THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5401, 19 July 1878, Page 3

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Dunedin, July 11,

Mr. Stout, the Attorney-General, addressed a public meeting of tho 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 oat 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 Laud Fund, he said that it was practically, gone before last session, and that the late Government contemplated making farther 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. He then went on to show that Otago, by securing. 20 per cent, of the Land Fund, and one-third of the revenue from deferred payments, had actually 1 >st nothing. Having touched on the railways and immigration scheme, he proceeded to sketch the rise of the Middle Party, and showed how tho 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 nofc-4 The three points in the 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 tlm laying down of such a plan would show the general aim aud object of the . Government in introducing any measures. In carrying, out administrative reform they bad three objects in view! The first was a reduction of the expense of Government, the second the decentralisation of Government functions, and the third the amalgamation of offices. P'or the purpose of carrying out the two firstmentioned objects, if the present Estimates of the Government were carried by the House, the saving of £20,000 would'be effected, and in the Native Department, Public Works, aud Justice Departments thousands would he 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 Courts 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 as 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 upon the bench.- These reforms could not be. effected at one fell swoop, and must gradually be done. There 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, he said that it ’ was well known that Sir George Grey’s party had 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, aud residential franchise. ‘He pointed out that at present various persons were excluded, and he criticised Mr. Bowen’s ment that the lodger franchise would admit loafers. He said that even if there were somelodgers 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. ThVf intended to introduce a Bribery BUI,, 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 opin' ions, 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 he prolonged, so that working men would not have to leave their work in order to record their votes. Redistribution of seats could not be effected at ance, and tho Government wished that tht new House should bo elected under the nev. electoral law. The next question was that o! taxation reform, and he £>oiuted 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 tosay 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 tljat taxation might be equalised. He showed that under the present system of taxation the revenue was chiefly derived from Customs, stamps, and license?, and that the fundamental'rnles 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 in some instances; but they would aol be specified at present, as it would lead to speculation bn the part of merchants. There was a large class at present drawing revenue from land and not .paying its failshare of taxation. The 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 ho would like to see an education rat:and police rate, but he (the speaker) contended that this would be taxing the haunts of in • dustry. He concluded by saying that if tht people gave the Government their support these measures would be carried out..