ME MABMADTJKE DIXON'S ADDRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6292, 17 July 1888, Page 3

ME MABMADTJKE DIXON'S ADDRESS.

Mr M.Dixon then mounted the platform, and addressed the meeting. He said that he had made up his mind to place himself at their disposal aa a candidate for the geat bo unfortunately vacated. He was sure that the words spoken by Mr Ollivier respecting their late lamented representative had gone to the hearts of all. He would have had pleasure in again supporting Mr Pearson if he had lived to seek that support, for he had learned to appreciate him, as he was sure all present had done, as a friend. (Applause.) ECHOES OF THE PAST. He (Mr Dixon) came at a disadvantage following such a polished speaker as Mr Ollivier. Hearing him speak called to his mind the good old Provincial days, when he had heard him address the Provincial Council in the interests of the Province. (Applause.) The present Government, he thought, was aa good as any they had ever had in New Zealand. SIMPLIFICATION, BETBENCHMENT, AND ECONOMY. The machinery of government waa undoubtedly too cumbersome and expensive. Popular Governments were always far too expensive, there being too many wheels within wheelß. They wanted to simplify the Legislature aa much as possible to make it effective. The legislation of the country grew upon them until they could scarcely realiae its cumbersomenesß. They must retrench with all diligence and care. The Provincial Council instituted a good system of education, and he should be sorry to ace it injured by retrenchment. Sir Harry Atkinson had pleased all partieß in New Zealand by Ms policy. Itiequired somebody on the opposite ride to correct errors, and as far, as he could see, parties were necessary for a proper system^ of govern raent, and could not be done without. He would give his attention to the institution of economy where it could be introduced. It was time that the system Df borrowing large aumß of money, when Interest was taken out of the Colony thereby, was dropped. With regard to penlions, he thought that when a Civil ■Servant had been paid an adequate, and jometimea largegalapy, it wasjiotxjghj; that

property should be taxed to pay him a pension. Retrenchment should filter through the whole country. The time had come for tne legislators to do their best for the whole of the people living in the Colony; and if frugality and care were exercised at the head of affairs, the country would soon be placed upon a better footing. CHEAP LABOUR AND PROTECTION. He deprecated the introduction of cheap labour into the Colony, and the influx of Chinese. He wanted his descendants to have a cbance to live, which he was sure they would not have if cheap labour was allowed to come into the country. All the requisites of the community should be manufactured in the country. To create an undue amount of Protection would probably benefit a few capitalists, and would not encourage the establishment of local industries. The Protection tariff just introduced had increased the expense of living of every person in the Colony. They must not protect any industry into existence, which could not exist without Protection. He might frame a small Income tax to catch those who were missed by the Property tax. The latter, he believed, was paid freely by those'who were called upon to pay it. BTATE BANK. He could not agree with Mr Yerrall's idea of a State Bank. Capital and money lenders were an evil, but a necessary one. He could not see that a State Bank would increase the confidence of the outside public who supplied the Colony with money. He was very much obliged to Mr Verrall for allowing him to speak. In conclusion, he would advise them to encourage thrift and kindliness throughout the country. EDUCATION. With regard to education, he thought the inculcation of moral principles Bhouldhave attention in the schools. Jealousy amongst outsiders had gone far towards doing away with moral teaching in the schools, and the sooner it was remtroduced the better it would be for the children. He begged to thank them for giving him a hearing, and now left himself in their hands. (Loud applause). QUESTIONS POSTPONED. Mr Verrall suggested that as the hour was late, questioning the candidates, Bbould be postponed till the meeting at West Oxford. THANKS. Mr Wilson Fisher moved a hearty vote of thanks to the candidates for their addresses. This waa seconded by Mr Aldridge and carried. A vote of thanks was then accorded to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated.