RAGLAN. Great Political Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2115, 28 January 1886, Page 3

RAGLAN. Great Political Meeting.

A VEtIY large public meeting was held in I the Council Chaiuberb, Raglun, on Saturday afternoon. Settlers from all parts of the district attended the satno. Mr T. Mitchell, J.P., occupied the chair. Mr J. K. McDonald acting as secretary. Tho Chairman, in opening the meeting, expressed his pleasure at teeing so many of his follow settlers piet>ent, and stated that the object of the meeting was to bring before their notice a heries of resolutions for their approval, which referred in a great mcasuie to tho eoniinfc election of members of the House of Representatives. Mr W. JohnHtone proposed the first resolution, "That beyond the million Authorised for the North Island Trunk Lino borrowing by the Government shall absolutely cease till a further and correct statement, prepared by a competent and neutral party, of the manner in which the various loans have been expended, bo presented to the public." The mover, in an able speech, said : "Sir Julius Vogel, when submitting his proimsala in 1870, said : ' I suppose that some 1500 to 1600 miles of railway will require to be constructed, and that this can be effected at a cost of £7,500,000, together with two and » half millions of acres of land, and that in addition about £1,000,000 will bo required to carry out the other proposals I am making.' According to the last Financial Statement, the number of miles constructed up to 3ht March, 1885, is 1477, and the cost is stated to be £11,810,194. The debt, however, instead of being only 10 millions U 32, and the question is, What has been done with the other 20 millions? The answer to this would be given in such a statement as referred to in the resolution, and when the public is fully informed as tv how that money has been sprnt, it will be seen whether it is wise to borrow any more. At any rate until that information be got it is wise to wait." He spoke upon the various deficiencies occurring in the many Governments of the past, and illustrated his argument by many graphic illustrations, among others the way in wnich rich colonists residing in England are trying to get into the select and higher circles of that land, by the Agent-General giving a series of banquets to high and mighty personages, etc., thus opening that inner gate into the inuch-co\ eted circle of fashionable life, of course at our expense. (Applause.) Seconded by Mr McCr«cken in a short speech, and carried unanimously. The second resolution was proposed by Mr McCraken, seconded by Mr Logan, and carried, as follow* :— " That according to the Financial Statement of 19th June, 1885 the expenditure was £219,710 in excess to the income, that to make this up out of capital (the Sinking Fund having been used for that purpose) is hazardous and reprehensible, and that as the limit of taxation is reached, the only proper course is to cut down expenditure that it shall not exceed the income." The third resolution proposed by Mr Bree read as follows :— " That with the view of reducing the expenditure to the limits of the income, the following savings among others, should be made at once : Abolish the honorarium of the Upper House, reduce the salaries of Ministers to, say, £500 each ; dispose of the Hinemoa ; reduce Civil Service salaries to what they were in 1870 ; leave secondary education, to private enterprise, and utilise secondary education reserves for scholarships ; abolish training schools, leaving pupil teachers to be trained by headmasters; discharge inspectors, and give their work to school committees, examination questions being framed by the Central Board, uniform for the whole colony ; stop assisted immigration, and discharge all emigration agents employed by the colony ; and that the volunteer force be substituted for the armed constabulary." Mr Bree ■poke to the resolution, and stated that seeing the Vogel policy had proved a failure, and that farmers produce was of uncertain value and their profits small, whilst taxation was increasing, it was wise to be economical in the Government of the county. The examination of schools could be carried on very well by printed papers, and as the natives everywhere show such friendly feeling, the volunteer force was sufficient, and that, therefore, we could do without the present A.C. force. Mr T. B. Hill seconded this resolution, and upon rising to speak, was received with great enthusiasm by all present. He expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be present amonsnt them once more, and to sco so many settlers from air "parts of the district met to consider these important reso Inflow*. lie hoped by united action they would gain the object in view. Tho expenditure in the past had been disgraceful to all concerned, and as there were t>everal " carpet-bag gents " in the land it was their duty to bestir themselves at this juncture and see that true men were returned as their represnntatives who would oppose nil extravagance in any slupe. From what he had seen he believed Raglan was as good a place as any. A gentleman had told him that lie intended to come amongst them and engage in the lime, coal and iron trade, and send goods away to Australia by vessel direct (cheers.) After relating an amusing anecdote (too good to be spoilt by being re-told) in forcible and earnest language he trusted they would show their wisdom by united action when the time of election came, and put in the very best man they could procure by giving a block rote to the same. (Applause.) Mr Pegler, in a few words, said he believed New Zealand was destined to become a great cuintry in the future, not only as the great carrying power of the Southern Seas, but also a large manufacturing country. He had no sympathy with any member of the House who had no faith in the high destiny of New Zealand, and knowing that education alone could of all things help to bring ab.mt those results, he could not in any way sanction anything that could hinder the people of the country acquiring the highest intelligence possible, as those nations only who have thus bestirred themselves will be able to run and obtain the prize in the great race of life. Messrs Wylie and Philp said they hoped Mr T. B. Hill would allow himself to be nominated for the next election (cheers). Mr Hill thanked them for the honour, but did not express any desire to do so. Mr Burns, as an old and experienced teacher, stated his belief in examination papers, and said that none of his pupils who had been accustomed to use them had ever failed when examined at Woolwich, Addiscoinbe, and other Government places. He believed that competition in school was better than one uniform Government plan. Let committees do the work in school without -Inspectors. The resolution was carried amid applause. The 4th resolution was proposed by Mr Cogswell, " That in lieu of customs there be u land tax, and an incoino tax instead of th« property t«x." This was •seconded by Mr Hoskin, and carried. The 25th resolution was proposed by Mr Burns, " That gradually the performance of Government work by contract be substituted, when practicable, for the present system, and that a beginning be at once made with surveys, and the 1 registration of deeds." Mr Burns stated that the cost of surveys was more than the land was worth, and complained of the great difficulty of getting deeds registered. He illustrated his remarks from Wellington experience when in office with civil servants under him. This was seqonded by Mr Johnstone. Mr Ferguson stated that in the Middle Island surveys had been let by contract. He also spoke upon the delay in getting deeds registered. Mr Pegler stated that he was opposed to letting our Civil Service Department works by contract, as be was certain it would only lead to bribery and corruption. He would Mkr them to look at America. After each election of president, the motto was, "To the victors belongs the spoils of office." He felt sure it would be so here. Besides it required great knowledge to carry on many of the departments. Mr Cogswell also thought we should not do m they do in America. But he was sure » great reform was needed in the Deeds Department, and in the Land Office too. Many deeds drawn out were full of errors which need-not occur. A reform of all branches of the Civil Service was required. The country demanded it. The resolution was then put and carried. The sixth resolution was moved by Mr J. K. McDonald, "That Mr Ormond's suggestion made in the House 28th August last, viz.; "That a section of our railways should be let, and that we should be allowed to see what private enterprise and commercial relations will do for the satisfactory working of our railways should bo given effect to, btipulating that the charge* should not be higher, nor the accommodation less than at present." The mover showed the false manner in which the railways were conducted, the chief aim of the Government seoming to be to take aa much out of the pockets of (fee. people w possible. U$ believod it w»*

their interest to get rid of Mr Maxwell as soon as possible, as lie says the classification of goods will increase, and he being the wrong man for the place, and not understanding hi-, business. Sir. l. Vogel stated that tho railways would pay ; tbcrefoie it could onlj be by bad management they did not do so. Mr Bice seconded the resolution, which wa' carried. Thr 7th resolution was proposed by Mr T. B. Hill, "Th.it a section of the lailvvays be let to Mr Vaile in order to see if his scheme would pay.'' Mr Hill thought Mr Vaile sincere in his views, and it would be best to give his plan a fail trial. The resolution was seconded by Mr Hoskin, who felt Mire that it would be best to try this ychenio, as if it answeied much would be gained. Mr McDonald stated the public would then be able to see over and above the Government plan. The resolution was carried. The Bth resolution was moved by Mr Liddell, " That our member move for a re turn, giving a nominal list of all the recipients of pensions, showing the amounts received, the service for which granted, and the age at which the pension began. The resolution was seconded by Mr Robertson. Several settlers said faith must bo kept with those having pensions, but on no account must fresh one 3 be granted ; and that all Civil servants should make provision for themselves.— Carried. The 9th resolution, " That the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act be repealed," was proposed by Mr Pegler, who bore out what hat) been previously said in reference to this Act, and stated the action taken. Seconded by Mr Cogswell and carried. Mr McDonald, as chairman of the Whaingaroa Road Board, said he Bhould support the action of Waikato and Waip*, &c, in opposing the Act. The 10th resolution—" That a State Bank of Issue be made, " was proposed by Mr J. K. McDonald, who in an able speech showed the advantage of this scheme, and illustrated his arguments from the experience of several countries. Mr Ferguson seconded this, believing it to be a step in the right direction. — Carried. The 11th resolution was proposed by Mr Robertson as follows :—" That we, the undersigned, electors of Raglan, hereby pledge ourselves to discountenance private canvassing, and give no promise of support privately ; and further, that we will vote for the candidato who in public meeting pledges himself to the whole or the greatest number f the above resolutions." Seconded by Mr Gilmonr and carried. After a vote of thanks to our excellent , chairman, the meeting, which was a very enlliu.-iastic one, terminated. A strong executive committee was formed before those present separated.— (Own Correspondent, Raglan, 23rd January.)

A county meeting, presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant of Denbighshire, was held at Ruthin, at which it was decided to open a subscription list to reerect, in commemoration of the fiftieth year of the Queen's reign, a pyramidal memorial on Moel Famrnan.^ one of the highest mountains in the district. The structure, which was one of the most familiar landmarks in the neighbourhood, was built by public subscription in 1809, to commemorate the jubilee of the reign of George 111., and collapsed during a terrific gale in October, 1882. Mothers Don't Know. — How many children are punished for being- uncouth, wilful and indifferent to instructions or reward simply because they are out of healtkl An intelligent lady said of a child of this kind : " Mother don't know that she should jrive the little one moderate doses of American Co's Hop Bitters for two or three weeks, and the child would be all a parent could dtsire."