MR. GILLON AT KAIWARRA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4597, 14 December 1875, Page 3

MR. GILLON AT KAIWARRA.

Mr. Gillon metj.the electors in the Schoolroom, Kaiwarra, last evening. There were between thirty and forty persons present. Mr. Thompson was elected to the chair. The Chairman having introduced the candidate, for whom he claimed a fair and impartial hearing, _ Mr. Gillon came forward, and, after stating in what capacity he was there to address them, referred to his past history, and to the time when five years ago he had come forward as a candidate for tho representation of tho Wellington Country Districts, and made a very fan- fight of ,t, polling, indeed, a greater number of votes than he had perhaps any right to expect. Although defeated on that occasion, yet the kindness he had then received from the electors induced him to determine that he would offer himself again ao Boon as the opportunity presented itself. He had no hesitation in saying that ho had been | asked to stand for other districts, but was determined to adhere to the resolution he had formed of standing for the Wellington Country Districts. He then went on to speak of his career as a public man. Though he had never had the honor of holding a seat in the Assembly, he had taken a prominent part in the

public affairs of Wellington, having been elected to a seat in the City Council, in which he represented the richest ward in the city, and had also had the honor of being returned unopposed for the city in the Provincial Council, although, as circumstances had turned out, he had not been called upon to take his seat. When he addressed them five years ago, in that very room, he spoke definitely on the subject of the necessity for abolishing the provinces, and for establishing in this colony one Government and one Legislature, there being, of course, full powers of administration conferred upon local bodies. These views were not acceptable to the majority of the electors at that time; but now he was glad to say the majority of the electors all over the colony were desirous of abolishing the provinces, and members would be returned to the new Parliament with the express purpose of carrying that into effect. But they could not afford to part with theseinstitutions, unless they had some other form of government to carry on the local administration of the colony—to sweep away provincialism without finding a substitute at once, woidd be to land us in chaos and disorder. To find a substitute for provincialism was a task which would tax the energies and intellects of the best men in the colony ; and should he be elected, he should only be too happy, with such ability as he might possess, to devote himself to such a work. But the matter really rested with the people, who must be unanimous. If they returned half-hearted men, and. such as had a hankering after provincialism, they need not expect to arrive at anything satisfactory. Mr. Brandon in his address had admitted that provincialism could not be restored, but he had developed an idea which was the most extraordinary he (Mr Gillon) had ever heard. The provincial form of government, he said, was the best that could be devised, but as the people could not have nine bodies, he proposed to give them ninety and nine. Mr Gillon proceeded to criticise Mr. Brandon's ideas regarding the functions of the shire councils he proposed to substitute for the provincial councils, stating that it would be unwise to entrust the shire councils with the control of the police, gaols, hospitals, and lunatic asylums, which should be governed colonially. He next referred to Mr. Brandon's reference to the Government Life Assurance, but he would say little on that point. He was not, as Mr. Brandon was, a director of a private insurance company; but this he might say, that he believed the action of the Government in this respect had done much good, while he did not apprehend the dreadful consequences spoken of by Mr. Brandon. As to taxation, he was sorry to say that he viewed as imminent the approach of a time when increased taxation woidd be necessary, but he did not believe that the Customs was the fairest means by which to tax the people, and therein he differed from Mr. Brandon. He (Mr. Gillon) would impose a tax on large property holders, and make those men who lived in England, and drew large incomes from investments in the colony, pay a fair share towards the revenue. In speaking of, payment of members of the Legislature, Mr. Gillon said the Legislative Council should not receive honorarium ; but he supported the principle of paying members of the lower branch, because, unless they were paid, constituencies at a distance could only return such men as were in an independent position, which would often result in loss to the districts returning them, inasmuch as such men were liable to exert the influence they possessed for their own ends ; and, moreover, the best men were not always those who had the most money. With regard to the constitution of the Upper House, he thought the members should be elected, the electors to have certain distinct qualifications. Another matter of importance was the mail service. He deprecated the action of the Government in this direction. For mail purposes the Suez route would answer all purposes, but if they must have a new one, he would advocate the Torres line, while a still better scheme would be to establish communication direct with Liverpool by large ocean steamers. It had been stated that he was desirous of entering Parliament in order that he might get a Government billet; such, however, was not his intention. It would not pay him to take one, and moreover, he would have a better chance of getting a situation under Government by stopping out of than entering Parliament. In conclusion, Mr. Gillon said he would, if elected, do all he could to advance the interests of the country districts. Hitherto that constituency had been too contented, and he was not the only one that thought so. Thus, on the last day of the last session he met a gentleman who had been Premier of the colony, who congratulated him (Mr. Gillon) on the possibility of his being returned by such a constituency—the most contented in the colony to have put up with Mr. Brandon for so many years. In answer to a question re education, Mr. Gillon said he believed in secular education, and thought it the duty of the Government to give a plain education merely. He would not support superior schools out of Government money. There being no more questions, Mr. Donald moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Gillon, which was seconded by Mr. Taylor, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. '