MR. MACANDREW AT PORT CHALMERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1948, 22 May 1880, Page 3

MR. MACANDREW AT PORT CHALMERS.

[Bt Telegraph, j PORT CHALMERS, May 21. Mr James Macandrew, M.H.R., addressed his constituents in the Foresters' Hall, Port Chalmers, this evening. About four hundred electors were present, "W. Murray, Mayor, in the chair. Mr Macandrew said that when he had the pleasure of soliciting their suffrages he promised to meet his constituents during the recess. Referring to the last session, he ■aid that after the slaughter of a number of innocents, there wore ninety Bills placed on the Statute Book. After referring to several of these Bills Mr Macandrew said he had opposed the Property Tax Bill at every stage, as he considered that it would prevent capital coming into the colony. It was moßt offensive and uncalled for in its provisions, and the people of the colony should not put up with it. If the revenue was not sufficient to meet the indebtedness and requirements of the colony there should be a reduction of the expenditure and not additional taxation. He considered that a moderate land tax was necessary, while a special tax should be levied on the land that had been enhanced in value through a railway passing through it. If the Auckland men had kept to their colors, the present Government -would have been defeated by a majority of six. Had the Liberal party been anxious for office, he believed that they would have succeeded, but they wished to get over the session as soon as possible. He did not at all envy the position of Ministers. He believed that the country was in such a state at the present time that it would be a task of great difficulty for any Government to cope with it.

' The late Government would not have handed I over their funotions to Boyal Commissioners. Had the late Government kept in office they would hare spent one million and a half on reproductive works, instead of Bending it out of the oountry to pay the money lender* in England. It would have been a good thing for New Zealand if the five million loan had missed fire. He did not deny that the late Government had to a certain extent forestalled that loan, but it had not stopped necessary bridges and roads to construct others in favored districts. He thought that the administration of the land should be

simplified; and speaking of the land laws, he considered that the deferred payment system was a mistake. Ho was in favor of giving any married man ten acres, and the rest, if more was required, should be paid for in cash. In Jersey the farms were only about ten acres in extent, and in America there were a great number not more than 100 aores. If the present system of Government went on [taxation must be increased, but to obtain the financial equilibrium spoken of by Major Atkinson, they should pursue a system of retrenchment and no. oppressive taxation. If they submitted tamely to the property tax, they deserved a great deal more. They were some time ago bribed to part with their liberties by an offer of certain permanent endowments. Now if these endowments were continued in the shape of subsidies, it would simply mean that money would be taken out of their pockets to be restored again in the shape of subsidies, 50 per cent, of which would remain with the Government after the sweating process. Local taxation would be preferable, because more economical. With regard to the property tax, he believed that Otago alone would contribute more than the whole of the North Island. In reply to questions, he thought that where liabilities had been contracted in view of the promised bonuses it would be unfair to stop the bonuses without making some provision whereby the liabilities could be met. He approved of the eight hours system of labor, and considered thac the Government had set a bad example in introducing the nine hours system in a 'the railway. He was in favor of the re-imposition of school fees. He thought the system of " cram " in sohools should be abandoned. The proposal to have a central penal settlement at Hay ward's Point he considered impracticable, prison labor being in demand in all parts of the colony. A statement had been made by the Colonial Treasurer that contracts had been entered into amounting to two millions, but the official returns showed that the sum was actually £666,000. He thought that all money required by the Government should be borrowed within the colony, and then the interest would not be going to e»rich English money lenders. The limit of borrowing should be the extent to which repreduotive public works could be carried out. A million and a half might be profitably expended in such works. Mr Macandrew was well received, and hod an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr W. Beid and seconded by Mr W. Innes.