POST-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1594, 5 November 1881, Page 2

POST-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

MR. R ; J. SEDDON, M.H.R., TO THE" ELECTORS.

In accordance with promise yesterday we now give iu full Mr Seddou's remarks at the Adelphi Theatre last Tuesday eveuing anent the Gold Duty Abolition Bill :

Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R. saii that in 1872, when the then County Chairman, Mr 1 H, Hi Lahman, wanted to rate mining property, I called public meetings* aud the protest was so strong that he had to give way. Now it is nntrothfully said that I want to rate mining property, and that by repealing sub-section 2, clause 37, of the Rating Act, 1873, that would be done. Now* by repealing that clause we should bein exactly the same position as we were under the Counties Acts of 1868. Now* under the Act of 1868, whilst there was no special exemption, still no mining property ever was rated. Tlie special exemption in the Rating Act of 1876, gave the opponents df the gold duty abolition an excuse, and we were told that miners had special legislation and liberal concessions. By clause 6 my bill, 1 took the ground from under their feet. By this challenge the goldfields' members told the House plainly that miners did not require special legislation, and that we on their behalf objected to class taxation.—[Applause.] The gold duty is hot levied in Victoria, New South Wales, or Queensland. The miner's right in the other colonies is only five shillings; here it is £1 j therefore, the time has arrived when relief must be given to the miners of New Zealand.—[Prolonged applause.] Under existing laws all rates are levied on the nett annual value of property, that is, what rental per annum would the same fetch if let on this one shilling in the pound can be levied 1 Now* under the Mi ties Act of 1877, the Legislature of New Zealand have said that the rental for claims shall be £1 per annum per man ; for water-races, j!s GJ. For special claims, only the registration fees extra are charged; Mining property cannot be valued j the Goldtields members with myself never intended it, should be. It was after mature consideration that the repeal of sub-section :J of the Rating Act was determiued on, the Goldfields members being unanimcus th.it the surrounding safe-guards in existence would prevent any injustice being done. Now* when that despicable character who occasionally attempts to write in the VVest Coast Times on this subject pits his opinion as against the opinions of such men as Vincent Pyke (the father of all mining law), or Jfudge Weston, or Mr De Latour, why the common sense of the miners will easily tell them who is right. It is an election cry : a herring dragged across the scent. The' West Coast Times never was a friend to the miner, and it. wishes the gold duty to be retained; Remain true to yourselves, as men. The gold duty must be abolished. Whether in Parliament or out of it I shall never stop until the cursed imposition is removed—[Prolonged cheering]. You pay quite enough in taking out miners'' rights.On an average £2O per acre is paid by you for the land destroyed. As a general rule the land is no good for" agricultural purposes, and therefore when yon leave it, it is very little worse.—[Laughter.]