N.Z. REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 331, 21 December 1880, Page 2

N.Z. REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Mr Joyce, speaking to a resolution brought up at the monthly meeting ot the above assoektion, held in Invercargill on Dec. 6, viz, “ that it is the opinion of this meeting that letters should be forwarded to the various Liberal Reform Associations throughout New Z-aland, asking their co-operation in petitioning the Governor, Sir A. Gordon, to summon a meeting of Parliament at the earliest possible date, to consider the very disastrous consequences to the colony that have followed upon the intimation of the policy of the Hall Ministry that is to say, the imposition of a praperty tax,” said no doubt the motion would provoke derision in some quarters, but a match would light a fire, and their action might have the effect of causing kindred associations throughout the colony to take steps in the direction suggested. If the matter were taken up, the Governor would, he thought, have several reasons that would amply warrant him in calling Parliament together. For one thing the people had never had an opportunity of comparing Sir George Grey’s policy with that of the Hall Government, who had managed to obtain office without placing their policy in plain teims before the country. The public had no clear idea of the effect of the coming into'power of the Reaction ury-Conser vat i ve- Land- S h arking- B ank-of-New- Z eal and-Money- Lending-P awubroking crowd. The land tax had been collected, but the machinery required for it did not at all approach the army of officials employed in connection with the property tax, and the people would presently more strongly than ever realise what had happened. Many members of the Assembly might be influenced by their constituents, and, in the event of Parliament being called together, resolve to retrace the steps they had taken, and throw over insiduously—a policy of darkness and secrecy that was only allowed to see the light as its holders felt they had power to give effect to it. It was slightly out of place in that connection, but a good illustration of the way in which the Government unfolded their policy was afforded by their action in dealing with local railway matters. The public mind was now in that state that it would hail with pleasure the prospect of a reversal of the policy of the Hall Government, upon whom such pressure might be brought to bear as would induce them, if not to retrace their steps, to fake an appeal to the country. Speaking at Timaruthe other day Mr E. Wakefield was reported to have said that he “ trusted that the day was not far distant when he would take part in the repeal of the Property Tax.” This, from one who might be described as a hanger-on of the ministry, and taken in conjunction with the utterances of the Ministerial press, made it very evident that the property tax sat heavily on the shoulders of a great many supporters of the Government. They would like to get rid of it, but had not reached the length of wishing to do so in a constitutional way. They hated the sin, but rather liked the sinners. It suited their purpose best to have the Hall Government in power, no matter how the people, as a whole, were treated. Another reason why the Governor might comply with a petition asking to have Parliament brought together, was to be found in the continued imprisonment of a number of Maoris—-a- subject which had been brought up iir the Imperial Parliament by Mr Bradl|Ugh, ;.afiav:on which it was possible His Excellency might have had instructions from, the

British G.vernraent. It was difficult to say at what point the Home Government would feel called upon to interfere* where they would draw the line of inter-: ference and non interference, but it seemed to him (Mr Joyce) that the line would be about crossed by the continued imprisonment of a number of the Maori people, who were peculiarly under the protection ’of the British Government, and not absolutely under the control of the Colonial Parliament. Sir A.' Gordon might possibly-think this mattor of sufficient importance to justify him in calling Parliament together. With regard to the Otago waste lands it was not likely that they would be a factor in the question, although it would be of interest at the next election, inasmuch as the future treatment of a large area of country now held in runs would have to be decided. The subject had been ably treated by Mr De Latour, who had been snubbed by the Minister for Lands, Mr Rolleston. His treatment by the latter might be regarded as a compliment, for the only answer that Mr Bolleston, who prided himself on being a gentleman, could make, was to be rude, and pretend that there was nothing in Mr De Latour’s speech. To observers the affair showed that Mr De Latour was much better fitted for the office than its present occupant. The motion was also supported by Messrs Mackay, Whitelord, and Wilson, the last-named expressing curiosity as to the cause of the continued inaction of the Southland members. Here people were leaving the district ; money was being taken out of it, and the railway workshops were being closed, while in Dunedin several thousands were to be expended in enlarging the workshops, and 150 men were to be taken on after the holidays. What were the Southland members doing ? Nothing. Were they hangers-on of the Ministry or were they without influence ? If they would no t look after the interests of the dis-. trust, then they should retire and giveplace to those who would. The resolution on being put was. carried unanimously.