MR. KELLY, M.H.R., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4901, 6 December 1876, Page 2

MR. KELLY, M.H.R., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(per the press agency.) New Plymodth, Tuesday.

Mr. Kelly addressed' liis constituents last nighit, and said that the Government would have had to retire on the second day of the session, on Sir George Grey's motion re the Piako Swamp, by a majority of one, if Mr. Kolleston had been sworn in in the morning’instead of the afternoon. It would be an interesting subject for a debating society to discuss—supposing Mr. Eolleston had been , able to vote, what would have been the result to the colony? Mr. Whitaker’s resolutions re the land fund were not carried, because it was considered a breach of the Compact of 1856, and owingto the scheme proposed acting unfairly in some instances where there was unavailable balance for local improvement. Taking the colony as a whole, there appeared to be no gain by making the land fund colonial revenue and the charges on it colonial. The estimated land fund for the year 1875-76 was £836,725, and the estimated charges £831,766, leaving" a balance of £SOOO, and as the colony would' become liable for public works to open up the land for sale, it appeared to him to be a doubtful advantage for the colony, except that it would simplify accounts. The separation resolutions were meant' to extend the principle of , provincialism, and give the North Island to Auckland, the South to Otago,-and gradually to squeeze the Central Government out of existence, dr make-it entirely subordinate to * the two new colonies. The county system was the necessary result of the. provinces expending beyond their incomes, resulting in a quasi liability on the colony. The principle of the county system was that local bodies were to provide the means for local public works, and loans would become special charges on the rates. He feared the counties would have but small means unless the land fund was relieved from charges which ought not to be placed on it. No balance would be available in Taranaki for county purposes unless the laud revenue exceeded £20,000. He considered that though the financial position of the colony required careful watching - , it could stand a heavy burden being placed upon it, without excessive taxation. He spoke highly of Major Atkinson’s clear financial which made the financial position of the colony easily understood; He said the House was very much dissatisfied with the condition of the Native department, and that it required a radical reform. The way in which the department dealt with native lands entrusted to its cafe for administration was very"unsatisfactory to the public.. He considered that , native interpreters for the use of the public should not be under the. control .of an officer of the Native department, but the Judges of the Native Lands Courts, as native officers, occa-" sionally forbade them to interpret for individuals. The officers of the Native department should; not be allowed to purchase or lease lands for their .own "benefit,""as it a suspicion in the public mind that ■ they availed themseles of official knowledge to secure lands for "speculative purposes; to the .detriment of bona fide settlers." disapi proved of ‘ some of the provisions of the Disqualification Act, which conferred special privileges on some members of the Assembly, from which it excluded others. - Members, of .the legal profession ,were unduly favored, and notwithstanding the array of legal talent in the House, - they appeared to overlook the fact that sufficient provision was not made, for disqualifying members of the House contracting with the Government' of - which they were , members. It prevented .contractors being elected, but there was no disqualification if a member became a contractor after he took his seat in the House; neither was he liable,to any penalty. He then spoke of local matters. He considered there would be an insufficient provision for opening up land., for actual settlement. It appeared to be nobody’s business, and the consequence would be that land sales would gradually fall. off unless special provision were made for this purpose. ,