THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5393, 10 July 1878, Page 2

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(per press agency.) Dunedin, Tuesday.

Mr. Stout, the Attorney-General, addressed a public meeting of the electors and nonelectors in Dunedin to-night, He commenced by referring to the work of last session, and to the Land Bill and Education Act, and then proceeded to point out what he considered to be the defects in the latter. He.considered that it should provide for higher education. He was in favor of the Local Option Bill, and was opposed’to the insertion of a compensation clause. Referring to the Land Fund, he said that it was practically gone before last session, and that the late Government contemplated , making further inroads in 1877. He quoted from Mr. Curtis’ speech, who expressed himself as being in favor of taking the Land Fund in a reasonable way. ■ Ho then went on to show that Otago, by securing 20 per cent, of tho Land Fund, and one-third of the revenue from deterred payments, had actually lost nothing. Having touched on the railways and. immigration scheme, he proceeded to sketch the rise of the Middle Party, and showed how the late Government fell. It was necessary that there should be parties—one Liberal, and the other Conservative. The only charge made against the present Government was that it was too radical; but its proposals would be the real test whether it was radical or not. The three points in tho policy of the present Government were administrative reform, electoral reform, and taxation. As to reform, the Government could only lay down a plan and work up to it, and could not get all its ideas carried into law at once; but the laying down of such a plan.would show the general aim and object of...the Government, in introducing any measures. In carrying out, administrative reform they had three, objects in view. The first was a reduction of,the expense of .Govern- . mout, the second the . decentralisation of Government functions, and the third the amalgamation of offices. For the purpose of carrying out the two Arabmentioned objects, if the present Estimates of the- government yvera carried

by the House, tbe saving of £20,000 would be effected, and in the Native Department, Public Works, and Justice Departments thousands would be saved without the efficiency of the service being: impaired. In the Postal and Telegraph Departments, which were increasing in accordance with the exigencies of the colony,, it would be impossible to effect a saving; but then he reminded them that revenue was being derived from ■ those depa-tments. If the proposals of the Government were adopted there would also be a saving in administration. In regard to the Justice Department, it was the intention of the Government to encourage District Qourts throughout the 'colony, and perhaps to have magistrates at the chief towns and upon the goldfields. Justices of the peace must not look upon their position ns a sort of colonial knighthood ; and it was the intention of the Government to use them—some for one class of work, and some for another, though it could not be expected that all justices of the peace could ait upou the bench. These reforms could not be effected at one fell swoop, and must gradually be done. Thera were two aspects in connection with the proposed electoral reform. One affected counties and municipalities, and .the other representation to the House. In regard to the first, lie said that it was well known that Sir George Grey's party bad been opposed to the plurality of votes given by the Act. He did not know whether the House was ripe enough to have that principle. altered. The Government would first deal with alterations as to representation to the House, because the House could then effect all necessary reforms. He then went on to show what the proposed electoral reforms of the Government were, and said that they would consist of a freehold, ratepaying, and residential franchise He pointed out that at present various persons were excluded, and he criticised Mr. Bowen’s statement that the lodger franchise would admit loafers. He said that even it there were some lodgers who could be so described, there were many others who were not loafers, and these should not be excluded because of defects on the part of some of their class. It was the intention of Government that greater care as to registration should exist, and they proposed that it should be twice a year, instead of once, as at present. They intended to introduce a Bribery Bill, so that the rich would not have all the power at the polls, and that men should not be chosen because of their wealth, but because of their opinions, intellects, and moral worth. His private opinions were that they should adopt the laws of other countries which provided that public-houses should be closed upon the voting days, and the employment of cabs should be prohibited. In addition to this it was intended that the hours of polling should be prolonged, so that working men would not have to leave their work in order to record their votes. Redistribution of seats could hot be effected at once; and the Government wished that the new House should be elected under the new electoral law. The next question was that of taxation reform, and he ’ pointed out that some people thought that the Land Fund would have prevented taxation. He showed that the need of taxation was sketched out by Sir Julius Vogel in . 1870, and then went on to say that Governments since that time had not had the moral courage to . face the question. The present Government were determined to do so, and .their object was that taxation might be equalised. He showed that under tbe present system of taxation the revenue was chiefly derived from Customs, stamps, and licenses, and said that the fundamental rules of Adam Smith were violated by it. The Government were desirous that the burden should be cast upon all parties, and he added that class taxation had prevailed in the past, and that it was nothing new. Customs duties must be lightened iu some instances ; but they would not be specified at present, as it would lead to speculation on the part of merchants. There was a large class at present drawing revenue from land and not paying its, fair share of taxation. Tbe object of the Government ought to be to get at the unearned increment. He saw no difference between an acreage tax, ■ with classification, and a valuation tax, making deductions for improvements. The object should be that the tax should not fall upon small holders. He pointed out. that an ex-Minister had stated that he would like to see an education rate and police rate, but he (the speaker) contended that this would be taxing the haunts of industry. He- concluded by saying that if the people gave the Government their support these measures would be carried out.