PRE-SESSIONAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2117, 12 June 1883, Page 2

PRE-SESSIONAL.

MR. R. J. SEDDON TO THE ELECTORS OF KUMARA. Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., addressed a well-attended meeting of his constituents at the Theatre Royal last evening. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr Seddon, and asked that a fair hearing be given him. Mr Seddon said he would preface his address by explaining the reason for differing his address to his constituents in the Borough of Kumara. On his return from Parliament he addressed his constituents at Dillraan’s Town. The speech there was fully reported in the Kumara Times, and to make the same speech with little variation at Kumara, would not be palatable; also, by deferring his address until the last moment, it gave him an opportunity of addressing himself to matters political that had sprung up in the interval. He assured the good people of Kumara that no intentional slight had been intended, but that it was in the interest of the district that he had adopted the course of leaving his address at Kumara to the last. Last session was the first of a House of Representatives elected under the single electorate system, whereby majorities decided who should represent the people. The old laws were considerably altered and worked—changes which so far were for the better. The present Parliament was superior to the preceding one, and the laws passed last session were important and liberal, and would elevate and benefit the people of New Zealand. The first matter generally decided by a new Parliament was as to who should rule. The present Government were, by the votes of the electors, in a minority ; but before the no-confidence motion was decided, they had converted their minority into a majority—by what process was best known to the Government and those members who so suddenly altered their opinion and broke faith with their constituents. It was to be regretted that in the political world in so young and promising a colony, that persons of the stamp of Pilliet and Petrie existed. The leader of the Opposition, Mr Montgomery, attacked the Government on their loan proposals, and rightly so j there were no justifiable grounds for having a separate loan for the North Island. The excessive and increasing administrative costa of Government were also attacked by the Opposition. As I’egards the alleged disorganisation of the Opposition and that there were several leaders, that was simply a cry got up by the Government and their friends. Sir George Gey had decided not to take an active part, or to lead the Opposition before arriving in Wellington. Mr Montgomery was then elected as leader, and though he (Mr Montgomery) was not a brilliant leader, nor was there that dash about him that perhaps unthougbtful men would like to see, still, Mr Montgomery was an able man, conscientious, and honest; and these qualities now-a-clays should be prized. Notwithstanding the Colonial Treasurer’s bombastic speech at Hawera, it was quite evident that he fears Mr Montgomery and the South Island. That the people of the provincial districts of Otago, Canterbury, Nelson, and Westland are against the present Government, there can be no doubt. The gallant Major was not at all satisfied with his southern trip, and Montgomery hit him hard, otherwise the Colonial Treasurer would not not have played the old game of constituting Sir George Grey the bogie to frighten those Government supporters whose disaffection the Major fears. Montgomery has spoken ; but he is not the leader of the Opposition, Sir Geo. Grey has to speak : he is the leader proper; so saith the Colonial Treasurer. In this he is mistaken. Sir George Grey will speak only when the House meets. The Opposition, through Montgomery, has spoken. The Opposition differ with the Government on the question of taxation. The property tax is a tax on energy, cripples industry, and relieves from taxation the owners of large tracts of unimproved lands. Of this class the Government supporters are chiefly formed, and they will not, under any circumstances, submit to a land and income-tax. The indirect taxation by means of customs dues was crushing and intolerable. The masses, or industrial classes, were too heavily taxed; and, were it not for the subtle manner in which the money was collected, there would be a general cry out. If Government by direct taxation attempted to get from the people that which they now get indirectly,

there would be a general rising. The sooner the incidence of taxation was altered, the better for the colony.—[Applause.] The land laws were also defective. No more land should be sold, and that now in the hands of private owners should he taken over by the State at a fair valuation. It would be cheaper to do it now than it will be 20 years hence. In the march of progress, and from the fact that the people are becoming more and more eulightened every day, and, with this, they begin to feel their power, and know that the land is the source of all wealth, and that the land belongs to the people (it being theirs), they will assert their rights and take control of it.—j Applause.] With regard to public works expenditure, the expenditure of public moneys on immigration enhanced the value of lands; yet, up to the present time, the State received little or no advantage. Yet the unfortunate taxpayer had to find the deficiency in working the Railways, besides repaying capital and interest. In the future the owners of lands through which railways were constructed would have to contribute to the State a per centage of the increased value, [Applause,] The Special Taxing Committee of last session had gone into the matter very fully, and this session no legislation would take place embodying the recommendations made. Another standing grievance, and one which fell very heavily upon the taxpayer, was that of administration. In 1881-82, the cost was £3,300,000, in 1882-83 it had swelled to £3,700,000, If each year this cost increased at the rate of £400,000, the sooner a black Wednesday occurred the better. This was a specimen of the boasted economy of the Whitaker administration. Reform was required in the administration of the land laws ; the land board should be elective or their duties devolve upon County Councilsotherwise the benefit intended for the people by the Parliament would be denied them. Reform in the constitution of the Upper House was also desirable. At present the Government of the day was making the Council a refuge for the rejected of the people—the politically infirm and those whose usefulness had ceased; but who were sufficiently intelligent to be obstructive and work ill to the people. Last session the Council was positively dangerous, and very nearly threw out the leasing clauses of the Land Bill, and in the session of 1881 they threw out ths Gold Duty Bill. Under these circumstances he had no great opinion of the majority who reviewed the labours of the House of Representatives. Out of the forty odd honourables that at present constitute the Upper House, if the same was made elective, not more than ten could secure seats; they stand as a relic of the colony and its Government 40 years ago. Relics of this kind require removing ; they are not useful; no, nor even ornamental.—[Applause.] As regards Major Atkinson’s scheme for prevention of poverty, it was so immature and chimerical that he wondered why sensible and practical men had taken up so much time in arriving at the verdict—“ Pass it on; it is impractical.” In a modified form the principle might be made to apply to the employes of the Government. In Great Britain large manufacturing firms stopped a shilling per week from their servants, and that together with fines, &c., formed an accident or sick fund. If the Colonial Treasurer was in earnest, why did he not experiment with those from whom he could get the money ? If the scheme was so perfect as was made out, it would be sufficiently tempting for persons to volunteer to pay; compulsion was therefore unnecessary. Plainly, unmasked, it was taxation in a new form, and meant relieving the rich of a just burden, and placing the encumbrance on the industrial classes. Five years hence according to the anticipated increase of population, the number paying this tax, if imposed, would be 49,850 youths, of both sexes. The amount paid, together with interest, would amount to over £400,000. Dividing the population into classes, the industrial class would pay £250,000, the intermediate class £IOO,OOO, and the wealthy or property class only £50,000. Now, the charitable aid vote last year was only £32,000; so, therefore, as yet there was no real necessity for the imposition either of the Blakely-cum-Atkinson assurance tax, or for a poor rate.— [Applause.] Having dealt with the large political questions, he would now proceed to deal with those questions which particularly affected the goldfields. First came the Duty Abolition. The. Bill was lost last session by four votes. He intended to try it again, and hoped yet to be successful.—[Applause.]- “The Resumption of Land for Mining' Purposes Act ” of last session would prove

to be very useful, and profit the Kumara goldfield, as by its provisions where there were disputes between landowners and miners, the machinery was provided to settle these matters satisfactorily to the miner. “The Reserves and Endowments in Mining Districts Act” of last session was also a very useful measure, as it provided the machinery for the mining industry to be carried on in reserves and endowments of lands where it was found that the lands were auriferous. “The Mines Act” of last session validated the renewals of rights granted under “ The Goldfiields Act, 1865,” under “ The Public Works Act” of last session, power was given to sue her Majesty the Queen as though she were a private person holding raining property. This legislation had special application to the sludge-channel and Water-races of Kurnara. Any disputes now arising could, without difficulty, be settled in the Warden’s Court. [Applause,] In the future they must not expect their member to interfere as between'the miners and the race Manager. If there be any grievances, let the charges be reduced to writing, and sent direct to the Minister, and if there were any injustice done, they had their right to petition Parliament. Interference with details of management, and being mixed up with small matters, tended to weaken any member’s influence both with the House and the Government.—[Applause.] As regards the “Tea Adulteration Prevention Act,” it was a measure that would tend to prevent deletereous substances from being found in “ the cup that cheers but does not inebriate.” [Laughter.] Under “ The Aliens Act ” of last session, he had been successful in getting the fee for naturalisation reduced from £1 to 2s 6d; so, therefore, foreigners desirous of having votes at the general elections could do so by paying the fee of 2s 6d, and becoming British subjects.—[Applause.] Local requirements were increased sludge-channel accommodation, and get away for tailings. This could be done either by putting in another box in the channel or subsidising the construction by private parties of another main tail-race. . The northern bank of the Teremakau River also wanted protecting, otherwise the tailings would change the course of the stream, and there would be no scour to take away tailings. The road to the beach also required making, and an application made to the "Waste Lands Board for a site for abattoirs. The day was not far distant when the cattle sales for Westland must and would be at Kumara. He hoped that his action in the past had met with their approval, and that in going to Wellington he had the confidence of his constitents.—[Prolonged applause.] Mr Creber asked the member if a petition to abolish the gold duty would be of any weight ? Mr Seddon replied : Yes ; it would strengthen the hands of goldfields members. Mr A. C. Campbell, in a few well chosen remarks, then moved : “ That Mr Seddon be accorded a vote of thanks for his able address, and a vote of confidence as their representative in the New Zealand Parliament.” Mr W. Morris seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Seddon returned thanks for the resolution- passed, and for the patience with which they had listened to him. He moved a vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor for his kindness in presiding, which motion was carried with acclamation.