ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1576, 8 March 1879, Page 3

ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS

MR. WHITAKER AT CAMBR.DGE,

[By Telegraph.]

Cambridge, March 7

The Hon. P. Whitaker addressed his constituents to-uight in Cambridge Public Hall. Mr Kobt Ferguson occupied the chair, and briefly in'roduced the member for Waikato. Mr Whitaker alluded first to the action of the preceding Government of 1877. He was strongly opposed to Sir G. Grey’s Government. They endeavoured to carry on, contrary to all constitutional principles, with a minority. The number of new elections taking place indicated the desire of the country that Sir G. Grey should have something like a fair trial. Mr Whitaker, therefore, refrained from acting in opposition to the wish of the people, in spite of his strong feeling. He never gave a party vote but voted in the country’s interest as often as against the Government. [Applause.] The promises made by the present Government on taking office embraced Sir George Grey’s fundamental point, namely, the reduction of extravagant expenditure. ( he late Ministry also projected improvements in electoral matters, representation, Native affairs, &c. Sir G. Grey strongly censured the Ministerial residences, the Hinemoa, and lavish travelling expenditure. If he were in power, ho would reform these things. By such pretexts ho hoped to overthrow the late Government, and himself ascended to power. How far had Sir G Grey fulfille these promises and reduced the expenditure P The present Ministers lived in Ministerial residences, '"fir G. Grey in the best. The Hinemoa and other vessels still paraded the country. He (Mr Whitaker) actually heard that the Hinemoa carried freight to the Kawau, and he believed it. Travelling allowances were increased fourfold. Instead of reduction on every hand, there was increased expenditure. New officers were constituted, new persons appointed, and personal expenditure increased. He would not find unreasonable fault, but would ask had the promises so frequently made been kept ? The Ministry had had every consideration, They had had a long vacation, had been eighteen months in office—with what result P Re-adjust-ment of taxation had proved a miserable failure. The Customs duties were relieved, and a land tax introduced. Taxes were taken off flour, timber, fencing, iron. *c., the indirect nnoj.press!vo tax of Customs being substituted by another of an objectionable character—a land tax. He supported a land tax, but not the present Government’s method of taxing. Other species of property ought not to be exempted. Unless things were managed differently he would vote for turning them out. The land tax should be retained for tho districts where it was raised, for roads and railways, not engulphed in the revenue of the colony, where to quote Mr Macandrcw, it was lost in the maelstrom of colonial finance. Mr Whitaker was satirical over the land tax forms issued to property owners to be fi led up. Tho Governmeut overstepped their instructions by sending such papers. He refused to fill any, but would give information if asked. He deprecated the numbers of separate tax gatherers growing up, but advocated one tax, collectable half yearly Respecting the revenue balance, they would fi. d the land tax revenue over estimated, but its collection under estimated by ,£20,000. After referring to his action in tho abolition of provinces, Mr Whitaker said ho had no intention ol joining a Ministry again. The electoral business of the country required alteration. The mode was ill adapted to tho country. Contrasting his Electoral Bill with that of the Government, he condemned tho latter as complicated and unjust. Ho condemned the Maori dead vote. Either give tho Natives more members or confide to them a vote on the European roll Sir G. Grey promised to put the land question on a proper footing, and thoroughly rcg. nerate tho Native land business. Tho great Maori meeting would afford Sir G. Grey an opportunity to fulfil his promises. Land purchase* should bo free and unfettered. The Native country adjoining Cambridge was locked up. Tho question was of vital importance to Waikato. Mr Whitaker ex-

tibited a land .-Ingram of land winch showed that tho preponderance of best land was still Native, though nearly six hundred thousand pounds had been expended in purchasing. Sir G. Grey endeavoured to lock the land up for the future generation to obtain forty-acre sections. Mr Whitaker was willing to assist Sir G. Grey on the Native question, or any question for tho good of the country. He described how the Premier and Native Minister had been disqualified, but afterwards indemnified by A t of Parliament last session. He deplored the session as being the most barren ho had seen during thirty-four years he had been interested in tho Legislature. He challenged the Government or people to show any measures passed for the benefit of tho country. if next session was equally barren, the sooner they got rid of the present Government the beiter. On the education question he emphatically denounced deuominationahsm. The present national system was adapted to the requirements _ of this democratic colony, and suitable to out districts Ho paid a high tribute of praise to the good effected, through the country. Mr Whitaker concluded by referring to the present Ministry as doubling the extravagancies of the former. Mr Campbell proposed a vote of confidence and thanks, which was seconded by Mr Graham and carried.