MR BUNNY AT CARTERTON

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 245, 22 August 1879, Page 2

MR BUNNY AT CARTERTON

Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a largo attendance at the Public Hall on Wednesday night to meet the senior member for the district, and Mr R, Fairbrother having been voted to the chair, briefly introduced the speaker, Mr Bunny, after stating that lie once again came before them asking to be returned as their representative, laid before the meeting a summary of the causes that had led to the dissolution, He eulogized the administration of the Public Works Department under Mr Macandrew, and believed Mr Sheehan should be kept in oflicc. He believed the arrest of the Maoris had been a wise course to pursue, as it had removed a number of turbulent men from the disturbed districts. He thoroughly believed in the Liberal programme brought down to the Houße, and should support it, no matter who might be the leader on the re-assembling of Parliament. He advocated Liberal measures, no matter who the men were who

measure calculated to induce an eligible class of people to settle in the country. Money must be found for the construction of roads and bridges, and he felt certain the land sales of the country opened up by their construction would more than recoup the expenditure incurred. He advocated the deferred system of payment. At present people were too apt to settle in the townships alone, but we wanted settlements in the country districts, and he advocated the creation of townships at certain distances such as we have in the Wairarapa. He was in favor of triennial Parliaments, as enabling the electors more frequently to meet their representatives. If a man had done his duty faithfully he need not fear meeting the electors once in .every three years. The loan to be raised was virtually pretty well expended on works to be done, but so long as the money was spent judiciously he believed we need have no fear of borrowing to almost any extent; and so long as those at home found the money was expended on reproductive works lie believed the English market would always be ready to meet our demands. With regard to the Native lands question, he was of opinion that arrangements should be made with the natives to obtain their consent to the lands being administered on similar principles as tin waste lands of the colony.* He advocated the enlargement of counties, giving them larger borrowing powers and the management of all works within their boundaries. If such extended powers were given to them they would have the better chance of going ahead. Reference had been made to his name and Mr Beetliam's having been found in opposition on division lists. He had always supported the Provincial system of Government, and this had been the primary cause of such tlill'crence, but on all matters of local interest they had always worked together, and if returned he believed would do so aijain. Mr Bunny concluded his address by a short review of the state of the district, and the means of communication now and when he first became a representative, In answer to questions Mr Bunny said he was ready to support any Government that was ready, and that he could believe competent to carry out the Liberal Programme he had referred to, independent of who the leader might be: He should advocate the rapid pushing on of the railway, as it would certainly open up a lot of fine country, and the population that would settle would be beneficial to the Wairarapa, not detrimental. He was against further freo immigration at present, as he thought that we should find work for the large number of unemployed among us before we thought of introducing further population. He was in favor of a measure to exclude Chinese b it he considered it was a question to be settled by the Imperial Parliament, rather than by the colonies individually. In country districts he did not think they could have any other than secular education, but in huge towns where any o'enoniination was a considerable body he thought State aid inioht be granted. Mr W. Booth, jun., reviewed the Government policy, and the question which had been brought before the meeting in an able speech, strongly deprecating the action of Sir George Grey. If Mr Sheehan had been left to tackle the Nat've Difficulty alone, without the Premier intermeddling, he believed that much of the trouble that had occurred would have been avoided.

On the motion of Mr A. Armstrong the following resolution was carried unanimously : " That this meeting thanh Mr Bunny for his address, and'for his past services, and assures him of the full confidence and support of the electors at the forthcoming election." A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.