The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi." FRIDAY. JUNE 5, 1903. PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 187, 5 June 1903, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Ora Mota Iwi." FRIDAY. JUNE 5, 1903. PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Mr Roderick McKenzie, M.H.R. for Mot-atjka gave an address on political questions in the Institute Hall on Wednesday evening-. On the motion of Mr A. Manoy, the chair was taken by Mr R. J. Trewaves, J.P., who in introducing the memberstated that he had resided in the district nearly the whole of his life. He had seen and known all the previous members who had represented the electorate, and he submitted Mr McKenzie was as good a member as they had ever had. [applause]. He had much pleasure in calling upon him v to address the meeting. Mr McKenzie, who was \rarmly received, explained the reason why he did not address them on the eve of the last election. He tendered them his best thanks for the hearty and substantial support he had received. One of the lessons of the poll was decidedly in favor of the Liberal legislation which had been carried on, 52 being avowed Liberals out of a total of 76 members returned. Another important feature of the election was the enormous strides made in the direction of Prohibition during the last few years. In looking over a return asked for by Mr Ell, and only circultvted about three weeks ago, he noticed that during the last five years there were in the Motueka Electorate eleven convictions for drunkenness, the fine being 5s each case, which showed this district to be in a most satisfactory position, although the vote cast for Prohibition was the second

lowest in New Zealand. During the same period there were 900 convic- * tions in Timaru, 789 in Palmerston North, 714 in Masterton, 50 in Bruce and even iri Prohibition Clutha the number was more than double that of Motueka, 25. • Statistics also proved -that there was more drinking in inland towns than at towns near the sea.

Personalty he was not altogether favorable to Prohibition, as he believed in some electoral districts the eflect would be detrimental. If police supervision was as strict in some of the plans he had mentioned as in Nelson and on the West Coast, a better state of things would exist. Bad beer and adulterated spirits, and having to carry on a legitimate trade under heavy rents, accounted for the convictions recorded. Prohibition had been proved to be impracticable in the United States. It had been tried in nearly every State in the Union and had been abandoned, tl e e being now only two States where t was law. In this connection the speaker referred to the fact that Mr Litt had, in the interests of the Prohibition party, stood for eleven electorates, thereby putting the taxpayers to a considerable amount of expense. He maintained a candidate for Parliamentary honors ought to have at least a reasonable prospect of return, or else be prepared to pay the cost of such election. It was time legislation was introduced to put a stop to such a state of affairs and so prevent irresponsible persons and others from airing their grievances at the expense of the country

Mr McKenzie referred to . one measure which was of some importance to the electorate namely the legislation passed amending the mining laws. As they were aware there were vast deposits of minerals at Parapara: Mr Lead man had succeeded in floating a company to work the iron deposits in the colony and experts were already on the way out from England to go over and examine them. If the iron deposits at Collingwood were developed this district was bound to benefit, through an increase of population there which would create a demand for our produce, etc.

Reference was made to the forthcoming legislation necessary in connection with the Bank of New Zealand. The Government has guaranteed the Bank's debentures to the extent of two millions and these would fall due shortly. Some people advocated the establishment of a State Bank, but he did not favor the idea, neither would he agree to the Government entering into partnership with the Bank. To start a State Bank with a paper currency w.>uld be an act of madness and in the event of a financial crisis in Europe our position would be a parlous one. Besides, we had two valuable institutions in the Savings Bank and in the Advances to Settlers Office. He would not object to extending the guarantee to the Bank of New Zealand, especially as the interests of the taxpayers were safeguarded, In dealing with the Bank the Government should control the Audit (in [fact all public accounts should be supervised) and allow it to work out its own salvation.

Another question of importance is the State Fire Insurance Bill which was introduced last session and a Parliamentary Committee set up to deal with the measure. The evidence taken was mainly in opposition to it, and be believed the Bill was killed through the inclusion of a clause compelling people to insure. However, the Bill would be introduced again in an amended form. The speaker maintained the State could carry on fire insurance at a far less rate of premium than private companies, who sent large sums of money in administration, palatial buildings etc, all of which the people were really paying for. It was stated Fire Insurance Companies would not reinsure with thej§State concern, but that difficulty could be met by doing the business with English, American, and European institutions. No very serious losses would accrue, because the risks would be scattered. He had no doubt the Bill would become law next session.

After referring to the Referendum Bill and its treatment at the hands of the Legislative Council, who anticipated its political extinction if the measure became law ; to the need of reform in connection with local Government • and to the advisability of having a preferential tariff within the Empire, Mr MsKenzie spoke of the wonderful progress of the colony during the past ten years. The population had increased by 157,496, the exports by .£4,132,731, the imports by .££4,383,667, railway receipts £792,516 ; there were also large increases in wool, frozen meat, sheep, cattle, etc. During the same ten years the deposits in the Savings and other Banks increased <£8,941,038, which showed tnat our progress was amazing. The public debt of the Colony at present was about 55 millions, the interest for same being about .£1,800,000. They had been hauled over the coals for adding fourteen millions to the public bub of that amount ten millions, had been utilised for advances to settlers, loans to local bodies etc, all the money earning interest ; the balance had been expended in extending our railway system, opening up country, and generally to develop the resources of the colony. The present revenue was buoyant and the surplus for the finan cial year just closed was £304,000. They had also spent some three milli ns out of surplus revenue which to the speaker's mind was not a wise policy to pursue. Mr McKenzie proceeded to controvert the statements made in the Nelson papers that sufficient money had not been allocated to this district, the amount being'stated at .£12,080 out of a sum of £298,000. The speaker read a list of the votes spent in his electorate, the total being £155,000 and jocularly remarked that he thought of opening a night school to educate the Nelson Editors in the gentle art of refraining from making misleading statements and comparisons. Mr McKenzie concluded an excellent speech by thanking the electors for tneir attendance and patient hearing, and expressing his willingness to ans wer any questions, (applause.) Mr John Alexander asked, with reference to the clearing of noxious weeds if it was just to compel owners, having extensive road frontages to clear the roads of blackberries, etc, especially as the seeds were distributed |by v birds and floods. He also wanted to know if it was right to compel people to pay rent and rates for land washed awav.

Replying to the last query, Mr McKenzie said if land held under Crown lease was washed Jaway tenants could always get redress if proper representations were made. With reference to noxious weeds the Act in force was a good one, but there were faults in it. No doubt local bodies should be made to ke«p the roads clear of weeds, and he had hopes the Minister of Land, who was a practical farmer, would bring in an amended Act dealing with the question. The present Act was a tentative one, and the clauses were not enforced except in extreme cases. If the nuisance existed on Crown lands, the Government was responsible and agrieved persons could take them to Court and compel them to clear the lands of noxious growths. Mr Harry Rankin, in proposing a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr McKenzie, said he was a good member who had been attentive to the wants of his constituents and had done the best he possibly could for all.

The motion was seconded by Mr C. Holyoake and carried unanimously. Mr McKenzie acknowledged the compliment and took the opportunity of stating that the preliminary work in connection with the bridge at Alexander's Bluff was going on and he hoped

to see a start made with the bridge at an early date. As regards an elective Harbor Board he saw no reason why they should not have one. It would require a special Act and there was no time to waste over preparing it. He anticipated no difficulty in getting the measure passed. There >vas to be a conference before he left when no doubt the matter would be fully discussed.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.