THE HURUN

Kaikoura Star, 16 September 1902, Page 6

THE HURUN

MB. (i. KOBE On Friday Forbes acid! ?,'l 3 5 f/VV’ the those of . V-i < -cut Mt JR "1 he vandidaSH 11 IH-s’sioi' I !la Ohcxiot. askei I. M hearty v< R< \ \ ■*", motion of Cooper. a vote of On Sati an at tendß^^Wß-Jueh-V\ , "'"S,' in the T<>wu'.’‘Jail presided, f<>i*hin 11 v candidate. Mr Forbes said that a newTaiididate was in a more difficult position than the sitting Member who could refer to what he had done. Others could only show in what direction they would work if elected. He thought it was a good thing there were five candidates in the field, as the electors could not have too much choice in such a matter. The candidates in the field represented every shade of political opinion. There might be vote-splitting but it was in the hands of the Legislature tn remedy*, that this session. It was said that he was too young to stand. Pitt was Premier of England when only 21 years of age. He (Mr Forbes) was 35 years old and at that period in a man’s life it could fairly be claimed that he had arrived at years of discretion. He was a native of New Zealand, and claimed that any one born in the Colony was likely to have as great, if not greater, interest in the welfare of the land of his birth than those who come here from other shores —men were likely to have a stronger attachment for the land of their birth than those not of it. He stood as a supporter of the Liberal Party. Liberalism had grown with him, and was not a belief of today. Having advanced other arguments in justification of . his candidature, he proceeded to i give reasons for his political faith-g and tlaygropnds whjch lie sjjijjJj ported Liberal measures. He to? a firm supporter of the Land for Settlement policy of the Government. It assisted men to get out of the towns on to the country. Cheviot was one of the brightest examples of the Government’s actions. The estate had been settled without a penny cost to" the country, the land yielding a profit of £5OOO a year. So long as there was a cry for land by landless men it was the duty of the Government to satisfy that cry. There should not be any going slow in that matter. Large estates i offering a bar to settlement must 1 be cut up. There were lots of landless men in the Colony and their cry must be satisfied. Fie was a member of the Farmers’ Union, but was opposed to its freeholds advocacy. Freehold meant tha* R man could do as he liked with land, a.jid freehold tended titTsM •aggregation 'of estates was a strong tendency that way. This led to people flocking to the towns. In five years the proportion per 100 had increased from 78 to 84 in towns and boroughs. The population of Canterbury had increased 5 per cent., and that of Christchurch 11 per cent. New Zealand was not a manufacturing country, but an agricultural and pastoral one, ami they wanted to see more land settlement. He quoted the late Sir John McKenzie and Mr Rolleston (two of the greatest land reformers New Zealand had known) in favor of land settlement, as a means of distributing the land and the people. He (Mr Forbes) thought that too much of the time of Parliament was spent in passing laws and regulations and not enough to practical work. He urged that the Government should show more vigor in opening up fresh markets for our produce. The South African field was one especially 'worth' cultivating ; but the trade at present hardly warranted a steam ship company taking it up without Government subsidy. It was a great mistake having all our eggs in one basket ; the markets we now had should be conserved, but others sought. The way in which the frozen meat trade of New Zealand was conducted was not a credit to the Colony. We were

'crs, but did not study our kiers. That was not businessbeing disadvantageous to and consumer. He Mr Gilbert Anderson to the 'hat the Colony's meat trade conducted in the worst way, so far, at any rate, meat went. While to England from other was dealt with systemand with the view' to the RRinei-’? convenience, New Zeaproduct was handled in a manner; there was no of supply, no method of During the 20 years elapsed since the frozen R|RtG first sent to England the had not gone one step lt was high time the Gov.stepped in and regulated the same as the dairy He supported the action of the Government in assisting to improve the horses bred in the Colony. The breeding of remounts ought to be gone in for extensively, ami be thought it would be a good thing to devote the totalisator tax to the encouragement _ of horsebreeding. Poultry-breeding should also be encouraged by the Government, as there was a great deal in it. A merica’s poultry industry was worth £58,000,000 a year, being six millions larger than any other propped. London offered a market for tLu proper doss of poultry NewZealand could send there, and the Government should work up this trade. It was a matter that a Jrnrntry Member could devote special attention to. "Were the farmers prosperous the whole population would be prosperous. Laws Were no good -when the country was not in a prosperous state, and it was the duty of the Government to assist in contributing to the prosperity of the farmers. He Urged the reform of our electoral machinery, expressing preference for the Absolute Majority Bill. He also supported the Referendum, the provisions of which he explained, shortly, showing that it gave the people direct power in all matters—as was only light. It was seen in America that the Referen-j-duni was the only means of fighting kthg big trusts. New' Zealand politics y wVre. fortunately, pure as comRhired with America. ’The Referendum constituted the supreme court of appeal. The Swiss people had found its value; the employment of it was moderate. He strongly advocated State Fire Insurance, in the interests of farmers. In England the- rates were — • for common insurance, 2s to 2s 6d per £100; for dangerous, 2s fid to jte-6d ; and for doubly dangerous, "7s fid to ss. The rates in New Zealand were, however, five times higher; the insurance companies in the Colony had formed a ring limd were fleecing the farmers. IrThe Government should step in. • '■'lie profits made were considerable he quoted figures showing that, hiving dividends and salaries paid V which came out of the farmer’s jEockets. Government had carried ■ lit Life Insurance profitably, and ■lie was satisfied that State Fire KLnsiirance would be equally sucRfessftil. He believed in an Elective “executive, regarding the principle Sif election as sound. "What was tight for local bodies was equally for the Executive. A State Bank had his support. The crash in Australia and the way the Bank of New Zealand had been saved by the Government showed what service the State could perform. The present system of Education should not be tampered with in ally way, nor any alteration made unless by vote of the people. He, however, thought it could be improved by more technical instruction being given. The main trunk line of railway should be completed as soon as possible. He was opposed to militarism, and a large Defence expenditure. The character and tone of Parliament had improved since Female Franchife) became law-, but the ladies vvij had decreased in more recent eleiAions. He would support ,ee<«BFmy in public expenditure. ‘Thjre were a number of other questions he could speak on, but he preferred leaving the electors to question him. Mr Forbes was frequently applauded during his hctiFg address, and he concluded with marks of approbation. Answering questions: He did not favour a State distillery. Would not impose tax on bachelorsxJDid not think Prohibition possible or probable; were it car-

ried there would be a reaction. State Control was preferable. Would not make State Fire Insurance compulsory. The Fanners’ Union found it had come up against a ring when it sought to obtain a concession. Flax fibre should be graded. Was a firm supporter of the present Government, but if he found that he could not conscientiously support the Government and voted against them he would resign and place himself iff the hands of his constituents. (A voice: Then you are an Independent Liberal.—Mr Forbes: No.) He preferred the totalisator to bookmakers. Thought the Farmers’ Union should keep out of politics. Believed the Labor Unions had done good work in the community. Favored the acquisition of Flaxbourne and other large estates. On the motion of Messrs G. Garrett and T. Adair, Mr Forbes was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. - Chairman thanked; meeting closed. Mr F’orbes addressed a meeting of 30 electors in the Suburban School last night, Mr H. J. Barratt in the chair. The speech was much the same as in the Town Hall, the need for exploiting new markets and aid to industries being amplified. He could not see how borrowing could be avoided for a time, but would like the public debt reduced, Answering questions: He favpred Crown tenants taking up bush land having their rent capitalised. Supported Elective Land Boards. On the motion of Messrs Renner and D. Boyd a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Forbes, who proposed a like compliment to the Chairman.