PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 477, 4 June 1890, Page 5

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

MR BEETIIAM BEFORE HIS CON

STITUENTS,

Masterton, May 30. Mr Beetham addressed the electors at the Theatre Royal last evening. He gave a lengthy explanation of the causes of his eighteen months’ absence from New Zealand. In the course of his address he referred to the adequate representation of the colony at the Paris Exhibition. He was glad to see the Crown Lands Trust Bill had been passed, but thought a Charitable Aid Bill was an iniquitous one. He was also pleased to note the substantial progress made by the colony generally during his absence, and thought this was due to the thrifty habits of the colonists. He did not think the shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand had cause for fear. He advocated the immediate and profitable expenditure of the loan fund. It was gratifying to find an increase of exports and imports. The flax market he had no doubt would again harden. The cause of the fall was principally the introduction of an inferior article into the London market. The people of New Zealand were insured twice as much as any other country in the world. The debt on the colony, he contended, was caused to a largo extent by the native wars and defence works. He considered the Representation Bill a fair one, as there was too much tack and too little work in the House. The Rabbit Act made provision for the destruction of tho pest. Ho congratulated the colony upon the successful working of the railways, but would not like to see them sold. He was opposed to the special form of borrowing suggested by Mr Fergus, and did not care for the opening up of Crovyn lands by means of debentures. He would like to see more money spent on educational buildings, and favoured tho placing of a sum of money on the estimates for immigration. He was ac? corded a unanimous vote of thanks,