POLITICAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4613, 8 April 1893, Page 4

POLITICAL.

THE HON E. J. SEDDON A.T HOKITIKA. [Peb Pbkss Association.] HOKITIKA, Apeil 7. The Hon R. J. Seddon addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting in the Town Hall to-night^ The Mayor was in the chair, and a large number of ladies were present. Mr Seddon said that on the last occasion he addressed that audience he asked it to give the policy of the Government a trial. He now asked for a judgment on that policy, which had brought contentent and prosperity to the Colony and confidence abroad. The Government of Sir H. Atkinson said there must be more borrowing, but they had given this a denial. The three-years' pledge of abstention given by the former Government had now passed away, and two years additional, and they had no intention of asking for borrowed money. When in opposition they had reduced the public expenditure by .£50,000, and the Atkinson Government said- it could not go below that, but since assuming office they had reduced it by another .£40,000. The Government had steadily pursued the policy it had laid down. The members' of the present Government were not servants ; they were not there for office or pay, but to carry out the policy they considered necessary in the interests of the country. They had abolished the Property tax and substituted for it the Land and Income tax. They had passed a most liberal Land Bill, and also a Land for Settlement BUI. This would not provide for taking the land in a revolutionary manner, but offers had already beenreceived. for the disposal of the iand. There was also the Electoral Reform Bill which said that manhood should exercise the franchise, and not property. If it were not for the Legislative Council the .Bill extending the franchise would now be law. They had also said there should be co-operation in public works, and the more the Bybtem was tried the better it worked. The just rights of : labour had been protected, and they had reformed the Legislative Council. Previously the Council: had frequently defied the representatives of the people, but it could not do so now. With the recent appointments the Council represented all shades of political opinion. The Government insisted that the franchise should be extended to. both, sexes alike, and would not consider the .electoral rights which the Council asked for; and which would enable the Conservatives to. manipulate many of the women's votes. The measure would be reintroduced next j session, and Government would not alter the position it had taken up. Eefer- , ring to Mr EoUeston's speeches at Halswell ' and Auckland, he said that that gentleman went to curse, but his curses. proved to be blessings. The only specific charges he made against the Government were in reference to land and education. The present land laws were as liberal as anyone could desire, giving a choice of tenures, . but the only liberal- land measure with which Mr Bolleston was associated was done away with by the. par hy which he now led. As regarded education, Mr Eolleston charged' them with neglecting the necessities for education, but Mr Bolleston's party when in power strove to raise the school age to six, than which no more vital blow could' be aimed, whilst they took 4s off the capitation, substituted the working average for the strict average, and abolished the training schools. As Bhowing whether the Government had neglected education, he might say that in 1888-89 this cost £345,000, whilßt now it was £383,000. When the Land and Income tax was introduced the Opposition said it . was unworkable, and then they said that it would never realise the amount anticipated. As a matter of fact, the Government estimate was £250,000, whilst the amount realised was £265,000. Some complaint had been made that the Income tax pressed heavily on the Mining Companies, *but' the returns did not bear out this view. Under the Property tax the Mining Companies ipaid £3272; and under the Income tax £1407. The result of their financial operations had been as follows : — 1890-1 — Surplus ..' .forward £143,965, revenue in excess of expenditure £113,695, total £257,660. Deducting land •settlement £30,000, land fund- deficit £12,820,postagestamps<£<£0,000,andNative lease duty £6000, the total was .£197,820.. The £40,000, however, was not taken., For i '1891-92 the excesa- was £168,140. Tor roads and bridges £30,000 was taken/ and for land fund £16,532, leaving a^total of £121,608. With the credit balance from 1590-91,£43,647 J 'therevwfis a net s»*plua of For the 'year 1892-93 the estimated surplus wa^; £320,277. There was i takeh'f br public Work's £200,000, for land fund £36,000, and for supplementary estimates £60,000, or a total of £296,000, leaving; a net surplus of £32,277. The actual surplus was £154,000, and he believed when all the' accounts were in it would reach £200,000. The summary of their financial results for the: two years was :— Reduction ': of the floating debt £100,000, net land fund deficit £74,000, paid duty Native leaßes^ £6000, land for settlement £30,000, roads and bridges £30,000, public: works £200,000, total £440,000; and this had been done .without - borrowing, and. whilst their products were bringing v'eiy low prices.; They conld not but give the highest praise to Mr Ballance for accomplishing such splendid results. As to the disposal of the. surplus a large sum would be required for educational pnrposes. The Government should also favonrably consider a proposal to increase the exemption for improvements. Money would also be required for public works, especially in view of the fact that they hat? determined on no more borrowing. Some persons made a talk about taking off duties and a free breakfast table, but he considered it more desirable to find work for a man than to save him sixpence a week through the Customs. A revision of the tariff was necessary in some few instances, but it would unsettle commerce, and was unadvisable to bring before a moribund Parliament. Referring to the Cheviot purchase, he said they had two independent valuations, besides their own valuer's and the Board of Eeviewers, and he believed a profit of £40,000 would result. In any case it would be far better to have a large population there than a few farm labourers and shepherds. Their ability to arrange the purchase proved the elasticity of their finances. It would probably be necessary to extend the railway to Blenheim, and in the event of future constructed lines not paying all charges and interest on cost, he proposed a betterment tax, leviable on the owners of the property through which they passed. With reference to the Midland Bailway, he said the present position was that the Company's funds were exhausted. It had spent £1,200,000, of which only £600,000 had gone in construction and the rest in financing and other expenditure. The shares of the Company, the original value of which were £10, had shrunk to £5, and the debentures for £750,000, made a first charge on the railway receipts, were at a discount of 20 per cent. The Company had made certain propositions, but, acting in the best interests of the country, he could only return the answer he had done. He dwelt at some length on the attitude of the Government in respect of the Eailway Commissioners. They had said there must be a change, and on this they would stand or fall. Ho did not propose to abolish, but the Minister of Public Works must be Chairman of the Board with the right of veto. Last session the Commissioners sent down estimates for £700,000 and no one in the House could give the . slightest information about any one item. The Government waß extremely desirous of entering into reciprocal trade relations with the other Colonies, and could, with advantage, enter into such relations with any one or with the whole of them. He eulogised the nature and scope of the labour legislation of laat session, and claimed it would materially improve the cendition of labour. He hoped that strikes would soon be at an end, and both sides compelled to obey the decision of a properly constituted Court of Arbitration. The Native land lawß required immediate attention in order to do ju3tioe to the Natives aid ooneerve

the interests of the Colony. They could not longer continue to allow the growth of a Native " landocracy " who would be able to shear 100,000 Bheep, as one chief had done, and yet not be amenable to local taxation. ' With reference to the charges made by Mr Bees against the Hon A. J. Cad man, he said he believed his colleague was entirely innocent of the charges. In any case, as the matter was before the Court, they must suspend their judgment until the decision waa given, when he felt satisfied hiß colleague would emerge with glowing colours. He had been asked to refer to local government and could say he thought there was far too much of it. For instance, five local bodies on the Coast were quite sufficient. The same evil prevailed throughout the Colony, but it was not wise to draft any measure for a moribund House. Having made reference to local capabilities and prospects, he concluded by saying that he intended contesting' this constituency at the next election. He had not the slightest thought of going elsewhere, an announcement which was received with enthusiastic applause. Mrßevan asked if Mr Seddon would, as a member of the Ministry, urge on his colleagues the necessity of introducing a measure for the extension of tlie Government audit to embrace all public companies. Mr Seddon replied that he would. Mr Bevan then moved— "That this meeting in according the Hon B. J. Seddon a hearty vote of thanks for his interesting and comprehensive address, desires to express the fullest appreciation of him, both as a Minister of the Crown and representative of the district, and assures him of its renewed aad entire confidence. The meeting likewise desires to place on record its acknowledgment of invaluable services rendered by the Premier (the Hon J. Baliance) in having so successfully administered the affairs of the Colony under very trying circumstances, and, whilst rejoicing in his restoration to health, trusts that he may long continue to direct its destinies for the happiness and welfare cf its people." The motion was seconded by Mr Thompson, and carried amidst cheers for Mr Seddon and the Premier. The usual com- ! plimentary vote to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.