THE COMING SESSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 471, 14 May 1890, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION.

SIR JOHN HALL AT LEESTON. Christchurch, May 9. Sir John Hall, addressing the electors a*’ Leoston, said the new Customs taritf had given good results. Ib had stimulated local industries, as the coming census would show, and ib had yielded approximately the revenue which had been estimated. A movement was now initiated for a further increase. This he should oppose. It would unnecessarily increase the cost of living, especially to the most numerous class in the community. Ib would be unfair to the farming interest, which did not share protection. If carried, the farming interest would have a claim to bonuses on their produce exported, as was given in Victoria, which was a mistake, and a dangerous principle. The property tax had occupied the attention of Barliamenb. The Government introduced a Bill for removing some objections, but it was practically defeated by a combination of the Opposition, and some Government supporters from Auckland, where this tax was unpopular. He believed the chief reason for this unpopularity was the unreasonable valuations, too low in some cases and much too high in others. A land and income tax was suggested, which meant that land was to be taxed twice over, and personal property once. There was no reason why 40 millions of personal property should be "thus favoured. He did not like the property tax or any other tax, but it was a fair tax. Further experience of the subsidised village settlers showed that in the South they had been fairly successful ; bub in the North of Auckland, where a majority of the settlements were placed, they had nob been successful. With regard to the so-called land nationalisation, ib was either enormous robbery or enormous folly. The Railway Commissioners had succeeded in making the railways return interest at the rare of 3 per cent., which would cover a multitude of sins, bub he thought some of their changes injudicious. With a new House there would have been no doubt who possessed the confidence of the country. It, however, the elections took place in September, when the present House expired, the question must remain in doubt some time, unless a second session was held soon after the elections. He said the colony was to be congratulated on the improvement of the producing interests during the last two years. At the close of his speech a motion was unanimously carried, expressing thanks and confidence, and requesting him to become a candidate for Selwyn at the next election.