GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND TAXATION.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 82, 27 July 1868, Page 180

GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND TAXATION.

PUBLIC MEETING AT AUCKLAND. (From the Evening News, July 17.)

A well attended public meeting was held last evening at the Mechanics’ Institute, Dr. Nicholson M.P.C., of Onehunga, in the chair, for the expression of public opinion upon the action to be taken by the Auckland members in the General Assembly, relative to General Government taxation and expenditure.

Mr R. Lusk, who pointed out that the present taxation imposed by the General Government (in addition to which, we had now the Poll Tax put upon us by the Provincial Government,) amounted to £5 per head per year of the whole population, moved a resolution to the effect that as the present burdens of taxation are far heavier than can be borne without seriously

crippling the resources of the countryl that the following measures of retrenchment should be adopted:—/ Abolition of the Defence Department, and the office of Defence Minister. Abolition of the office of Comptroller, and transference of his duties to the Auditor. Abolition of the Native Department. Abolition of the' office of Resident Magistrate in native and rural districts. The striking off all additions made during the last five years to official salaries, including those of Cabinet Ministers downwards, excepting such as would thereby be brought below £250 a year. The petitioning the Imperial Government to make arrangements by which, at the earliest possible date, the salary of Governor may revert to the rate paid by the colony during Governorßrowne’s term of office. The embracing the first opportunity that occurs legally to get rid of the Panama contract. The diminishing the number and cost of other subsidised postal services. The discontinuing the employment of a Government staff of reporters, and the publication of a New Zealand Hansard. The discontinuing the employment and maintenance of a fleet of Government steamers, and the sale of those at present possessed by the Government, such St, Kiida, Sturt, &c. The amendment of the law so as to do away with the future pensioning of Government officials, and. provide for the return to active service, as vacancies occur, of such officials now receiving pensions as are still fit for duty. The diminishing fpro rataj of the number of members uf both branches of the General blyMr Wrigley seconded the-motion, which was put and carried unanimously. - Mr Ellis then moved a resolution, “That this meeting is of opinion that o.ur members should at once initiate a policy having for; its object the speedy establishment of -a ; separate/and independent Legislature iu the North Island. . ‘

Mr J. G. Freer seconded the motion, which was carried after some discussion and some interruptions:Jromi the; body of the hall, where a man-who was under the influence of liquor kept; interrupting the speakers. / ~ .. Mr Wood moved, “ That/ with, a view to; promoting-future economy/and efficiencyin: Goyernmentadministra/ tajiyes the adyisability of their . advqcatihgin''Parliament the appointment of a; Commission to investigate the'his-

tory/and working of the system of government established 1 in Nova Scotia and those other British North American colbnies';” '■“ '~ r ’" '•

This: was seconded by Mr Wrigley, but on being put to the meeting, was negatived., It was resolved that copies of the resolutions be forwarded to the members of the General Assembly for the province.

The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Referring to the above, the Evening 1 News, July 17, has the following remarks f .

The meeting, held at the Mechanics’ Institute last evening was a very important oiiei and the resolutions adopted, if followed up, are/likely to bring an amount of pressure upon our representatives in Parliament which may have an excellent effect, “Pressure from without” on the important question of reducing the amount of existing taxation, if vigorously kept up, cannot fail to be successful; but if electors are lukewarm in the matter, and let the session pass by without keeping their representatives up to the mark, but little, if ■ anything will be done. No sensible man would advocate repudiation, we must keep faith with the public creditor: but taxation might be lightened very considerably by the reductions proposed in the resolutions submitted last evening. If the sweeping reductions indicated cannot be carried out in their entirety, something at all events may be done to lessen tlie present expenditure. In the native department especially, there is .a very general opinion that a considerable saving might be made, and the same may be said of the judicial department. The law respecting pensions also, which is referred to in the schedule under the first resolution, might be amended very judiciously.