ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1669, 26 June 1879, Page 3

ADDRESSES TO CONSTITUENTS.

MR ORMOND AT WAIPAWA. [By Telegraph. I NAPIER, June 25. The Hon. J. D. Ormond addressed his constituents in tbo Oddfellows' Hall, Waipawa, this evening. There was a large attendance j Mr R. Harding in the chair. Mr Ormond flaid he had intended to meet his constituents at a much earlier date, but delayed in the hope that some member of the Government would indicate what policy they proposed to pursue in the coming session of Parliament. Sir G. Grey formerly said that the people had a right to demand that they should be taken into the confidence of the Government, and at this time more so than ever would his words apply. When he made this explanation a short time ago, the Ministerial press, especially the " Lyttelton Times," took him somewhat strongly to task, but he did not think that these comments had done him any injury, and he would not reply to them. The Government had made no definite statement of the policy of the Ministry, except in a speech delivered by Sir G. Grey at the Thames. Tho greater portion of that speech was devoted to subjects which he would not refer to. But there were two points worthy of notice. 3ir George first announced that an attempt to create a spurious aristocracy in the colony wan being made. Reading further, it appeared that this " burning question " concerned the title of "honorable," which had been conferred by tho Queen on two retired Judges. He (Mr Ormond) thought moro important matters than such trifling rubbish were likely to occupy the House next session. The next "burning question " was that of separation from England. Thelcolony was thoroughly loyal, and there were no cries for separation. The question was not really agitated at all, but merely came to the surface because it was thought that Sir Gewgo had slighted the Marquis of Normanby, and the people of Dunedin took occasion to show that they did not agree with all these studied alights. Mr Ormond then mentioned the Legislation of last session, the Electoral Bill being first referred to. Sir George had promised universal suffrage, but the Bill brought down by tho Government did not confer this. It merely extended the franchise, and had somo advantages; but there was one feature of the Bill to which he etrongly objected—that was the dual Native vote. He had intended to bring in a Bill dealing with Native representation, increasing the number of representatives, if necessary. But they should not bo allowed to vote for European candidates, unless they accepted all the responsibilities of European settlers and consented to pay rates on any property which they held. As the Bill was introduced it was unjust, but during its passage through the House it wss proposed to make it much more objectionable 5 in fact it proposed to give practically universal suffrage to the Natives. This would have the effect of swamping the European vote ia many constituencies, in the North Island. He (Mr Ormond) regretted to say that the House, which was supposed to represent the people, passed the Bill, placing many North Island constituencies under the Maori heel, apparently because the Native Minister urged upon the House that, unless this clause passed, it would seriously interfere with the negotiations then said to bo satisfactorily concluded with Tawhaio. The Upper Houße, which was ■0 freely condemned by Sir George Grey, had the courage to strike out this clause, and then, apparently merely because thoy could not carry the dual Maori vote, tho Ministry determined to deprive the 70,000 unfranchised Europeans, of whom Sir G. Grey spoke ■0 emphatically, of the franchise. The Government had not announced what they intended to do with reference to the electoral question this year, but be might say that it .was his intention to bring in a Bill conferring the franchise for a residential qualification, and another Bill, if necessary, for a small increase in the direct representation of the Natives, who would not be permitted to vote for European candidates unless they paid rates. At the Thames Sir G. Grey repeated what he had said before about the need for a redistribution of seats and representatives, according to the population basis, and indicated that two measures with these objects in view would be introduced in the coming session. He (Mr Ormond) thought it would take a much stronger Government than the present to effect a redistribution of the representation. He did not think that members should be only guided by population in reappropriating tho representatives. Other interests had to be considered. An article in the " Lyttelton Times " paper, ordinarily devoted to the Government, recently gave a good instance of the unfairness of this mode of representation. Yet Scotland with three millions population had fifty-three members. In New Zealand, with seats on the population basis, the four largest town* would have more than one-fourth of the total representation of the colony. As to triennial Parliaments he did not attach much importance to them, but, if the country desired it, he was prepared to vote for such a Bill. He agreed, however, that there should be a re-distribu-tion of seats, though not according to numbers. Another of the points of policy indicated by Sir George Grey was the abolition of plural voting for local purposes. He (Mr Ormond) was still of opinion that it was but reasonable that a man should have votes according to the money he paid, and the interests be had at stake. Mr Ormond then referred to tho changes in the Customs tariff last year, pointing to figures quoted by Mr Hunter in the House to show that the poor man was not relieved, while the rich man had really benefitted. Mr Hunter had shown that he would gain £3OOO by the change, after allowing for what he would have to pay for land tax. The Beer Duty Bill, Companies Income Tax Bill were next referred to in condemnatory terms, and then Mr Ormond came to what he called the great trump card in the game of finance —the Land Tax. It was the only measure of the Government which really proposed to tax the wealthier class. Ho criticised this at great length, and condemned the tax in toto, on the ground that it would keep capital out of the colony and check settlement. He recently applied to an agent at home for funds to improve a property. Tho agent replied that notwithstanding the high interest offered in New Zealand, capitalists were averse to lend their money out, because they had no guarantee that the land would not soon be so burdened as to render the security anything but desirable. He mentioned this to prove that an apparently well founded rumor of the proposed increase in the Land Tax had reached home, and was having an influence on English capitalists. It was nwise to thus tax only one description of property, especially coußidering that only one-fourth of tho North Island was yet settled, and it was the interest of the colony to increase tho settled area by every possible means, instead of imposing taxation to check it. It was simply like killing the goose which laid the golden egg. As an instance of tho unequal pressure of the tax ho pointed to a district which, though far wealthier than Hawke's Bay, had to contribute only £6OOO as land tax, whilst Hawke's Bay contributed £BOOO. Tho deficiency in revenue he estimated at £-100,000. He 1 thought the best way to meet the deficiency was to abolish subsidies to local bodies which would save a quarter of a million. The deficiency to local bodies should bo made up by increased rating powers, by which they could rate land, so tbat it should contribute its fair share towards works by which it benefited. He supported the proposal to go into the money market for three million pounds, bnt defended the conduct of the Opposition in the session before last in refusing larger borrowing powers to the Ministry. Their conduct since nod shown that the South Island could get everytniag and the North Island nothing. In reference to the Thames Valley railway, he hoped that the House would in the strongest manner mark its sense of Sir G. Grey's conduct in pledging the country, so far as he could, to the construction of a railway unauthorised by Parliament. Sir G. Grey even went so far as to turn the first sod of the railway. Mr Ormond then referred to the speech of Sir G. Grey when in opposition relative to reductions in expenditure, declaring that the civil service had been increased by £IOO,OOO, while the Hinemoa had been used merely as a pleasure boat for .Ministers. The present Government was also

destroying the character of the Civil Service by appointing to Government offices mere creatures of the Government of the day. There were some in thia district, to which he could not particularly rofer, but as an instance of that he meant he would # refer to the appointment of Mr McOulloch Reed,, late sournalist, as Agent for Immigration for England at a salary of £GOO a year. Mr Rood was tiken by Sir G.,Grey and Mr Sheehan to Hikurangi, at the meeting with the King, to manufacture telegrams purporting to convey to the people of the colony what was being d.ne at the meeting. Men who performed such work expected to be paid for it, and Mr Reed had been appointed in reward for his distinguished political service as a creature of the Government. Mr Ormond quoted from "Hansard" a speech made by Sir G. Grey in 1877, condemning the employment of followers of the Ministry in the public service, " saying that no previous Government had ever so paid for such services as those of Mr Reed. On the subject of immigration, Mr Ormond condemned the Government for recently sending orders to Sir Julius Yogel for two thousand immigrants at a time of depression such as the present, as they could not bo provided with work. After referring to several minor topics, he came to the Native question, on which ho spoke for nearly an hour. It was claimed by some of tho Government that this question should not be treated as one of party. When in opposition the present Ministry had used it as one of tho chief points of attack, on Sir D. McLean, and einco they had been in office they had continually used their supposed influence with the Natives for party purposes. They were continually boasting of Sir George Grey's influence over the Natives. The first occasion when this wag tested was at Hikurangi, at the same meeting to which Mr Reed was taken to manufacture special telegrams for the Press columns. It was assumed that this meeting was going to accomplish everything. Last night he received the appendix to the journals of the House, which contained the official report of the meeting,'with Sir G. Grey's proposals to Tawhiao. Put differently, these were that a portion of the confiscated land was to be returned to the King, he was to have an annual income from the Government, and to have a house built for him; a large sum of money was to be distributed amongst his poople, and he was to have a kingdom. The report wuo mainly made up from newspapers. Mr Ormond added an extract about Tawhaio playing the concertina, accompanied by the tin kettle, and Sir G. Grey distributing lollies, which caused roars of laughter. Next Mr Ormond referred to tho murder by Hiroki. The House was last session told that after the prorogation Mr Sheehan would go to Te Whit:', who was reported as friendly to the Government, and get Hiroki delivered up. Mr Sheehan went and saw Te Whiti. The meeting was, as usual, reported as being highly successful. Mr Sheehan, however, seemed to have made no reference to Hiroki. Certainly he did not succeed in getting him given up. When the Waimate Plains survey was stopped, Mr Sheehan had another interview with Te Whiti, and was insulted. The repnrts in the newspapers, which were evidently not official, showed that Mr Sheehan and Te Whiti had a wrangle, the Government report making out that Mr Sheehan got the best of the argument. One peculiar feature was, that while the dispute was going on Mr Sheehan took a pipo from the mouth of one of the Maoris and actually sat down and smoked it. That was not in accordance with the dignity of a representative of the colony. It was calculated to lower his personal dignity, and to degrade his office in tho eyes of the Natives, than which nothing could be more injurious to the interests of the colony. Things drifted on from bad to worse, until the country was now waiting daily with some excitement to learn what is likely to be done in the Wf st Coast difficulty. It was matter for extreme regret that the colony should havo been allowed to drift into such a position, which would never have occurred had matters been managed firmly and wisely from the beginning. Now it was almost impossible to escape that difficulty. War would be no doubt a very grave calamity, checking the inflow of population and capital, but the duty of the colony was quite clear. We must maintain the supremacy of our race. He thought the opposition to the Government would not be found placing impediments in their way, so long as they endeavoured to maintain the dignity of the colony. There was only one thing in the whole business on which we could congratulate ourselves—the action of the West Coast settlors, the decided stand and preparations for defence made, and yet the forbearance Bhown by them was worthy of praise in tho highest terms. They deserved the thanks of the whole population of the colony for their action. The situation (?) recently exhibited by the Natives was undoubtedly due to the firm stand mado. Mr Ormond next turned his attention to Native affairs in tho Waikevto. He had already referred to the terms proposed by Sir G. Grey to Tawhiao. It was represented in the Houss that proposals had been accepted, and only remained to be finally ratified at a meeting to be held after the session, to which Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan had been invited. The Government was on this occasion treated with the greatest amount of consideration. In the debates on Native matters ho had refrained from speaking on these occasions, that Sir G. Grey might have every facility for the unimpeded exercise of his influence. Shortly after the session reports, at first unheeded, were circulated that Ministers were begging for an invitation to Tawhiao's meetings. The reports were repeated until he heard from a reliable sourco that they were true. Tawhiao refused again and again to give any invitation, although repeated messages were sent to him to get him to do so. At last Major Te Wheoro was sent. This had not yet been published, but must come out sooner or later, so ho would state it publicly. Te Wheoro was a considerable time endeavoring to get an invitation, urging Tawhiao to give it because, if it were not given, the Europeans would be angry with Sir G. Grey for having deceived them, and his Government might be overthrown. Tawhiao replied that it would be rather a good thing if it was, and again refused to give the invitation. Notwithstanding this, Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan went, extremely unwisely, as they were certain to be insulted, as they were. Tawhiao rejected the termß which he was represented as agreeing to. The organs of the Government claimed in a most impudent manner that Sir G. Grey deserved credit for having escaped from the fulfilment of his promises. Sir G. Grey, who wben apparently successful claimed the whole credit of the negotiations, turned round in the most cowardly manner and endeavorod to shift the responsibility on to Sir Donald McLean, who had now gone from amongst them. If Sir D. McLean had lived there was no sort of chance of h'n having landed the colony in this difficulty. Now similar negotiations were being tried with Rewi. His opinion was that Rowi was simply trying to get all he could, and to give as little as possible in return. This reminded him of an extra of the " Morning Herald," which he held in Mb hand, which stated that Sir G. Grey reproached Tawhiao wi*h not accepting his proposal, as the King was not callod upon to give anything in return. If such terms were agreed to Tawhiao must give up something. For one thing, he must acknowledge the supremacy of tho Queen. He now wished to refer to articles which had recently appeared in the Government organs throughout tho colony, stating that tho failure of negotiations with the Natives was due to the action of Europeans who instigated them to resist.. The leaders of the Opposition were evidently referred to. Ho wished to say that neither directly nor indirectly had he interfered with any negotiation with the Natives. He had communicated with his colleagues, and received replies of similar tenor. Even when some of the late Chief Karaitiana's friends wished him to interfere to provent what certainly appeared an injustice, he had refused, as he would not move against the Government. These matters had been brought prominently forward, and referred to in the local papers. There was an article in the "Hawke's Bay Herald" about a fortnight ago, which he would read, as he wished it to telegraphed over tho colony. He read the article, which contended that whether intentional or not, these reports of traitors in the camp had come to be regarded as receiving semi-official sanction, and the matter should bo investigated by Parliament, and if the charges were found to be true, the individuals should be punished with the utmost severity of the law. He said the article was couched in somewhat strong language, but he thoroughly endorsed every word of it. More recently the names of several gentlemen had been published as being the tools of tho real authors of thia opposition. Two of these gentlemen were Major Jackson and Major Mair. The first he know personally. He fought bravely in command of tho Waikato Cavalry during the lato war, rendering distinguished services. He (Mr Ormond) did not know Major Mair personally, but Sir|Donald McLean had spoken

of him, saying that he could always trust in his information, and that he relied greatly upon him for his firmness, and that his knowledge of Native character with his thorough trustworthiness made his services most valuable. He did not believe for one instant that they had been guilty of the conduct imputed to them. He was sorry to see an article in the "Herald " in which their names were mentioned in connection with " the sinister rumors of traitors in the camp;" but he was glad the same paper on fuller information had that morning retracted its statements. Newspaper writers should be cautious in circulating such rumors, and should make careful inquiries before publishing such matter. Ho did not believe in the existence of any of these alleged traitora, save in the train of those who had circulated tho slanders.

Mr Ormond, who was frequently applauded throughout his speech, offered to answer any questions which might bo aaked, but as i;o one accepted the invitation, a vote of confidence, proposed by Mr McGrevy and seconded by Mr Giblin, was then pas3ed wi'h acclamation.