Mr Buchanan at Matarawa.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2095, 22 July 1887, Page 2

Mr Buchanan at Matarawa.

Mr Buchanan addressed the electors at Matarawa on Wednesday night, and considering the wretched state ol the roads, be bad a lair audi.nee, as Matarawa at the present time trom Onytown or Carterton is, at night, almost unapproachable. The ninal ford between the Greytown side ol the Waiohine and the Matarawa aide has shitted, and it would require a most experienced river pilot to emerge from the river alive, it an attempt wen made to cross at this point ;theo again the Swamp Boad, which is only passable in really good weather, is at pnseot unavailable for toot or hone traffic. What is to be done it the bridge is nol spec lily constructed f is the serious question now occupying the minds of the settlers 1“ this district, and no donbt to them it is a rilal question, and ont that aflsots each and everyone ol them. Al any rate, notwithstanding these grave drawbacks, the settlers turned ont as well as might be expected under each circumstances, and gave Mr Buobanan a lair and patient hearing. Mr A Gallon waa voted to tbe chair, and introduced the candidate in a suitable manner. Mr Bnohanan delivered his address, ths substance ol which ha. already been reported, and resumed hi* seat amid applause. Mr Zillwood asked Mr Bnohanan it be approved of taxing improvements. Mr Bnohanan said he thought no one wonld like to discourage improvements, and he wonld point ont that under the property tax it is only those that have that can pay. Be thought it was impossible to avoid taxing improvements. The property tax, ho said, makes no distinction, and is not tbe means of increasing taxes ou improvements. He said he, himself, bad never occupied land only with a view to improving it. He thought the Pr operty Tex was not a hard tax, but only assessed the laud according to the assessment ol tbe valuator and if the holder ol tbe land was not satisfied with the assessment he had the recourse to a court of appeal, and there could be no injustice, unless tbe valuator waa not up to bis work Mr Zillwood asked Mr Buchanan if tbe little man waa not taxed more iu proportion, than the big man; the large tnnhulder in many esses made very little improvements in proportion to the small settler, a sheep pen, Ac-, befog tbe only thing be pnt on his land. Mr Buchanan said that on many rough lands tbe room for improvement was limited and not much improvement was possible without waste of money ; tbe basis ol the valuation for taxing purposes was in the market value ef the land.

Mr Pinhey asked Mr Baobanan if he would advocate running trains from Wellington) to Wairarapa and back on Buudays. Mr Zhlwood—" Tbe railway men want mat aa well aa other people." Mr Buchanan said he would favor tbe running ol traina to give every facility to persona wishing to travel wben lor any uselul purpose, but Sunday travelling to any extent eiioald not be encouraged. He would make all tbe use ol tbe railways be could without any loss to tbe revenue, but Sunday trains from Wellington to the Upper Hutt had proved a financial failure—be would like to see railways placed under a Board—and he would like to see an improvement on tbe charges of freight on goods in small quantities, sod greater facilities given for sending goods in small bulk, which he considered would be much to the benefit of tbe railways. A vote of thanks to Mr Baobanan and another to the chair terminated the meeting. MB BDOHANAN AT WAIHAEEEB. Last night, Ur Buchanan addressed (ha electors ol Waihakske at the sobaolhonu, the building being filled. The state ol the toads was not at all inviting to travel upon, and the wonder is that so many electors have turned out at tha meetings held in the outlying districts. Mr Braithwaite having introduced Ur Buchanan and asked a patient bearing, that gentleman dived into bis subject. After tbs address bad been delivered, the Chairman asked for questions. Mr Maunsell said the honorarium ol members was a monstrosity. Mr Fitskerbert, ol tbe Hutt, got 800 guineas, while a member at the Bay ol Islands only got the same amount. He would like to know whether Mr Buchanan would support any action to reduce the amount.

Mr Buchanan, in replying, mid the point was a difficult one. Borne members oould well aflord to serve witboot pay, bat there were many worthy representatives who oonid not leave their businesses unless their expenses were paid. He would not support a course that would exclude snob men. He was under the impression that Mr Fitzherbert only got £UO, but o< this he oould not speak positively. Mr Maunsell explained that his question pertained to the pay being the same for a mm living close to Wellington and another living at the far end of the colony. la answei to th ■ question as to whether the Government had power to exceed a vote of the House by £IOO,OOO, Mr Buchanan said tlie Government knew they had doue wrong. It was dragged out of them ss was also tiie figures relating to their travelling expenditure. In answer to Mr KUls, who said that the ary was now one of retreuohiueut, but be was not awaie that Mr Buchanan had lifted up bis voice agaiust big expenditure, Mr Buchanan replied be bad always insisted upon economy. When last before the elec* tors he asked them to support him in pre ■ venting borrowing for the main trunk line, and with others be was instrumental in getting a large sum knocked oil the railway expenditure. Mr Kells asked if there was any truth is the statement that Mr Buchanan had, as a member of the Education Bond, voted against £SO being spent to take the children to the Exhibition and yet voted for tke Hinemos being set apart for the members to go to Christchurch. Mr Buchanan said be had never used tbe Hlucmoa but once, and then it was not to go to the Obristnbnrcb Exhibition. He waa not aware that any sum was voted] for the purpose. The Government simply notified that if members desired Jto use the veseel it was at their disposal. Concerning tbe question of tbe children and tbe Exhibition, he did vote ■ ,t -ainst it. The funds of the Education Board ! ; uld not be used for the purpose. He also [nought it would cost more than LSO. He would vote against such a thing tomorrow if it came up again (applause), and would put bis band in his own pocket first. He went to tbe Minister tor Public Works to gel concessions made in order that tbe children should be taken as cheaply as possible. In answer to a remark by Mr Maunaell that he could not make ont bow Mr Ballanee could dnw )U70,000 (or laud cet&tucut, Mr

Buchanan said that tbs mmey w- not drawn ; it was a liability imp* A vote ol thank. «• to Ift Buchanan by Mr Btevens, .wooded by Mr A proposed a* an ol no confidence. Tbi. being «• "* **A vote l *? thank, to the ehair eonetadrf Iho meeting.