ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1667, 24 June 1879, Page 4

ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

MESSRS HAMLIN AND HOBBS AT OTAHUHU.

AUCKLAND, June 23,

At Otahuhu to-night Messrs Hobbs and Hamlin, members for Frankljn, addressed their constituents in the public hall. The attendance was good, Mr Hamlin reviewed the work of the past session. Ho defended the Government from the charge of wasting the time of the country. He pointed out that a number of local and personal acts of importance passed through, and a number of enactments of considerable public importance was introduced. Ho strongly advocated the appointment of several members as Parliamentary Secretaries, the country at present being governed almost solely by irresponsible Under Secretaries. He complained bitterly of the unfair distribution of loans between t tbe islands in the past. Though ho was in favor of a three-million loan he would oppose if a promise were not given to allow the North Island a fair share. There should be a Minister of Public Works for each Island, He urged strongly the construction of a railway connecting the East and West coasts of the North Island. He would support a proposal for ministers having half-an hour in school time for religious teaching. He was generally in favor of the Government programme, but reserved his right of independent action with respect to future measures. He was in favor of triennial Parliaments, and a Legislative Oouucil to bo elected every seven years. Mr Hobbs said the land tax was not so equitable as an income tax. Ho defended the Legislative Council from the attack made by Mr Hamlin with reference to the alleged opposition to Government measures. Ho was against the removal of the duty on timber, a* the Americans had an import duty. He was favorable to taking the duty off sugar, tea, and other necessaries of life. Ho attacked trenchantly the Native policy of the present Government. He had full confidence in Sir G. Grey as a Native administrator, but none in Mr Sheehan. Ho believed war with the Natives was inevitable. The cause ho traced to Mr Sheehan's action at Parihaka, in demanding the surrender of Hiroki, and allowing himself to be browbeaten by To Whiti, This gave that chief an inflated idea of his own importance. He contrasted the sobriety and good order of the Hauhaus with the drunkenness and brawling spirit of the nearest Waikato settlements. No war should be made by a Minister, whose character, morally, socially, and politically, was not such as to bo an example to Natives. A vote of confidence and thanks was passed in_bqth members without opposition, /