MR LEVIN BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Patea Mail, 26 April 1881, Page 4

MR LEVIN BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Mr Levin addressed the electors ol Wellington on Friday night. He attributed the barren results of last session to the weakness of the Government in introducing and abandoning bills, and to the waste of time by the opposition in useless talk. Approved of the licensing and hospital bills, and also Mr Stevens charitable endowment bill. Hid not considar that population should be the basis of representation. Considered the Colony liuancially sound, and well able, with thrift and prudence, to meet all claims. Eulogised the Government for their retrenchment efforts. Defended the propel ly tax as superior to land or income tax, and denied that it drove capital from the colony, citing the present abundance of cheap money in pioof. He highly approved of the West Coast Commission, and while regretting the retirement of Mr Bryce, was glad the Government had not taken his advice about Parihaka. Believed the cost of education could be reduced without impairing the efficiency of the system. Would alter the age for compulsory teaching, and stop free teaching at the fourth standard, having one school in each district to teach the fifth and sixth standards on payment of a small fee by those able to pay it. Did not believe in indiscriminate settlement of people on land, but would do all in his power to place suitable men on land capable of supporting them. He strongly urged the importance of the West Coast railway, saying that no doubt Parliament would give liberal encouragement in land concession, if the people themselves raised £50,000 to iloat the company. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation.