Mr Gannon at Wairoa.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1007, 3 December 1881, Page 2

Mr Gannon at Wairoa.

[Br Telegraph.]

Wairoa, December 2.

Mr M. J. Gannon addressed the electors in the County Hall last Wednesday evening, over 100 persons being present. He spoke extremely well, and was listened to attentively. He announced himself a supporter of the presant Government on the grounds of careful administration and vigorous retrenchment. Mr Gannon dwelt at great length on taxation, approving of the Property Tax under the Amendment Act, as it touched absentees and bank corporation companies. He was opposed to the Income Tax and the Land Tax ; also a return to Provincialism, and approved of the County system with extended powers. He supported the principal of rating Native and Crown Lands in Cook County, as three fourths of the land did not contribute to the revenue, the same in Wairoa. He attacked Captain Porter’s proposal for settlement, and advocated a deduction of the rates from the annual rents, such to remain a lien on the land till dealt with. Touching the land question, he spoke at great length in regard to the position of that question in Great Britain, detailing the effects on this district through the operation of the 17th clause of the Act of 1867, illustrating his remarks by referring to the Pouawa Block. He advocated a measure to enable shares to be cut out during the currency of the lease. He referred to the Land Company, and Mr Rhodes seeking to acquire large areas to lock up the land against the poor man. He attacked Mr. Locke as being a shareholder in that Company, and interested in its speculations. Mr. Locke had a sneaking regard for the Company, and he (Gannon) considered that gentleman’s connection with it discreditable. Mr Locke said that shares had been pressed on him, but the fact was, Mr Locke said when the Company was floated, he would take a plank and float with it. Mr Locke said he merely took shares to watch the Company, and see what they were up to. They should have gone openly about it, not as a spy, or a decoy duck to draw the Sydney speculators. After touching on the deferred payment system, Mr Gannon concluded, and received a vote of thanks.