THE HON. GEORGE McLEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5273, 16 February 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE HON. GEORGE McLEAN AT WAIKOUAITI.

{mOlt OUB OWX COEEESrONDEXT), BY TEhEORAFH.

Palmesstos (Otago), Thursday, 11 p.m. [The following message was unavoidably crowded out of our issue of yesterday :—] Mr. George McLean addressed a large number of the Waikouaiti constituency at tho Palmerston Town Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr. T. Agon) was in the chair. At the outset, Mr. McLean referred to an article, which appeared in tho Otago Daily Tima on the 9th instant, reviewing his speech at Waikouaiti a few evenings previous, and said that what he stated on that occasion, about one portion of tire colony living in apparent luxury, was that, in order to equalise the amount the Middle Island was receiving from the land revenue, the Assembly was voting large sums in lump for tho different provinces which had no land fund,and thereby swelling up the colonial debt to an extent they were little dreaming of. Whilst we were thinking that money was being spent here, it was going elsewhere, and he thought wo should have to be responsible. That was the position of matters, which reconciled a number of the party who supported the late Ministry to abolition. Then the subsidies granted to counties and road boards out of tho Consolidated Puud and Land Puud were in some way to equalise the expenditure all over Uie colony. If people would throw back their recollection, they would remember that the subsidies first given to road boards in Otago wore the means of stimulating them to exertion, and that was the reason, perhaps, why we had such good roads in Otago, as well perhaps as elsewhere. Another matter touched on by the Times in a leader was in referring to tho late Government constantly interfering with the terms iu the Abolition Act under which tho Laud Fund was given to the provincial districts, and that in addition to the 2 per cent, taken for railways in 1870, about £200,000 was to bo taken from Otago and Canterbury in 1877 by the socalled “Atkinson Pocket-picking Ministry.” Now, iu of the charges thatwere to be taken on the .Consolidated Fund, hitherto borne by the provinces, and the interest on tho railway, tho well considered, and agreed to by most people as a fair charge on tho Land Fund. Seeing that several of tho services had hitherto been paid by the provinces out of their land fund, and wove now taken on the Consolidated Revenue, tho provincial districts were fair gainers by this transaction ; and as to the £200,000 that tho Government were able to take last year, but which was 'really £107,000, tho portion from Otago was not to bo taken from the Land Fund immediately, but made a charge on the Land Fund; and in the ordinary course of thirty years the debentures would become payable, and he believed they might bo pretty sure that in the end the Land'Fuud would bo in such a position that people would not care if it was taken out of that fund or not. Seeing tho excuse that had boon made by the present Government for taking tho Land Fund, bo much regretted having agreed that tho money should bo taken in that way. Had ho had tho least idea that such a peg was to have been put up on which to bang such an excuse for the taking of that fund, bo certainly would never have agreed to it in that manner, but would have found some other way to raise tho required amount to make education free. Regarding tho second part of tho article, ho lie bad ever said that the whole Land Fund had become colonial revenue. He said 21 per cent, was to go to the county wherein it was raised ; but ho also stated his reasons for behoving that tho 20 por cent, could never bo, continued. As to the third question raised by tho article, ho had plainly

1 stated at the whole of his meetings that in the I North Island members of tho late Government would take the Land Puud if they could •mt it. Had Messrs. Atkinson, Whitaker, ami Ormond got the Southern members to agree to take it, no doubt they would luue taken it, and have been the heroes of the hour in the North Island, instead of the present Government. There was no doubt that the people of tho southern provinces haa to rely upon their representatives in tho Government to preserve the Land Fund. Pic had approved of raising the price of land by putting 25 per cent, on the value of all lauds under £2 dor acre, which would not have done any injnry to settlement ; bub there was a wide difference between raising laud 100 per cent, in Otago, and 300 or -100 per cent, iu some cases in the North. Island, thus stopping settlement, It was stated iu the Land Bill, ana ho never meant to conceal it, that deferred payment land was to bo the price at which it was to bo bought for cash, with 50 per cent, added. Regarding tho homestead system, he was accused of opposing it, but it was not sary for him to tell Otago people that it was also necessary to give free land, 40 acres, for tlie settling down. Working might do in the North, where tho laud was poor. Having referred to other points of the article, he pointed out that the present Government could not have spent about £70,000 per week if the late Government had left them an empty Treasury. In answer to questions, Mr. McLeaX said ho would not condemn cumulative voting for Education Boards until they bud a trial Ihe late Government took no steps to modify the Legislative Council, but only appointed one member. He use 1 to be iu favor of an elective Upper House, bub ho bad since seen advantages of a nominee Upper House. Iho Upper House was now virtually in the bauds of the people. Mr. James Aiekicll proposed a vote of confidence in Mr. McLean as the representative of the district. Mr. McGregor seconded. Mr, Fraser, solicitor, moved an amendment, —That this meeting while thanking Mr. McLean for his able address, and for his exertions on behalf of the district, does not endorse his action as a member of tho House of Representatives. Mr. A. Boss seconded. For the amendment there were 16, and for the motion expressing confidence 26. The motion was carried with applause. Mr. Me Lean returned thanks, and said if he did not possess the confidence of a majority his seat would be immediately placed at their disposal.