POST-SESSIONAL ADDRESS. MR FRANK LAWRY AT OTAHUHU.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 411, 16 October 1889, Page 4

POST-SESSIONAL ADDRESS. MR FRANK LAWRY AT OTAHUHU.

Auckland, October 11. Mr Frank Lawry, M.H.R., is usually one of ,the first members in the Auckland district, in fact in the colony, to .give his constituents an account of the session of Parliament when it is over. Last evening he addressed a fairly large mooting of his Franklin North constituents in the Otahuhu Hall, to give an account of the proceedings of the sesfion just past. Mr James Atkinson was elected Chairman. The Chairman said that it was hardly necessary to introduce Mr Lawry to his audience, as he was so well known to all of them. He would no doubt have something interesting to tell them, and would be sure to have a patient hearing. Mr Lawry on rising was rrceived with applause. He said that his audience would no doubt remember that he had promised to give them after every session an. early account of the proceedings. In performance of that promise he now appeared beforo them. Ho shared the disappointment general throughout the colony that the past had been a very barren session. If New Zealand was ever to take its proper position among tho nations it would be in spite of. not because of legislation. Some might be disappointed at the qualified support given by him to the Government during the session. But at last election the question was between extravaganco of the Stout-Vogel administration and tho economy proposed by Sir If. Atkinson's party. He was a representative and no delegate, being merely pledged to economy. Sir R Stout fell because he said there could be no reduction in expenditure, and another Minister fell from the bame cause. Mr Bryce fell, though he was an apostle of economy, and other leaders also fell. So far as the speaker was concerned, the only choice of leaders was between Sir H. Atkinson and Sir O. Grey, and as Sir Harry was the apostle ot economy, he chose him as his leader, and ho had kept to that policy. For himself he could say that ho had faithfully attended to his duties, never being absent for an hour from the precincts of the Parliament buildings when business was on. He always had tho courage of his opinions. All this was very hard work. He voted often against the Government, but only when he thought they were wrong. But when it was a choice between the Government and the Opposition he always would side with the former. It was no use to attack the Estimates in detail. The only way was for a number of members to band together, and demand a general reduction. There was too much room for local feeling on questions of detai\ That was the course he should alwaysadopt for the future. His reafcon tor seconding the address in reply, though only a qualified supporter of Government, was that Mr Humphreys, who had just gained a signal victory for the Government side, and who should have seconded the a idress, was ill. He had only seconded it on condition of being allowed to act the candid friend, and he did act that friend. He had spoken against the property tax and the Hare system. He objected to the lattei system because he thought that not the be^t but the most popular men would be elected. He denounced also the charitable aid proposals of the Government, but he was thoioughiy pleased with their land system. He had supported the village settlement scheme of the late Government, because it broke through red-tapeism. Land monopoly is now virtually killed, because the present Government made il ea&y for poor men to obtain land under the perpetual lease system, and the country is being rapidly settled. The Government had declared that they would go further in destroying land speculation fostered by auction sales, and had introduced the ballot system. But the dummy system came in and again the Government stepped in and stopped it by making occupation a condition ot obtaining the deed. Though very little good had been done during the session, the Auckland members had prevented a good deal of harm. They had prevented the tru3t funds from being used in making certain harbour*. (Applnuse. ) They had also prevented such funds as the land rent* trom being used for the Otago Central. He had been sin prised at Mr Ballance advocating this measure and then voting against it. From that period he lost faith in Mr Ballance. The Auckland members had also assisted the Government from departing f«*om the principle of reduction of members. (Applause.) Mobt of the hearers were aware of the National Exhibition to be held at Dunedin soon. At first he was inclined to oppo-e the vote of £10,000 for this Exhibition, but considering the benefits likely to accrue, the Auckland members let it pass. They had, however, opposed the vote ot £1,000 for the Governor to entertain at the Exhibition, because they considered it a luxury. Mr Lawry then referred to the representation stonewall. To a certain extent he had been with the country party, for he thought some consideration should bo shown to outside districts, owing to their disadvantages. Town people could come together at once and make their opinions felt. A town member had only one meeting to attend to meet all his people ; a country member had to go over a large extent of country. But when towns like Nelson were, for party purpose?, included among the country districts, he opposed the party. He soon found there was something deeper than the question of quota. He found there was a sort of collusion between town and country members to upset the reduction of members. He had done all he could to keep our education system intact. It is the only direct advantage the ppople receive for their taxation. li> really cost nothing, for the education of the children was an advantage to the whole people, and the cost to each man of educating his children would be as great as it is at present. But he thought some reduction might be made, especially in the salaries of teachers, without impairing the system. There are a large number of small schools, and they cost a deal, but it would bo a gross injustice to deprive these small places of education. It was the large salaries that ought to be cut down. He did not sympathiso with the cry of over-education. No child was made worse by proper education. He should like to see secondary education, but unfortunately secondary education is now really class education. During next session a Bill will be introduced to import into our system a Bill to provide for Bible-reading in schools, but he should always oppose such proposals. (Hear, hear. ) He could see no use in parrot reading of the Bible in schools in the old country, but it was especially bad here owing to uhe diversity of opinions held by tho parents of tho children in our schools. Reading without explanation would only make the thing ridiculous. In regard to the Cemetery Bills he had opposed allowing cemeteries being established close to boroughs, as in the cases of Devonport and Onehunga. Cemeteries should be kept as far as possible from the centres of population. > lit regard to tho Naval and Military Settlers Bill be regretted exceedingly that Major Jackson

was not alive to sco the results of his labours in obtaining for tho brave men who had fought for their country, the reward of their services. Claims couU be sent into the Commissioner of Crown Landa,' Auckland, up to December, 1890.. He would now refer to the railway question. A Railway Refoim League had been established in Auckland, but he was afraid that it had no chance of doing any good. He had voted for the Railway ' Commissioners Bill, in the hope of getting rid of Mr Maxwell ; but Mr Maxwell was atill there. He defied every Parliament, defied the Ministers of Public Works, and detied public opinion. And now he was above them all and could do as he liked. He went Home at the country's expense to see other systems and came back saying that ours was the best. It that was so, "Cod help the other countries." Our railways should be made to pay, and not be made charitable institutions as proposed by Mr Vaile. They should not, however, be made taxing machines. In regard to the question ot voting he was pleased to state that the principal of " one man, one vote " had at last been carried. He believed in the rights of property, but in the old style it was the speculators who had the extra votes. Another matter affecting his electorate was the question of the control over Mount Richmond. , He was happy to state that it was brought under the frovisions of the Domains Act, and on the Domain Board Orahuhu would havo its fair representation. The expected surplus was a matter of congratulation because it would lead to a good feeling outside, but he could hardly regard it with satisfaction. The surplus would ari«e through grinding taxation. Ho should like tosee further economy and lees taxation. He voted with his whole heart for Mr Moss's amentment so far as it went figainst the property tax, for he believed that tax a curse to the country. The surplus simply showed that the people were law-abiding and that the resources of the country were great. He would vote against any proposal to increase the debt of the country. In regard to the late inclusion of Captain Russell in the Ministry, he considered him a high-minded, honourable gentleman, who has the courage of his opinions, though he (the speaker) could not aeree with all those opinions. His accession to the ranks of the Ministry would have the effect of strengthening it by consolidating the free traders on behalf of the Government ; besides, Captain Russell's honest desire for economy would cover a multitude of sins, although for various reasons it would not socure a poporfcionate strength for tho Ministry |in the country. He had voted auainst I Mr Ballance's motion for dissolution because its only purpose was to haras.-, the Government, e\erybody knowing that it had no i show of success. Moreover, Mr Ballance's object was, as he said, to give the country an opportunity of reversing its decision on the question of the number of members. He would not allow himsolf to be made a I tool of by Mr Ballance. In conclusion ho begged to lhank the electors for the high compliment they had paid him in never asking him to stultify himself in any way. He had never been asked to work any little jobs — he had always been supported when he was doing what was right. Possibly at next redistribution of seats Otahuhu would be included in the Manukau electorate, but whether ho was a candidate for their suffrages or not he would always remember their kindness. He should now be happy to answer any questions. Jn reply to one interrogation, Mr La wry said he was not certain what electorate he should stand for in next Parliament. He was rather partial to the name Franklin North. On the motion of Mr Brown, seconded by Mr Dixon, a vote of thinks and confidence to Mr Lawry was unanimously carried. A vote of thanks to tho chair, on the motion of Mr Lawry, was carried witli acclamation.