MR LEACH AT MILFORD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 704, 1 December 1881, Page 3

MR LEACH AT MILFORD.

Mr David Leach addressed an orderly and attentive meeting in the sehooJhouse, Milford, on Monday evening last, Mr B. Tuner was voted to the chair, ■who introduced Mr Leach to the meeting, and requested a patient hearing for him. Mr Leach explained the reason's winch had induced him to come forward, and said that he represented the laboring classes. He was of opinion that land should be taxed heavier than any other property, because the land was stationary and continually augmenting in value, whereas other property depreciated in value. Regarding education he thought it was costing the country by far too much, since the cost per annum amounted to i. 3 7s per head. He would take away Government aid from the High Schoo'a, because poor people could not afford to send their children there, though having to pay towards their support. The present buildings could be used for a somewhat similar purpose, but without further assistance from the Government He also thought that people who educated their own children should receive capitation money from the Government. He said that Government should not allow large capitalists to buy up largo tracts of land as a speculation to hold until it increased in value, but that free selectors, hona fide, settlers, should be allowed to take up from 50 to 500 acres each, on a 21 years’ lease, paying per cunt per annum on with a purchasing clause at the end of 21 years. By this means £7.000,000 wnuldhe [secured to the colony at the end of the said term. He thought the present Bankruptcy Act a most unfair and unequal one. made only for the rich, and pressing on the poor. With regard to Resident Magistrates’ Courts, ho thought a Magistrate should go round once a month to try the heavier cases, and the local Justices of the Peace should settle the smaller ones. He stigmatised the Upper House as u useless boidy, had reje t>-d many good laws. He was aot in f‘vur o; an elective Governor, but would IB vn one-as at present, a connecting Imk vilii the oid Country. Replying t-. he said he w«a ia favor of ,£re*i

education to ascertain extent; would give capitation to Volm teers; would oppose the H .11 Ministry ; was not brought forward by Mr Wak tic id, whose p. litical opponent he had always been ; he most alrenu.'Usly denied having anything to do with Mr Wakefield ; favored an income raiber than a property tax. Numerous other, questions were asked, all of which were answered by the speaker. On the motion of Mr Martin Dunn, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Leach for h:s attendance and speech A little harmless fun was indulged in during the meeting, but any sytm tern of rowdyism was quickly suppressed. As the meeting was dispersing, however, outside the school grounds, a perfect shower of rotten eggs was thrown at the candidate, to his great annoyance and disc nnfort. Several al»o hit persons who had been attending the meeting.