PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 476, 31 May 1890, Page 5

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

AIR T. THOMPSON AT THE TEAIPEKANCE HALL.

Auckland, May 24. Mn Tnos. Thompson, AI.H.R. for Auckland North, addressed his constituents at tire Temperance Hall last evening. There was a small attendance c.f electors, owing to the large number of counter attractions. Air J. J. Holland occupied the chair. Mr Thompson, who was received with applause, reviewed the work of tl e last session in his opening remarks. Several Bills of great importance, he said, were introduced, bub had to be dtopped because the electors had not an opportunity of expressing their views thereon. Representation Bill No. 2, over which there was such a fight, meant that 75 men in the country would have equal representation with 100 men in the town. The city representatives were in a minority and they were compelled to stonewall the Bill, this being done with considerable success. An appeal was made to tho Government to see that no injustice was done to the city constituencies, bub without any good result, and the Premier indicated that if no compromise were arrived at, the city would fare badly when the Bill got into Committee. The city representatives recognised that the majority must rule, and eventually compromised with the country part}*, so that the Bill was made applicable to all towns having a population of two thousand anil upwards. L'uring the passage of the Bill through Committee Sir George Grey got rid of plural voting, and at the next general election they would have a? the outcome what was known as “ One man one vote.”

THE HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AIDS BILL,

which had to be withdrawn, owing to the opposition of country members, was a very good measure, and he regretted that it had to bo dropped. It was apparent in the early part of the session that the Government were weak, and that in times of emergency they would find a difficulty in commanding a working majority. He (Mr Thompson) had given a general support to the Government. Ho had fullfilled his promise to oppose them in reference bo the property tax. During the session there were two votes of no confidence ; but as they felt that they could nob improve upon the AJinistry, it was considered unwise to remove them at these junctures. Thero were two NO CONFIDENCE AIOTIONS, one of which arose out of the HislopChristie affair, and the other out of the Property Assessment Act, granting certain concessions under the property tax to machinery. This latter was met by an amendment proposed by Air Aloss — “That the property tax is unfair in its incidence, harassing in its effects, and an obstacle to the progress of the country.” He (Mr Thompson) voted in favour of that amendment and against the Government, but in consequence of the Otago Central log-rolling, the Government carried their point by a majority of four. On this question the Auckland members who voted in favour of AJr Moss’s amendment were Alessrs Cadman, Fraser, Goldie, Lawry, Alonk, Taiwbanga, T. Thompson, Withy and Sir George Grey. If three or four other Auckland members had voted with them, the result would have been different. (Applause.) The

OTAGO CENTRAL BILL had also been opposed by him, as it was only part of a scheme to advance the trust funds of the colony towards ascheme which the House had already decided against. Referring to the Macandrew vote Air Thompson said that the deceased was a very popular man in the House and one fur whom he had very great respect, but lie voted against this proposal. Great pre-surc w’as brought to bear on the opponents of the vote, so that eventually only seven members voted against it, including live Auckland members. With regard to the incidence of taxation he disapproved strongly of the proposal to impose additional taxes on tea and sugar, and pfgcd that whatever further taxaticp tjiey had should be taken out of the land, without taxing the farmer on improyemepts. It had been argued that the poor man djd nob pay property lax, bub it had beep clearly shown that the consumer not only paid it once but frequently t\vice ovep. Tbepe wqs nothing acting more injuriously against thp interests of the colony than the prppepty tax, and ho recognised it as one of the burning questions of the ensuing session. SELLING THE RAILWAYS,

There werp some who favoured a reduction of taxation by the sale of our railways, and to this proposal he was most strenuously opposed, the railways being the only good asset we have, (Applause.) Moreover, if the railways were sold the twelve or fourteen millions realised would probably be squandered instead of being utilised in reducing the co’onial debt. He disapproved of the manner in which the railways were being worked, but felt that if they were disposed of by the Government they would make a very serious mistake. Mr Thompson referred, by the way, to the Onehunga Railway Wharf bungle, and remarked upon the fact that this arbitrary step appeared to have been taken by two of the Commissioners w’ithout the knowledge of Mr McKerrow. It was therefore apparent that Mr Maxwell was still “ the power behind'the throne.” RETRENCHMENT. Mr Thompson thought there was room for'a great deal of retrenchment in the reduction of high salaried officers of the Civil Service, and in the amalgamation of offices held by those receiving smaller salaries. Ho' would be very ' loth to ‘ infer 1 fere 'wifih tRe education vote ‘ jf if’ \yoffld interfere’ Aydfl the present sysfepi, and hp' thought that economy, if necessary, should be made by making secondary education self-supporting. In conclusion, he urged that no efforts should be spared to get rid of the property tax, and that persons who now' held large tracts of land for speculative purposes should bp compelled either to part with them or tp put them to some productive purposes. FEDERATION, ETC, He thought it unwise at present for New Zealand to federate with the Australian colonies. (Applause.) As to the proposed Postal Union, recognising the prospect of possible heavy losses arising therefrom, he was not prepared to give it his support. (Applause.) When the colony could bear a reduction of postal rates he thought the reductions should be made inside of the colony. RAILWAY AFFAIRS. He had opposed the Railway Servants’lnsurance Bill, and after the feeling of the , employees had been ascertained, it was . dropped. • The ■ railway employees were nowmaking a demand ?fot increased pay and ’shorter hours of laboul',* arid in this ir.st&nce he thbughb' thei Commissioners werri acting unwisely. The men were cndea\ouring'to receive' 4 lair • remun'-' eration and a 1 reasonable limit, to a day’s

work, and the Commissioners might very well come down from their high pedestal and meet the men. IMPECUNIOUS LOCAL BODIES.

Alluding bo tho impecuniosity of certain local bodies, notably the New Plymouth and Gisborne Harbour Boards, Mr Thompson said an attempt would no doubt be made to get the indebtedness of these bodies saddled on the Government. If this were done, they would have other local bodies repudiating their indebtedness, and the whole would become saddled upon the colony. These were matters between the borrower and the lender, and he thought that if the borrower failed to pay interest the lender should be left to pursue his remedy in tho ordinary course. (Applause.) NORTH ISLAND CENTRAL.

During next session an attempt would be made to work the Wellington Central scheme with the Otago Central, and, if necessary, he thought it would be the duty of the Auckland members to join with the Canterbury men in opposing any such combination. Mr Thompson also referred in gratifying terms to the signs of prosperity shown throughout the coluny during the last few years in increased production and increased settlement on the land. The expenditure out of loan had been reduced by two-thirds during the last year, and he felt confident that with careful financing they would shortly be able to bring about a reduction of taxation. All that was requiied was a restoration of confidence in the colony, which could be greatly assisted by the repeal of the property tax, and he would use his utmost endeavour to bring about this much-to-be-desired reform. He would still advocate retrenchment, and would oppose iner. ased taxation through the Customs on the necessaries of life. (Applause.) On the motion of Ivlr J. R. Cross, seconded by Mr J. Alason, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr Thompson, unanimously and by acclamation, and proceedings were brought to a close with a ole of thanks to the Chairman.