MR. REES' LECTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1682, 9 July 1875, Page 2

MR. REES' LECTURE.

Me W. L. Rees, M.P.C. for Auckland City

East, delivered an interesting address to his constituents last night at the Mechanics' Institute. The room was fairly filled.—Mr W. Swanson, M.H.R., was voted to the chair, and introduced the speaker of the evening.—Mr Rees, in his opening remarks, said he wished to review shortly the past session, and only intended criticising the policy of the General Government so far as it affected the province. One of the measures which had come in for the largest share of comment was the gum tax. He had himself not voted for or against that tax. His opinion was that an income tax would prove more popular, as by it superfluities of the rich would be taxed instead of the necessities of the poor (cheers). In regard to the enquiry into the land pnrchases, it was a .pity that the General Government should have refused to allow the evidence of their officials te be brought forward. Under bis agency, a motion to enquire into the forty-acre land system had been instituted, and it was probable that the land granted but not taken up, would be thrown open for settlement. In the matter of toll-gates, he had voted for their abolition and it was his opinion that those who benefited by the roads should * maintain them. The policy of the General Government in reference to the grant to the Pumping Association had been to cause a dead lock, and compel the province to submission. Sir George Grey had ultimately bound the province security for the repayment of the loan under compulsion, and had expressed his intention of having the matter investigated. Following on this came the stoppage of the capitation money. This was a direct blow at the very existence of the province. Had the impounding of the money been allowed without protest it would have been established as a precedent, and it would have been possible at any time for the whole work of ths province to be suspended.' Mr Rees next referred to the four million - loan.

He showed that, after all deductions had been made, little more than 50 per cent, of the amount would be available for expenditure. They had a sample of what could he done in the way of loans in the late Honduras exposure at home. He calculated that quite another £5,000,000 would be required to finish, the public work 3 at present projected. The way in which " extras " were allowed to crop up was abominable. Mr Rees briefly referred to the appearance of the Audit Commissioners on the political arena. They were simply a sham, and were made use of as a cloak for the General Government. The ■ speaker expatiated on the fact of the new loan not being quoted on the London Stock Exchange. He alluded to the many short- , comings of the General Government in the matter of Savings Banks deposits and annuity* , funds, !fand3fexpressed his conviction before loneji another loan would be wantffir At the conclusion of his address he answered

a few questions that were'put to|him. The lecture was listened toifwithSattention, and the speaker was loudly applauded at the

dose, Mr. Osmund Lewis proposed, and it was carried, "That a vote of confidence in Mr. Rees as the member for City East be -passed, and that he be thanked for his able .addiess." The vote was acknowledged by the lecturer, and the Chairman having received the usual compliment, the meeting came to an end.