MR GISBORNES M.H.R., AT ROSS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2211, 28 March 1881, Page 2

MR GISBORNES M.H.R., AT ROSS.

LBBES3 ABBOOIATIOIT TBLBQBAM.I HOKITIKA, March 26. Mr Q-iflborno addressed the elector! last evening at Ross, at the town hall. There was a crowded meeting, the Mayor in the chair. Referring to the Native difficulty, he agreed with_ the policy of the Government in striving to maintain peace with the Natives, but ho considered that much time and great expense might have been saved to the colony if they haa twelve months ago arranged for the Commissioners to meet Te VVhiti and hear his proposals. On the subject of education, Mr Gisborne said that he was afraid there was great likelihood of the present system breaking down unless some alterations were made. Ho spoke of the costliness of the system, and thought that those who can afford fees should pay. He considered that the best remedy would he to revert back to the system which prevailed in ’ the days of proviromlism in Westland, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay, and that denominational schools should be subsidised, subject, to the conditions of inspection and other Government restrictions. Regarding the financial difficulty, he considered it had been caused by several consecutive government*. To extricate the colony the Government had adopted two wrong courses by adding taxation to the necessaries of life, and by introducing' the present property (ax He condemned the method of departmental retremibment which had been adopted. The un fotm reduction of of ton per cent, was a mistake. It was cruel and unjust, and already had done much to demoralise the service. He spoke of thetreatment of the West Ooast in respect to public works as positively shameful. The attitude of tho Government to the Ooast reminded him of Mr Bumble, who was so horrified when Oliver Twist asked for more. Ho had noticed many roads unformed and rivers iznbridgod ; indeed, the public bodies in Westland were asked to make bricks without straw._ In the way of Government expenditure it was entirely neglected, and the crumbs that fall from the Ministerial table were grudged to it. He condemned Mr Oliver’s neglect of and positive antipathy to the mining industry. He had better hopes of attention from the hands of Mr Ralleston. He read s recommendation made by the Industries Commission, and wondered that some means had not been taken ere this to carry out their suggestions. He referred at length to the Mikonui water race, Paringa road, Robb Gold-mining Company, and other local question*. He considered that before the Government decided upon making the railway by the Cannibal Gorge route, full reports should be made cf the Mathias Pose route by the Public Works and Survey Departments. He thought that the northern route would not confer the greatest benefit on the whole island. A motion of confidence was passed unanimously.