Sir John Hall.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 132, 27 April 1893, Page 2

Sir John Hall.

On Tuesday evening Sir John Hall addressed his constituents at Leeston. II 3 made laudatory reference to the unitedness of the Opposition under the leadership of Mr liolleston. He also dealt at length with the finance of the Government, and said the state of the Colonial Treasury was, from causes independent of the action of the present rulers, no longer a source of anxiety. He pointed out, however, that receipts over expenditure left no surplus, and the estimated surplus of X' 330,000 was not a genuine one. He ridiculed the idea that the Government were carrying out a self-reliant, non-borrowing policy. He pointed out several inequalities in the in the present system of taxation, and quoted from a recent speech of Mr Seddon's to show that the Government by intending to put the whole taxation on the land were no friends of the farmers. Dealing with female suffrage he said some Ministers would by hook or crook endeavour to prevent ita passing next session. He advocated electoral reform giving protection to minorities, and expressed dissatisfaction at the present mode of appointing members of the Upper House. He touched upon the Labor Bills and referred to the drifting of Ministers towards .Socialism. Ho declared his intention of retiring from political life at tho close of Parliament, an announcement which was followed by a unanimous vote of thanks, confidence, and expressions of regret, ut his intended retirement. It will be observed that Sir John Hull reiterates the opinion we have so persistently expressed, that the party now in power desire, and intend, to put the whole burden of the taxation on the land, and, therefore, on tho farmers who cultivate it.