Mr Stevens at Birmingham

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 122, 21 November 1893, Page 2

Mr Stevens at Birmingham

Mr J. Stevens addressed the electors of Rangitikei in the Birmingham district in the Town Hall last evening. The attendance was very good. Mr T. R. Taylor was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr R. Mcßeth. The address was in the main similar to that delivered in Feilding and already published. Mr Stevens in commencing bis remarks expressed the opinion that if other parts of the district had been as true to the Liberal cause, as Birmingham he would have been elected at the previous election. He touched on Women's Suffrage and thought women would not record their votes from the impulse of the moment but would consider the welfare of the country as a whole. He upheld the Government and their policy, which was brought into existence three years ago, because it was worthy of consideration and support. It should be considered more than voting for him personally. Mr Stevens wished everyone to clearly understand that if he said anything about Mr Lethbridge, for Whom he had great respect, it was politically and not personally. Mr Lethbridge was a believer in the policy of the Government, but at the same time would vote against them. Now he (Mr Stevens) would support the Government as well as their policy. He, at one time, was opposed to the Land and Income Tax, but that was because he had not properly studied it. With regard to the Land and Income* Tax, it was merchants, storekeepers, and professional men who paid the Income Tax, and not the farmers. The latter paid the Land Tax only. Local bodies should be given the privilege of selecting the system of taxation they chose, that is, they should be allowed to select the improved or unimproved valuation as a basis for local taxation, and a measure to this effect was rejected by the Legislative Council last session. This would touch large land owners and he considered the people should have local liberty. He hoped such a devise as the " political dodger " circulated last election day would not be resorted to again, and if so, he hoped the votes of electors would not bo caught by them. There were three tenures in the Land Act, viz , freehold, occupation with right of purchase and leas 9in perpetuity, ar,d these tended to show that the Government did not intend to withhold from the people the right to acquire the freehold. Practically there was no limitation as to taking up land,* beyond limiting to 20,000 acres, or as much as would carry 20,000 sbeep or 4000 head of cattle, and that should be enough for any person. Mr Stevens contended the Cheviot estate would turn out a good investment, and that instead of having 80,000 sheep on the place a new county would be formed, and probably in the near future there would be 40,000 people settled on it. The Betterment Bill introduced by the Government would effect land through which railways are made in the future. Mr Stevens preferred a sober community and thought it should be their aim to improve hotels, which were for the accommodation of the travelling public. A few years ago the drink bill was 18s per head in New Zealand but now it was only 63. Mr BteVenT v aTd^lnTrt^Wnfc-*^iew.peoplß-~. could be made sober by Act of Parliament. He thought the best way to commence was by prohibiting the im> portation of liquor. It would be disastrous if the drink traffic were stopped suddenly as one million of money would be lost, and this would have _to be made up by an increase of taxation oa land. He would use all rational means in his power to assist, the cause of sobriety. Dealing with the Edncation system, Mr Stevens said he had been misiepresented by papers, who had misquoted him on this question. He wished it to be clearly understood that he would give no vote or voice to interfere with the present system. What he wished to see was that some system should be devised whereby Catholics could get some assistance without inter* fenng with the existing secular system. At present there was an endowment of 252 acres of land per ekild for secondary education, while there was only 6£ acres per child for primary. Surely oat of the large amount of the former, which mostly benefit ted the wealthy, something could be done for the Catholics. The Minister of Public Works should have a seat on the Board of Eailway Commissioners, who should be under the control of the Government. The power which the Go* vernment have with regard to native lands is excellent, but more judges are required to push on business through the Land Courts to individualise titles, so that the land could be rated and brought under the same laws as that of Europa cans. Mr Stevens defended his action in the Waimarino land purchase and re« futed the personal rumors circulated. Mr Stevens sat down when several bouquets were thrown oa the stage by ladies, a good number of whom were present. Mr Bryce did not blame Mr Stevens for bis action with regard to the Waimarino land purchase, but asked did Mr Stevens not know there was an Act in force to preclude the Government from procuring outside help for purchasing native lands P Mr Stevens replied that this matter had been thrashed out in Parliament, and was considered perfectly lawful. With reference to the Land and Income tnx. Mr Bryce asked did not the total exemption of improvements benefit the towns more than the country ? Mr Stevens replied in the negative, and pointed out that a man in business was liable (0 the Income Tax, whereas the farmer did not pay it Mr Bryce asked if Mr Btevens was not aware some members of the Ministry had expressed themselves strongly in favor of the nationalisation of land, and that one member of the Government had stated that if he had his way not one acre of Crowa land would be sold. Mr Stevens said that he could not take notice of all remarks made about mem* bers of the Ministry, with the various phases, by the time it got here. He pro* ferred to take (he Act as to what; was intended, and not extraneous construe* tions and remarks. Mr Brjce j That docs not answer the question. Are you or are you not aware that a member of the Government bad expressed himself strongly averse to sel> ling more land ? Mr Stevens: No. Had there been any grounds for such a supposition he would tare asked them why they had mido provision in the Act offering half a million acres of land for purchase m one year, if sufficient land were available Mr Bryce thanked Mr Stevens, and said he was aware the Government were marvels of inconsistency. Mr B. Moßeth proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Stevens for his address. MrNesdule moved that the vote be one of thanks nad confidence. This was seconded by Mr Bathe and carried ' A vote of thanks to the closed the meeting.