POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 91, 20 March 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

Sir Julius Yogel at Christchurch. .

I ; UNITED PKESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, March 18. Sir Julius Yogel, M.H.R. for Christchurch North, addressed his constituents m the Queen's Theatre this evening. There were fully 3500 persons present, including a large number of ladies, for whom the gallery had been specially reserved. His Worship the Mayor (C. P. Hulbert, Esq.) occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by. several M.H.R.'s and numerous influential i gentlemen. [We give the following extracts from ; his address.] LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Changes are required m the matter of local government, and the question is now m the hands of myself and Mr Stout. The bringing of the districts into homogenous relations has been entrusted to my colleague, while I am dealing with the financial aspect and responsibilities of tho case. RAILWAY BOARDS. The railways must be managed by non-political boards as soon as the necessary measures can be prepared. . FISHERIES AND FORESTS. There are two most important interests m the Colony which have hitherto been neglected, which require immediate and careful attention — I refer to the fisheries and forests of the Colony. In the former, I believe, there are vast sources of wealth awaiting development, the industry of fish-curing and preserving, needing only some slight assistance at the start to become what it is m other countries — a source of employment to the people and profit to the country. The manner m which the forests of our Colony are being destroyed, without the slightest attempt to replenish them, is a sin, and we shall ask the House next session to deal with the question. DISTRICT RAILWAYS. In conjunction with my colleague, Mr Richardson, I have opened up negotiations with various district railway companies as to terms of purchase. ' NATIVE AFFAIRS. Mr Ballance, m his dealings with Native affairs, has attained a status with the Natives which no other Minister ever did. From one end to the other they give him their confidence. Thus the North Trunk Railway is being constructed with the full assent of the Natives. I have no wish to reflect on his predecessor, as he had a position of much difficulty to deal with, and an unpleasant and delicate duty to perform. He had to show the Natiyes that the Europeans were strong enough to be their masters. His style was a harsh one ; he had an iron hand, arid made no effort to conceal it under a velvet glove. Mr Ballance has both, and he has shown the Natives that we do not wish to rule J 'harshly, 'but' to do justice to both races. Mr Ballance is an enthusiast on the question of settling people on the land j of the Colony. Special settlements have been eagerly embraced m the North Island, and he hopes to see similar settlements here. The terms upon which these are open are exceedingly liberal, and he hopes to shortly open up village settlements m Ccinterbury, m the neighborhood of Christchurch and other parts. My policy regarding the sale of Native lands is well known. I wish to ■ see the land brought into early use and settlement, and not locked up m the hands of speculators. I desire to see them handed over for honajklc settlement, but due regard must be paid to the rights and interests of the Native race. There are past obligations which have to be dealt with. The subject is one beset with dif-ficulties,-but it will be* dealt 'with next session, PARCEL POST. It is m contemplation to inaugurate a system of postal rates and parcel post. ' ' ' ....-., COLONIAL DEFENCE. The question of the defence of the Colony, has assumed particular importance, and the Government are of opinion that it is their duty to to prepare by the next session of the House a plan for the defence of the- principal ports of the Colony. In the meantime, we are doing ail that we can before Parliament meets. It is time that we ceased trusting to the eh an co that no hostilities would break out affecting ourselves, or to the chances that uo Power would molest us, m such a way as whe h.-ive done m the past. We may be sure that no Power will wait at our asking until we are ready to repel their attacks. It is time we took, steps for self-preservation, as the*other Colonies are doing or have done. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. In future railway construction a definite plan will have to be observed.' It must first be decided which are trunk lines to be made by the Colony, and which are district lines of special inter-, est and benefit to the people of a district, and to be constructed at their cost.' REFORM OF THE UPPER HOUSE. ' The Upper House needs to be reformed to a certain extent, but I do not propose to take any snsational measure for that object ' The Upper House 1 itself should provide the means for its own reform. The appointments to the Chamber should be of a less permanent character, and instead of being fpr life should last for a number of years only. I have at times felt hurt when moasuies upon which I had spent much time and thought have been defeated by the Upper House, and I have come into conflict with it ; but, on-the whole, it bus shown itself disposed to be a benefit to i the Colony, and, I have no doubt, will look at the proposal sensibly, and be prepared to deal with it m a dignified manner. At any rate, no , appointments made after the House next meets should be for other than a term of years. CHEAP MONEY. In trie remarks 1 am about to make on the subject of cheap money let it be understood that lin no way pledge the Goverment. The question ison« of vital importance to the Colony, and needs to be approached with great care. It is very hard upon small farmers and those who desire to possess a small area of land, that they should have to pay such high rates of interest as they do at prosent Many plans have been suggested to remedy the evil, but [ think ' the difficulties with which it is surrounded. have not been f«I)y considered. Nothing cau i be more disastrous to any country than a forced paper currency, and experience I of those who know anything of such a condition goes to prove that tho price of goods goes up and the value of the paper goes down, and tho one desire qf a country which under pressure has introduced such a currency is to redeom the paper and return to gold. It is not at all likely that such a system will be adopted here, and further the fact- of Government entering into tho market would not increase the volume of money m circulation, but simply reduce the power of the existing banking institution to assist iheir constituents. Tho land banks of Germany would not .an-, pear to suit the requirements of tin's Colony. They were, instituted*: for the purpose of enabling peasant holdings to be converted into fixed freeholds, but no ' similar conditions exist here. There might be legislation m the direction of t btainiDg money Winch could bo granted

iii small st*ms(but only m sin ill amounts) and under, certain conditions which the small farmers could got at 5} or 6 per cent) ; but it must be borne m mind that this 'would not clash with the business of the large aud powerful companies winch dfd not -care for this class of business. If such companies (which are a great and felt power) opposed the scheme, however, it could not be got , through the House. A system of guaranteed and mortgaged debentures might be constituted, and if so, I think it would be hailed with pleasure. FEDERATION. The subject of federation is one upon which I am anxious to make myself clearly understood. The position of lKe question now is : A convention at which all the Colonies were represented was held, at which a draft measure for federation was submitted. This' proposed that all the Colonies should aend-reproi sentatives to the Federal Council ; that the measure should be passed by the Home Parliament, but should have no effect until each body had adopted it : but where this was done, the Councif would have power over a large number of measures Some of the Colonies had been pressing the matter upon the Home Government, and the measure had there been made of a more drastic kind; rendering it possible for the Queen m Council to add any other subjects which might be thought fit, so that it would be hardly possible to destroy .all legislative independence. Two men, m common with a number of strangers* front othqr Colonies, will legislate finally on certain subjects. If he knew anything of the Parliaments of New Zealand, or those of the other Colonies, there was no measure of even the humblest description which they would be willing to delegate to the final legislation of any two men, assisted by shoals of men from outside the Colony. If a Government, then, were to ask for power to legislate finally ov a certain subject—even so insignificant a thing as tomtits or robin redbreasts — would not Parliament say, "No, you may consider' the subject as you like, but the final decision on it must rest with us." Was it likely, tberetherefore, that any parliament Would give to. two men power to deal, even with the help of outsiders'? -He believed the people of the Colonies did not, understand the aspect of the question. He had recently spoken to a member of the Victarian Legislature, who had, assured him that m that Colony it was not so understood, and that if it were people would not be m favor of it. -He' ww confident that if the Bill passed- it would be a dead letter, and if the Colonies were asked to renounce ionoeiand for all their final 'legislation on a number of most important subjects m. fav«r of a single .Chamber, with only two.representatives from itself, with' a number of representatives from, say,' Western Australia and Fiji, the answer would, lie. thought, be a ' refusal. "'What' Ne«r Zealand had asked the other Colonies to agree to was that the Federal Parliament should have power to initiate complete Bills but that these Bills should havo no effect m. any . particular Colony until adopted by the legislature of that Colony. j MANUFACTURES. , With regard to industrial questions, he had. been particularly, struck witfijthe remark of a friend, wfio said^'tliat "he could not find any country- whose industries were successful, if it depended solely on agricultural, Pastoral, androining pursuits. These must be supplemented by manufactures, so that the people could supply their own wants. One great evil which retarded the progress of the Colony was that the money made within it was spent outside Tit. Agricultural and pastoral pursuits and mining must be encouraged m every possible way, but so also must manufactures, so as to make the colony self-de-pendent. He (Sir Julius) hoped -that it was not true that an attempt would be made to set the country against the towns. He thought, however, that the country people were wise. 'enough to see that it was better to have one good paying customer m the colony' than several customers not so liberal and prompt outside of it, and that the towns and country should be, mutually dependent on one another. He had said before that he was neither a freetrader ridpy protectionist. The Customs tariff should be for revenue purposes, andUtherefore industries should not De'ma^if Ijo depend upon it, as it would be necessarily of a fluctuating character. He would say to those friends who so strongly objected to Customs duties, and who, Me noticed, I were 'generally importers, thai *a more logical tax than. Customs could scarcely be imposed. "Whilst some., things might well be admitted duty free, to refuse to impose a duty upon any article <tb;a;t was imported would be a protection not to manufacturers m the Colony, hut to the importers and their, friends outside of it. . . ■■-■ ■ ' ' '•■ '■■ "' •"'■■' LOCAL INDUSTRIES — THE/ EXHIBITION. , The encouragement of. local industry is a subject m which we' are all deeply interested, and we hope 1 to place before the house next session proposals of a satisfactory n&tirre tor their encouragement. It is gratifying . that we are to have an Industrial Exhibition m "Wei. lingfcon this year, as it will show the extent, character, and condition of the various industries m the Colony. The next exhibition must be held m Dunedin or Ohristchuroh, and as your representative I do nots.ay. thatjLshall favor its beingheld here. -•- •"■ '"-■* CONCLUSION. In conclusion, he hoped that his hearers, it they di<l not agree with all he had said, would give him credjt for wishing to be of service to' the CdldnyJ ' Though he was not proclaiming upon platforms " high flown sentiments of a desire for the welfare, of the people, he, reoognised the fact that the masses were jk real source of power, and upon their prosperity depended the prosperity of the Colony. TheGovernraent did not want the Colony to show only that falsa spfendour&sulfcing from a display , of wealth by a few rich people. Thej r wanted to flee wealth distributed m a large number of hands, and to see thousands of prosperous and happy homes. He hoped people would not think he was 'indifferent to this important matter, because ho thought that the prosperity of the masses would be brought about by practical measures rather than by theoretical propositions. Ho would- far rather see a happy than a splendid land. Sir Julius Yogel was. loudly applauded both during and at the termination of his remarks. , '" "' ANSWERS /TO QUESTIONS.; j In answer to -questions, he said that the defence proposals of the Governmoiit depended . largely, upon the assistance of Volunteers, j'and every effort would bo made, to raise the force to the highest pitch of efficiency. ; The Govommont thought that the whole system of taxation should be revised, so thatj each close's should bear a fair share of tho burdens. Actual improvements of an agricultural character should be exempted.-,' "'" -' [ He could not go "with the 'toman Catholics in' believing that ihoy had a right to resist tlie payment of taxes, which six-sevenths of^he population believet! Tiocessary. ..■•.?-.• ;,,,. He had been elected promising to support the national system of education] and had he changed his views thereon, ho would havo told the electors so, and askeil whether they still wiphed him to represent them. Still lie thought it was a question whetherit'imght tiotbe^lesirable m the future to consider ift hers was any danger of a race of ; ohildeeh growing W without any belief m religion, pjfjfap.-

ences between sects prevented religious teaching m. State schools at present, but it wottkfbe'a bad tiling if the people of no religion] cijept m. between the quarrels of the sects, and children grew up believing mno religion. If tho future population of, 1 New Zealand was. to be like that it would be a very unhappy population. It would be better for the European population of the Colony to become extinct,ia)id give place again to the Maoris, than, for it tp grow up believing m no God, and no (Loud applause). Those who had the interests of religion at Heart, no matter what their creed, should not let disputes between themselves interfere with -those interests. If the children were taught religion at home, that was the best plan; but if that were not done, it might be necessary \o reconsider the subject m the future.""' - ' •"■' ■■■ '■■ ■'"'■''■ .•'"'• He, /was m \ favor of giving compensation to publicans- who might be deprived of their business by any local option vote. Ifefllapg! iV niigjht he desirable that Parliament should not always meet m the samp- centre ; still any change would involve a* very ' large expenditure. He was not prepared to give a decided answerto)^H^ f i^ajtei; at present. He was m ■"* favor of extending the franchise to women...Legislation prescribing Saturday halfholiday had been made. in the interests of.employes, therefore, the power of. altering the day, should not rest with the employers, though,, if nib i were more for theibenefit of the employes that it should be 'held on another * day, employers might be allowed to have the liberty of > altering it. 1 ;" f ; ' ' %: :■:,-. y<>T?;PP CONFIDENCE. , . Mpd:^ Joynt then moved, " That, thisineetihgthaiiks Sir Julius Yogelfor the" 'very' able and 'important address whifeHßefhrts flelivered this evening, and wishes to .express its feeling tliat"' Sir Julio ypgel folly merits and possesses j the confidence of the electors." ■ . I Dr Prankish' seconded the motion which wfts carried unanimously, amid loud applause. , :