MR LARNACH BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume IX, Issue 882, 19 January 1886, Page 2

MR LARNACH BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(BY TELEGRAPH)

[Per United Press Association.]

Dunedin, Sunday. The lion. Mr Larnach addressed his constituents last night. The Mayor of South Dunedin was in the chair. Mr Larnach said that in addressing his constituents lie spoke as a private member, and in no way committed his colleagues. Last session had been most unsatisfactory. The Government had prepared their principal measures wh- n Parliament met, and they had a majority when the session commenced, but through various causes members appeared to have changed their minds. When their policy was rejected the Miuistry had resolved to resign, hut at the request of about fifty members they kept office—a matter which they had since regretted. The Ministry had been able, however, to pass many measures, such as the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act, the Land Act, the Mines Act, <tec. The Charitable Aid Act was an important step in decentralisation, by giving more power to local bodies. The fiscal policy of the Government was intended not only for the purpose of raising revenue, but also for the support of local industries, as without them the colony could not make any progress. Industries required to be nursed. He had himself been a Free Trader till lately, but taking note of other places be had been led to believe that 1 lie colony could not make progress without Protection. Mr Larnach instanced the progress that had been made by Victoria, and contrasted it with New South Wales, remarking that this colony had to keep up with many rivals more favored in point «»f distance to attract immigrants. The Gr.-v b.-vnn ; ment had been charged with extravagance, i lmt experience had shown that the Jl.tilAtkinson Ministry-hud proved still mme ! extravagant, and with all theii l.oi rowing : and expenditure they had not finished any oi the railways. Every sensible man c mid see that if a work was undertaken it was economy to have it finished as soon as possible. It would not do for the colony to be left behind in the race for colonisation. He could not agree that because we already had a debt we should not increase it. Indeed, money spent on railways was not a debt as the term was understood with rogard to States, because the works were an asset. But independently of that, such works tend to open up tlie country, and so promoted civilisation. The late Government had spent the money by driblets, and had nothing to show’ for it. If a vigorous, policy had been pursued the Otago Central and other railways would have been finished. Of course being an Otago member he was in favor of a policy which would finish their railway speedily, but no good could be done in the present Parliament, because of its peculiar constitution. Therefore until an appeal was made to the country there would he no beneficial legislation. He would support a vigorous policy, but they must understand that to pursue, it meant the borrowing of more money There was over a million of money lying unproductive in railways, and had been for some time. The extension of opened railways meant a greater revenue without a proportionate increase in iho working expenses, and that was one reason for the vigorous prosecution of the works. He feared that the reduction of half a million in the estimates would be severely felt next winter. He djd not advocate borrowing for any immigration scheme—a public works’ policy was iho best immigration scheme. If he had consulted his own feelings lie would huvo retired from office long ago, but he would stick to his party till the country was appealed to, and he had no hesitation in saying that when the time came the Ministry would put forward a policy that would commend itself to the country, and though it would bo a new policy they wouhl find it would not he a rash one. Tt had been staled that a dissolution wouhl take place before Parliament met, hut so far as ho knew the Ministry would meet the House at the proper time. What would then take place it was hard to say. The depression was no doubt intensified by sending money out of the colon)’ for what we could produce. Mr Larnach enumerated a number of items, which he said meant sending a million and a half per year out of the country, lie would ask how could the colony prosper when it had to send tlifit amount out of it for articles which it should produce itself? It was evident that whatever Government was in office it would have to nurse the Colony’s industries, lie had supported the construction of the Ea3t and West Coasts and Nelson railways, and lie believed and hoped the Colonial Government would make them. The Gqverniqeut woqld not borrow for the sake of borrowing, but would have no hesitation in putting forward a public works scheme. He would favor borrowing a million at 4 per cent, to lend to tanners at 5 per cent. lie would also favor, as an experiment, borrowing a million to lend tlic Road Boards and County Councils. He favored a decrease in the education expenditure. lie also favored that steps he taken fiy the Slate for acquiring private lands on a fair valuation, even giving power to have it done by force if it was the general wish of the local bodies, and the latter could show the land was required for settlement. He would also assist the mining industries, and favored the taking power for mining

on private lands. The Government should give assistance in the way of hydraulic power, lie believed that important gold discoveries would be made in the King country. He was in favor of non-political boards for the management of the railways, and of settlement ou the land without vexatious residence conditions.

Mr Larnach spoke for nearly two hours, and received a vote of thanks and confidence.