MR MOSS, M.H.R., AT PARNELL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2084, 28 October 1880, Page 3

MR MOSS, M.H.R., AT PARNELL.

[PBB PBESB ASSOCIATION BPBOIAI WIBB.J AUCKLAND, October 27. Mr Moss, M.H.R. for Parnell, addressed his constituents last erening, and was well received. Mr Robinson, Mayor of Parnell, presided. Mr Moss said that the Government had nearly created a panic by exaggerating the deficiency of the revenue. At the same time, they showed no sincere desire to retrench till compelled by the House. The 10 per cent, reduction was unjust in its operation, and would injure the moral of the Civil Service, hut the responsibility was thrown on the House, and Ministers sheltered themselves behind their majority. They brought down a pile of Bills which nobody could understand, and then they abandoned them. One fact, however, was elicited ; this was their intention to abandon the purchase of Native land. This was a most prejudicial determination, so far as Auckland was concerned. Notwithstanding the outcry against their predecessors on account of the conduct of Native affairs, they themselves retained more power for the Native Department than any previous Government ever attempted. They withdrew from whatever purchases they thought fit, aud the consequence, as might be expected, was that largo blocks of land would go into the hands of private individuals. The public now knew what was the fate of the Fatetere block. The same might take place in respect of any other land, from the purchase of which the Government might choose to withdraw. They relied wholly upon their majority, and they were undoubtedly masters of the situation. One thing kept them in power, and that was the dread of Sir G. Grey’s restoration to office. There was a marked line of division between the Otago and Auckland members during the greater part of last session. The policy of Otago was always rather to settle land than to sell it. They were not so anxious to fill their treasury from the sale of land os to offer inducements for settlement, hence the land revenue of Otago was never very great. Canterbury, on the contrary, sold her land, and was now suffering the consequences of having done so. Canterbury appeared very willing to help Auckland during last session, but there would always be greater community of interest between Otago and Auckland than between Auckland and Canterbury. He regretted that this division should have existed, and he hoped that Otago and Auckland would soon be found again working together. The Maori Prisoners Bill, was arbitrary and most unjustifiable, as was also the payment of Dr. Pollen's alleged pension arrears. He (Mr Moss) would lay before the meeting his own views on some of the important public questions. First of all as to finance ; it was improving, be was happy to say, but the increased revenno did not necessarily represent an increase of .prosperity in proportion to taxation. The

Customs duties were as high as they could be, and there was considerable depression. They

would be told next session that the revenue l and expenditure had met, but they were going to pay only eleven months’ expenditure, at the same time that they would have twelve months’ revenue, so that for next year there would be £225,000 to be put to the debit of the present year. In that way they might easily balance the revenue and expenditure. He thought that prohibitive legislation would bo necessary to prevent land sharking, and the attempt to create great territorial landed interests. If the future of New Zealand was to be prosperous, some form of local government was necessary, for his experience in Wellington was that the Assembly could not do the business of the country. He believed himself that the old form of local government which had been abolished was the best.' He had bronght down resolutions in favor of local government, but he was obstructed by the forms of the House, and defeated by the Ministers, Men who have been moat conspicuous in upsetting provincialism, now confessed that they had made a mistake. Bad as the out districts were they would be worse by and bye, when they could get no help from the Government. If a mistake had been made the proper course was to rectify that mistake. He (Mr Moss) acknowledged that he was in a minority, but he did not think he would be in a minority long. He believed that this question of local_ go-, vernment would become more prominent during the year, and would demand a further trial. No doubt there would have to be arrangements in regard to financial matters before it could be bronght about, but it would surely be carried into effect. There was great discontent growing up, and all through the colony there was a manifest uneasiness, the result of which could only be a ripening of public opinion on this important subject. It might come to a state of things which could only he remedied by extreme measures and radical change. In reply to a question about the Patetere block, Mr Moss said the road to the Lake district would go through that block. That was a further reason why they should hold on to it. Mr Wood moved—“ That this meeting disapproves of the Government having abandoned the purchase of Patetere in favor of private speculators.” The motion was carried, A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Moss for his address, and another of confidence in him was carried unanimously.