POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCES.

Evening Star, Issue 3128, 27 February 1873, Page 3

POST-SESSIONAL UTTERANCES.

MR STAFFORD, AT TIMARU., (By Telegraph ) The Hon, Mr Stafford addressed the Timaru electors in the Mechanic’s Hall, Timaru, last night. The room was crowded, and the Mayor presided. After alluding to the prosperity of the Timaru district, and of the Colony generally, Mr Stafford referred to the session of 1871. The Raiue was much divided in opinion, especially on the railway question, an eminent member having been thought to have exceeded his powers. This continued till the Estimates were brought down. A party then offered to support him (Mr Stafford); and it increased from fifteen to twenty-one. A Bill relating to education passed its second reading. Mr 'Vogel absented himself on most occasions. He (Mr Stafford) and others complimented Mr Fox, who introduced the Bill, but it rejected, along with other Bills, the result being that, although the Government were in a majority, many on both sides left the House in a state of discontent, 1 *u the railway scheme, Mr Gisborne proposed that members should bring forward any railways they chose. The railwayschedule was consequently overloaded. These had been called political railways; and quoted by that name in the Lyttelton Times, The feelings expressed by the Timaru people regarding the Tcmuka railway, were just the same as those of many other people all over New Zealand. Me the** vm'orrcd to the dissatisfactiou expressed by the country generally with t.hb immigration and postal scheav s. These and other things induced a party of gentlemen in the House to ask him to O'iiue forward and take office; but, after expressing his disinclination to take office, he agreed to come forward ; and, after a long debate on the resolutions tabled by him, be was called on by bis Excellency to form a Ministry, which retired under an adverse majority of two. Referring to the Brogd e h contracts, he asked what use had been made of them '! The Government, in place of using Mr Brogdeu as an engineer of ability, employed him more as a superior navvy. The people of Timaru were but the type of the people in the other Provinces. But one particular reason probably of the cause of the non-completion of the Tenmka railway was that the then Resident Minister wished the railway to be made from the other, or the Christchurch end. But the present Minister of Public Works, Mr Richardson, said that the sole reason was the want of rails. Mr Richardson, however, did not acquit the Government fox \ipt having sufficient rails. They ought to have been here; the Government should have engaged special sdiips to brag them out. Anyone doubting the present prosperous state of the Colony was apt to snare the fate of Cassandra. But he did doubt the continuance of this prosperity : so long as the borrowing powers continued the shoe would not pinch. But, according to Mr Ormond’s estimate, we would, if wo add what is required to complete the present railways, need somewhere like two millions more. He would estimate our ordinary revenue at L 1,000,000, or LI, 100.000 — not more; our debt just now at ten millions, the interest on which was L 1,000,000. (’/ LOGO,000) ; leaving also a deling pf two millions for railways. But Mr promised. that the country should possess a railway estate, but that railway estate did not e; t bm 1 he stamp duties had alau been overestimated! Tlae supposed receipts, did not exist, ami the yearly debt was increasing. Another- debt to bp pijud in the future was Ld 10,00,0 ox Treasury bills, falling due next year, just when money will probably be tightest. Neither Mr Vogel nor he (Mr Stafford) had deceived them as regarded taxation. Mr Vogel stated jocularly that up to the third year the pressure would not be serious, hut then it would fall heavy, and even said that a country most heavily taxed was the most prosperous, lb was raiher ominous that the sev(3 papers were mooting the subject of taxation. For instance, the Hawke's jhiy Jit. nf.ld and the Southern (Ji'pas bocli' spoke of a laud tax. It appeared'’to' him that so©c such tiling

must sooner or later happen. He did not, however, wish his hearers to think that he despaired of the future. But he foresaw great changes. The people would, on the suspension of railways, be thrown out of work, ami the storekeepers, traders, and others would then suffer. They must not suppose they could escape taxation, for before long we would find ourselves in a very precarious position. He might be called a prophet of evil, but he spoke what he sincerely thought. Nevertheless New Zealand was not going to be destroyed. The people of New Zealand would yet make this a great country. There would be great distress, but they would yet weather the storm. Just now all were going in for political railways, and wishing to share in the plunder. It was proposed also that if the charges of all railways were not met by the districts they intersect, a land tax was to be imposed. He did not think that this tax would hinder the railways being made ; for the people would have them. The two parties of reliable members in the House were about equal, but there was a number of undecided members, and circumstances might mould those into reasonable men at any time. Had he chosen, he might have been in office now. Every exertion was being mule for peace in the North Island; but he (Mr Stafford) strongly objected to the idea that only one man in New Zealand could keep the natives quiet. Many chiefs of note hod requested him to become Native Minister. Mr Stafford then referred to the Provincial and General Government disputes, and said that each Government had duties and functions which should not be interfered with, the one by the other. Mr Vogel had promised to bring forward a measure, which would settle all difficulties; but he did not believe it. The electors of New Zealand should always put the saddle on the right horse. If they did not elect proper men the blame laid with themselves. He had come down to Timaru to know what really were the desires of the electors. He had never yet sought a seat in the House trammelled by anything that would demand him to act against his honest convictions, although he believed that on general subjects a member ought to agree with his constituents. He was there to answer any questions the electors might put to him. His opinions on the idea of the public works policy were that it was a wise one ; but the carrying out of it a dangerous one. He had every hope of New Zealand ; be was not daunted, but feared for the future if the present works policy was not speedily altered. On sitting down he was loudly cheered, and after answering a few questions as to harbor works, education, &c., a vote of confidence in him was passed.