POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1479, 13 June 1905, Page 3

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

MB CABBOLL AT GISBOBNE. UNANIMOUS VOTE OF j . CONFIDENCE. { . ■ ■■■■■■ I xnore.was a crowded ottsndanoe at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening when the ■ Hon, James Carroll addressed the Gisjjfc- ‘borne electors. His Worship the Mayor presided and briefly introduced Mr Carroll, i Mr Carroll, on rising, was greeted with i MW warm applause. Ho stated that he was k before n Gisborne audience after a long I % ’ obsenoe, but he would explain to them the reason for this. Boforo proceeding to the :V flosstion °f politios Mr Carroll made fooling referonoa to the loss which the community had sustained in the death of Mrs Siovwright and Mr W. Cooper. He paid k. a very high tribute of praiso to the work . * accomplished by Mrs Siovwright, who bad done so much to uplift her follow-women. Mr Carroll also made sympathetic refer- 1 f once to the death fn Wellington of Mr c Lincoln Bees, a son of Mr W. L. Bees, of j r Gisborne. (

Bevertiug to tho subject of politics Mr Carroll said that perhaps his duty was to show to his oonstitnouts how well they had - fared daring his absenoe. Although ho had not beau with them ho hud always looked after thair interests. (Applause, > and a voice, “ So you have, old man.”) f The spoukor first dealt with the advant j ages thu district has obtained on account . of railway construction, which started five •L years ago, and had now got to To Karaite. • There were many who scoffed at tho work when it was first started, stating that it ? was a political job and would never get 5;:-y any distance. He wished the audience to understand that it was no easy task to get a railway authorised for Gisborne, and still more difficult to get an appropriation for it. From the i outset objection to the iino had been taken '

f by the Opposition members, and notably the Leader of the Opposition, Sir William Rnssell. Ho (Hr Carroll) bad strong snpPort from bis colleagues, aDd Mr Hall.SV Jones and Sir Joseph Ward had visited the distriot to attend the ceremony of tbe turning of the first sod. Tho progress had no doubt been slow, but not nearly as slow , as other railways in the colony. Tho pro--1 < gross of the Gisborne-Karaka railway compared favorably with most of the lines in the colony. It could not be pushed on at a faster rate without money. The railway V' Te Karaka, and right along the line baa increased the traffic. The Government would do their best for the distriot in the matter of railway construction. He hoped to secure during the present year a ... larger vote than they had yet received. *' (Applause.) The Government had transferred to the public works account this year no less a sum thau 11894,607, of which amount the Gisborne-Te Karaka railway A would reoeive a fair share. He hoped as ' time went on that science would bring to their aid a better and more economical system of railing tbe distriot.

Passing on, Mr Carroll dealt at some length with the native lands question. -< Great difficulty had been experienced in past years in regard to the individualisation of titles, which had proved most costly to the natives. He considered that it would require £IOO,OOO to be placed on A. the Estimates to indiyidualise the native lands of the colony. Great evils had arisen on account of the freehold trafficking in native lands, whioh had for some ~ time been carried on. This had been attended with endless litigation, and the Government was finally compelled to set tip special Boards. After tracing the history of the native lands question as far hBS the East Coast was concerned, the speaker referred to the work of the Maori Hand Councils and East Coast Trust Board. There was not, he said, much native land in Cook County, and only 200,000 acres in the Waiapu County. ‘Since 1900 there bad been a great deal of native land settled in this district. Speaking particularly of the lands held by the Trust, of which he was himself at one -ttime a member, the speaker detailed the disadvantages under whioh the Trustees

labored. The Bank of Now Zealand had a mortgage of £164,268 over 100,000 acres, and had they foreclosed some years ago uittle or nothing would have been saved for the natives. Following his 6,dvice, the Government had set up' the EJaati Coast Board, with the most results, as the bank had been .paid off, and they were in a fair way to a ihappy ending. (Applause.) He had been olamed on account of the personnel of the . Board, with which appointments he had ■A.had nothing to do. The baok held the ,f Russian fist,” and insisted on certaip appointments, which had perforce to be made. The Board had been in existence /for over two years, and had fully justified • itself. After paying off the bank it was hoped to save for the natives 72,420 acreej roughly valued at £90,000. Most of the land held for tha natives was under lease, and the remainder would soon be in the 'V same position. In the Mangapoiki block there were at the present time 8000 acres being felled. All this land being brought into a state of production meant increased prosperity for the district and the colony. district. The laud had gone into good hands, and must redound to the good of the district. It was highly satisfactory to see such a result from the legislation of ' the Government. (Applause.) Speaking of future legislation, the Native Minister said he intended to try to secure a Band for Settlement Act for the natives jnst as they bad for Euro- «. pesos. The same facilities which were given the Europeans should be given the natives. Were this done it would remove tsotive lands out of the arena of private speculation, and would essentially place the Maori on the same footing as his European brother. The native wonld pay rates and taxes just as the Crown tenant did. Every effort should be made to onoourage the natives to become steady and reliable settlers. Continuing, Mr Carroll said the Gisborne and the Poverty Bay districts had made wonderful progress during the past few years. It stood in the forefront in the colony, there being hardly a district to rival it. During the last five years the s value of improvements, as well as the uajyiprnvfid value of both the Cook and \3aiapu Counties shewed a marked infree a3e, as also did the number of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. The statistics he - quoted shewed how marvellously the electorate of Waiapu had progressed during the past few years. The farming communities of the colony were entitled to great consideration and it nsd been the aim and desire of the Government to fork ward their interests. (Applause.) It was stated by some that the legislation of the Government was all in favor of the working man. that it sought to set labor against capital, but this was not so. The legisA. latiou of the Government was perhaps a little too soon, but it was peecantionary and in the best interest of all. Whatever derision might bo levelled against the legislation of the Government, whether y such was experimental, or whether it was too previous, it always had such precautionary provisions that the state of things they saw rife in other parts of the world should not find footing in New Zealand. The speaker pointed out that it was not to the interests of labor to revert to strikes, acd the legislation of the Government went far in the way of preventing such troubles. He predicted that if the Opposition over did get into power they would never attempt to repeal any of the 3 labor Acts of the present Government, ✓ much as they might snßor at them now. \ They would no doubt try and improve them. > (Applause.) It appeared to bo part of the creed of the farmor to be opposed to the Government, but he (Mr Carroll) did not know th 9 reason why. The aver-

age farmer did not bother much about politics, although there were some who did nothing else. (Laughter.) Ho contended that the present Government had dme more for the farming community than any previous administration in the colony, i (Applause) During the Government’s term of office they had given concessions to farmers in regard to cheap railway freightage, rates on frozen meat and other v produce to the extent of over ,£450,000. Therc ywere, also other concessions which the farri, >»j,o.d received in common with those engaged in other industries. The Government had assisted the farmer in all matters immediately conoorning him, (Ap. plause.) He did not know what more they wanted unless it was absolute freedom from all tasation. (Laughter.) There wa3 only one big question which conoernec the farmer, and that was mixed with poli tioal ingredients. This was the matter o freehold «■ leasehold, in regard to whiob — O ,

tho Land Commission was now engaged. The farming interest outside Grown leases ware net one bit concerned in regard to (his matter boonuso it was novor contemplated to oonfiscato the freehold. In regard to tho disposal of Grown land, applicants for sections always had tho right to say what tonuro they would accopt. They had threo options, lease in perpetuity, lease with right of purohase, and oash paymont. Tho objections at present aroso from holders of lands in loaso in perpetuity, who had bcoomo well-to-do farmers, being porsuaded to clamour for tho froobold. Had tho loaso in porpetuity not been available, in many cases settlement oould not havo takon placo, and the present boldors oould not havo seourod. The land belonged to tho peoplo, it was then property, and tho Government should not ohango tho laws of tho oolouy until suoh time us they had a mandate from tho people. Tho matter should bo looked upon in all seriousness, and receive careful attention. Ho took strong exception to Mr Massey's remarks that tho holders of leasehold property should bo allowed to oonvert it freehold at tho original price at whioh they took it up. Ho (Mr Carroll) contended that if tho leaseholder wore allowed to oonvert his leasehold into freehold he should pay for it at the present value. Continuing, Mr Carroll spoke in favor of freehold in a restricted sense, his remarks being on tho samo lines os his speeoh at Ormond. The colony was in a prosperous condition, tho surplus last year beiug tho largest recorded. (Applause.) There had beon many dismal prophecies made in regard to the Government and their administration, but year by year those had fallen to tho ground. They should be proud of New Zealand, which everywhere was pointed to as a wonderful and progressive country. What they required was unitsd action amongst them selves with a viow of finding bettor mar kets for their produce and improved facilities for the promotion of their industries They had an example of concerted action in tho case of Japan, whoso commissioners not long ago visitod New Zealand for the purpose of studying our laws. Mr Carroll pointed out that New Zealand was the first to give franchise to women, to grant a pension to the aged, to adopt universal penny postage, to adopt preferential and reciprocal tariff, to provide competent midwivos and nurses for those unable to pay, to pass maritime laws requiring outside steamers to pay same wages to seamen as paid in the ooionies, to institute a Conciliation and Arbitration Act, to provide State fire insuranoe and to provent an employer paying wages in kind and at his own value. The present Government had been instrumental in passing about 600 Aots, affecting more or less the welfare of nearly every section of the community, and of these Aots the Opposition was prepared to repeal only four clauses in one Act. This spoke for itself. He quoted the Midwives’ Aot as an example of the social legislation that the Government had introduced to help to preserve the child life of the colony, and to give infants a reasonable chance of growing up into healthy manhood and woman hood.

In conclusion .Mr Carroll said, “ You see lam still alive. (Laughter and ap plause.) lam glad to find that your district has not gone back. I see indications and proofs of your prosperity on every side, and you cannot be but contented and happy. I sincerely thank you for the patient hearing you have given me and

have pleasure in announcing myself as wilting to continue to bo your representative. (Loud applause.) I leave the matter entirely in your hands; should you do mo the favor to again eleot me to the proud position which I hold I shall be pleased to do my best for you, but should you elect someone else I shall not complain, because I am one of those who believe in bowing to the mandate of the people. It is a question entirely for them, and in what they do I “am entirely with them. (Applause.) I shall do my best whilst still in this position to carry out your wishes and all matters affecting the well-being of the district shall always have my be3t attention. Luring the coming session I shall endeavour to secure

a substantial vote for the Gisborne-Te Karaka railway, and will obtain grants to prosecute such roads as are of urgent necessity to giye means of access to the back settlers. I have every sympathy with those in the back blocks, because I fully recognise the disadvantages under which they labor. I shall therefore .do what I can to help them along. (Applause). Whilst I am in Parliament 1 shall endeavor to assist in whatever industries are being promulgated in this district. We have a new industry in the timber, whioh I shall do all X can to forward. The extension of settlement in the back blocks would also claim my close attention. I shall do my best for you in every direction that affects the body politic. All that is fair and ju3t to demand I shall endeavour to obtain. I would not for the sake of a little kudos seek to get something for you which I thought you were not entitled to. What are your just dues I shall in every respect and in every concern strive to the utmost to obtain. With these few remarks I again thank yon for the patient hearing accorded me. (Loud and continued applause).

Questions being invited, quite a number were asked. Mr Carroll said that at the present time he had on open mind on the subject of preference to unionists. It was a matter upon which ha required a little further consideration. He was in favor of the Unions having their grievances considered by the Magistrate's Court, if no more suitable tribunal could be found, so as to prevent unnecessary delay. A question of a personal nature affecting the purchasers of the blocks of native land held by tho Trust Board was answered by Mr Carroll, who stated that the gentlemen referred to as having taken up the lands were the only ones found willing to acquire it. Personally he would have been glad to have seen the whole of New Zeoland competing for the properties, as it would have meant better results for the native owners

Mr Cummings asked ‘for Mr Carroll's opinion on Biblereacling, amid the totalisahor. In reply, Mn Carroll humorously remarked that he knew, more about the last than, tfie two former matters. He was not a prohibitionist, nor was he associated with the trade,. I-Ie liked to be rational and practical, and had grave doujb'ts that prohibition was the right soliution of the evil*. The question was one for tho people themselves to decide. Ini regard to BiWe-readin'g in schools he was not in favor of altering tho

present Act. As to the to talisator tthpso who condemned it wore those Who did not pso it. They looked upon it as a gambling machine, and as they deemed themselves ftp he the saviours of mankind they sought •to force their opinions on others. His experience of the totalisator was that it was fair, and if it were pointed out) to him that there was anything dishonest aho.ut. it he would endeavor, to have the matter remedied. (Applause.)' He was in sympathy with tha Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Questioned pn the subject oE tho appointment of rbhe Registrar of Electors,, Mr Carroll pointed out that the incident had been made unfortunate -by certain persons in Gisborne, .Government had desired ito re!‘eve an overworked officer, and in his place appointed ~ one who hjad given every satisfaction as Inspector of Factories and Labor Agent in .Gisborne, It was stated that the salary was to havo been £250, whereas it was only £25 per annum. Tho appointment had no

political significance of any kind, and coml'd in njo way have benefited liijnE.blf. There was absolutely no reasori for ftho oxei'tement' occasioned.

Mr Carroll expressed himself as favorable to light- railways, as a means of opening u!p bhc district. Mr W. Ij. Rees propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Carroll for his able address and confidence in him as the district’s representative, also a vote of confidence in

the Government of which he was a member. The speaker pointed out that in do other country within the Empire was life and property so safe and the conditions so prosperous as in New Zealand. In no constituency in the colony had any mem her been more energetic in attending to its wants than Mr Carroll. In their present member they really had a representative who interested himself in the advancement of t/he district. - (Applause.)

Mrs T. Eraser sooondod tho resolution, wbioh was unanimously adopted. At tho instunoo of Mr Carroll o voto of thanks was ucoordod to His Worship tho Mayor for presiding.