THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 471, 18 December 1875, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

SIR D. McLEAN AT NAPIER.

{By Electric Telegraph ,) Napier, December 16

Sir Donald McLean addressed the electors in the Oddfellows’ Hall to-night. There was a very full house. Mr K. Newton in the chair.

The chairman dwelt on Sir D. McLean’s long connection with the province, and his successful efforts for the establishment of the peace throughout the colony. Sir D. McLean, who was received with loud applause, gave a sketch of his early connection with the province. He bad purchased the lands from the natives which now carried a large population. For several years he had been Superintendent, and since a member of the House. In 1869 he had joined the Fox-Vogel Ministry. When he heard that the troops were about to be withdrawn, he had entered into a compact with the Waikato, which compact they had ever since honorably maintained. He felt, when he received their assurance, that it did not matter now whether the troops were withdrawn or not. [Applause.J He trusted that he might now say a permanent peace had been established, [Applause.J The Gerern-

ment of which he was a member had taken an important step in inaugurating a public works and immigration policy, which had advanced the progress of the colony unquestionably by many years. They already were seeing the fruits of it. Four hundred miles of railway were open, and 300 under contract, and 2000 miles of roads had been completed. !Many able men in the colony previously had contemplated the same policy. He and his colleagues alone had had the courage to make it a realitj . When he took office the native expenditure was at the rate of £350.000 per annum. The first year he reduced it by £200,000. [Applause.] They were directing their efforts to educate the Maoris ; 1800 children were at school through the island. He trusted in the time when they were educated that exceptional legislation would be unnecessary. [Applause.] In regard to the abolition of the provinces, he and his colleagues felt in 1870, when the public works were started, that the doom of the provinces was sealed. When their colonising functions were taken from them, and their boundaries so annihilated by roads and railways, they were no longer necessary. In due time last session, the Abolition Bill was introduced, and carried by three to one. The majority expressed the sense of the country, as had since been verified. The question that now presented itself was how were the provinces to be replaced. It was his view that the colony should be divided into shires, with Shire Councils, consisting of an aggregation of Hoad Boards. The shires should have control of main roads, bridges, and other public works, and should have powers to borrow on the county rates such sums as were necessary. They should in fact be the administrative bodies of the colony, legislation being carried on exclusively by the Assembly. This system had worked well in Victoria, and now that the barriers between the provinces were broken down by the construction of roads and railways, they had every reason to anticipate that it would work well here. He could not und'fstand how anyone could desire to see a system introduced under which there would be two provinces in each island, as was talked of in some quarters. That would mean handing Hawke’s Bay back to Wellington, Taranaki to Auckland, and the West Coast of the Middle Island to Canterbury, He felt sure that Hawke’s Bay did not wish this. He could answer for it that Taranaki did not, and there was no doubt that the people of the West Coast would prefer managing their own local affairs to having them managed for them by people in Canterbury, who knew nothing about them. [Applause.] Under the Abolition of the Provinces Bill, the municipalities would get £1 from the consolidated revenue for every £1 raised by rates, This would promote the carrying out of sanitary measures, which were growing daily more necessary as population increased. They would also get fees and licenses. Road Boards would get similar contributions from the consolidated revenue, as also £1 for £1 from the land fund. They would also get license fees when raised within Iheir boundaries. On the question of taxation he said they must accept it as inevitable if they wished to carry out the public improvements inaugurated. He thought a tax should be levied on property, which had acquired a great increase in value owing to the construction of the public works. [Applause.] He hoped such a tax would lead to the cutting up of large holdings into small ones. [Applause.] In regard to education, he thought assistance was needed from the general revenue, as it was necessary to see that the weaker districts should not suffer. He thought at the same time they should accept the organization already in fxislence. In regard to the proposed constitutional changes their great object should be to keep intact the unity of the colony. [Applause.] To separate would seriously affect their credit at home, while they were uuited they would be strong ; to separate would be a gross mistake, and one to which he never would be a party. He begged them to excuse him for not speaking at a greater length. The press of official duties prevented his preparing a longer speech He would be clad to answer any questions. [Loud applause] Mr Swan asked what particular description of properly tax he contemplated—a laud tax or income tax 7 [Applause ]

Kir D. McLean said taxation was inevitable, but was not immediately imminent. A time was coming when no doubt the question as to the precise form would occupy the foremost minds in the colony. In speaking on the subject, he had bad in view the desirableness of taxing lands which benefited by public expenditure. [Applause.] Mr R. C. Harding asked to what extent he was in favor of the permissive principle in legislation. Sir D, McLean said it was not a Government question. Personally he had voted for Mr Fox’s Permissive Bill.

Mr Harding asked again would he (Sir D McLean) endeavor to improve it, and make workable if brought on again. Sir D. McLean replied in the affirmative.

Mr Holder moved—“ That this meeting having heard Sir D. McLean’s statement, express its entire confidence in him, and will support his election as one of the members of the Douse of Representatives for the electoral district of Napier.” Mr Sutton, who was received with immense applause, had an amendment to move, but not hostile. He thought the resolution did not go far enough. He should do more than send up Sir D. McLean as one member, he moved—“ That the electors of Napier district beg to assure Sir D. McLean of their unanimous confidence in him as their representative, and resolve that no effort shall be spared to place him at the head of the poll.” [Loud applause.] Mr R. D’Maney, received with loud applause, said circumstances had occurred which might prevent his appearing as a candidate. He was not certain; he was taking legal advice, and would at any rate second Mr Sutton’s amendment. He believed none of the candidates dreamt of displacing Sir D, M'Lean. They all had the highest appreciation of Sir Donald’s services. | Applause,] Mr Holder withdrew his motion, and Mr Sutton’s amendment was put and carried unanimously on a show of hands. Sir Donald M'Lean then thanked the electors for their cordial reception. MAYORAL ELECTIONS. LYTTELTON. Yesterday, at noon, Dr J. T. Rouse was declared by Mr H. J. V. Rogers, the returning officer, duly elected Mayor of Lyttelton, under the provisions of the Municipal Act Amendment Act, 1875, there being no other candidate nominated.

KAIAPOI. Yesterday the polling for election of Mayor took place at the Borough Council Chamber, when considerable interest was taken in the proceedings. Mr G. F. Hewlings acted as returning officer. At 4 p.m. the poll was closed, and soon after the returning officer declared the result to be—For E, G. Kerr 82 G, H. Wearing 59 He had therefore to declare Mr Edward George Kerr duly elected. Mr Kerr returned thanks, saying ho was more especially gratified at the result of the election as this was the first time the burgesses had the opportunity of electing the Mayor. He had been elected four times by his fellow Councillors, and this time it was a test whether he represented the ratepayers or not. He was glad to see he did represent them, as shown by this result. In conclusion he could only say that as he had acted in the past so he would act in the future, always endeavoring to do his best in the interests of that borough, [Cheers ] Mr Wearing, who was also well received, returned thanks, saying that although defeated he was not quite sure but they might see him in the field again. [Cheers.]