POLITICAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2895, 10 February 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL.

MR OADMAS AT THAMES, [I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Thames, February 8. The Hoii. A J. Caduian, member for Thames, addressed a meeting of his constituents in the Academy of Music tolii^hfc. He was wsll received. lt«' erring Lo the work of tne past sees on, heil imed, in thj fflce of i/ho upposition shown by the Conservative Press, that Urn present Government had done good work. Tiio repeal of the i roperty tax had been carried avt. Ihe results were beneficial to all the. "old mining localities. Mo far the result of the lnr.d tax had been very satjs factory. The taking over of the Cheviot Estate by the Government w s, he considered, a very wise step. He hoped next session the Conciliation Bill would be passed, as the depression existing did not warrant strikes and lock outs He defended the co-operative system of public works now being carried out by the Government, and showed that the expense of the works had never exceeded the estimated cost, while it had been the means of keeping 20,000 workmen in the colony who woul I in all probability have left. With regard to the amalgamation of the Native and I Justice Departments, a saving of £1100 a year would be effected by the changa. He deprecated the proposal to settle Native land cases by means of Native Committees. Such a proposal ww absurd. He thought tha railways ought to be managed by a Board, consisting of the Minister of Public Works, a good engineer, and some man thoroughly well* known for his business aptitude. The present gaol system might be improved on, and convicts could be employed in, tnany useful way?; not to b,e entering into competition with outside traders, hut in straightening sharp curves on the railway lines, <fee. The Government had been the first to suoceed in lessening the indebtedness of the colony. Considering all the abuse hurled at the members of the Ministry, he thought that none of it had been justified, indeed those who had prophesied evil to the colony when the Government came into power recognised now the preat and good work they were doing. Mr Had man received a unauimous vote of thanks and cvfiVncein himself as representative and ;.ls:> in the Government of which he is a tnouiber.