THE MEMBERS FOR WAITAKI AT HAMPDEN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 621, 30 April 1878, Page 2

THE MEMBERS FOR WAITAKI AT HAMPDEN.

Messrs. Hislop and Shrimski addressed the electors at the Athenseum at Hampden last evening. There was a large attendance, and the utmost interest was eyinced in the jjroceedings. Mr. Murcott, who ocupied the chair, in introducing tlie members, said that, he was pleased, and lie had no doubt that all those present were pleased, to see. tlie representaves of the district amongst theili. He thought that it was their duty, before going up to Wellington, to meet theni, and to Ascer-tain-as far as possible what were the requirements of the various ridings which they represented. He hoped that tlie electors would give their members a patient hearing. , : Mr. His! op said that although it.might at iirafc appear strange tliq.tr he and his colleague had not met tliem earlier, lie would be able to show them good reasons for the delay, It wag for the well-being of the party to which they belonged, in view of the radical changes in contemplation by that party, that there should not be a, free and lir.sty expression of individual opinion, as such might tend to embarrass the action of their leaders before they had matured their policy, and had an opportunity Qf laying it before tha

country. He would not enter into a detailed explanation of his ideas of what the future policy of the Government ought to be; but he would leave it to the electors to elicit explanations with regard to his conduct by putting questions. He entered fully reasons which led to his opposition to the late Government, and hi? adhereiice to Sir George Grey's administration, and ' .stated that he Would have adhered to any party which had for its object the ousting of the Atkinson. Ministry. He succinfcly gave his reasons for his actions during last session. „ He briefly referred to the abandonment of Provincialism and the institution of the County system. The Atkinson Government had violated party obligations by inducing members of the Opposition to take office . under them, and they exhibited a decided tendency to bestow on holders of property superior advantages, to the detriment of the majority of the population of the Colony. Favoritism was shown ■ in their native policy to capitalists, and if the late Government had been unopposed it was plain that the principal part of the Colonial estate would sooner or later- rail into tlie hands of capitalists. The late Government could find no supporters for the Native Land Bill introduced by Mr. Wiiitaker, because its provisions were so flagrant. He pointed out cases to exemplify what he meant, some, of which had formed tlie subjects of debate in the House during previous sessions, and which showed that the late Government tvero alive to the benefits to be derived from a proper administration of- the native lands and the acquirement of them by bona fide settlers. He briefly stated what he thought sho.uld be the future policy of the present Government, ?vn?l said that he trusted that the preseut Government would introduce a measure next session to geovire the proper administration, of the lands of the Colony. The questions of liberalising the franchise and amending the present system of local government called for careful consideration. Hasty legislation on these subjects would only tend to confusion and delay. With regard to the first-mentioned, if it were pressed to an issue, he would, in a measure, support Sir George Grey's opinions, _ Having briefly alluded to the discrepancies which existed in the representation of tlie Colony, he thanked the electors for the patience with which they had listened to him, and for the confidence they reposed in him as their representative, Mr. Shrimski said, after the able address of his colleague, who had treated upon almost every subject, there was little left for him to say. He would, however, do his best, and if he failed to make himself as clear as lie could desire, he trusted that they would remember that all were not equally gifted. What he viewed as of more importance than speaking was faithful performance of duty. The first question was the Piako swamp transaction, which had been sold to the Auckland land ring for ss. per acre, 2s. Qd. per acre being refunded to enable them to improve their own property. Sir George Grey used every endeavour to prevent the sale, but it was carried by the casting vote of'the Speaker. Members would not have voted for the sale had they not pledged themselves to do so. Had they opposed it the Atkinson Government would have been ousted, and the Abolition Act would not have been passed. The old system of selling large blocks of land had defrauded the revenue and deprived the people of their rights. The Provinces of Marlborough (a povertystricken place) and Nelson voted for abolition because they had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Oiraterbur-y supported abolition because they were promised a renewal of the pastoral licenses. (A voice : The effects of electing squatters.) The Government had introduced numerous Bills, few of which were of any service and the majority of which were rejected. He alluded to the Walca Maori libel case. The paper was printed and conducted by the Government, at the expense of the Colony, to educate the native mind ; but it was only fit for children. It was, however, occasionally 'used by the Government to libel their opponents, and the libel on the Hon. H. Russell cost tlie country L6OOO. This was not one of the legitimate functions of a paternal Government. He would have supported the late Government if they had acted honestly. He' alluded to the Settlement Works Advances Bill, whioh asked the House for L 50,000 to subsidise County Councils. Had this passed, there would have been a fine scramble amongst such men as Wiiitaker and Ormond. The Charitable Institutions Bill was an unfair measure, and was rejected. The Native Lands Bill was drafted by Mr. Wiiitaker in true lawyer's style, It read very nicely, but one clause had a sting in it, viz., that which empowered natives to borrow money for surveys and fencing. Of course, the rich men would make advances, and then step in at the right moment and take the land. In accordance with a motion of Mr. Ballance, the Bill was withdrawn. It was strange that the sanle Government should have subsequently introduced the Native Lands Suspension Bill, which would have had the effect of stopping all transactions in native lands for twelve months. This measure also came to grief. He alluded to Mr. Woolcock's motion on the incidence of taxation. That motion was supported by about two-thirds of the House. Major Atkinson was in an awkward fix, because he had already stated that there was no lieoessity for direct taxation : and to get over the difficulty, Mr. Bowen moved that a Bill should be brought in during the succeeding session to alter the incidence of taxation, which was agreed to. After 10 days' debate on the Waka Maori question, Mr, Larnach brought forward a motion expressing dissatisfaction at the action of the Government with reference to that question. The motion was lost, and the same gentleman then moved a direct vote of want of confidence, which was carried by four votes. Major Atkinson then moved a vote of no confidence. The scene in the House was anything but creditabla. Major Atkinson was indignified and insulting, and was beaten. He moved a second- motion to the same effect, and was again beaten. The speaker alluded to the Governor's breach of privilege case. He had voted against the land fund be-, coming Colonial revenue in opposition to his colleague, Mr. Hislop, because he had promised to do so ; but ho thought that it was for the benefit of the Colony that tlie land fund should be made Colonial revenue. He had opposed the re-arrange-ment of ministerial salaries, because lie felt that ministers could not uphold their

dignity on less than LIOOO a year. He said that if any man was independent in in the House, he was. He would favour a redistribution of seats and a land tax. He differed with his colleague on the franchise. He believed that the franchise was liberal enough, and that if a man had not a vote it was generally because he did not register. He did not approve of men having a vote who had no stake in the country. With regard to education, he believed in making the landowners pay a fair proportion of the expenses incidental thereto. An educational system should be devoid of any religious element, and although the Catholics disapproved of the present measure because of its secularism, lie hoped that they would some day alter their opinions. In conclusion, lie said that although six months' residence in Wellington entailed considerable expense and trouble, if the electors were satisfied with his endeavours in their interests he was willing to continue to represent them. At the conclusion of their speeches Messrs. Hislop and Shrimski were loudly applauded. The Chairman asked whether any gentleman wished to put any questions to the speakers. After a considerable pause Mr. Bremner said that as no one seemed inclined to interrogate their representatives he would propose a vote of confidence in them, and that they be thanked for their addresses ; also, that the meeting unanimously approves Jof their support of the Grey Ministry. This was seconded, and carried by acclamation ; and, after a vote of thanks having beeu accorded to the chair, the meeting, which was very unanimous, concluded.