The Feilding Star. Published Daily. FRIDAY, OCT. 20, 1893. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 96, 20 October 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Published Daily. FRIDAY, OCT. 20, 1893. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

The speech made in Akaroa by Mr Eolbston, the leader of the Opposition in the last Parliament, was marked by judgment and clear com mon sense. He repeated a great denl which had already been spoken iv the House, and in concluding his indict ment against the Ministry said the next Parliament would look for something better than stump oratory and silly denunciation of capital with a pandering to cupidity and ignorance. Referring to taxation he said the Government bad made a general attack on capital invested in land, and, led on by a cry of " Social pests ! " had adjusted the taxation rery unevenly between tho town and the country. Suburban residences and luxurious buildings went scot free. A proposal to exempt agricultural improvements and land used for productive industries would have been reasonable ; the taxation of men on their debts was utterly unreasonable. As to the graduation, whatever might be said on the principle, it was inexpedient ; taken with the exemption, it worked unfairly. In many cases the exemptions more than covered the increase of graduation. It was unfair that giaduation should only be on land. What we wanted wan justice as between all classes, not penal taxation or unequal incidence between town and country. He finally concluded with laying down the principles which guided himself and those working with him. They were : (1) Equality of all classes before the law. The Legislature and the Government should represent all the constituent elements of the nation, not merely a numerical majority of the inhabitants, not town versus capital. Equal rights should be accorded to all classes, and fair and equal, not punitive, taxation. (2) Individual freedom as distinguished from Socialistic views ; freedom of trade as opposed to the selfishness of protection ; freedom of thought and freedom of action so long as no injury is done to a man's neighbours. (3) To avoid the degrading influence of paternalism. (I) To set up a strong system of local government, with, so far as possible, local endowments. (5) The land revenue brought into the capital account and devoted to developing the land. (6) An elective Legislative Council. Their policy was one of progress and deliberation, all classes working together for the common good and looking forward to itic time When man and man, tho world o'er, Shall brothers be, for a' that. This programme has its attractions, and we may say that we agree with much of it, but we do not think the necessity has come — or is even in the near future — for an elective Legislative CounciL