MR. LEVIN, M.H.R., AT WELLINGTON.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2232, 23 April 1881, Page 3

MR. LEVIN, M.H.R., AT WELLINGTON.

[PBBSS ASSOCIATION TELBGBAM.] WELLINGTON, April 22. Mr Levin addressed his constituents this evening. He reviewed the events of the last session, and attributed its barrenness to two causes—first, the weakness of the Government in introducing and withdrawing Bills, some neoessary and some unnecessary; and second, to the oonduot of the Opposition in wasting the time of the House by vexatious talking. Although he should regret it, steps might becomo necessary here, as at home, to curb fractious opposition and stop the obstruction of public business. He greatly regretted that the Licensing Bill was not passed, as he regarded it as the best Bill of the kind ever introduced. He also approved generally of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. He regretted the rejection of Mr Stevens' Charitable Endowment Bill. He considered that population was an important element, but not the sole one to be considered in re-apportioning representation. A population basis would give a preponderance of power to the North or South, and destroy the balance which the Cook's Straits Settlements had so long hold, to the great advantage of the colony as a whole. He approved of the reduced beer tax. If the colony looked at its task in a manful, self-reliant spirit, he had no doubt of its ability to sustain all its burthens. They had, no doubt, gone ahead too fast, bu'i they knew their position now. The country was full of resources. It had responded nobly to the call made to save its credit and showed it was able to more than meet all calls. With care and thrift he had no doubt of a triumphant future. He gave Ministers credit for their retrenchment efforts. He believed that the property tax was a fair one in principle, and superior to a land or inoome tax. The abundance of cheap i money now showed that it did not drive j capital away. In fact he believed its effeot ' was precisely the contrary, as it proved the

spirit and resources of the people of the , oolory. He warmly eulogised the West Coast Commission. He regretted Mr Bryoe's retirement, bat was glad that his advioe about marching on Farihaka had not been accepted by his colleagues. It would have risked a war, whioh would have ruined the colony. With regard to Native lands he would do his best to prevent such lands as were suitable for settlement being monopolised by the few instead of occupied by the many. He approved of Mr Bolleston's land administration, but did not approve of the indiscriminate settlement of people on the lands. Successful settlement required suitable land and suitable persons to ocoupy it. He would preserve the present education system intact, but thought that it cost more than they had a right to spend on it. Many economies ought to be practised without impairing its efficiency. He would alter the age of oompulsory education and make the fourth standard the maximum in ordinary schools, but have in each district a school to teach the fifth and sixth standards, charging a small fee to those able to pay it. He urged the claims of the Wost Coast Kailway on publio support and for a grant of land. He also announced that the Government had promised next session to put a vote on the estimates for the ereotion of a new post and telegraph offico in the city. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed.