PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2398, 6 May 1884, Page 2

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

MR. R. J. SEDDON" TO THE ELECTORS AT DILLMAN'S.

There was a large gathering of electors at the Empire Hotel, Dillman's Town, on Thursday evening last, where Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., had announced his intention of addressing the electors.

P. Dungan, Esq. (County Chairman) presided, and briefly introduced the speaker by stating that the meeting was a very important one ; the object was the usual and time-honoured one : Mr Seddon was there to acquaint them of what he had done during the last session of Parliament, and to explain his views on matters affecting the West Coast and the colony generally, and as to New Zealand as a whole in reference to the political crisis 'which was evidently about to take place.—[Applause.] Mr R. J. Seddon, -who on rising was greeted with applause, addressing the chairman and gentlemeo, said he would

briefly put to the electors the object cf his meeting them to-night—it was to have a political washing-up. He bad been their representative in Parliament for over four years, and after each session had given his constituents a brief account of what had transpired, and, as a rule, he postponed his address till some time after the session, so that they might have time to reflect on what had been done; and then also he was the better able to judge, as regards legislation, what they required in the future. He was never afraid to meet his constituents; and he hoped to-night the electors would not be afraid of questioning him, and, if satisfied, that they would give him a vote of confidence. Taking his hearers back to the commencement of last session, he might notice first the Address in Reply. The Opposition did not desire to fight; they knew the Government would have a majority; and the position of parties was such that it was considered unadvisable to move an amendment on the Address in Reply. In his address alluding to the financial position of the colony, Major Atkinson held out a very hopeful view; but recent events have proved the gallant Major's statement to be fallacious.— The first measure of practical legislation was the Workmen's Lien Bill, introduced by Mr Feldwick, the member for Invercargill. The object of this bill was to give protection to workmen engaged in piecework and sub-contrac-tors, and to give them the first moneys and the same rights as other workmen, under the Contractors Act of 1871. He gave that measure his cordial and hearty support. There were, however, one or two clauses to which exception was taken. The bill was not supported by the Government, and it was lost. It it were introduced again next session, it should have his support.—The Law Practitoners Bill, introduced by Sir George Grey, proposed to dispense with the examination of students in general knowledge; for instance, what was the practical use of the dead languages when connected with mining law, or in nine-tenths of the cases heard in the law courts ? It was high time to break down these barriers, so as to have free trade in law. It would then be like any other profession, viz., the survival of the fittest. The Government opposed the measure, and it was lost.—At the commencement of the session, members were startled by a Memorandum from the Controller and Auditor - General stating that the Colonial Treasurer had sent in a requisition in effect to draw out on the 31st May (the last day on which he could, consistently with the law, issue any money till Parliament met) the sum of £192,000; the reason alleged being that it was necessary, so as to meet the expenditure until Parliament met. And the same thing has likely enough happened this year, seeing that Parliament does not meet till the sth June. The Controller-General told the House, but Major Atkinson took the money. No Government should have hi 3 support who would take money from the Treasury without the authority of law or Parliament. If a Government having his support had done such a thing, he would have ratted, and given his constituents his reasons.—He (Mr Seddon) took an active part in the passing of the Prisons Bill, which was an amendment of the Prisons Act, designed to put a stop to abuses. He instanced the Dunedin Gaol scandal, and the inflictiou of punishment on a prisoner, with nobody present but the prisoner and the gaoler who had accused him of some wrong. The result of this abuse was that one prisoner was detained nine months after his sentence had expired, and one prisoner who was punished for supposed malignering died on the floor. The Bankruptcy Bill did not affect us at all.

If he had his way he would do away with all bankruptcy laws, and the right of recovery for debt. If credit were made a debt of honour, people would live considerably cheaper. He would sweep away all books and ledgers.—[A Voice : And all back debts?"—Laughter and applause]—and he believed under such circumstances people would be more honest.—As regards the Financial Statement, the Colonial Treasurer stated that the deficiency arose from the non-sale of land. A deficiency so caused, he held, was a matter for congratulation ; free trade in land should be stopped. The deficiency last year under this head amounted to £20,000. There was a deficiency this year also', but that mattered little, seeing that the land unsold remained a valuable asset. Last year the Colonial Treasurer reduced the property tax ono farthing and lost £BO,OOO. This year he had increased it by a farthing, and anticipated receiving £85,000 thereby. Had he increased it by one penny, the present deficiency would not have occurred. But had he made such a .proposal, Major Atkinson would not now be Premier; and he therefore preferred place to sound fiteance. The property tax was bad, and crippled the mining and every other industry. The only fair and legitimate tax was a progressive tax upon the land. The sooner Parliament wiped away the propertytax and put the tax on the land, the better.—[Applause.]— Taxation at present does not fall evenly. He should endeavour to sweep away the property tax. During the last month 3000 immigrants had arrived in the colony. Poor souls! they were arriving just in time to become tax-paying machines. He should support only a Ministry that would sweep away the property-tax and institute therefor a land tax.—ln reference to School matters, he held that in order to have good government they should allow the majority to rule. They had seen the elections of school committees, and how candidates had been elected by a minority. In the interests of our present Educational system, he should support any bill which would do away with the present mode of electing school committees, and also abolish education boards.—Another matter he would notice was the Direct Steam Service subsidies. He did not see why steamers should be employed to take out frozen meat, and the colonial consumer pay for it. That -was taking money out of the pockets of one party, and putting it into the pockets of landed proprietors, He should fight against this policy to the best of his ability.—He (Mr Seddon) was not in favour of the Federation of the Colonies. He thought it would be disastrous to New Zealand. Victoria would be supreme in the Federal Council. He was of the opinion of Sir George Grey in this matter, and Sir George would have him at his back—and, he believed, his constituents. [Applause.] The Constitution Amending Act Repeal Bill was the title of a bill which proposed to abolish the Legislative Council as it at present exists. There were a large number of gentlemen in the Upper House who were of little use, and he thought the sooner the Council was elected by the people the better.— [Applause.]—A bill to give effect to this had bten thrown out on two occasions, but if brought on again, he should support it.—ln reference to the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, as he (Mr Seddon) had promised, so he brought before the House last session his bill for the abolition of the gold duty. It passed its second reading in the House by 21 against 17, and the third reading by the large majority of 41 agaiust 27. But it was again rejected by the Upper House. However, he thought there was a very good chance of the measure being passed next session. The sooner the gold duty was abolished the better. He hoped to be able to congratulate them on the abolition of the gold duty, and an amicable settlement of the water and sludge-channel difficulties on his return from "Wellington.—Hospital and Charitable Institutions were on a most unsatisfactory footing at present, and, like every other thing that required prompt attention, Government had allowed matters to drift into a hopeless mass of confusion. In the wealthy towns Government maintained the hospitals, whilst on the diggings townships the miners paid pound for pound.—Coming to matters that would require the serious attention of Parliament next session, he would notice briefly that the principal sire—(l), the financial position of the colony ; (2), more borrowing necessary ; (3), immigration, except of single females, must stop ; (4) careful administration and a rest from legislation, all but for such as is necessary for taxation purposes and the furtherance of the development of local industries and t.!u: mineral re3iince,s of the colony, (y). Reparation of the f.\ • is'aiuhi" would.

prove premature, and disastrous to the calony at large. (6). The land laws of the colony were imperfect, and prices were being obtained which would prove ruinous to those taking up land. More land should be placed in the market on the leasing system. In the South or Middle Island there were 34,000,000 acres out of 60,000,000 left. Canterbury had nil; 9,000,000 were no good ; and 24,000,000 was fair agricultural land. 30,000,000 had been given to less than half a million of people. The Maori lands should be taken over by the Government at a fair valuation, so that the unearned increment should go to the white taxpayer. (7). The property tax should be abolished, as a clog to the mining industry, for the gold returns were falling off at the rate of £IOO,OOO per annum for the last three years. (8). The imposition of a land tax, and taxation of absentees was necessary. How trite were the words of Goldsmith—

Ye friends to truth, Ye statesmen who survey The rich man's joys increase, the poor's decay, 'Tis yours to judge how wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land. [Applause.] The other subjects which should be i.'ealt with were—(9), Reform in the constitution of the Upper House; (40), Educational matters, legal and administrative. —Mr Secldon then reviewed matters in connection with the sludge-channel, and the new regulations proposed to be introduced, and read his review of the new rules, which he intended to submit to the Warden nest morning. He had conferred with the Minister of Mines, asking him to postpone confirming these rules until Parliament meets ; or, if necessary, he would make a special visit to Wellington. "When he received a reply he would hand it in for publication.— [Great applause.] The Chairman congratulated the meeting ou the able and satisfactory manner in winch Mr Secldon had propounded his views.—[Applause.] He now called upon those who might have any questions to put to come forward. Mr W. Morris said he would like to ask Mr Seddon as to the state of the Government Insurance department. There were very many persons insured at Kumara in that department, and some alarm was created by rumours that were afloat. He also wanted to know who this wonderful Mr' Thome was that was receiving ,£3OOO a year, or, in fact, more salary than the judges or the Governor.

Mr Seddon replied that there was no cause whatever for alarm. So lon<» as the colony was solvent, so long would the insurance department be sound. There was just cause for complaint as to the administration of the department, and that would no doubt.be rectified next session.

Mr F. Barrowman considered Mr Seddon had taken his part well. He ■would like to know, however, if Mr Seddon approved of Mr Green's Looa l Option Bill ? Mr Seddon said he would like io see the Temperance people move in the direction of seeing that good qy o <r W as supplied. Inmates of gaols and lunatic asylums found their way thither as much through bad drink as through the quantity they drank. If the advocates of Temperance would direct their energies in seeing that nothing but good grog were supplied; there would be fewer public-houses. lie was in favour of local option, provided that compensation was given for houses that were closed. Mr Curlecfc: Would Mr Seddon be in favour of an income-tax 1 Mr Seddon : Yes, provided the landtax did not bring in sufficient revenue. Mr W,. Morris then proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Seddon ■ he had served them very well; thanks for past services, and confidence in the future.

The mofciou was seconded by Mr Curlett, and, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously, every hand, apparently, being held up. Mr Seddon said he was highly p]3ii:;c:! with the unanimous vote which lur,. just heen passed. He thanked the meeting heartily for their vj'.e of thanks. Mr S«ldon then moved a wu? of thanks to the Chairou-.::, wliic-Ii -■:,-..■> caL-ricd by ujciau.-wioi. ; ■-..-! „'.. : ... v.j.iy Oidci'ly ;,!!.; -m ..u :•... i; ; . ii\<i<y:i>.:-', \,?Ai J •,■.*'.:,;;•:■.. no u, lat-j hour.