MAJOR ATKINSON'S POSTSESSINAL SPEECH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 46, 22 February 1878, Page 2

MAJOR ATKINSON'S POSTSESSINAL SPEECH.

New Plymouth, Thursday night. Major Atkinson addressed a largely attended meeting at the Oddfellows 1 11 all last night, a number of his constituents oining iv from the Egmont district to hear him, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The Mayor took the chair. Major Atkinson spoke for about two hours, his remarks consisting of a review of the late session and the part he took in it. At the bogiuuing of the session, he said, the Ministry had a majority, but through the action ot interested parties who were opposed to abolition of the provinces a determined opposition had been raised against the Ministry, and, although the Financial Statement and other parts of their policy were introduced early iv the session, yet no work was got through owing to the interminable discussions of the Opposition, and to make matters still more difficult a large majority of the

House utterly distrusted Sir George Grey, and a Middle Party was formed to oust the Ministry, but at the same time they wished to keep out Sir George Grey. The party, however, seemed to forget that there were only two lobbies, and consequently got into great difficulties. With the assistance of Sir George Grey and his section .of the House the Middle Party succeeded in disp'acing the Ministry, and then very much to their astonishment they fouud Sir George Grey master of the situation, and he formed a Government. The Middle Party then broke up, some coming to the ranks of the Opposition, some going with Sir George Grey. The Opposition numbered a majority of from four to six, of whom he was chosen as leader. That party had several meetings, and they decided to wait till the Financial Statement was brought down before any attack was made. They waited some time for that statement, but finding it was not made he moved a vote of want of confidence- That vote was discussed, the debate lasting ove? several days, aud was at last lost on the casting vote of the Speaker, through two or three of the Opposition being absent. The Opposition were then determined to give the Ministry another chance, but finding that they could get no satisfaction he gave the second notice of want of confidence which the Government treated with contempt. Major Atkinson said that the new,- Government adopted the late Ministry's their Lands Bill, the Incorporation of Stock Bill, and other measures. He said, that Sir Or. Grey had declared that he couldjniake reductions to the extent of £100.000, but; he had failed to do so. He referred I. to the 'incidence of taxation, and showed "that at a property tax was introduced the account would be large. In speaking of the new Lands Bill Major Atkinson said'.thaf ; tho Colonial Treasurer voted against 'his -own Government on the occasion, and what confidence, he asked, could they have in a Premier when Jhe permitted his own Treasurer to walk into the Opposition lobby against him? That Bill, when the majority of members left Wellington, they considered was to become law, and they little expected that the Government would recommend his Excellency to disallow it. He considered it was a most unconstitutional course for & Minister to take after a Bill had passed the House to recommend the Governor to disallow such an important measure as that. Referring to the constitution of the Waste Laudsßoards he said he was opposed:to members being elective, and considered that the duties could be better performed solely by a Commissioner. With regard to the Native policy he said the late Government were very much abused for what they had done, but Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan, he found, were doiug exactly what Sir D. M'Lean had previously done. He believed in the view Mr Sheehan took of native matters, and was glad to hear of the firm stand he had taken with regard to the confiscated lands, although he blamed him for stopping the surveys when he did. He then proceeded to speak of the public works scheme, giving a history of its development since 1870, and showing in similar words to those reported in Hamaid his opinion of the financial position of the colony, He said that the statement laid on the table by Sir G. Grey showed that he would have a deficiency in June next of £40,000. After that the supplementary esmatesfor some £110,000 were passed, but not providing for that so that the deficiency was almost a quarter of a million for which the Government had made no provision Abolition, he said, had effected the object its promoters had in view, it had created a national finance, and entirely altered the position of the colony, for now the people looked to the General Assembly with a greater interest. He referred to a table he had prepared showing the indebtedness of the colony and its actual revenue and expenditure, and pointed out that under the provincial form of government they were spending far more than their income. With regard to what he had said about the deficiency there would be at the end of the financial year he could not help thinking that additional taxation would be required, and judging from the past year he felt certain the Government could not carry on as they were doing, and a property tax would be proposed in addition to the present taxation, fie said the House had passed a resolution last session directing the Government to introduce a property tax next year. He thought it was a very reasonable tax, and it was desirable to have it. It would not bring in a very large amount, aud would not relieve the Customs to any great amount. With regard to the electoral franchise, he said the present Government proposed to introduce next session a system of universal suffrage. He thought the present qualification quite liberal enough, and considered if there was a change it should be in the manner of registration. He thought that a twelve-months' residence m a place before being entitled to vote was necessary, that an officer should be appointed who would have power at any time to register persons who had the proper qualifications, aud who should also have authority to strike names off the roll when necessary. The Government, he said, intended to disfranchise New Plymouth. They intended to abolish the Egmont district by throwing a part of it into the Wanganni district,' and he supposed this end into that of New Plymouth. There wquld thus be oue member for Taranaki. Major Atkinson then referred to matters of local interest. With regard to the Mokau, he said the late Government were always mosfc anxious to get it opened but found that it could not be so except through the King country, and on that question Mr Sheehan held the same view. He said, but for his influence the Harbor Bill would not have been passed, and he denied that his moving the vote of want'of confidence in the Government in any way jeopardised it. After touching on one or two other local matters, a vote of confidence was proposed aud carried.

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