Mr Stevens at Kiwitea

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 58, 17 May 1884, Page 3

Mr Stevens at Kiwitea

- -Mf^ohn Stevens, M.H.E., addressed a meeting- o£ his confitilueats in the Ilali at .Kiwitea last evening. "ITotwithstandiog- ..the inclement weather there Was a" good attendance. Tlie t Eer; W. Stewart was voted to the chair. He said political affairs concerned - every individual, an3 much as to the ,»rqsperitjjof-the country depended ,up.on ' the men who represented thera ia Parljamehti.r -He'*th6ugh"t Mr Stevens had proved himself a good representative, and none could say he had not done his duty/ Mr Stevens, off rising to speak, was greeted- with applause- Ho expi essed his in again meeting his constituents that part of the liangitikei electorate. He thanked those * present very heartily for coming to meet him on such an unfavorable aighl, and said it showed the interest 'thfevKiwitea settlers took in yoltticatmtflfers. _. Mr Stevens' address was ior^M^f^rtj^ffafitnUiion^ of. those delivered idusagthe week in differ- ; lichiot:nft)&t?o£ 'Ui!e > eifeofews' dre^trea^Sr] tj»« firm of Steveoa. aad Gorton, andj ♦t«9 W roAtiie3 meeting Hhat h« intended- to' devote all the time possible to his duties Wj^wprbsedtta^ive.-, WitH. referenco" to thejfoaiis and Bridges Construction Act, lie pog/idered the proyieions made under it to meet ihe requirements pf the local £d*erningi»dieß were totally inadequate, and he hop^ tliJat pressure would be broyjjUft ,U|ion;.tHe G&reminent to^njake them carry out the intention^ 6J- these^ Aeti 'fo tip 'rullasi exteat. As. to .the matter of the . annexation of the island*. oiF theTacific, he would be jjlo party, to ; the expending of money for this purpose. H« h«p*4-Her Kajesty would be advised not to assent to any law for.sach annexation. He repudiated the argument for, annoxation that these islands produced ; what New .Zealand required, and vicevena. Annexation was not required for the purpose of interchange of commerce. He explained bis former, and what would bo hw tut«re action ia railway and land scatters. He should advocate those lines of railway that would open «p the most and best country' foir settlement, and be the best for the Co^ap generally, and he should oppose tfce repealing of the Act which gave the oeupiers of Crown land die power at becoming freehold owners of such land, ffc did not believe in the proposed insular separation of the two islands. It was not fair to bring torward as aa argameot fur separation the falling of. in the revenue of the North Island as compared with the South, as each islaad had both advantages and disadvantages the other did not possess. As to the matter of education, he con sidered therevenue was too far entrenched upon for educational purposes. He was for reducing the attendance at the public schools "by about one fourth, by not admitting children till they were 6 or 7 years of age, and not educating them. beyondrthe fourth standard. This wou Id save at least i>2O,QOO, and he contended , th/tt . thps«" parents wno wanted their children to receive a higher education attould pay for it. . He considered the money now being paid by Government, for higher education fiu some parts of tli* 1 colony was sufficient to pay for all the primary -education required in. those parts aad tiiat'about £30,000 could be saved in the matter of education alone. As to defence matters he would advocate the fostering of the volunteer movement, the increase of the capitation, -and the redaction of the armed constabulary force, and tjtough? £180,000 per annum might be thus. saved: ia this Department.- He would, vote for the .reaucfion" of fhe honoranumß, ; by^ma|nbM^of. the -Legis-. latiye Goupcil^recempg '£100, and the Membec^ pf (<Jie House'of Eemresentativce would also be a great saving. He expressed his vlsr%«rluch are already well-known, on the direct steam service. He ooaekidedljy flaying it was still his iateatioti to contest the Bangiiikei seat afainst all comers, and trusted he should bare, a contianatioa of that confidence afi^a/l^repdfed.Lu| -hi»,, and which he would do his utmost to .-merit. Mr Sterens resumed his seat- amid applause. The chairman invited any person present to ask BfiOSferfenji^oestioni, but-ao qaestioas weie put. " ■ - ■ ; Mr E. Moßeth had intended to ! propose • rote of thanks ,to and in Mr Stevens but in this matter he was forestalled by the ehairman. '•■•■•■ The motion -was' seconded by Mr James j Barrow, and carried unanimously. - ■; i Mr Stevens suitably replied ; and proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, which being carried the meetingdispersed.