi 3 demeanour reminded him (Mr Holmes) of a " Cheap John," very quick at repartee, full of sound, of coarseness, and of cunning, but devoid of anything sound,a man from whom you got nothing that was honest. (Applause.) How greatly had things altered when such a man was asuccessor to the position occupied formerly by Sir John Hall and Mr Whitaker. Major Atkinson's conduct last Saturday was only an example 'of what it was in the House, except when he was trembling under the attack of such a man as Mr Dargaville. (Applause.) Had Major Atkinson given them a policy ? (No.) Oh yes, his policy was to borrow, and his practice had been to buy. (Applause.) At Hawera he was to have given his views as to the state of the Colony. He began b 7 saying there was no depression. This he denied down here, but his arguments showed that he must have said so. And this was not tho first time that he had denied what he had said a minute or two previously. Hansard showed that he had been accused of taking .£120,000 from the Treasury, contrary to the law. He said that he was not bound | by a promise of his colleagues. He (Mr j Holmes) had challenged his statement as outrageous, and diggracef ul, He had taken

down Major Atkinson's words, but that gentleman at once denied having used the words. On having the words held up .to him he then said : " I never intended to say them." (Applause.) So it was with the statement as to depression, for he (Major Atkinson) went on to say that people were building houses and spending money at races. Down here he acknowledged that there was depression in the building trade, thus showing that he had known nothing of the circumstances of Otago and Canterbury.. This was the gentleman who stumped the country in order to induce the people to allow him to continue in office. Major Atkinson had gone on to say that these was a deficit of .£170,000. By this he had convicted himself of being what Mr Montgomery had called him, a hollow financial failure. (Applause.) He had miscalculated the Customs revenue by .£120,000, and the railway income by .£BO,OOO. During the last two years the Government had made away with .£3-40,000. When coming into office he had a balance of .£203,000, due to the careful administration of Sir John Hall. The Property tax then was £d in the £, and so^ it was the succeeding year. At the end of that year he found that the revenue was falling off. But did he curtail his expenditure.? No, but on the contrary increased it by .£298,000, and the next year by .£40,000 more.. (Shame.) The man seemed to be incapable of even learning anything. He was like the Stuarts of old, who never learned anything and never forgot anything. He brought down an estimate of increased revenue from Customs, though he knew that business was falling off. No wonder Mr Montgomery had called him A "HOLLOW FINANCIAL BBAM." (Applause.) Another feature of Major Atkinson's policy was the land question. At Hawera he said that freehold was not very satisfactory, and he did not know what the future tenure would be. He was positively incapable of forming any policy, and only waited to see how the cat jumped in order that he might retain place and pay. (Applause.) Why was he (Mr Holmes) so severe ? It was because Major Atkinson had blamed the Opposition and had sneered at Mr Montgomery in a most improper manner. He (Mi . Hohnes) had consistently supported Mr Montgomery, and would attack Major Atkinson so long as he attacked Mr Montgomery. (Applause.) To continue the great policy of tho great leader of the Government — [A Voice: "Leave him alone, and give us a little of your own policy." Applause.] The meeting should soon hear hi 3 views, but let them first hear what Major Atkinson intended to do. One thing was to import a great deal more of pauper labour. (Applause and hisses.) Major Atkinson had blown as to how he had raised the credit of the Colony. They would recollect that in 1879, when Sir George Grey— (loud applause) — was in office, a determined attempt was made to turn him out. Major Atkinson made such a speech, that he damned the credit of the Colony, and caused a loss to the Colony of .£500,000 on the ,£5,000,000 loan, by driving the price of the debentures down to .£BO. The credit of the Colony had since been restored by two good harvests, and the" high price of wheat, and not by any action of Major Atkinson's party. (Applause.) Canterbury had hitherto been the milch cow of the Colony, and would continue to be so if Major Atkinson's proposed plan of carrying on the railways were followed. The railways were to pay 3 per cent, and the Canterbury lines, whether paying 10 or 15 per cent, would have increased rates so long as the average of the whole receipts from the railways did not equal 3 per cent. (Shame.) Why should not the railways be managed as a private business ? If a man were running coaches to Hokitika which paid him ten per cent, and another line at Wellington, which returned ho income, would he increase the fates on "the Hokitika line? Certainly not. He would either stop the Wellington line, or raise the fares on it. (Applause.) Nothing could be a stronger argument for separation than the argument put. forth on Saturday night by Major Atkinson. He (Mr Holmes) would be a candidate at the next election, and would make one of the planks of his platform A BETUEN TO A FOBM OF PROVINCIAL GOVEBNMENT. (Applause.) Major Atkinson had given two remedies for the depression. One of these was "plenty of immigration." (Applause.) He was going to enrich us all by importing paupers. The other means was, " Have faith in yourselves, have faith in me. .Increase your productions j grow two sheep instead of one ; grow two bushels of wheat instead of one." It was very easy to tell people to do this, but not so easy to tell them how to do ifc. He (Mr Holmes) would tell them his view of how it could be done, before he sat down. MrMontgomery, at Akaroa, had said that the present Government had simply carried on the system adopted by Sir Julius ■ Yogel, who had said he had been compelled to devote one and a half milllions to appease members. Major Atkinson had denied that Sir Julius had said anything of the kind. Now, what Sir Julius had said was, that he had been compelled to " purchase support from the Provinces." Mr John Evans Brown, who was generally a strong supporter of the Government, had acknowledged that, "had it not been for concessions, the Government never could have remained in their seats forty-eight hours." He wondered if the West Eyreton line was one of the concessions. (Laughter.) EVIDENTLY THE GOVEBNMENT HAD BRIBED to the extentofoneanda-half millions. This policy had been continued by the present Government, as was shown by the written agreement that the claim of Auckland for .£BOO,OOO would be considered. Mr Billy Swanson, a firm, honest Scotchman, had declared that if the Gevernment denied it, he would nail the agreement to the Speaker's chair. Auckland had got a special loan of a million for a line from Auckland to no one knew where , its destination being determined only by the number of votes the Government secured from the district. (Applause.) There was no need for him (Mr Holmes) to multiply instances. There was Mr Monroe, who had been gained by the throwing of .£60,000 into the Westport harbour. Mr Monroe had boasted that he was the proper man to represent Westport. At Inangahua Mr Wakeneld had been opposed by Mr Shaw — no; a rich man. Mr Wakeneld was an able speaker and a master of sarcasm. Major Atkinson did not like masters of sarcasm and able speakers. It was a strange thing that at the time of the contest the Government had granted a mine .£2900 for deep sinking, though a few months before they had refused to give anything because it was a private undertalcing. He (Mr Holmes) had asked for a Committee to enquire into this matter, but the Government could not see it. (Laughter.) The Opposition was taunted with giving no policy, but who ever heard of the Opposition enunciating a policy at Home. This was the duty of the Government. But had Major Atkinson, had Mr Eolleston, had Mr Conolly proposed a policy? No ; Mr Conolly was in favour of a Property tax of Id in the £. That was his remedy for the present depression. Mr Wynn-Williams, who was in the confidence of the Government — [A Voice : "He wants a portfolio."] No ; he (Mr Holmes) did not believe that. Mr Williams appeared to be in favour of a progressive Property tax. He also declared that he would oppose any Government that went in for borrowing. Major Atkinson declared that the present Government would still borrow, therefore Mr Williams must oppose the Government of Major Atkinson. But why did not Mr Williams vote against the Government in 18S2, when Government proposed the new loan which had caused the present deficiency of .£120,000. If Mr Williams claimed to be independent he showed his independence in a strange manner, by voting for a Government which followed a policy he did not approve of. If Mr Williams meant he was independent of his constituency, then his constituents should not send him to represent them again to the Parliament. (Applause.) As to Mr Eolleston, that gentleman's reception at Papanui had been so warm that ho (Mr Holmes) would have let him go soot free but for aowething he had said aa to

Mr Montgomery and himself (Mr Holmes).. Mr Rolleston talked of Mr Montgomery's inconsistency. "Yet he had continued in a Government that ignored the West Coast railway, which formerly he had advocated so warmly. He had adopted the railway policy of the Government. Formerly he had been the apostle of Provincialism, but now he was mute on the question of Decentralisin. Was it that he held his tongue in order that ho might retain place and pay ? (Applause.) He (Mr Holmes) now came to the main question of the evening — THE POLICY HE WOULD PUT BEFOEE.HIS CONSTITUENCY AT HIS NEXT CANDIDATUEE. (Applause.) To meet the deficit he would not impose additional taxation. The Customs, the Property tax, and the rates were so heavy that the people could bear no more. The only policy was retrenchment. (Applause.) At present there were 400 or 500 armed men in the North Island, costing about .£87,000, a field force of no more use than the fifth wheel of a coach. He would reduce it to 100 men, and thus bring the expenditure to .£50,000. He would abolish the Natives Department, and thus save another .£30,000. The expenditure in the department of the Minister of Justice could be reduced by .£IO,OOO. Mr Conolly had admitted as much, but said the people would not permit it. He (Mr Holmes) would do it whether the people allowed it or not. The expenditure in the Legislature could be reduced. The honorarium could be reduced to a guinea a-day, in no case to exceed .£l5O. (Applause.) The Upper House should not be paid ; and this would effect a saving of jBIO,OOO. [A Voice: "Pensions."] Major Atkinson" proposed pensions as one way of relieving the depression, but he (Mr Holmes) had opposed, and always would oppose pensions. From ,vhat he had said he thought it would be seen that the deficit could be met without further taxation. (Applause.) And now with regard to the depression. The first remedy was to stop all further borrowing. (Applause.) For three years he would oppose borrowing, and to this extent would support Mr Wynn-Williams. This, however, woxild not relieve the present depression. Three millions went away annually almost entirely to absentees. Now one of the duties of property owners was to live in the country. He would propose, therefore, that absentees should pay fifty per. cent more taxes than the residents. This would cause these men to reside here and spend their money among the working men. (Applause.) This would not be sufficient. At present the exports amounted to six millions, and the imports amounted to eight millions. To remedy this,, the country's productiveness must be increased,, and something must be done to prevent such large importation. For this last purpose, local industries must be encouraged. (Applause.) The producing of wool, grain, and gold must be increased. They had heard Major Atkinson's remarks about the gold miners, for which he had very properly been castigated by Mr Wakefield. (Applause.) Mining must be encouraged by letting the miners have the gold duty for themselves. The production of wool and wheat must be stimulated by cheap money and cheap land. Cheap money could be got only by the establishment of a National Bank. (Prolonged applause.) By means of a National Bank, Government could easily borrow a million, and with the deposits in the savings' banks, and from private deposits,, the Bank would have a business second only to that of the Bank of England. Local paper could be discounted at 4 or 5 per cent, and the profits would be confined to the people of New Zealand. (Applause.) See how this would encourage manufactures for which we had the money and the materials. (Applause.) Again, the farmers who could get cheap accommodation, could improve their land. A remedy proposed by Major Atkinson was cheap labour, but he (Mr Holmes) said " Good men, and good pay." B:e advocated the interest of the people of New Zealand : not of the landed proprietors. Well paid labour would attract the right men, not pauper immigration ; and so would cheap land. The best of the land was now in the hands of monopolists, and lying idle. In the hands of agriculturists, it would produce ten times what now was got from it. The remedy for this would be A PBOQBESSIVE TAX OS THE NATUBAL VALUE OF THE LAND, — not on the improvements. (Applause.) By increasing production and diminishing outgoing prosperity could be secured, and only by these means. Without these the Colony would constantly be what was called " pulling the devil by the tail." (Laughter and applause.) The last plank ©f his platform would be Decentralisation. The Government should be deprived of the power of borrowing for public works, which had been used for buying votes and political purposes. The railways that were not paying should be made to pay, and to ensure this the management of the railways should be in the hands of a Board. There should be canton Governments for local purposes, and a Federal House of thirty members at Wellington. (Applause.) No more bicameral Government ! (Applause.) The Federal Government should look after the Customs, the Supreme Court Judges, &c, and should pay the interest on the national debt. For this purpose they would have the Customs, the Stamp Duty, the Supreme Court fees, and an Income tax on all incomes above .£2aoayear. TheyshouldalsohaveaprogressiveLandtax. County Councils should be abolished and their places be taken by Eoad Boards. Were this scheme carried out, Government would be the type of a free Government. (Applause.) Look at Switzerland, the United States of America, and the Greek States of old. (Applause.) Such a scheme would develop a diversity of character and of talent — (applause) — which would strike out something new and original. Such was the programme he would put before the electors at the coming election. (Applause.) One word more. He had been a party man, but was now convinced that party government was a humbug and a sham. He would put his foot "on it as far as he could. Hfe would give an instance of party government. Mr Bryce's Native Land Bill had been opposed by his own partisans and supported by some of the Opposition. Mr Bryce, who was a vertebrate statesman, had declared that he would carry it, and the Government supporters voted for the Bill, while the Opposition voted against it. He (Mr Holmes), rather than vote against his conviction, paired off with Mr Kelly. A similar course had been followed with regard to Mr Rolleston's Land Bill. He had resolved to do his utmost to bring about a healthier state of things than party government, which was simply an aping of Home tactics. The circumstances of the Colony required Parliament to help to advance the common interest, no matter who proposed a good law. The members should subjugate themselves to the will and the interests of the people they represented. (Long continued applause.) IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS, Mr Holmes said that to put a tax upon personal property at the same rate for three years as upon real property was monstrous, the land increasing while the personal property was decreasing ; that he had always advocated protection ; that he would, if reminded of it, make a motion for enquiry into the management of the Government insurance ; that he was in favour of reduced taxation ; that he would not support a Penny Postage Bill ; he would support a blasphemy clause to prevent obscene language, but not to prevent discussion of religious dogma, in a reverential spirit; that he would not support a proposal to alter the preseat system of education j that he would oppose any scheme for . Federation which would cost the Colony anything i and that the Volunteers would protect the women and children from a Native outbreak, as they had done formerly. Mr M. Hall proposed, and Mr Hqwland seconded — "That this meeting thanks Mr Holmes for his address this evening, and records its renewed confidence in him as the representative of Christchurch South." The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman cloned the meetings