Mr Kellow at Foxton.

Manawatu Herald, 12 November 1896, Page 2

Mr Kellow at Foxton.

On Tuesday night Mr Kellow, a ! candidate for the representation of this eleotorate, addressed a good meeting at the Public Hall. The Mayor took the chair, and briefly introduced Mr Kellow, mentioning that he had lived gome years in the Carnarvon district. The Mayor said that the wants of the district were a bridge over the liver at Shannon, a road over the ranges to tha Wairarapa, and it would be well to have a bridge at "Wirokino. He also called attention to tha state of the road at Ngawakarau, and he thought whoever represented us should do his btst to got this road completed. Mr Kellow, on rising, was received with applause, and made at the outset a personal expiation. The contest was not one of his own seeking, but he appeared at the olear call of duty. He had no personal ambition to gratify and no personal aims to serve. He had lived in the electorate 21 or 22 years, having lived in Carnarvon and done business with Foxton. He was not a party man and came out on non-party lines. In the first place he referred to the financial policy of the Government If he made out a case for severe denunciation he did so conscientiously ; he would not speak from a Conservative view, and to the Liberals he was not trying to damage them. The platform of the Ballance party was self reliance and no borrowing, and this was substantially adhered to during Mr Ballance's lifetime. In 1893 the Liberal Party was stronger than in the previous Parliament, and the same polioy was affirmed ; yet in the first session large sums were authorised amounting to £8,000,000, which was a large order for a non-borrowing Government. The Government then seized the local bodies sinking funds. When Mr Ballance came into office he found these funds were not set aside and he made provision for its being done. In 1895 the sum had reached £85,000, and the Treasury had issued debentures for the whole af this amount, the result being £85,000 added to the national debt. Tha Premier declared at Petone that the funds had not been touched, as they only took tha money and placed debentures in its stead. Referring to the conversion operations he mentioned the buying in of debentures of a larger amount at a smaller interest, but tha operation resulted in the debt being increased by over two millions. The debt of the country had been increased from £87,281,000 to £42,-----27) ,000, which is a peculiar result for a non-borrowing Government. At the end of the last session the Government brought in a Bill to borrow a million, which in the debate was shown absolutely necessary to avert a grave financial disaster. As a Liberal Government he thought they should have consulted the electors before binding the colony. He held thai the Government tried by their finance alone had been found wanting, and more competent financiers should be placed on the Treasury benches. The accounts should be on clear and open lines, so that all desiring should be able to understand it. On other subjects he was going to speak in qualified approval. Tha oheap money scheme was against the smaller money lenders, but the large and small farmer had benefitted. There had been a reduction in per cent, by two since the scheme was introduced. £1,500,000 had been borrowed on this account. On the land policy and administration of the Government, he ad* mitted that the Government had attempted a great deal and had accomplished something ; but the results had not been commensurate with the amount of money found for it. There had been a great many forfeitures and failures not mentioned by Ministers. The difficulty must be faoed honestly. In the Oxford settlement there had been 82 selections and 81 forfeited; In the Gatton settlement only 4 out of 16 had paid any rent. In some cases seotions had been grouped to get the land disposed of, but even then land was not taken up. Out of 1082 selectors there had been 893 forfeit* urts, and there were 689 on the books and 127 in arrears. This could not be called successful settlement, and there must have been blundering. The Government have been trying to force on the selectors a tenure not in favour with them, the lease in perpeUity. Men objected to there being no opportunity to make these sections freehold. The Minister had forced this system by charging more rent for land taken up with right to purchase than for Jand under lease in perpetuity. The settlement of the land is one of the most important to be considered, and he would go further, ho would not only road it, but he would fell the bush and grass the land. He would borrow the money at 8 per cent, but no private persons can borrow under 5 or 6 per cent, and the Government can thus do all the work cheaper than an individual. The most impoatant manufactory in the country j is the land, and he would thus strain a point to carry out mob ft sobeme.

The Land for settlement Act had been a pretty bold one, but though strong objections had been raised to it in some quarters, the real question is —Does it pay? There had been 28 estates purchased containing 86,918 acres and cost £887,558, to which has to be added £11,000 for surveys, roads, &o. The number of houses built were 188, containing 643 persons, and the value of the improvement was valued at £18,022, and the rents paid equalled 4*76, and thus showed that it did pay. These' lands were only to be taken up under the lease in perpetuity, whioh, he thought, was unfortunate and to be regretted, even by the believers in the Act, and were these landf to be sold it would provide money to purchase other lands and so keep np tha procedure. The labour legislation had been great, and had the legislation been of value we should find the lot of the labourer most enviable ; but is it ? It must be remembered there most be play between man and man and we must not have legislation up to the eyebrows. The working of tip co-operative system was initiated: under the idea to raise the wagei of the workers, but now good tradesmen will not go in, as from experience it was found these works drew the " old tanks " and the weak to work together and obtain equal wages with the good workers. In many cases the result had been to reduce wages by ten ptr cent. The coat of the work want in tha management, and ha regretted to say that it had been frequently used for political purposes, and too many overseers, who were good " wire pullers," were employed. In Italy this ■ysfcem had been a success, as the workers selected their own gangs and had no overseers. If we want success the scheme must be worked socially and not politically. A prohibitiouist is said to be a man with one idea. Mr Stevens had told the people that he (Stevens) wai a more advanced prohibitionist than he was. Tha point had reached which must be settled on its merits. The people should have their say on this subject, and they should have this question submitted to them, and as they decide so it should be settled. He did not wish to force anything upon the people, but it is their question and it is the utmost importance they should have a say upon it, and would do his best to carry out their decision. The question of abolition of party Government is now before the country, and the majority of candidates speak in favour of its abolition. Under party Government our democracy has become a tyranny. Captain Russell, the leader of the Opposition, had testified last session that as now practiced in Parliament, party Government meant but the tyranny of one man, and he (Mr Kellow) hopad that if Captain Russell were returned to Parliament he would be found voting for Major* Steward's Eleotive Executive Bill. Tha Eleotive Bill provides that the Government shall be elected by the House, and thus the best men of the House would probably be chosen to hold portfolios. Under this Bill the Premier remains in office only one year and is elected by the Eleotive Ministry. He had indicated how he was standing, and in conclusion there were many other subjects he would have liked to have touched upon. ' What was wanted now was not so much new legislation, but pure administration, and he thought it was time that they remembered that "it was righteousness that exalteth a nation and sin is a reproach to any people," and these were the men they should return. (Applause.) QUESTIONS. Mr Ray asked if Mr Kellow would state his opinion on bible reading in schools. j Mr Kellow— l believe in the preI sent system in its entirety. I would be in favour of bible reading before or after pohool hours, but would not have ordinary lessons interfered with. I would not support denominational education out of school funds. Rev. R. Young— Would Mr Kellow be in favour of giving a grant to denominational schools provided the children passed the required standard. Mr Kellow — I would not interfere with the present system in any way. Mr Stewart— l have heard a rumour that Mr Kellow was not sound on the temperanoe goose. I would like to hear if he would vote with Mr Seddon if he introducedohis Alcoholic Bill. Mr Kollow— l would vote for Mr Seddon 'a Bill with pleasure. I can say, however, I have never tasted any alcoholic drink in my life. Mr Henne9sy— ls it honest or just that one-fourth of the community should be taxed for the education of the rest ? Mr Ktllow— l think all should be taxed. There was nothing taught in our schools that anyone could object to. Mr Hennessy— ls it honest that Roman Catholics should have to pay for teaching their own children and yet have to pay for the public schools. Mr Kellow — I think the question is just and fair as it is. Mr Ray — Would you be in favour of voting for Sohool Committees having power to vote according to the numberof children 09 the roil.

Mr Kellow— lt is only fair and should be constitutional. Mr Stewart rose and proposed a rote of thanks to Mr Kellow for his address, and said he would not add confidence, though it would be carried, but the same would occur at each meeting held by the other candidates and would thus signify nothing. He believed Mr Kellow had given a statesmanlike speech and not that of a politician. Mr Westwood seconded the vote, which was carried with applause. Mr Kellow thanked the meeting for the vote, and moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor, which was also duly oarried.