MR STOUT'S LECTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2605, 12 August 1882, Page 4

MR STOUT'S LECTURE.

MV B. Btont delivered an address lost evening at the Gaiety Theatre under the auspices of the Working Men's Political Association. - ■■ lb James OrowLy occupied the chair, and bespoke a. patisnt hearing for tho speaker. Mt Stout (who was received with prolonged applause) said he had much pleasure in speaking before the Working Men’s Political Association, as there was no item on tho programme ho did not agree with. His subject was 11 Liberal ideals and how to strive for them.” Bint then, the definition of the term “Liberal.” cnee the designation was not a popular one, hut now, if they took up a Conservative Journal, they would find that it called those opposed to them the “ so-called Liberals.” This ha took os a good augury. Some were always striving in the old paths, and some were striving fcc find out the better way j and lie hoped that better political end social ■ystems would result. It had been said the Liberals wore disorganised. Ho admitted it; and he lock that as a healthy sign. Conservatives thought there was no need of divergences ; but the Liberals wanted to go all ways in seeking for a better political life, fio it was in Prance, and alio in Italy. In BogjOhd the Liberals were sometimes in one boat, and sometimes in another. What ■did this mean f But that each had bis ideas, was termed full of crotchets, or, as the papers said, disorganised. Now, what should disorganise the Conservatives ? They had nothing to seek for, but kept in the old paths. But the division of tho people into societies, cliques and saots occurred where liberty wasj and differences spoke of thought, and those people who had not these differences had not began to think. He admitted that the Conservatives wanted good as well as themselves; but vbat was tho history of the Conservative party. Some of them who were called true liberals had views on land and taxation that were anything but liberal. It wai the Liberal party in England and also in the colonics who liad fought for more liberty, and strove to 'make our social system better. Those who •had changed their opinions ought to have the honesty of Gladstone and Lord Derby, who h|td changed their opinions, and had the honesty to avow it. What was a liberal idea P Why, something to set np and strive tor, and he would &ek in reference to that was our present system perfect. We left Home, and came here thinking that the home scenes would not be repeated hero. At Home enormous advances were made in Trptnry and wealth, yet alongside of that ■MiiryV of the vice and pauperism at Home I What sort of a system was that? And to prevent such a system growing up here they must see that the same laws are not enaoted.

He fancied they would like to see a nation jp-aw up whore the great mats of the people would live in comfort, peace, and happiness. If they wished this, let them, each time they Went to the ballot, bear this in mind, and then a better political system would dawn JEor New Zealand than they had ever dreamt

Of. The system of laud-bolding was bound wn with the happiness of the people all over the world, but attempts had been made to if done, would result the same as at home. As to the land tax and land Taws, he went further than that, to a system that made the State the landlord. {The lecturer then went|at considerable length into the nationalisation of land question.) The introduction of colonists and improved agricultural implements had enhanced the value of land, bat it bad not advanced the Tate of wages and interest, which, on the contrary, had a downward tendency. And the value of land in this colony, which originally cost, say, eleven millions, and which, if not fenced or sown had a present value of between fifty or sixty millions of money, who wave it its value t Not its owners, for they, like Bip Van Winkle, oonld sleep, and not alfeot its value j it was population that gave itr—And this is what is called the unearned mi increment. And why should not the State Hyrsi a share of its value? A great Hisfep t backward was made when the tax was repealed and the property tax [f imposed, under which a man’s thrift was taxed, which should not be. He would like to see the Legislative and Executive matters separated, at as present the General Assembly i was only a huge Board of Works, and till k Hus separation is made no satisfactory Gowill be obtained: He would ask, too—Was our Constitution so perfect as not to need amendment? Sir George Grey’s Hill ought to be passed, for there was this point about it, that the valbe of the direct vote would not be cramped by side issues. One WM-going to rote for a jolly good fellow or a .good local option man. Now, if the question aril asked —"Do you want the Constitution Act altered ?’’ that would be the vital and -direct way to ensure it. The Government most be by the people and for the people, and that was an ideal worth keeping before them. He would also like to see a cordial agreement between all the English speaking people of the world, resulting in a grand confederation that could dictate war or peace to the Test of the world. He would pass on, and semind them that the price of liberty was -eternal vigilance; there must be no apathy, hut each man must try and think out these questions for himself. If each one would say when he got bis ballot paper," lam performing « duty, as if my action will decide the fate of tli« country,” a better state of things would Msolt. Ho would like to see more working men elected to the House, and that could only be done by each candidate not spending a single penny in election expenses ; and he considered the employment of cabs disgraceful, and an insult to the electors. Lastly, he would point ont three Liberal ideals for them to follow:—First, separation of the Legislative and Executive j secondly, thinking out political questions j and thirdly, diiman—' meat of expen,,, at -l; cfc - onß . ond a i' (o “ B to choose men or fixity of purpose as their representatives, and thus better political and social systems would be secured than we had in the past. Let them set up these ideas, strive for them, and thus would they become b great and a good nation j for it is righteona--Xiesa that exalts a nation. Ur Stoat resumed his seat amidst continued cheering. Ur T. Graham moved, and Mr Lockwood seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Stout for bis eloquent address, which was carried by meolamation, and duly acknowledged by the lecturer, who moved the customary vote of thanks to the chairman, which terminated the meeting.