MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2376, 14 November 1881, Page 3

MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.

The Hon. John Hall has issued an address to the electors of the Selwyn district, from which we make the following extracts : " Referring to the Parliament just dissolved, I consider that it has done work which will cause it to be held in grateful remembrance. The completion of the important and liberal measures which it passed for amending the representation of the people would alone be sufficient to protect it from any charge of unfruitfulness. The proposals which it has sanctioned for the improvement of the public revenue, and the assistance which it hag given in the work of economy, and of reduction in the public expenditure, have restored safety to our finances, and maintained the credit of the colony. It has passed important amendments in the laws relating to Crown lands', with the view of affording increased facilities for settlement. It has dealt with many questions of im portanoe to the social and material welfare of New Zealand in a manner calculated to promote the progress of the colony and the well-being of its inhabitants. There remains, however, abundance of work for its successor. " The improvement in the machinery by whioh the House of Representatives is elected should, I believe, be followed up by improvement in the proceedings of the House itself. No one holds more strongly than I do to that essential privilege of entire freedom of speech with which our Legislature is endowed ; but it cannot be denied that of late the power of interrupting the business of the country which is oonceded by the forms of the House to individual members, has by some been intolerably abused. The waste of public time thus occaiioned during the recent session led to the abandonment of much useful legislation. But the obstruction of public business is sot the worst consequence of such proceedings. Their frequent recurrence would resnlt in the degradation of the House itself in the eyes of the country —a political calamity the magnitude of which no one can estimate. The possibility of so dangerous an abuse ought to be removed, so far as is consistent with the preservation of entire liberty of bona fide discussion ; and a stop should be put to the system of organised obstruction by whioh attempts have been made to paralyse the action of Parliament, and to force upon it the will of a minority. " I believe that a second Chamber of the Legislature ia necessary for the successful working of National Representative Institutions, and I should, therefore, strenuously oppose any proposition for abolishing the Legislative Council. But the nomination of its members by the Crown, and the tenure of their office for life, are, in my opinion, open to grave objection. With the view of increasing the value and usefulness of our second Chamber, I think its members should be eleoted ; and I trust that such an amendment in our Constitution will be effected by the new Parliament.

"An attempt has been made to show that the people of New Zealand desire, and the circumstances of the colony demand, a new system of local government. The attempt has signally failed. While I should oppose any attempt to return to the old forms of local government which we have abolished, or adopt new forme whioh have been proposed, my best endeavors will be given to improving the institutions which we now possess. This can be done by giving them in some instances extended powers, and introducing into the system an elasticity which will better meet the varying oircumstances of different parts of the colony. The chief want of these institutions is an improvement of their financial position. At present, this position is such that in some parts of the oolony the local bodies are unable to discharge the duties'devolving on them in respeot of local works. The Government desire to provide a fund for assisting in such oases; and the application of surplus land revenue to such a fund would form part of any measure to be proposed for this purpose. " In respect of the public finance, I should advocate perseverance in the course of striot economy which has enabled the Government to largely reduce the public expenditure, and will render possible, as to some extent it has already done, relief to the taxpayers of New Zealand. The principle of the property tax—namely, that property of all kinds should contribute to the cost of the Government by whioh it is protected—appears to me eminently reasonable and just; and I can see no reason why this burden should, as some persons propose, be laid solely on land. To represent a tax whioh falls equally on land and money, as being unduly favorable to the wealthy class, is too gross an experiment on the credulity of the ignorant. An income tax, however equitable in principle, would, I believe, prove most distasteful, owing to its necessarily inquisitorial character ; nor eould the strictest possible exercise of those obnoxious powers of inquiry into private affairs prevent the frequent recurrence of evasion and fraud. When the time arrivea at which the engagements of the Government will permit a use of the colony's credit in the London money market, it should be done to a moderate extent, with a view to the construction of such important public works as are necessary for the development of the natural resources of the oolony. " The rapid growth of local manufactures in New Zealand is matter of sincere congratulation. I consider that the establishment of industries for whioh superior natural facilities exist in the colony, and which afford employment for labor and capital, should be fostered by every encouragement which the Government can legitimately afford. " I believe it to be the interest of every clsjb, without exception, that the waste lands of the colony should bo disposed of on terms as liberal as are consistent with securing their bona fide settlement and utmost improvement. It is in this spirit that the land laws of the oolony have been administered by the present Government, and that they will deal with the considerable areas of Crown lands whioh will soon become available for settlement in the southern portion of the oolony. The result will, I believe, be a large and valuable addition to our agricultural population. I object altogether to proposals whioh have recently been put forward, that the cultivators of the soil should be the tenants of the Government, and not freeholders. Suoh a system would impair one oi the greatest inducements whioh can exist to the improvements of the country, and would lead to constant political agitation for its modification and abolition. The common sense of the colony will no doubt rejeot such proposals. " The position of the Native question has during the past two years undergone a very great improvement. With the most important of the tribes whioh were estranged relations of a friendly character have been established, which will probably have very valuable results for the colony. To this satisfactory state of affairs there is one unfortunate exception. On the West Coast of the North Island a number of Natives, who have for a long time practically ignored the authority of the Government, have stedfastly resisted all overtures for the settlement of outstanding differences. After the reductions which were effected in the constabulary force, these Natives resorted to acts of aggression and defiance which no Government could tolerate. Steps were, therefore, taken for terminating, if possible by a display of force, but, if neoeesary, by the use of it, this long-standing menace to the peace of the colony. I hope and believe that the actual use of force will not be required, and that the Government will be able, without it, to put an end to what will probably be the last serious effort on the part of the Maoris to resist the progress of settlement and the authority of the Queen. When this shall have been accomplished, and guarantees shall have been obtained against any further disturbance, the Government will be prepared to deal considerately with those Nativeß who acknowledge their authority. For the success which has so far attended their operations, the Government are largely indebted to the promptitude and public spirit with which the services of volunteers from all parts of the colony were placed at their disposal. The valuable assistance thus loyally rendered deserves the recognition of Parliament and the warm thanks of the colony. "I shall be prepared when I moot you to state my opinions more fully upon the subjects I have now noticed, as well as upon others wVich I have been unable here to enter upon. I would rather however be judged by my acts than by professions of opinion. If you think that the manner in which my colleagues and myself have piloted the vessel of the State through a period of difficulty and depression, has been such as to deserve your confidence, and to warrant the belief that in more prosperous times we are likely to make a right use of the important position we hold; and further, if you believe that, as your representative, I can personally contribute to that result—then I ask you to renew the trust confided to me two years ago, which trust I feel that I have not abused, and have consistently desired to justify.