THE PREMIER AT LEESTON.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 559, 22 November 1881, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT LEESTON.

The Premier addressed a crowded meeting at the Leeston Town Hall, on Saturday evening. Want of space prevents us from giving more than the more important portion of his speech. After the introduction tho Premier said: —l will first glance briefly at the events of the past session. It was a session that was remarkable for two things—for tho nmoimt of time taken up by what I may call "speechifying"— by tho number and length of the speeches which individual members thought themselves justified in indicting upon tho House of Representatives—aud it was also remarkable because, notwithstanding that fact, vo>y important measures roceived the sanction of Parliament. First among those inoasuroa I will allude to tho Bills for completing tho scheme of electoral reform, which has now be»n carried out by tho present Government. The speaker reviewed these measures at length, and alluding to tho severe penalties regarding disqualification, said:—While, however, I appreciate the advantages of this Act, thoro is one feature of it which I am bound to say I do not approve, and that it is the prohibition of the hiring of vehicles to convey voters to the poll. In some country districts thoro are many voters who, unless means are provided for bringing them to tho poll, will be almost disfranchised.

In further reference to the subject, he said:—The Bill therefore makes allowance of 30 per cent in favor of the country districts as compared with towns. (Applause) Another effect of the Bill is that New Zealand is now divided into single electorates, and instead of there being two or three members to be elected by some districts, only one will be returned by eacli district. One object of this change is to bring the electors and the candidate into closer contact, and enablo thoiu to kuoiv

each other better. If two or three members are to be elected for a large district, sometimes the influence of one candidate will drag others in after him ; but if only one is to be elected, then every candidate must depend upon his own merits, and by his own merits stand or fall. That is a reason why, in my opinion, the system of single electorates will bring about a fairer representation of the people than the previously existing system. In reference to the Licensing Bill he said:*» Having now got one law for tho colony, if it is not found to work satisfactorily in any particular, it will be much more easy for the General Assembly to deal with the questian and to introduce amendments than it was while different provincial laws were in operation in the various parts of the colony. The main features of the new Act are that it gives to the people in a licensing district the option of vetoing the issue of new licenses.

Regarding railways, Mr Hall said:—You wili recollect that at our last meeting 1 stated that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for enabling grants of land to be given to companies which might undertake to construct railways on approved lines in this colony. It provides that on lines of which the Government approve land may bo granted to the extont of 30 per cent of the cost of the railways ; alternate sections, not the whole of the land along the line, being given to the company, the Government retaining alternate sections. The Act contains a provision enabling landowners along tho line, if they think fit, bo far to encourage the construction of the railway as to guarantee the payment of interest on the cost by the raising of a rate upon their land. That is a proceeding optional with the landowners. The Act also enables the Government to take over any line under certain conditions at a valuation.

After reviewing the '• The Rabbit Act and referring at length to the property tax, the speaker went on to speak regarding the proposed progressive Land Tax, and stated that it would not produce more than £54,000 per annum, if it were imposed.

He went on to say:—You will find that there are 8,000,000 acres in the market at tb.6 present time—good, bad, and indifferent. You will also see that this land may be bought on all kinds of terms— some for cash, some oh deferred payments, some in village settlements, some on agricultural leases, some on what is called the homestead system without any payment. In addition to that there are about 3,000,000 acres in Otago which will become available for settlement very shortly. In Canterbury it will be open to tho Government in the month of May, 1882, to sell parts of the existing runs on what is called the pastoral deferred payment system; and the Government, by advertisement, has announced its intention to do so. (Applause.) Then, as to the large privato estates, I do not.believe that New Zealand is at all likely to be for any time a country of large private estates. Two visitors, Messrs Grant and Foster, probably got to know more about New Zealand land than most of us, and they reported on their return that three-fourths of New Zpaland was open for sale. Capitalists are wanted to acquire land and improve it. Speaking of representation, he said:—ln the House, which is to a large extent a tax-imposing body, property should have a reasonable amount of representation. If that is not permitted, we shall very soon arrive at asi ate of things in which one class will impose taxation and another class pay it. The privileges as to representation accorded to property at the present time are, in addition to the residential qualification, a £25 freehold gives a man a vote. I think that it is desirable to make a change in the'node of appointment to the Legislative Council. I think that the Council should be elected.

Speaking of the privileges of the House, Mr Hall said .-—The time has arrived, I believe, in this colony, when a reasonable limitation must be put to the timeindividual members may occupy in speaking. Still more necessary is it that a stop should be put to the systematic obstruction to public business recently resorted to by a minority for the purpose of forcing its will upon the majority. Respecting local government, he said:— For rural districts we have County Councils and Road Boards. Generally, as you know, the work of Road Boards is confined to strictly local needs. Counties have jurisdiction over larger areas, besides having under them much of the administration of what I may call questions of rural local police. Some parts of tho colony are found to prefer one of these systems, some tho other. In the country north of Auckland there is a very general disapproval of counties, and the people there are satisfied with Road Boards. In other parts Road Boards have been abolished, and the people desire counties only. I think our present system could be made more elastic, so that those portions of the colony which are consent with the Road Boards should be able,]as it were, to put the county system on the shelf. [Applause] Where, on the other hand, the desire exists that Road Boards should be merged into counties, great facilities should be afforded for giving effect to that desire; and greater facilities than now exist should be given for Koad Boards to unite. In these ways. I think that our present system, with some extension of power to local bodies, would be made the most satisfactory one we could provide for the colonyThe Premier then reviewed the question of public works at length, in the course of which he said:—The Government should come down to the House next session with a scheme for raising the amount of money they decide the country can fairly afford to raise, and stating the works upon that money is to be expended, so that we shall not borrow money first, and scramble for it afterwards.

After reviewing at length the Government's action on the Native question, he concluded as follows:—I will briefly re* capitulate with regard to the more important of them what I think should be done. I think that the second Chamber should be preserved, but that it should be made elective. I think that the proceedings of the House of Representatives should be modified with a view of checking waste of time by unreasonable length and number of speeches, and of ensuring the proper despatch of business. I think we should persevere in a policy of economy and retrenchment. By this means, and by the augmenting revenue arising out of increased prosperity, we shall be able to further relieve the taxation of the country. I think we should studiously avoid anything which might injuriously affect the public credit, and make such moderate

use of that credit at the end of next year as will provide for the progress of public works necessary for developing the resources of the colony. I think we should encourage by every legitimate means local industries and the settlement of the waste lands. We should improve theconstitution of existing local bodies, and transfer to them some powers now vested in the Col onial Government. I beli«ve we should in all cases treat the Natives with consideration and generosity, but should firmly repress any resistance to the Jaw. This is not perhaps a very sensational programme. I might amuse you and endeavour to catch votes by what I may call a programme of political fireworks, affording a prospect of a short blaze of prosperity based on a lavish expenditure of borrowed money. But I know that would have to be atoned for, as it has been in times past, by a protracted period of gloom and depression. If I cannot win this election without resort to political artifices of that kind, then I shall be content to lose it. [Loud cheers.] The platform upon which I wish to stand, while it is a substantial and a. safe one, is also a platform of progress. A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously passed.