Mr Duthie at Feilding

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 102, 27 October 1893, Page 2

Mr Duthie at Feilding

+ The Assembly Room was well filled with both sexes last evening to hear Mr J. Duthie's address in reply to the Premier's Feilding speech on the 13th instant. Mr B. Goodbehere, the Mayor, was voted to the chair, on the motion of Mr H. L. Sherwill, and briefly introduced Mr Duthie who had been invited to address a meeting here. He thought it was only just that both sides of the question should be heard, hence this meeting. Mr Duthie, who was received with applause, expressed himself as feeling a certain amount of diffidence in speaking here aftersuch a distinguished speaker as Mr Seddon, who had said very pleasant things to those present. He referred to the Feilding audiences being very intelligent, and he (Mr Duthie) was sure of it because they always returned a Conservative for this district, first there was Mr Walter Johnston, then the late Mr Macarthur, and latterly Mr Bruce, which showed the high intelligence of the people in this electorate. The speaker would like someone to explain Mr Seddon's intelligent story of the drunken man in the grave and how that applied to the press. The Premier has a wonderful imagination and asserted he had sometimes be n called one of the seven devils of socialism. Mr Duthie believed no one ever called him a socialist. Mr Seddon was not a socialist, but was an autocrat and an opportunist. Some of the legislation of the Government was grandmotherly, so continually interfering with small industries. The Washers and Manglers Bill was a burlesque, but the Labor Department Bill was quite as amusing under it. If a woman quarelled with her maid servant, the matter in dispute would have to be settled by the department, on the application of the servant. Mr Seddon would adopt any cry likely to attract. The party to which he (Mr Duthie) belonged were not Conservatives, but true Liberals, promulgating the Liberalism propounded by Messrs Cobden and Bright, and the others were Radicals. He believed in every man having every opportunity of being individually independent. The hon. gentleman (Mr Seddon) was deliberately misleading his hearers when referring to the numbers of, and reasons for, persons leaving New Zealand, which was renlly on account of the extravagant policy of the StoutYogel Government in New Zealand, and the boom in Austrnlin. It was a fact that during the last two years of Sir Harry Atkinson's administration, 1568 people left, aud during the first two years of the present Government's, 1,760 arrived in New Zealand. In 1888, 10,865 left but this was caused by the cessation of public works. The exodus in 1890 of 1782 rose in 1891 to 3198. He asked you to compare the prosperity of the last 18 months to the smultaneoue growth of the frozen moat trade and dairy industries in New Zealand, which caused an influx, and not the administration of the present Government. Mr Seddon's statements were never implicity relied on by members of the House. At the present time we find that wages are being reduced by the Union S.S. Company and also by other employers. The policy of the Government had not made New Zealand prosperous, Why should the Premiei wire to the Premiers of the Australian colonies telling them there was no employment here for people returning, What of the young people he spoke of as specially trained for life in this colony, and who had left our shores, but now wish to return ? The Property Tax was spoken of as iniquitous, but he noticed it was not the people who had to pay it complained the moot. The change from tha Property Tax made very little difference. The estimated revenue from the Land Tax for this year was £360,000 and the Customs £1,620,000, together with the general taxation — £4,539,700. The change from the property to the Land Tax would only have a nominal effect. A man under the latter ' Act was taxed on his debts. No exemption was made in the case of mortgages and a man who lent money would have to increase the rato ol interest. Under the Property Tax if a man had money in the bank he would be taxed the same as if be spent it in improvements. So far the Income Tax was not objected to, as the Government accepted whatever returns were sent in, but the new Act gave power to a Government officer to demand and investigate any books or papers he wished. It might not be exercised till after the election, but any delicacy w.ould not trouble them after then. The Land Tax was devised so that some escaped taxation. There was an increase on larger and a decrease on smaller properties. This was merely a temporary bribe, and there most be an increase of taxation under the polioy of this Government. The Property Tax was paid by 27,000 persons of whom 13,000 paid under L 2. Sir H Atkinson left a surplus of L 148,000. and in 1892 there was L 165.000, and 1893 L 280.000,. The proper thing to do when there was a surplus was to remit some of the taxation on the necessaries of life. He had proposed this in the House, but the Government bad no desire to relax taxation and would not accept his motion, and yet they call themselves Liberals. Mr Seddon claimed, that this Government during their terms of office put two, to one, settlers on land duriag their term of office as compared with the Atkinson Ministry. The number of persons placed on land was 1980 in 1890 ; 1830 in 1891 ; 1863 in 1892 ; and 2499 in 1893. Does Mr Seddon not regard truth ? Was he fit to be at the head of affairs in this colony ? | A voice : No.] The Land Act was now much stricter as regards special settlements, and the farmer has now an Inspector schevying him about. The Government set to work to catch dummies in Otago, and in Wairarapa, but they did not succeed. Under the existing Act unpleasant disclosures had been made in Paltnerston North. Judges did not fail to condemn the Act. The principle features of the Bill was to abolish freehold, which the Minister of Lands said would be a thing of the past in 50 years and the late Mr Bal lance, he believed, said the same thing. [A voice : No, no. Mr Duthie: Ob, what did he say then ? Laughter. | There was always some cry, and the doctrine of unearned increment was raised a few years ago They were to have a lease which could be renewed every 21 years with a fresh valuation, but when Mr Bruce was returned the Government changed their injnds and dropped the unearned increment idea. The Premier did not back down but had supplied an eternal lease at 4 per cent. The interest on a hundred acres at £1 an aore was only £4 under the new system. A selector could not borrow pn a lease although a valuable assst as the Gove.rnme.nt had a prjqr right. People bayo oftep asked bis aeeietjmce to

I influence the authorities to have their sections surveyed and roads made to enable them, to make the land of profit* able use but he had not been able to do so. The progress of land settlement was for that season, not real bat only on paper, and the figures misleading. The Lands for Settlement Act was unrie~cessary as many improved sections were in the hands of land agents for sale, all over the colony. The Government intended the Bill to give the power to take any land they chose, but a saving clause was inserted at the instance of the Waste Lands Committee, providing that 1000 acres should be left with those from whom land was to be taken under this wensure. There were large areas of Government land as well as Native land, for which £50,000 had been appropriated. The Government could have obtained £100,000 for this purpose, but would not take it. He (Mr Duthie) did not believe in land monopoly, but it should be remetnbered that years ago Loan Com* panics advanced money to land owners, and numbers of these gradually forfeited by the fall in the value of wool, the consequence being that large estate* accumulated on their hands. These companies did. not want these lands; they were forced upon them. Mr Seddon's statements as to the area and value of land was exaggerated, and Mr Duthie qnotei figures to bear out his statement. The honourable gentleman (Mr Seddon) was always " badly reported," and he jumped about among statistics and mixed persons up with companies. This was how he made mistakes. It Was not true that the aggregation of large estates was still going on. We had comparatively level country about here, but in the South Island about two-thirds or three-fourths of the country was rough, and therefore only fit for sheep. He admitted the right of the State to take land for public necessaries on fair compensation, but the Bills introduced by this Government reduced the traditional confidence in the stability of land tenure, and an Englishman's right to regard his house as his castle. The Betterment Act was to meet cases where land increased in value from 30s to 80s by the construction of railways through or past it, but this occurred in only one case, and he thought it was not worth while to introduce a special Aot for one small district. With reference to the Rating Act he considered it fair that if occupied land increased in value it should contribute. There was a new clause to be introduced in this Act to the effect that rates could be charged optionally, on the unimproved value of land. This was a step in the direction of single tax. The Roads Validation Bill had a tendency towards confiscation. Where a road was not 100 links in width, local bodies could instruct their engineer to prepare and lodge plans in the deeds office, taking the land for 50 links from the centre of the road, and this would have to be given to the town or borough without compensation. The Minister of Lands introduced the Noxious Weeds Bill, which made it a crime to grow sorrel, docks, or other weeds. Fines from LI to LIOO could ba inflicted under this Act. The Truck and Wages Act was not warranted. A farmer dare not sell anything on trust to a servant, and he must trust to the honor of a swagger if he sold him some lacker to keep him from starving, and pay the wages in full. Was it desirable that they should have to evade these laws? Mr Seddon observed that the Government would regard strikers as wrongdoers, and the Industrial Conciliation Bill was introduced to prevent strikes. Em* ployees -favored this Act. Mr Duthie asked if it were likely men could be compelled to continue work if their employers wished to reduce the wages, and oy the power given by the Act would try to coerce the men to work at the lower rate. The men would not submit. No free men would tolerate such coercion. The speaker referred to several very objectionable clauses in the Labour Department Bill. With the Government prying into everyone's business, life would soon be intolerable, and he had given a fair sample of what they would like to do. The Opposition had fought manfully, and the country had been saved from these measures by the Legislative Council. Mr Seddon allowed no man to dissent from him, and Mr Earnshaw, a member for Dunedin, was removed from the party because of bis independence. Mr Me* Guire and others were cautioned to be careful, and even Mr Seddon's own colleagues had to assent to his wishes, or there is trouble. The Leg. islative Council was intended to dia. cuss measures apart from party influence, and on their merits. The Council is a revisory board, but several inexperienced men were appointed to force through measures when the Government should instead haVe appealed to the country, and not as they did to Downing street. Party feeling had thus been introduced where it should never have been allowed to appear. If returned again to power Mr Seddon would swamp the Council, and force his measures through. The last batch of of Councillors were voted 41820 for the interval before thej commenced their duties. This money would have been better spent in road making. The Railway Commissioners were the greatest obstacle in Mr Seddon's way, and consequently he altogether misrepresented them. The expenditure of the railway revenue was not in the hands of '* three irresponsible persons," but was under the control of the Ministry and the House. Not one penny could be paid without the authority of the House, and Mr Seddon could had he desired have directed the most minute particulars to be put before them. The Commissioners prepared their estimates and every item was put in type, printed, and sent to Mr Seddon, but Mr Seddon conveniently suppressed them. However, a member, Mr Wright, waited upon the Commissioners an( | got about twenty copies from them, which he distributed amongst the members of the Opposition. It appeared the Premier was determined to force a quarrel and it was very convenient for him to get behind "the people." He should remember that 80 to 84 members were against him and that be did not have it all his own way. Previous to the railways being placed under a nonpolitical Board corruption was rampant. The Life Insurance and Public Trnst Departments should be managed by a Board, and it was desirable they should . have the confidence of the people and he thought it advisable that a committee of the House should examine these departments and see that all necessary economy was practised. Referring to the finance Suestion he said that sly borrowing meant lat they raised money by debentures. The revenue had been aided in eight years to March 21, 1892, by £2,117,064, borrowed 4o provide sinking fund. The Public Works Fund, 1891-92, had received £316,582 from released sinking fund. Towards the end of the session an Appropriation Bill was brought in and, despite the protests of Mr Bplleston, who wished to speak but at that late hour was too ill, asked the Government to postpone it until next day, but this was refused and the Bill forced through. The following figures were quoted in the House by Mr Dnthie, when the Government insisted on pushing the Appropriation Bill through, to show the position two months after their accession to' power ■ — Public debt on March 81, IS9\ _1 Gross, L 38.832.350; less sinking funds LI 473,193; total L 37.359.157. fßJfi debt on March 31, 1893— Gross L8.9,257,840;1e5s sinking fuod. LiuS 7»); total, L38.M4.070. S.timated dent March 31, 1894-IgU. in S"?ch Tl f 1893. L39.257.i40. increale bl col!.' version, U30.00O; consulted stock debentures issued, L 18.42 9; Chenot estate debentures, L 25000- snepinl Acts (probablt) 1^50.000 ; total 900,269 j le» L?72,3a&V ft* pJbije

debt 1894, L3B 923.943 ; net 1891 L37,359,15T ; balance of increase L 1.564.786 Public • Works fund— Un expended March 31, 1891, L718.09G ; unexpended on March 31, 1893, L33D,628 unexpended as per estimates, 1894 L 54.560; expenditure authorised it excess, LP20.500. Treasury BillsAuthorised on March 31. 1891, 1*900,000 authorised on March 3i. 1894, L 1.476,000. 476,000 L 476.000 of this will now have 6ve yean currency, a species of permanent debt current on March 31, 1891. L 716.100 Total Treatury bills probably, LI ,200,000 They hare power to alter the currency ol the proportion mentioned of Treasury bills, from three months after the financial year to five years, so that thai money may be regarded as an addition to the permanent debt of the colony, These items show that the financial posi tion of the colony is worse by L 2,727« 000 under three years of so called selfreliance, and under a non-borrowing Gorernment. In addition they hare •pent the surplus of L 143.000 left by their predecessors. It was marvellous tc think where the money had Rone. The finance of the country should be in such a condition that no criticism conld do it harm. The purchase of the Cheviot Estate, he considered, cost too much money and he did not think they would •Ter get it back. The Government candidates, if elected, would <»aye to vote ac they were told and dared not do as they liked. Mr Seddon is to be Dictator and hit will is law. He thanked them for the patient hearing accorded him, and sat down amidst applause, Mr Bagnall asked if it was true that Mr John Stevens had received certain money from the Government, and how much? Mr Duthie explained that Mr Stevens had been engaged to purchase a portion of the Waimanno Block in 1886 and 1887. Mr Stevens was paid L 3284 for the work, bnt Mr Butter, a Government official, did most of the work. This information was obtained from an ex-Minister of the Crown, and Sir R. Stout did not dispute it in the House, and he presumed, therefore, indisputable. Dr Johnston handed up the question Was the present Land Bill as amended the same as Mr Seddon told us it was ? Mr Duthie: In the Bill of 1891 there were provisions dealing with the unearned increment, but the present one did not. It was mainly on the same lines. Mr A. Fergnsson proposed, and Mr Richmond seconded, That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Duthie tor his forcible and able reply to Mr Seddon. The mover thought Mr Duthie was a warrior and a practical politician, and he thought the party in this district were anxious to return a Conservative He wished to let politicians know how the people in the Birmingham Block had been treated. The Government sold them the land (or 22a 6d an acre, being 2s 6d above tbe selling price, they taking it on the condition that the Government wade a good road through the Block. Instead of making the road the money had been stuck to, and he wished some of them (the Government) would go up there. Mr Seddon promised to see to this bnt he evidently had forgotten about them. Mr Duthie moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and the meeting closed.