MR HASELDEN AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12550, 13 July 1905, Page 2

MR HASELDEN AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

"VIR F. H. HASELDEN AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Mr F. H. Haselden, who is a oandi-'■.•:S-ate for the Wanganui seat as an Oppo--sitdondst, addressed a meeting of electors at the Opera House last evening. 'There was not a very large attendance, «*li*e, no doubt, (to the fact that tlhe date -'.af the election is still some months off. JElis Worsftup the Mayor (Mr A. G. Big?i>ell) presided, and, in introducing the -^candidate, said that in view of the campaign upon -which they were about to • aeaiter, and as there was likely to be a number of candidates, he (the Mayor) would like to ask each and every W&joi ■sfehem a fair and impartial hearing. The • ■electors came too political meetings, to form their own opinions as to which, is -ad» most suitable candidate Hx> represent rfSihem'dai Parliament.- He asked them, ;tfh<ar©fi>re, to give all the candidates -British fair play. Ho then called on Mr. Haselden to address them. Mr "Haselden was favourably received. He was given a fair hearing, save tor occasional interruptions from two or three electors, and his remarks were frequent. 3v applauded. . " * Mr Haselden. who was warmly received, said that he came forward with feelings of diffidence, as he felt that "*ho audience would be disappointed ;«hat Mr Massey was not present, as it Iliad been hoped ho would be, How«e\ev, it was not. the speakers fault that tho Leader of the Opposition was wot present, as he (Mr Haselden) had, -at, the request of a number of citizens, communicated with him. but he had replied that it wj,s absolutely impossible t|'-> visit Wanganui until later in the session. Ho would, however speak in •Wanganui at an early date. Mr Hasel•den then went on to say he wished it nSto bo known that he. vas a Liberal in i-tho trua sen&o of the word, and that -what ho was about to say was devoid* oi personality. He intended to say some iu-etty hard things, but, while he could Jiiot avoid naming Ministers, he did not -do so with any feeling of personal uitierness. He intended to criticise the '^Government, but in so doing he was .-.simply taking the Premier's advice, tor that gentleman, speaking in the House, •.said it Avas a proper thing for the Opposition to criticise the Government, J land shaw up any weaknesses in their measures. Mr Haselden said he wished •Jia could give a speech such as Rewi ask..*3;l Sir Donald McLean to give a large -assemblage of Maoris in the Waikato—a -speech that would please and satisfy everybody. If he could do that he would indeed be a great politician. He . .<cculd, however, only, hope to please a jfew, satisfy some, and offend none. Mr -Haselden said he had no desire to refer ANCIENT HISTORY, "Bmt ho could not see how to it, aa the Premier was stumping the colony ■varying out about the wretched past .aahd the bad state into which the Atkin."son Government had brought the colony. The Premier had misrepresented *ho truo condition of affairs, and Mr. Heselden thought it was only right and .just that he should let the audience "•see things in their proper light. Mr. Seddon had spoken of the soup kitchens -which the Atkinson Government had but would it be believed tha* dat tho present time there were soup Jdtchens in Wellington for the benefit •sof the unemployed and those unable *fco obtain food. But the Government was not coming to the assistance of the aieedy. Oh, no, it was Sisters of Compassion who had come to the rescue. '■; tr'a'ilo iAtkin#p»«■ Governingnt,.. came into P-^fe#dw«r ;:aft^^-tiieV-Stoii^y!6g^v^Kni?try ; •"• '^Jhad madortho; colony; Jbankriipty'to&'Bifr L/>''i:■JJa'r.iy.. Atkinson Lhafl been forced ■■to,: '" ■ ' -adopt the necessary but unpleasant'• •work of retrenchment. Bub he hatl satarted on his own salary and that of Ms Ministry. What a contrast to the of Mr Seddon, who had, from, the time he took office, increased the .salaries of himself and those about him. Mr Seddon spoke of the days when men -only obtained 2s 6d a day—it was really -3s 6tl a day—but Mr. Haselden pointed out that Mr Seddon, who was in the House at the time, said that 4s to 5s a day was sufficient for men on relief works. Mr Seddon, when challenged on this point by Mr Massey, ssaid he meant that old and infirm men --should bo paid at that rate. Just #ancy, said Mr Haselden, putting on relief works'in the wilds of the colony ;.«old and infirm men who should be in'rtnates of Old Men'a Homes, smoking the pipe of peace! Sir Harry Atkinson Tvas succeeded by tho lamented Mr. Ballance, who had declared that his policy was one of non-borrowing and self-reliance. Mr Seddon succeeded' Mr Ballance, and said that his policy would "ha that of his old leader, but had he ■^carried out the policy he said he intended to follow? Mr Haselden then •went on to show that THE NATIONAL DEBT

"liad steadily increased every year since. ..'Mr Seddon came into office, and point- -•«•! out that each election year the -amount borrowed had been three times -as large as during. other years. Why wai thfis? Had the enormous sum been spent on reproductive works it "would not have been so bad, $>ut it had gone in increased departmental expenses,and in maintaining an -army of Government parasites and giving supporters billots all over the colony. As an instance of the policy which Mr Seddon pursued, Mr Hasel--deu said ho had been going about the -colony during the past few months and making promises which it would require ~s loan of five millions to fulfil. The 'national debt was now £68 11s 3d per %cad, which was an increase of £8 14s ■£}t\ per head since Mr Seddon came into power, the total increase being 18 millions. This debt compared very unfavourably with the Commonwealth, •and was out of all proportion to the ■"increase of population, which, during the last twelve years, had only increased by 160,240, which was at the rate of 13,353 per annum. As the increase of im-ths over deaths was over 13,000, it •showed but a small increase from outaide sources. The total revenue collected from 1896 to 1904 was £51,----'•1038,106, while the total borrowed was .^£13,549,439, making a grand total of £64,587,545. What had become of this -enormous amount? The Year Book for the last 13 years—not nine years— showed that the amount spent on public works was .only £7,128.426. Tlw Premier stated that of the amount of our loan* £11,000,000 was reproductive. All loans ought to be reproductive. Ours mostly were—of interest and disaster. Our 3£ per cent stock liad depreciated more than the stock -of any other country. One reason for this was the action of our loan agents in floating the last loan. They bought up our own scrip to the extent of £50,000, simply "bulling the market." '*This, as Mr justice Wright recently pointed out, was a dangerous game, ■and that thoso responsible were guilty *«? as gross a fraud as .had ever been -committed. One such transaction did more to ruin the fair fame of the colony than anything the Opposition might say or do. No wonder the Premier refused to answer the Opposition's •questions on the subject. For this *oan we received only £91 15s Bd. Mr. Haselden then referred to THE MYTHICAL SURPLUSES.

-and quoted figures to show that they were obtained by over-estimating the •expenditure and under-estimating the Tevenue. He quoted figures which, he -claimed, fully exposed the great annual conjuring trick of showing a surplus

when there was in reality a deficiency Coming to the PUBLIC REVENUES ACT,

M;1 Haselden s>aid it was, in the language of Mr John Hutcheson, passed by foul and abominable means, as the member.! of tho House were bribed by tho "£4O steal," and allowed next year to increaso their honoraria by £60. Ho also pointed out that under this Act votes could bo transferred from one district to another. An even worse Act was the Ministers' Salaries and Allowances Act, as under it the Government could, by an annual vote, increase the salaries of the Governor, Judges, and other officers, which, he cor.tended, was simply holding out a bribo to them. At tho present time cur Governor and Judges were above suspicion, but the time might come when wo would have needy men, to whom 'a £1000 -or more would be an 'inducement to side wWh the Government.

THE RAILWAYS. , Speaking on the subject of railways, Mj- Haselden said the Government had no progressive policy. They had undertaken to construct numerous lines all over New Zealand, hardly any of which had been completed. The Government had really been dangling the lines before the eyes of the people interested in order to secure their votes. As an instance of the manner in which the railways had been "pushed" ahead, Mr Haselden referred to the Main Trunk Line, which had this end had progressed at the rate of one mile per arnum. In this connection Mr Haselden referred to co-operative labour as compared with contract., He said-*the Main Trunk had been stopped for eight years at the Makohine Viaduct, which was constructed by co-operative labour, at a cost of £100,000. The Government had evidently come to the opinion—long held by Mr Haselden—that contract labour was cheaper and best, as they had let the Makatote Viaduct by contract for £53,000, the work to be finished in one year. Mr Haselden said the Government .prided themselves on being the friends of the workers, but how did they treat the" co-operative mon in 1891, when in a cold-blooded and brutal manner they discharged men who had wives and children depending on them for their daily bread. Mr. Haselden, when in the House, accused the Hon. Hall-Jones of doing this. "I did not sack them all," said Mr HallJones. "No/ retorted Mr Haselden, "you kept on the inspectors to inspect themselves." He contended that the North Island had not received a fair amount of expenditure on railways as compared with the South Island, which had 600 miles more than the North, though the North Island had 9000 more inhabitants. M/ Haselden thought that all the main lines should be completed, -and then the country opened up with roads and bridges. While on the railways question, Mr Haselden drew attention to the terrible slaughter bill among the railway servants. Last year no less than 12 were killed and 619 injured. There were 8782 railway employees^ so that one was killed out of etery 1756, and one in 1 14 was injured. Mr Haselden contended the lives of the railway servants should b& more safeguarded, and said they could not be too well-paid for the terrible risks they ran. Mr Haselden then spoke in favour of Vailo's system of cheap fares. ROADS AND BRIDGES.

This, said Mr Haselden, was a most important point to Wanganui. He said he had been a pioneer of the backblocks, and knew what the want of roads meant in the enormous expense incurred in getting in stores and getling out wool and produce. He contended that all should be roaded before settlement, and loaded with a sufficient sum to pay for. the roads, instead of $h<K;^ 'absui^,^:system^ /.of^■--^ffcjbird^/'----f v^fottrthi3^'|^}l4 specialsloansy- which. ? lead to eifSil'ss book-keeping tfiid^trou;ts§V He strongly advocated the opening up of the !v; 6ountry^3 by roads and Bridges, and maate "special reference to the Parapara and other roads in the Wanganui District. He had advocated for the past twenty-five years the construction of roads leading to Wanganui, aiid had over 20 years ago obtained from the Government £800 to open up Hales' Track. Now there was a good settlement along this track, the land which was at one time considered to bo absolutely useless, now carrying a large population and two sheep to the acre. Mr Haselden then came to THE LAND QUESTION, and dealt especially with that aspect at present agitating the whole country —Freehold v. Leasehold. He traversed tho Premier's attitude on this question from 1889 to the present day. In 1890 he advocated the freehold, saying, "The more freeholders the more prosperous wo should be. Once a man was a landowner he fought for his corner," Two years later, when Mr Seddon joined the Ballance Government be agreed with Mi. Ballance on the nationalisation of the land, and said that- all occupiers of land should he State tenants. In 1894 ho said, "It%ill be a bad day for the colony when the leasehold is given up. In his great Newtown speech Mr Seddon, speaking of the leasehold v. Freehold, said this was a matter so momentous in its scope and so far-reaching that to remain silent upon it would be criminal. His own opinion was that there might be some ground for complaint, but it was quite ia different matter to change the entire poylicy of the Government. They must adhere to the leasehold -principle. So sure as those men who were advocating this change became the dominant party in this colony, so sure will they return to that state of depression when they had the soup kitchens and the shelter-sheds." Ho believed that this advocating of the freehold was immoral." Mr Haselden then referred to the Pahiatua election, and said that as the principles enunciated by the Premier would not suit the Pahiatua electors—who were freeholders—all references to the leasehold were cut out of the printed reports circulated in the district. Mr. Haselden said he was a freeholder straight out, and went on to trace the progress of the Liberal land-laws from tho time they were initiated by Mr Rolleston. Mr Haselden, referring to tha resumption of large estates for close settlement, said he had always been opposed to the practice, because there was no policy and system in the way the Government carried it out. He pointed out that the Government was buying large estates at enhanced values and selling the virgin soil for cash at a low figure. The Premier stated that there were over four million acres available for settlement. Where, therefore, was the necessity for buying up estates when there was such aa enormous extent of land yet to be reclaimed from the wilderness, and which was at present being being over-run with noxioin weeds. M? Haselden then alluded to THE GREAT FARCE, as ho called the Land Commission, which was appointed by the Premier simply as a back-door of escape. The Commissioners were each receiving £336 for a four months' picnic to preparo a report which could be written by a sixth standard schoolboy. The report would state that the majority of the people were in favour of the freehold, but a confidential tag would be attached for the Premier's own benefit, stating that if he was strong enough at the next election to ignore the Labour Unions, who had kept him so long in power, that he had better go for the freehold, as every farmer would vote for it. It was estimated by Mr Massey

that this ghastly farce would cost from £15,000 to £20,000 Mi" Haselden then said he wished to havo a few words about

THE MINISTRY, which, ho said, was composed of Southern men, with tho exception of one. That accounted tor the large amount ot: expenditure in the South Island compared with the North Island. Ho asked his audience to take a glance at tho manner in which the laws of the country were made. All important measures were left till the end of the session and then rushed through the house, thus constituting what was known aSiiegislation by exhaustion. He said that while important business was being considered, he had seen a bare quorum of 20 members out of 84 in the House, and half of those twenty were asleep- As an instance of the natural result of this practice, he referred to the fiasco of the Shops and Graces Act, which was rushed through at 2.30 a.m. o;i the last day of the session. What could be more humiliating than to see tho Minister of Labour searching for a flaw in his own Act, and ♦advising the pecple to break the law? Mr Haselden mentioned other Acts, including the Licensing Act, which produced the absurdity of the bona fide traveller being in existence in Wanganui, but not in tho South Island. He also spoke of the outrageous delay that occurred in furnishing returns. For instance, a return ro the expenses connected with tho Duke of Yorke's visit was asked for on July 18th, 1901, and furnished in 1904, also a return of cash land sales was ordered by Parliament on July 16th. 1901, and furnished in 1904. He asked: What should be the Government of a country? It should be the servants oil tho people. The Premier *aid in Auckland that the Ministry knew knew when they had good master? and the people knew when they had good servants. At present, said Mi' Haselden, tho position was quito reversed ; the Ministry were autocratic masters. Another statement the Premier made in Auckland was that "hecould not say what legislation would take place during the next session, but ho could assure them that "it would be for the benefit of the people," inferring tiuly that so far it had been for the benefit of himself and friends.

Coming to tho question of the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, M/ Haselden strongly advocated it being mado elective. At the present time it was simply filled by the personal friends of the Ministry and the rejects of the people. Though always abusing the Council, the Premier would not agreo to it being an elective executive, as thereby he would be prevented from appointing creatures of his own. Over 30 per cent, of the members of the Legislative Council had been appointed by the present Government, and, of course, they were all Government supporters. The Council at present consisted of 26 Southern members and 19 North Island representatives, though the North Island population was the larger. The ADVANCES TO SETTLERS ACT was next dealt with. He said the Government claimed they had lent the farmers four millions at 5 per cent, for which they would otherwise have had to pay ten per cent.,' This was another fairy tale, the actual fact being that tho A.M.P. Society were lending money at 4g per cent, at the time Sir Joseph Ward went Home to raise the loan. T) show how the Advances to Settlers Oifiee appreciated the freehold, Mr Haselden quoted figures to show that tho Department had lent three millions on freehold, and only £90,000 on leasehold. Yet his office was instituted to especially assist the State tenant. THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. was undoubtedly intended for the Premier, and would have been- t-aki n byf Hiinvibji> for the; action o£i the Opposition -üb^cutting • dow i the perqKr; sites': and 'allowances-* -and also 'insert^fe three clauses stipulating that the "position should be held only during good behaviour and efficiency; that no guinea-pig business should be allowed; and that tho term should be only three years. When it was first suggested that the "Hon. W. P. Reeves should be appointed, Mr Seddon discouraged the idea, but now, n year since the office was created/ the Premier had appointed Mi Reeves. Everybody had heard of warming pans THE ISLAND TRIPS.

Mr Haselden tiien enlivened his audience by a description of the famous Mapourika trip, and read selections from Sir William Steward's poem. He said it might be very beautiful, but it wai hardly worth £4000. CIVIL SERVICE. The present state of the Civil Service, Mr Haselden' said, was a scandal. The service should be removed from pclitioal control. Appointments should bo made according to merit. It was firmly believed by well-informed people who should know, that there was a system of espionage throughout the whole service, and no man was safe who ventured to state his opinions or give expression to hia thoughts. And this is what should be a free country. Mr Haselden said that he was glad there was one question upon which he crald cordially agree with the Seddon Government, viz.. the j EXCLUSION OF CHINESE j from the colony. He referred to the introduction of the Chinese on the Rand, and spoke of the fearful destitution caused thereby amongst the white population, many of whom had fought for tho British flag during the war, and who now could neither get a job afe iany wage from the millionaire mineowners. Ho r>pokt> of the harm that was being done by the Chinese, chiefly to the retail traders of New Zealand, and instanced the fact that at present there were 50 Chinese obtaining relief from the Otago Charitable Aid Board. EDUCATION. Speaking~on this head, Mr Haselden expressed himself strongly in favour of a superannuation scheme. He said he had seen old and weary men and womon who had in past years rendered brilliant services to the State, teaching at small schools for a shilling per week per pupil. This should not b&. After a man or woman had spent their best years in the wearying work of teaching, they bhould have something upon which they could end their days in comfort. Ho also advocated women receiving equal pay with men for equal work, and said it was unfair that salaries should bo based on average attendance. He spoke against the present tendency of tho Minister of Education to centralist) education, and concluded by paying, a tribute to the educational" institutions of Wanganui, instancing the Technical School, Girls' College and Collegiate School institutions, which, ho said, might be equalled, but could not bo surpassed in any. part of the world. Mr Haselden went on to say that the question of TIMBER was very important, but was not recognised as such by many people. Wild and reckless as the no policy system of tho Government had been for 12 years, nothing had been so criminal as the foolish negligence that hod not only permitted, but encouraged,, and enforced tho destruction, of our great asset. This, ho pointed out, was being done by the conditions imposed by settlers when taking up land. Had our timber been put to a proper use it would havo realised sufficient to pay for the Main Trunk Railway and our National debt. In 20 ye.irs, by thinning out alcne, 3,270 trees could be cut, which, at Is each, would produce £163 per acre. Tho Government had allowed the

Tfiupo Timber Company to acquire 8000 iacres of tctara forest, which should have been acquired by the State. Mr H&selden also referred to the destruction which had taken place in the Wainuirino Forest of totara, rimu, black maitai, kahikatea, Maire, cedar, etc. It <\vas estimated that before the settlers started to clear the bush in the Waimarino District there were two thousand million feet of timber. 20 mills cutting 50.000 feet per week would have found work from 38 to 40 joars at Is per 100 feet. The royalty on this would have paid the Government one million pounds sterling, and then tho freight would have paid for tho whole lino twice over. STATE COAL AND STATE FIRE INSURANCE. „ Mr Haselden reviewed these subjects and expressed himself as opposed to PREMIER'S ELECTORATE, was next referred to, and Mr Haseklen scathingly criticised the manner in which the Premier unjustifiably voted money for Westland. In every way the State expenditure was higher in that province, while the receipts were less. For instance, it cost £92 a year to keep a prisoner in Westland, compared with £22 4s 6d in Wellington. In Hokitika, out of 2000 inhabitants 439 were receiving old age pensions. No wonder the Premier wished to increase the pensions. The population of Westland in 1901 was 8662, yet £413,000 was spent in four years, whereas in Waitemata, with a larger population, cnly £636 d was spent on public works. Speaking of OLD AGE PENSIONS, Mr Haseldeu was quite in favour of increasing the pensions to 10. He would not mind seeing it -£1 a week if the country could afford it, but people set-reed to forget that ratepayers had to find the money. He could not help noticing that tho Premier always pro•posed these increases just before an .election. Possibly it was only a political coincidence. THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTRACT. with the Federal line had proved an utter failure, on account of the freights beine; t>o high, and the fact that we started after the Argentine had secured tliß market. Speak ins; oi tho BOOK-KEEPING adopted by tho Premier, Mr Haselden said the Colonial Treasurer boasted at Paliiatua that he, transferred nearly five millions of surpluses from revenue to Public Works Account. Now the facts were these: On March 31st, 1904, tha transfers only amounted to £3,725,----000, and of this £1,150,888 was not revenue, but tli3 proceeds of land sold, which had been bought out of borrowed money. GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTIONS was next dealt with. Mr Haselden referred to the Premier's speech at Pahiatua, where that gentleman, in a long speech to the assembled faithful, said the Liberal flag in Pahiatua at the present time was like Mahomet's coffin —suspended between heaven and earth. This was not far from the truth, for, said Mr Haselden, the Liberal flag carried by the Premier was as great* a myth as Mahomet's, coffin. He then referred to the bribes, in the shape of promised votes for public works, <?nade just before elections, and instanced the Patea election, where a technical school was promised for Stratford; that the Toko-Stratford Railway should be pushel ahead without delay, and iron works should be erected at Patea. Mr Haselder: said that when he was in the House he endeavoured to stop this practice by moving a clause in the Electoral Bill "That any Minister of tho Crown or public servant speaking within three months preceding an election in any district other than his own ;ishalMprpmise, any. public works or expetiditu^e in'Siich a,di£feric:t for the pur-, poso of'.infltiehcingt^ election therein, shaH v ;be;':Beeft^' Jgrfilty of undue influencF^Md illegal practice, and shall be liable to a penalty of £100 and imprisonment with hard labour:.for. 12 months. He then,referred^Mii^o^r^-'i tivo votes, arid said Chat'iin^'tl^lß^' sent system these men;were!'n'o^l^ait^d" in a proper way, aridI•tWre^aJraidfto/^ vote according to their consciences." said a simple remedy was to take the ballot boxes and count all the votes together. LOCAL NEEDS. Mr. Haselden (referred briefly to local oieeds. He advocated shortening; the railway line from Wangaehu to Wanganui ; tihy establishment of a tourist bueau; itihe grainting by f<h© Government of money to protect the Town Bridge. Mr Haselden concluded by urging the eleotors to weigh carefully the political question, and, at the poll, to vote for 'God amd their country. in ireply to questions, Mr. Haseiden said he wais in favour of eight hours for railway guards and foremen^ and also of paying those same men reciving a fair wage; tJfoat he was in favour of keeping itihe -Eduoaition Act ias it is, while ob a Pi-otestant he would like to see the children taught Ithe Bible, lie hesitated to support iainytihing calculated to breed sectarian strife; that he believed in the exclusion of t'ne Chinese, because if they didn't exclude itohe Chinese the Chinese would exclude tSiem 5 that (he was ■not a Prohibitionist, because he had studied the question and 'hod failed to find that it had proved successful, but he did believe in leaving the law as to local option as it now stands, so that the people could decide; that he was in favour of the Anainoho junction being abolished, and ibe train being brought into Wahgaonii; ttihat he did not altogether believe in the referendum, alitihough he considered it might be. appllied successfully to some questions; that he would make th© terms as lenient as possible for Orown tenants desirous of acquiring the freehold. Mr. David Peat moved, and Ma-. J. G. 'Browne seconded, that a heairt-y vote of thanks be laioootrded to Mr. Haselden, iand on being put the motion was carried with <acclaimaition.