CAPTAIN PORTER at Gisborne.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 999, 15 November 1881, Page 3

CAPTAIN PORTER at Gisborne.

Captain Pobter addressed the electors in McFarlane’s Hall last night. The building was crowded, and Mr. Townley occupied the chair. After a few remarks, Captain Porter rose, amidst much, cheering, and said Mr. Chairman and gentlemen : I feel the responsibility of my position, but never felt more desire to please my audience. I start the campaign under disadvantages, and for that reason I shall strive the more to do so. I feel undaunted. But though the subject be a dry one, I shall do my best to lay down principles which I trust will be agreeable to you. 1 shall endeavor to avoid personal matters, and confine myself to pointing out some of the general questions of the day. I may not be qualified to speak accurately upon the public questions of the day; but I shall do my best. I may say I am a supporter of the present Ministry. (Applause). When this Government took office the country was in a state of impecuniosity, and it is to the currency of the ministration of the Hall Ministry that this is due. They have brought forth a satis-* factory result, and have retrieved the Colony’s credit in the opinion of the world. If we fly off from the Government in the hour of our need, it will be a cutthroat policy, which would not be commendable.

I look upon the questions of Conservatism and Liberalism as undefinable ; but we must be Liberals in these Colonies, and cast off our homespun notions of Conservatism. Liberalism I look upon as giving every man a voice in the government of the Colony.

With regard to our Native Lands, and the settlement of titles, I find that the very ambiguity of the laws is a matter of complication. There are 50 Acts made in 40 years, all bearing on the same question, Solicitors conflict by quoting these laws, and it is impossible to unravel them. I propose to abolish these fallacies, and that extended powers be given to the judges. That quarterly sittings be made on circuit, Registration Officers appointed, and a register kept, so that public information can be had in order to simplify matters. I should object to a resident judge, but that he be migratory. Captain Porter explained, at length, his views as to the delegation of the Fraud’s Commissioners' powers to the Registrars, which he thought would do away with the individual contention we find so often to impede business.

With regard to the rating of Native Lands, I think the time has come when these lands must be rated. The Bill introduced by the Government was very unfair. The Government said we will assess the land and pay the rates until Europeans buy it, and then make it a first charge on the purchase, the consequence was that it would be a bar to purchase and settlement. The difficulty is how to arrive at , a solution of the difficulty. I propose that an officer should ascertain the area of the tribal estate in each district, whose duty it should be to ascertain the particulars of each block. The Government say that the Europeans shall be first liable. Under the present system, lessees pay 10 per cent, to the Land Fund on the rental value. But I propose to add another 5 per cent., making 15 per cent, payable to the Land Fund, 5 per cent, of which will be repaid to the district in which it is levied, by empowering the lessee to deduct it from the rents accruing to the native lessors. As- an illustration of the revenue that would accrue to this district under my proposal, I would quote the following:—

The total area of the electorate comprising Cook and Wairoa Counties is 2,535,353 acres, divisible as follows : —Cook County-—-Government laud, 422,413 acres, which assessed at 6d per acre rental value, would realise £512; Native land, leased, 880,995 acres, at the same rate, paying 5 per eent. to the Land Fund, would be £1,112; Native land, not leased, 525,304 acres, assessed at 3d per acre would be £2BB, making a total of £1,912 in excess of the revenue presently derivable from rates. On the same principle the Wairoa County would receive an additional sum of £569 15s over its present income. The total of the two Counties would be £2,482 15s. The Waste lands administration was a subject fraught with much interest. I am opposed to placing the control of the waste lands in any one Council, Councils, because notwithstapding the integrity of the Councillors, I feel it unwise to place power of such magnitude in their hands. I would unite the Councils of the Wairoa and Cook County, each having two members, and the Government to appoint a fifth, as Chairman. I think Mr. Rolleston’s plan to attach us to Hawke’s Bay, was a good thing, but I am not sorry the matter fell through, because I think" my plan is better. All civilised communities are interested in the land question, and I am inclined to think that the past reckless squandering of our lands has been unwise. We borrow the money to buy them with, and leave a legacy of indebtedness to posterity, therefore, it is desirable to discontinue the present system. With. regard to the settlement of our waste lands, I propose, notwithstanding local opposition, that the Government should, upon the secu-

rity of our lands, borrow from two to three millions of money at 5 per cent., and lend it to bona fide settlers at, say, 10 per cent. To pioneer settlers I w’ould give blocks free, as an inducement to settle in a new country. Settlers of this class ought to be encouraged. I would propose Boards should be established for the purpose of controlling such assistance, and see that the conditions under which they held would be observed. A settler would pay but a nominal interest, and in the course of 20 years would have an easily-acquired property, which, under other circumstances, he could not possess ; and the promotion of settlement would be greatly increased. 1 would be prepared to introduce a measure to be entitled “The Promotion of Settlements and Farmers’ Aid Bill,” and I am sure that such an Act would militate largely in favor of both the individual and the colony. I have heard it observed that in the settlement of these lauds farmers alone are considered, while artizans are overlooked. Well, I propose that provision should be made for this class, so that they may be induced to settle, and so lessen • the hardships under which they suffer. I feel this matter strongly, and am not trying to catch votes. (Applause). I now come to the question of Public Works. You are well aw’are that Sir Julius Vogel first introduced the present scheme, from w’hich our indebtedness springs. The figures are startling. The indebtedness of the Colonial Government is £30,000,000. Local bodies, £2,000,000 ; while that of banking and other money-lenders is £14,000,000, making a total of £46,000,000, as the gross debt of the Colony, taking about £3,000,000 a year out of the Colony for interest. I’he debt in New Zealand is £62 per head ; Queensland, £42 ; England, £23 ; France, £25. New Zealand thus having-the supremacy. ln*a district like this it is out of the question to expect railways, therefore, it is right to look to works of utility being established. I would support the extension of the telegraph line to Tologa Bay and to Ormond. With regard to a harbor for Poverty Bay, it was necessary that we should demand a harbor for this port. (Applause)! We have good grounds to take this position, from the natural advantages the Bay possesses. The East Coast has no harbor of refuge, and every argument is in favor of it. I look upon it as a Colonial, and not a local work. We have no right to saddle ourselves with the expense, as it would be beneficial to the general shipping interests of the whole of New Zealand. [Captain Porter explained, at somelength, the first introduction of this matter before theBorough Council, while he was Mayor] With regard to the plans made by Mr. Davis, I am certain that they were not bis, they were made from some based upon Sir John Goode’s, and were signed by Mr. Drummond. The site was further away than that where Mr. Davis undertook to build a breakwater for £50,000. I do not think the Bill introduced by Mr. McDonald was a judicious one, as it was not suitable for the requirements of the place. It would have thrown the onus of debt on our shoulders, but I think the report the Government was preparing should have been waited for. First of all the expense was to havebeen by endowments of Native land, and eventually our member undertook the expedient, aided by Mr. Rees, to have a Harbor Board, and ask for an endowment from the Government.

I have strong views on the question of Local Government which I 6eg to submit. I think the present system affords too many facilities for spending money. Nearly every session amendments of the machinery have to be made, which illustrate its imperfections. What, I think, would meet our requirements is to concentrate the privilege of spending money. We have six Boards and a County Council in this district. Each one can assess and levy rates, make roads, &e. I think- each Riding should be a Road District and each chairman would by virtue of his office, be a member of the County or Central Council. They should meet' quarterly or biannually. The Central Council should have the sole duty of assessing and levying rates, and to generally have the voting of money and governing the district; while the Road Boards should have their duty confined to the mere allocation of monies voted by the Central Council.

As to Education I shall not say much. The present system is an expensive one, and I think it bears unequally on the people, since the rich man and the poor man are alike taxed. The intention and the principle of our system may be a good one, but the expense cannot be borue. The votes for the current year are £286,616 and further since the introduction of the system, £1,500,000 had been spent in the cause of Education and for the erection of buildings, &c., since 1877. When in Napier lately I learned that the School Board for Hawkes’ Bay was short £lO,OOO. We must look into the matter, and possibly it will be entered on during the coining session. I have not looked largely into the question of the Property Tax ; but as it has a certain time to run, I propose to leave it to have a fair trial, so that we may judge of its success or otherwise. I look upon the returns necessary to be made as inquisitorial ; but, though it cannot be helped, it is objectionable.

I think the Civil Service requires remodelling, so as to remove the Civil servants from the influence of politics, and to place them less under the personal control of Ministers; and I shall do my best to give them a guarantee of promotion, and security for their old age. A Civil Service Board, composed of the chief paid heads of departments, should be appointed, to whom the matters of the Civil Service should be relegated, and generally to look to its interests. With regard to Representation, I agree to that of population as being the fairest. Manhood alone should form the basis of it, and not area. For the present the South Island has the advantage, but the North Island will soon do away with that. As to Insular Separation, I look upon it with disfavor. It is unfaix* for the South to argue in this direction ; and it is our duty to maintain the integrity of the colony. Many arguments have been adduced in regard to Free Trade, which I look upon as one most calculated to enhance the prosperity of the world. But while I am in favor of Free Trade I am willing to encourage the establishment of local industries by a small bonus, so as to give them a start —such as Tanneries, Fellmongeries, manufacturers of wines, the development of oux* Oil Springs, &c., (applause.) And xiow, gentlemen I have done. In conclusion I may say that it is my desire to remain a perfectly independent candidate. I stand here without any enmity with regard to anyone. I have no personal feeling except that of a pardonable ambition to serve you to the best of my ability. I have many faults, but I trust that my actions will be acceptable to the electors.

Captain Porter resumed, his seat amidst prolonged cheering. In reply to Mr. Cresswell, Captain Porter said his liberality had been many times given towards the Volunteers. He thought the Government should foster the volunteer movement in certain districts.

Mr. G. H. Wilson w’bo was loudly cheered, asked whether it was to Free Trade or Protection, America owed her prosperity. Mr. Wilson asked as to non-resi-dents or absentees contributing towards the revenue. Captain Porter explained that the law was so altered as to catch these absentees. As to the reserves of the public schools being taken away and given to High Schools, Captain Porter said he trusted such was not the case. Several other questions were apparently answered satisfactorily to the audience. Captain Portei* said he did not approve of the Government interfering with private enterprise, and considered that the Government Insurance was open to improvement. Mr. Wilson: Are you under the power of any bank in this place. Capt. Porter (amidst loud laughter) said he was afraid his balance was on the wrong side ; but he was not under the influence of any banking establishment. In reply to further questions CaptJ Porter said he was not in favor of a tax being put on exported wool. He said he would like to see a working man in Parliament, he was one himself, and if the working men supported him he would faithfully represent them. He thought it would have been better to have reduced the customs duty, than to have allowed the half of the Property Tax. Captain Porter was not in favor of the abolishment of the Upper House, but would be in favox* of by some system making it an elective body. In reply to Mr. J. Griffin, Captain Porter denied ever having said to the Hon. John Hall that the people of Gisborne did not want a breakwater. In reply to an elector, Capt. Porter said that the Gaming and Lotteries Act should be repealed. The peoples rights were interfered with, and he thought that if the populace were willing to risk their money, let them do it. * Mr. Ross asked if it was true Captain Porter had said he was instrumental in the abandonment of the Native Lands Rating Act. Captain Porter explained that the report was incorrect, as he was in favor of such a Bill. In reply to another question, the candidate said he thought some small consideration should be paid by parents, for their children attending school. As to the Bible being read in schools, Captain Porter emphatically said he did not believe in it, as being opposed to free and secular education. Mr. J, Somervell asked if it would not be better that the rich man should be taxed to pay for the education of the poor man’s child. Captain Porter said that already the rich man had more to pay than the poor man. Mr. Wilson again ascended the platform, but was interrupted ; after a time he asked as to how, in the matter of education, the Roman Catholic people were being treated. Captain Porter said he thought they were unfairly treated. Mr. Gould asked as to whom should be the electors fox* the members of the Upper House, and w r as answered that the candidate had not quite considered the question. Mr. Gould went on further until he at last asked something about the prerogative the Crown had enjoyed since the time* of Richard the Second,

Amidst loud laughter Captain Porter said that Mr. Gould had evidently prepared his question and had tackled him on a weak point. Captain Porter asked that neither a vote of confidence or of thanks should be passed either to himself or others, let the ballot decide between the candidates. This was accordingly done and, A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.