MR JAMES MACANDREW AT PORT CHALMERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2240, 22 May 1880, Page 2

MR JAMES MACANDREW AT PORT CHALMERS.

Mr James Macandrew, M.H.R., addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents in the Forester’s Hall, Port Chalmers, last evening - . Mr Murray (Mayor of Port Chalmers) presided. Mr Macandrew stated that ho had convened the meeting in accordance witli a promise made that ho would address his constituents during the recess. He then proceeded to refer to the work of the past session. The Property Tax Bill he condemned in the severest terms. Ho had opposed it at every stage, as a Bill which was unjust'in its operation, and which would bo detrimental to the best interests of the colony, strangling enterprise within it, and keeping capital away from it. It was a measure so' utterly uncalled for and iniquitous that the people, in their own defence, had a right to use every means at their disposel in opposing it, and he trusted they would oppose it successfully, If the revenue was insufficient, and additional taxation to meet the interest on money expended on public works was necessary, then those who had benelittcd should pay. Economy in administration was necessary on the one hand, and a land tax was reasonable and expedient on the other. The Liberal party had been betrayed by certain Auckland members, but although temporarily defeated they were not dismayed, and they did not envy the present position of Ministers. The country was at present in a most embarassing condition, and for this the misrule of the selfish conservative clique in office might be thanked. Had the late Government continued in office they would not have delegated their functions to Royal Commissions, but they should have spent one million and a half on reproductive works, instead of sending it out of the country to pay the moneylenders in England. It would have been a good thing for New Zealand if the five million loan had missed fire. He did not deny that the late Government had to a certain extent forestalled that loan, but it had not stopped necessary bridges and roads to construct others in favored districts. He thought the administration of the law should be simplified, and speaking of the land laws, he considered that the deferred payments system was a mistake. He was in favor of giving any married man ten acres, and the rest, if more was required, should be paid for in cash. Retrenchment and not oppressive taxation such as the Government proposed was what the colony required. The colony was now realising the bitter fruits of substituting central rule with its expensive red tape for the local government enjoyed under the provincial system. They had been bribed by the promise of subsidies to part with their liberties, and now these permanent endowments were about to to cease. After all it might be better that they should terminate, for under the present system the people -were merely receiving in subsidies the money they contributed, less fifty percent lost in the Government sweating process. To show the unfairness of the property tax, he contended that Otago alone would contribute more than the North Island.

In reply to questions, Mr Macanclrcw said ho considered the G overnment had done wrong in introducing the nine hours’ system of labor in the railways. Ho considered school fees should be reimposed. The proposal to have a central penal settlement at Hayward’s Point he considered impracticable, prison labor being in demand in all parts of the colony. He thought all money required by the Government should bo borrowed within the colony. The limit of borrowing should be the extent to which reproductive public works could be carried out. A million and a half might be profitably expended in such works.

Mr Macandrew was well received, and had an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr Reid and seconded'by Mr Innes.