Mr W. C. Buchman, M.H.R. at Carterton.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1784, 18 January 1886, Page 2

Mr W. C. Buchman, M.H.R. at Carterton.

(Concluded fr«p our last.) CHA2ITABLB AID AID HOSPITALS,

All parties were agree* that reform on this question was an absoloe necessity, and I, for one, gladiy-give oredt to the Government for their good intention U this direction, and for having grappled nth a very difficult question. The Governnent were each year finding large sums (Vellington, LBOOO ; Auckland, LC2O4 ; Chistoburob, L 5448) of money for the centres of population, and that population doing lotbing whatever to assist—scarcely coatribuing a single penny. Irresponsible people werespending this money and as yon know the gavest scandals were constantly cropping up ii Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in connection with the management of these imtitutions. Some of the country district hospitals on the other hand—notably the two .a this district—were being largely contribute to, and owing to the local interest takej, were being very well'managed indeed. Under these circumstances the House showed itself very anxious to give the Governmeni* every assistance in making their Bill a workable measure, bat like nearly all the Government measures, it was so crudely drava that it was a work of great difficulty. You all know that its main principle is a Government subsidy of £ for £ on donations and subscriptions from private individuals, and also on contributions levied upon the local bodies. The management of all hospitals devolves upon a Board elected by the County and Borough Councilynnless 100 or more of the inhabitant* interested in any particular hospital elect to subscribe not less than £IOO amongst themselves annually. The subscribers in this case can demand that such hospital be made what is called a separate institution,managed by a committee appointed by themselves and the local bodies who have to contribute to the rapport of the hospital. Believing, as I do, that there is no management so likely to succeed as that of those who in each locality take a compassionate interest in the sick and maimed of our population, lam very glad indeed to see that appeals from the old committees of both our Hospitals has* been so liberally responded to that they are now in a fair way to become separate Institutions, and I have no doubt whatever that under the management of the subscribers they will continue to be as great a,credit to the district, as 1 am proud to say they have hitherto been. The Government fixed upon the Educational districts as being the best for Hospital districts, and this would have involved*, this district being joined to Wellington, tat Mr Beetbam and myself strongly objejied, pointing out that Wairarapa had htberto voluntarily subscribed nearly one-ha!f of her own Hospital expenditure, while Wellington had only contributed 10s per cent. We also pointed out that members oould net afford the three days necessary for attendance in Wellington, and that in every way Wairarapa was entitled to be made a separate district. The Government whips, however, in revenge for adverse votes from Mr Beetbam and myself, in other directions, mustered all their forces to oppose us, every member of the Government, except Mr Stout, voting against us. If the Government had stood firm in other directions on the question of district boundties, we should have had nothing to say, but we had the spectacle of every member of the Government, except Mr Stout, voting immediately afterwards against their own Bill, iu order to give oue of their own supporters, Mr Smith, of Waipawa, a hospital district for himself. On tbs first trial Mr Beetham and myself got beaten, but there are ways and means of bringing even a Government to reason, and on the bill being recommitted next day we carried our point with regard to our hospital, although obliged to give way as to district for charitable aid purposes. For this latter purpose we remain joined to Wellington as originally proposed by the bill. The most casual reference to the papers will have shown you that there are undoubtedly a good many defects in the act—defects not caused as the Government would have you believe from amendments made by the House, but from defects existing in it from.the first. Bo much is this the case that some of their own supporters declare a new act absolutely necessary. I hope, however, that this will not be found the ease, but that by its aid we iu this district will be enabled to look after our sick, aged aud needy, and take a pride iu doing so.

DISTRICT RAILWAYS. And now we come to another iniquitous job which, unlike tbe one I have just been describing, the Government did carry success' fully through tbe Honse. I refer to what is known as the District Hallways Purchasing Bill. Under an act called the District Bailways Act, several private railways were constructed a few years ago, principally in the South Island; the Government guaranteeing 21 per cent on tbe cost for a limited number of years. Power was also given to these private companies to rate the lands through which they passed, up to 2 per cent, in the event of these railways not giving sufficient nett re-, turns to pay interest on the cost. In every case these railways were really made in the interests of a few private individuals who afterwards sold the Ijnd at a high value to farmers and others, leaving them to pay the rates which were afterwards found necessary to levy, not one of the lines paying any dividend at ail, although the rates of carriage were much higber tlwn on the Government lines ;in some oisos nearly double. Then there was a clamour that the Government should take over these unprofitable lines, and most of the southern members, being Interested, tbe Government gave way, bringing in a measure in the session of 1881. The Government in that session holding a large majority, carried the bill easily in tbe Lower House, but the Upper House, much to their credit, threw it out. But the Government, not to be beaten in their evil course, got power by resolution of the Lower House, to make provisional purchases of these lines, but subject to final ratification by the House this last session. It would be difficult for me to describe the scandalous log rolling- by which the Government finally effected their pmpose, even if I hqd the time to do so. You all know that tbs Government which promised us that no Upper Honse member should be appointed for more than 10 years, redeemed that promise by exalting eleven of their friends for life. The Council, thus reinforced, passed tiie bill by a majority of one, which the previous year they threw out. Then a number of members in tbe Upper and Lower Houses were personally interested, one in the Upper House to tbe extent of JEB6.QOO, and he actually had the audacity to record his vote on the bill, but the speaker at once struck it out. As I huve already said ti}o Government and some of the members stuck at nothing ; they threatened, they lobbied, they log rolled, until they carried their point by passing the bill. The cost of these several lines will be about half a million of money when the whole bill is paid, and I cannot re^ 4 .V°» ouo °r two of tlj.s details iu order that yu*’ understand the nature oi the pcopei ties in which Government has invested half a million of your money. The Dunttoon Hakaterama Itaiiway is 16 miles long, costing £61,000 but needing for lengthening bridges £20,000, and also very heavy renewals owing »o age vf sleepers, &o.; to ’B2 they lost £2s9—and in ’B3 lost £IO2O. They then raised the rates much higher than those on the Government, andlsst year,they got the magnificent returns of If per cent. I’bis company has a nominal capital of £IOO,OOO in shares of £lO each, nearly all held by a few large landowners, and how much do you think is paid np per £lO share. Tbe asManding earn of 9d, amounting to the feat sum of £376! But the best of all is t« come in the case of the ypaimate line, about 9 miles long, practically ouly serving fwo large properties. The directors of this company, all practical tuei - oe«s men, found they could not afford to idd mors than t«* trains per week. The returns for sixteen weeks wetfy receipts, I £llO, and for expenditure, £126

CiPIXIB BCHEnn'* BESOLDTIOSI. you tore *U burd of thii now fusom

motion, and that the Opposition is accused of deliberately cutting down the Public Works expenditure by half a million, thereby rendering it certain that large numbers of the working classes will be thrown out of employment, and consequently brought to great distress. I voted for this reduction, feeling satisfied then, as I do now, upon Jooking thoroughly over the question, that there was no truth whatever in these statements, and that the Government were granted ample funds for the amount which they themselves proposed to spend daring the year, viz., a million and a quarter. Let ns see bow the actual figures stand. Mr Richardson and Mr Stout both expressly stated that they would confine expenditure to the sum I have mentioned for the year, and asked the House to vote £2,600 000. The House said no ; we will take £500,000 off that amount because your own proposal is to spend only one and a quarter million, and if we vote you £900,000 more than you actually propose to spend, that is quite margin enough for further contracts. But some of the Government papers, in their endeavors to get up a case, have been saying there were large liabilities outstanding which would swallow up most of what was voted, and leave nothing or very little for new works. The best answer to that is that* the Minister for Public Works expressly admits that on the 31st March next, they would still have a half million left for letting new contracts. To clinch that matter and show yon conclusively that this cry is only got up for political purposes let me quote you a few figures as to the amounts voted during the last four years: The amount of liabilities existing on the 31st March immediately previous and the amounts spent by each successive Government. In the session 1882 amount voted was £1,819,000 and the amount spent was £897,000. In 1883 the amount voted £2,094,000; liabilities, £1,171,000. and amountspent £1,128.000. In 1884 amount voted was £2,855.000, liabilities, £ 1,813,000, amount spent L 1,336,000; in 1885 voted £2,150,000, liabilities, £1,202,000, and they proposed to spend £1,250,000. In other words, this Government, so badly nsed by the Opposition, have been voted 5 millions daring the two sessions they have been in office, while previous Government in their two last years of office got less than that by£l,loo,ooo. Now let na see what these respective Governments have actually spent during! the same time. The actnal amount spent by the Atkinson Government during their two last years of office was as nearly as possible two millions, while taking the present Government at their own estimate of expenditure for the present year, they will have spent £2,600,000 or £600,000 more than their predecessors during the same length of time. You will thus see gentlemen that the misery and distress which were to be brought about by the cutting down of the estimates is nothing more nor less than a very unfair attempt by the Government to damage their political opponents, and which when looked into, will not bear examination for a moment. • LAND.

A Consolidating Land Act was passed last session repealing 26 other acts and extending to no less than 231 clauses. No doubt the intention is a good one to have laud open lor settlement upon several systems, so as to suit the taste of everyone, but it has its drawbacks and very serious ones too. Fancy a newly arrived immigrant being handed an act with 251 clauses and being told to master the land laws of the colony. In a great 1 many oases be would simply be unable to do so, and there can be no doubt we could have equally liberal land laws with much greater simplicity. 1 have said it was a oonsolidaing Act, but there are several new provisions in it. One is that the Government can now set apart small grazing runs of not exceeding 5000 acres on the perpetual lease system, at an upset rental on the valuation of not less than 2} pet cent. At the end of bis first term of 21 years he has the offer without competition of a fresh lease for 21 years. Another new feature is that the Government can set aside land for village settlements in 30 acre sections and let them upon perpetual lease by lot without competition, with right of renewal or payment of improvements by either the Government or the new ooonpant. There is also a power to the Government to purchase or rather to agree to purchase up to 1000 acres for village settlement but the agreement is to be null and void unless ratified by Parliament. Mo doubt this is a very useful provision, enabling homes to be found for people near the large centres where there is no Government land obtainable, but the power is open to great abuse and will have to be very carefully guarded. Another very strong attempt was made by a certain section of the House to abolish the right of purchase between the 6th and 11th year in the case of perpetual lease sections, but I am glad to say without effect. I give every credit to Mr Ballance for endeavouring to do his best in the interests of settlers, but I take leave to repeat here what I have already stated over and over again, that he and other laud theorists are very much mistaken if they imagine it is in the best interests of M.Z. land settlement that its poorer settlers should be deprived of the chance of making their holding a freehold. We wish to make laud settlement attractive to settlers and endeavor to make productive every acre we have got, is there any title we can give an Englishman half so attractive as a freehold one 7 The answer would be No, from 999 out of every thousand. Tue Government propose paying part of the passage money of farmers who can prove possession of a certain amount of capital. Do (hey think to compete on level terms with other countries who give not what they are already disgusted with, namely, a household title, but that best and moat attractive of all titles, a freehold title 7 If they do they are very much mistaken and I am glad to say that by fighting for it in the House we have retained the option of the freehold titles to the man with small capital who in the first instance cannot afford to occupy land except as a leaseholder. I wish to say a word as to the special settlements which are going on in the Forty-Mile-Bush. I have no doubt whatever that Mr Ballanoe’s desire is to encourage settlement of the best sort, but I am Satisfied settlement in most cases would be decidedly more satisfactory to the settlers themselves and as a consequence to the country under the perpetual lease and deferred payment systems thau under the special settlement regulations. I have over and over' again advoca'ed the opening up by roads of Government land prior to or immediately after settlement, and that the settler would be greatly advantaged by this instead of having to do all the roadmaking piecemeal in conjunction with his fellow settlers after wards. 1 am thoroughly satisfied that it would be vastly more profitable to lay out monev iu this way than on railways such as the East and West Coost Itailway, the agitators for which are all men who are more or less interested in large companies and whose sole objectin agitating for this railway is to produce a temporary inflation in the value of property aad then sell out. I think I can here appropriately allude to the frequent lamentation g of ghe Premier and Sir Julius Vogtl as to the large sums spent in the past on roads and the small amounts on railways. During tip session and in everyone of the speeches by MU of them since the letaion, we find them continually referring to this and stating their determination to spend lets on roads aud bridges abd more qn railways. In this I altogether differ from them in the interests of true settlement and would ask you eg practical settlers who are (applying your milk to the factory at Clareville, or wish to bring any other prodnce to market which is of the most value to you, a road to or from your homesteads po business town or to the factory, or s railway through the district without the requisite facilities. As a practical settler I know what youra will be and what that of all settlers mnst be, and that you will not be foand supporting a Government whose cbiefarm seems to be pushing speculative ■ aiiways to buy political support, and by the introduction of Meiggeand Brogdens and other sundry syndicates to screw enormous profits put of an already staggering country. NORTH JBLAHC TRUNK BAILWAX LINE.

you will renumber that 1 yrae blamed for advocating flelnj in (he construction of thii line until w» h»4 «W«4 l«? 4 W** l #?

meat along its route ; that in eome quarters I was held up for reprobation as being an enemy to the best interests of the North Island. At that time the route was not decided, but in the session of 1884 the Central Lino was ohosen, and the Government was given authority to raise a million loan for its construction, on the distinct understanding that they should first get land along the route for settlement. During the recess Mr Ballanoe interviewed the Natives and arranged that he should have a chain wide for the line, with the requisite additional land for stations, the Government to pay for the land when the title was ascertained. The Premier, in due course, turned the first sod at tbs Auckland end of the line, and the Governor on the Wellington end, and several contracts on both ends have since been let to the amount of some £IOO,OOO. But what about land for settlement, von will naturally ask? What about opening up the land to find traffic for the railway and enable us to get returns which will at all events help to pay working expenses, if not to find part of the £60,000 of interest which we will have to pay on its cost ? Mr Ballance, while I was in Auckland last year, met the Natives on several occasions, and you would say should certainly, in fulfilment of his understanding with the House, and in the best interests of the country, have shown that he had done bis best to secure land for settlement before proceeding with the construction of the line. Yon all know that Wahanni is the most important chief in connection with these lands. Let ns see what be says about this question in giving his evidence before a committee of the House last session. " I did not know that tbs railway was to be made with the object or with the understanding that the land was to be settled on each side. I thought it was to connect two places. I have now heard for the first time that there is another object it, view. I will not allow my land to be dealt with by the Native Land Court.” Still later, Nev. ICth, 1883, what did he say when he saw it stated in the papers that he had consented to put his lands through the Court ? —" Alexandra, Nov. 16,1885. Of thedavs of our world * Han.’ O Sir, O Editor of the Waikato Times, publish my letter to be beard —to be beard by all of both racea who reside in Aotearoa (New Zealand). On the 13th day of November, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, I saw a report in one of the columns of the Waikato Times, as follows: ‘ Whahanui has consented to have the Maori lands put through the Native Lands Court.’ I never said that. Have yon never heard what I said to the committee in parliament 7 1 was this : 1 1 will manage my own lands. 1 haye beard of the evil works of the Court in its dealings with Native lands, and ia it Ukaly that I would allow that treacherous Court to deal with my lands? Friend, that report was wrong. Hasten to pnblish this in the columns of your paper.” Are we then to continue spending large sums of money—eventually It millions through country, none of which or very little of which belongs to ns ? Are we justified in clapping £60,000 a year on the taxpayers of the colony for the barren result of connecting the city of Auckland with the city of Wellington ? I say that with taxation otherwise pressing npou the producers—the workers of the colony—taxation that there is no escape from, the public man who lends his weight in the direction of increasing that taxation without a corresponding benefit, is doing a wrong thing, and I, for one, no matter what the consequences may be, will not be a party to any snob proceeding. And what is more, although I and two or three other members stood alone in that opinion two short years ago, nearly every member in the North Island is with us now, ready to construct the Main Trunk Line without a day's delay, bat not until a reasonable area of land is sold to ns by Natives for settlement. And this brings me to the Native department now presided over by Mr Ballanoe. I at once give Mr Bal lance credit for the very best intentions and for doing his best in the interests of the colony, but at the same time I am satisfied that in many directions he bos been, and is being made, use of by powerful natives for tbeir own purposes; that he has been weakly led to make many foolish promises; that as a Minister of the Crown he had no right to make, and that he has no power to fulfil.

NATIVE AFFAIRS. Time was when Native affairs were watched with bated breath ; when they involved the issues of piece and war. Happily this time is now past, but none the less is the question still an all important one in the interests of settlement and population. It involves the issue of whether the vast interior shall be opened up for settlement and prospecting, or whether it shall be closed for years as it has been in the past. We have the Natives’ consent to a line of railway which will cost a million and a half before it is finished, and it is of the utmost importance that the country along the line shall be opened for settlement and not merely have a line connecting two distant centres of population already enjoying easy and cheap communication by sea. A reference to the maps and to the elaborate reports presented by the Lands Department at each succeeding session shows us that in Canterbury very little remains but the hilly country fit for grazing merino sheep, In Otago, a little more remains, but the quality is indifferent. In Nelson and Marlborough it is nearly all hilly grazing country, much of it of the roughest description, but snob as it is the Crown parted with the lee simple of nearly all of it years ago. But what about Westland—that Eldorado with which Sir Julias Vogel and the Christchurch East and West Coast Railway ring are so anxious to open up railway communication with. Well, gentlemen, some of yon hare had a hard time of it in this district, carving and hewing away among the forest giants, but you had a soil which would grow something when your hard task was done; bat in Westland, with the stimulus of high prices, and a ready market at their doors amongst the diggers, the Government have hitherto been able to induce buyers to the exteat of only a paltry 7000 acres. You may well therefore conclude that the quality is very bad indeed, and that there is no outlet for you there. We have then to fall back on the north Island to get land in any quantity for settlement. The 70 mile bush was practically unbroken when I settled amongst you. In a little while more it will be all taken up in farms aud settlements. All 'this being so I need scarcely point out how enormously important it is to the whole country tfcat this, the only remaining large block of country, should be handled carefully in the interests of future settlement. Is the present Government doing so ? I scarcely think it. Nor did the House think it. They were very much dissatisfied indeed with the Native Lands Bill, and the Natives themselves thought as little of it, as you must have noticed daring the session and later on at the meeting held by Mr Uallanee the other day at Napier. They want to be recognised at reasonable beings and treated ns such ; they want to manage their qwn lands and sell them when they want to do so to the highest bidder. A 8 Wahanui said before the committee during the session.’ When I sell my land I want the highest bidder. I look npon the highest bidder as my nearest rela’ion." One of my greatest objections to Mr Ballauce’s Bill was the return to the system of personal Government, which Mr Bryce so wisely abolished, so that Native affairs should be administered under laws enacted by Parliament, and which everybody could understand, instead of personal Government by every successive Native Minister, the ijour and sugar and the mystery which did each incalculable harm in days gone by. Mr Buchanan here quoted the various clauses in the Native Lands Disposition Bill.

BIN nUNOIBOO HAIL SIB VICE. The old contract expired lest year, as you kaow ( and a new one haa been inaugurated under contract with the Union Company Was U worth renewal considering oor past experience ol it and what the direct boats have proved themselves capable of doing ? The 'Frisco service brought last year 261 passengers—principally todrists; our exports by that line were valued at £30,000 —principally kauri gum ; and onr imports £IB,OOO, mainly tinned fish, the net cost of the service (• the colony being

£3 830. Statistic* show that oar trade with 'Frisco ia steadily decreasing, because we produce, in the main, tha same articles, and there is very little room for trade between ns. The direct service brought ns last year over 6000 passengers, e greet many of whom »re now settled amongst us. It carried awav to market enormous quantities of produce ol every description, and our interests manifestly lie in supporting it in every possible way. Why, therefore, was the subsidy of £IB,OOO to £23,000 not given to the direct service Because, forsooth, Auckland was interested in remaining the first port of arrival and last ol departure for a mail servioe, and because the time is some two or three days shorter. Nearly every Chamber ol Commerce in the colony was in favor el supporting the direct service; but the Government could not do without the Auckland vote, end the oniony was consequently sacrificed. Now South Wales is the terminus, and, with it gets s large expenditure, end pays only £IO,OOO against the amount I have stated above for this colony. The American Government may pay £4OOO or may not; and so little were the interests of N Z. attended to bv the Government, that the United State* were not even applied to when the contract was made.

FIDKBATIOS ISh VOLVRTZMS. I am not at all going to inflict upon you a lecture on Federation ; my referenoe to it will be of the shortest); bnt I think I should be failing in my duty were I to omit reference to the Soudan expedition—to the action of New Sooth Wales. A, noble well timed affair—a frank acceptance and a enthusiastic burst ol approval through the length and breadth ol every English speaking community throughout the wot Id. Who therefore can doubt lor a moment that we are really federated at heart, and that time only ia rsquiaita to draft eat the formal lines of onr relations one with ‘another. Details ol tariff, details of tepresention, and various other matters are no donbt extremely difficult to settle, but opportunities are bound to arise lor their simplification if we only wait patiently. Be who in his enthusiasm attempts to bury the binding of hard and fast line* of formal federation is really the greateat enemy to what be |bas at heart, and I for one, will be no party to it. I am therefore glad that New Zealand is not to be tepresented at the first meeting of delegates to be shortly held in Tesmsnia. We can afford to wait, and it is better to wait antil we can see onr way a little clearer. In close connection with this subject is that of defenoe. While Victoria and New South Wales for instance, hod been carefully making preparations for possible eventualities, we have aimply done uext to nothing. I blame tbe Atkinson Government tor this. Tbe Bossies roar* surprised us, and we rushed, in my opinion, into tbe other extreme, although I do not exactly blame the Government for acting as they did. Let ns therefore, in tutors, set in peace, as those who any day might have to go to war and by proper and liberal encouragement foster the same spirit amongst our volunteers, which in New South Wales, did such honor to us all. That this spirit is not wantiog in New Zealand need only remind you ol the fact that demands for development ol new Volunteer Corps poured in from every district of New Zealand until tbe Government from want of sufficient arms and ammnnition were obliged to refuse a great many ol them. As to naval defence have we not got the wooden walls of old England as represented by the steel armour of the H.M.B. Nelson, and her commander in thee* seas, and ia my opinion sufficient defenoe toe against everything except a mere temporary surprise much better than any attempt to eel up such a pigmy fleet as New Zeeland could at present sfford. (Applause.)

BORROWING. So tnach, gentlemen,tor the principal events of the last 18 months. There are at oeorae a good many other subjects upon whieh I could engage your attention, hut time doee not at present admit of it, and 1 want to speak about the future. 1 have shown you I think, gentlemen, that the Government, whieh earn* into office with sneh a flourish of trumpets in the shape of promises, have fulfilled scarcely any one of them. They promised us better local Government whieh would help the poorer districts to make their roads, and they have starved them instead, while pouring large sums of money into the richer districts that had no need of it. They promised us nenpolitical boards of mismanagement for out railways, and the latest deliverance of the Premier is to ridicule them, while we know to onr cost that the management goes on as before. I have shown yon that by the District Railways Purchasing Act they have, by packing Upper House, end at the instance of private epooulators and large landowner*, succeeded in saddling the country with half a mi lion on worthiest railways, for which the taxpayers of the country will have to find the interest—aye—and a good deal of the working expenses. Settlers throughout the country know, to their eoet, that the depression which was to give way to the proverbial leaps and bounds, is still lying as heavily on the whole eountry as ever, if not heavier. But why go en, you will perhaps say, telling us again what wo have already been told over and over again by the P.-efS, and in other ways We already know they have utterly failed to fuffll their promises. My answer to that is that it is dne ts you as a I'ointitncjjcy to hoar what your representative has to say upon all matters of important public policy, and be ahonld give yon as clear y as he can bia reasons for his opinions. And there is another imperative reason why I should emphasise the past, and I can best give you uiy moauiug lit an illustration. Supposing on? of yon goes to yonr banker with a bill at three or aix months, whieh yon wish him to discount. He looks at the signature, and he says this man baa already failed in bis engagements, and I must have* better signature before I have anything to do with the biil. Gentlemen, you are in the position of that banker, and the bill yon are now asked (o discount will be fnn l in the new editions of promises sod proposals of the two principal members of the Government in their recent speeches and addresses. And what do we tied these proposals to be, as detailed in Sir J. Vogel's address to the electors of Tnapeka. This last and desperate tramp card is from the man who knows only too well that he is utterly lost unless he can propound some fresh scheme to save the speculators and money lenders and mortgaged land owners who hope to pull their burning chestnuts oat of the fire by means of the Government West Coast railway. At a banquet recently given to one of the Christchurch members and Sir J Vogel, a few wordg which the member said will give you the key to tbe.whole position. " Sir Julius knew that in time of danger be could rely upon tb* Canterbury members ; but it was only right that he should know that they looked' to bis Government to devise some means by which the great work of (lie i ail way should be put before the country in snch an attractive way ae, in case of an appeal to the country, to carry constituency after constituency throughout the colony. If this expectation were not fulfilled they would Lave to seek other members and other parties." Will you have the attractive scheme which is to serve the purpose of these Christchurch speculators : borrow to the tune of eight or ten millions, and Protection—in other words, heavy taxation throughout the country to pay the interest on this enormons sum of money. The Christchurch railway league, with a llva secretary, stands to bag nearly tour million of this, and hopes to buy the rest of the Colony by throwing down the remainder at a bait. Let ns have a look at tha ledger as to how w# stand at the present moment. Our nett debt at the promt tint*, aftet deducting the linking fund, is 83 involving an annual payment lor interest of I L 1,660,000 (L 275.000 more (ban total eustoms). If wo add to thou figuresonr other miscellaneous borrowings, non M loans te Boroughs, Barbour Boards, and private mortgagee of all descriptions, tha total comae up to the enormous sum of 70 millions. Theta there is interest on money engaged in banking, loan companies, Ac., Ac. It all means that we have to pay away every year out of the Colony something about five «pitj«««e of money, and out total export* ere about 6) millions. Do other people borrow in this way t Victoria nod Mew South Wale* are reasonably

|9*-bMd people, and are not enpposed to let the grase grow under their leet. What do they do ? Victoria L 26 la 9d, New Booth Walee L 24 17a Bd, while ours has raeehed the enonnooa anm of LSB odd for ever; mao, woman and child in the Colony, aod the taxation ia of conrae in proportion. Aye, and more, because while the railways in both.tbesa conn tries hare been paying as near aa possible 41 per cent on their coat, ours wars only L 3 14a and L 3 in 1884 and 1885 respectively, thus throwing an annual burden of a quarter million on the taxpayers of the Colony, aod what is the proposal to spend this sight or ten millions upon ? The East and West Coast Bailway, in the interests of desperate speculators and money lenders, who have projected the Christchurch league. CooMctiog Pieton with the Christchurch lines right along the sea coast,through nothiog elss but a succession of large properties fit for nothing but sheep grazing, and consequently incapable of providing a payable railway traffic. It is evident, therefore, gentlemen, tbit if we borrow to construct these lines we mast add enormously to the taxation of the country; we must have fresh editions doubled and trebled of the tariff which friends and foes el the Government alike ignominiously kicked ont list suasion. Are we in a fit condition to stand this ? Let us look at the ledger again. We find that ont of 6| million in exports at least million pounds are the product |of onr live stock, cattle, sheep, Ac., in other words, our yearly exnor-i of wool, tallow, bides, frozen meat, dairy prodnea, A*. But are they increased in value ? Will they stand a heavier burden * We know that eettiers are clearing, fencing, and menesing their stock and exports, L 672.000 being the increase last year in the number of ebeep, although we froze and exported over half million daring the year. Why ? We got leea money last year by a good many thousands than we got in 1883 ter oar wool, although the quantity was nearly twenty million pounds greater in weight. And when you realise that nearly one half in value of our total export is in the shape of wool you caa see whet e serious business it is (or everybody in the community. The same is true with regard to everv article we produce from our stock. Everything haa gone to the lowest ebb. end our power to pay taxation ia crippled in proportion. Then whet as to the tanner—the wheat producer * The wheat export in 'B3 brought at in L 1,067,000, Last year we came down by the run to L 458.000, or the enormous difference of over L 700,000 in one year. I have already shown you that our railwaya ere yielding us leas and lees, although the mileage opened every year is increasing. But does the English moneylender demand bis pound of flesh aav the lees because farmers and producers are .crippled by ruinous prices ’ Not st all. Whoever suffers, be gets the first helping. He takes the first pull out of the colonial pone whatever happens to the rest. Under these dreumstaceea is this a time to launch out on work* which even their advocates have to admit ere unproductive, aod when our power otherwise to pay has been so disastrously enpped * My unhesitating answer to that ia. No. I shell never be led by any eneb ring to saddle the taxpayers of the country with an additional burden of taxation tor inch works as these, in the present state of the country. Tour experience of me in this district ia sufficient answer to anyone who would say that I was an enemy to enterprise and progress. Bnt wonld you stop borrowing altogether, somebody may ask ? My answer to that also is. No. We cannot stop borrowing if we would, and I would not if we eonld, because we sen still spend money profitably an public works which I shall specify Mas-tarton-Woodvillc ; Woodrillc-Palmerston ; Thames-Botorue; Northern Trunk, extensive branch lines Canterbury ; Otago Central; branches Southland; roads and bridges to open out Crown Lands; purchase of Native lands for settlement. All tbeae, gentlemen, are legitimate objects for which we should borrow, and when this tide of adversity with which we are at present contending takes a turn in onr favor we can then decide upon other lines of progress which ere sure to open to os.

run* ci. ( Than there tu tha question of finance. 1 Bar* you will My that the great financier, Sir Juliuc Vogel, who pronounced Atkinson a 1 baby is finance, would have been in hie clement; that whatever the shortcomings in other direction*, we should have everything in this department as it should be. In the Governor'* speech they told n* solemnly in then* very word*: “we greatly object to the present property tax, and will propose its repeal at the earliest moment practicable.” Treating of the encouragement of local pro. dnetiooe and manufactures, they told us in the earns Governor 1 ! speech •• that little in i ■neh a direction can be effected through the Customs tariff, which is already very high.” They teld u, in abort, that by redaction of expenditure in the civil service, and by cess- t ing to pay the sinking fund, we should be able i to reduce taxation instead of increasing it. What are the real facte * What about the property tax I The highest we ever bad before was (d in the pound Sir Jaliue Vogel heaesided by raising it to {thsofapeony. If on cannot now Mil a piece of property or bequeath it to your children without paying nearly double in stamp doty to what yon did before. And what about tba Customs Tariff? In tha Governor's speech he told ns that little oonld bo dene in this direction to encourage I local industries because the tariff was already vary high. Wall, be astonished the a hole ; Boom by bringing down a greatly increased tariff which be admitted would bring £70,000 more from tba taxpayers, but which I believe myself would be (ally LIOO.OOO. And what were tha artielea on which he wanted to put this tax ? Articles of luxury need by people who could afford to puy the tax ? Not a bit of it. LSOOO of it wm to come from tea. Boots and shoes of all sorts—the hob nailed boot alike with tba French kid, were to pay fifty per seat ovar what they did before. Blankets end all aorta of woollen clothing , were to be raised frmn 15 per cent, and ad valorem 15 to 30 per sent. Gentlemen, the Boom was astonished—supporter* of the Government Mwell as the Opposition—and with the exception of a sixpence upon spirits and Australian wine, the whole of the Government proposal! were thrown out. The main ground on which the tariff prspoMlg were thrown out wm a strong feeling both on the pert of Government supporters and the Opposition that tba time had not come when it would be wiM to put any heavier burden upon the people through the Customs, end that the Government would have no difficulty by economy and otherwise in finding sufficient money for the year's wants. The question of free trade and protection wa* of course raised. I have now shown Von that daepite our having ceased to pay the quarter million or so of sinking fund, which we formerly did ont of revenue until Air Jolla* Vogel’s advent, and despite the Government's promise that they would reduce taxation, we are now compelled to pay much mote than we did, aud that the Government used their utmost effort* to make ns pty more still, but that they were prevented from Mag io.

Mi Bachman addressed the Greytown electors of Wairarspa Sooth in the Town Hall, Greytown, on Friday night. The meeting was fairly attended. His Worship the Mayor (Mr F. H. Wood, Esq.) presided, and introduced the speaker in a few well chosen words. Mi Boehanan tbetf addressed the meeting, and his remarks were essentially the seme ae made at the meeting at Carter ton the night pterions. He referred to the factotum newspapers baring deprecated any allaskns to what they called the “ wretched part,” wUeh idea he considered wee a little tunuonaUe; be also referred to the “ pilot balloons ” of the Ooremmant, and reminded hie sodiroee that it was only in the light of the part that they could come to any concla•oo ae te their projects for the future. (Applanss). The speaker also made reference to the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Art, tad stated that the small subsidy payable under it to the County Council would —hie them to tturow open the Waiohine Bridge bee to the public in a few months, when the present lease expiree. Begarding Captain Bussell's motion, Mr Buchanan said that 10 fv H concerned (he Woodrilk to

Palmerston section dealt wi*li by that resolution. he regretted having to give hia voire against that particular section as it formed their connecting link to tour important sections of our railways, but aa this item was included in the schedule of reductions deter mined npon, he had no alternative. (Applause). The speaker, who was listened to with wrapt attention, resumed bis seat amid much applause, and no person responding to the Mayor’s invitaiion to ask questions of the member, Mr Brooks proposed, and Mr S, Revans seconded, a vote of thanks and continued confidence in Mr Buchanan, which was carried unanimously.