Mr Snelson at Colyton

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 123, 23 November 1893, Page 2

Mr Snelson at Colyton

Mr G. M. Snelson, a candidate for the Palmerston seat, addressed a moderate attendance of electors at the Oolyton Hall last evening. Mr R. L. Pudney was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr Shortall, seconded by Mr NeiUen. Mr Snelson explained his reasons for standing and announced himself as running in the Opposition interests. Although women's suffrage was a fact, it was not likely ladies would enter Parliament. We would now go hand in hand with women from the cradle to the gravo now that all are on an equal footing. \Vomen would do a lot for humanity and civilisation. The Conservative motto, as represented by the Hon W. E. Gladstone and President Lincoln, was as follows, the former saying, "They are a patient continuance in welldoing," the latter, "I always believe in Conservatism, the}' keep pegging away." In 1891 the incidence of taxation was changed and the Property Tax substituted for the Income Tax. The former commended itself to the farmers of the colony and should be given a fair trial before it is altered. The Opposition would offer no objections to measures iv the interests of the people. The Lands Department be believed was satisfactory. The Minister's idea was fhat in fifty years no freehold would exist, and that the land should be the property of the colony. The objectionable feature in the Land Act was the absence of a purchasing clause in leaseholds. On leasehold property money lenders did not care to lend, and as most of us could not pay cash it came very hard on us. The attempt to abolish freehold waa objectionable. Under the Land Act no one was allowed to take up over 640 acres of first-class land, or 2000 acres of second-class, and yet the Government were offering parts of the Cheviot estate in sections for sale up to 5000 acre?. He was not opposed to the purchase of the Cheviot estate and would like to see the Government purchase other large estates, but the time was not quite ripe. Native land had been offered, and he thought it was the duty of the Government to purchase this land. They talked about land stttlement ; but associations Kke the Salisbury and Delaware had absolutely no road, and settlers were expected to make certain improvements to their sections and live on them within a certain time. Settlers on blocks like these were deprived of all comforts and were terribly handicapped. The Government should make the roads before selling the land. The public debt of the colony will te, on March 31st, 1894, forty millions. In 1891, when the present Government took office the debt was thirty-eight millions. This shows that although a professedly non-borrowing Government they get all they can lay their hands on. Mr Seddon was determined to get a sum of money which was now in the Bank of England, and by conversion the debt of the colony was increased by over a million and a half. The Government had no right to the surplus for the last three years — it was over-taxing the people. Some remission should be made, but he did not think it wise to reduce the duties on tea, sugar, or coffee, as the monied classes, who used most, would benefit to a greater extent. The Government have a right to tax natives the same as Europeans in the new Act and it was quite right they should. On every £100 of material imported £24 15s is paid on an average for Customs duties. Mr Snelson did not approve of the Premier travelling through the colony making stump speeches. [A voice : He was asked to do it.] He did not know he was invited, but perhaps that gentleman knew better than himself (Mr Snelson). A statement was made by Mr Ivess that he had been offered a bribe to withdraw. He believed there was a great deal in it. A gentleman bad gone to him (Mr Snelson) and offered him £100 to retire, but Mr Snelson would not take it. He was interviewed a second time in his office, and had been offered £200. This was not quite good enough, as he had some honor to maintain and would do it. Three or four days ago some navies fia. ished work in Palmerston and intended going on to Stratford. However, their names are on the roll and they might be useful. They did not go. There was another thing; there is a reserve of 1000 acres of totara in the Pohangina. 2 saw* millers are going to have sections there and cannot vote for G. M. Snelson. This shows there is corruption and bribery all over the- colony, He was satisfied with the present education system, but it cost too much money and yet was not sufficient for the demand. They must cither reduce to the fourth standard or give capitation to private voluntary schools. He could not see where dtnominationalism would como in, and did not know why they should not encourage private enterprise in this profession the same as other business. The Government deserved a lot of credit for facing the liquor question. He_ believed in local option and the systonTas at present carried out. It would be rather hard and tyrannous if a small majority should rule, and that was what prohibition wanted. Moderation was, in bis opinion, a good thing, and it was right to Loftislate against excess and abuse. The railway administration required some reform i for instance, there should be a Parliamentary Committee to which the Commissioners should be amenable and to whom they should supply information as to the expenditure. He was in favor of retaining the Commissioners as they had done much good in the direction of checking bribery and corruption. Previous to their taking office the railways did not pay 2A- per cent, but now paid the full interest, working expenses and also had a surplus. At present there was no detailed account of expenditure and no one out of the office knew how the money was spent. This was not right as the people snould know whoro the money went to. Co-operation could be corrupted to any extent. The Roads Validation Act was simply robbery as laud on either side of a street could be taken up to 66ft wide, without compensation, for road purposes. He liked the Government in. some respects but it was like a little dog in Scotland, you could not tell where its head or tail was until you pinched it. In the Appropriation Act of last session there were clauses legalising what the Government had done illegally. At the close of his address questiqns were in* vited by Mr Snelson. - In reply to Mr Shorthall, Mr Snelson said he was in favor of {jiving capitation to private schools. In reply to Mr Goodey, Mr Snelson said he could not give the name of a detective who \yas hunting up dummies. He was in favor of local bodies Inking the uuiiuproved value as a basis for local taxation. Rents of al( education reserves are paid to a board vf CoiuwiesiQiiers iv ]

Wellington who distribute the money. He was in- favor of reserving a million acres of land for hospital and charitable aid purposes. On being asked if Mr Pirani offered the'land to sawmillers, and who offered him the money to retiro, Mr Snelson said he would not mention names, he was too old a bird to be caught br chaff. J 5 1 ? ep £ t0 Mr Tmah * i] < Mr Snelson said the Betterment Bill only dealt with land through which railways are to be constructed in the future. .1 In l?\ T u t0 > . Mr JJ Pci } rr e. Mr Snelson thought it best to add the coßt of roadina immediately to the land in a lump sum in place of making a special rate for 26 years, but he had not thought ot this idea and would have no objection to it. The system in the Manchester Block of roading the land before it was sold, was very good. Mr Shorthall proposed and Mr E. Smith seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Snelson for his address. The usual vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. .