THE NATIVE MINISTER AT WAVERLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1201, 8 July 1884, Page 2

THE NATIVE MINISTER AT WAVERLEY.

The Hon John Bryce addressed a large meeting of his constituents at Waverley last Thursday night, and was received with loud cheers. From such charges as want of courtesy, of growing too big, of neglecting the material interests of the district, and of. misconduct in regard to Te Kooti and Major Itopata, vindicated himself very briefly, yet positively. He did not hold himself responsible for the vindication of the Public Works Policy, ( and he thought grave evils were likely to result from it. However, if his constituents had sustained any injury from the policy which he secretly opposed, ho was prepared to accept the punishment they inflicted upon him. He compared the railway system in 1871 with the present, the extension of which had been almost entirely defrayed by the Public Works Fund. The surplus moneys in connection with the Land Fund should be subjected to a systematic treatment. He said he introduced the Amnesty Act, and was i responsible for it entirely. Winiata’s was yt an exceptional case, as the amnesty only included political offences. He had no sympathy with the atrocious crimes committed by Winiata, and Te Kooti, and he was determined that the natives should make submission before pardon was granted, Ho renounced the friendship and support of any man who attributed those charges to him. Te Kooti committed atrocities in war. The charge of his having deprived Ropata of « pension was false. He was well aware of the depreciation in favor in the colony re the Ministry ; yet, whilst a member of the Government he accepted its responsibilities and actions, its sins and virtues. The administration of the Government had been beneficial to the colony. Th« object of the loans were fully defined, and borrowing was to be carried out with clue regard to the public works, and the existing depression and their fall were to be attributed to their strict adherence to that policy. He might piobably be called an alarmist, but he viewed the approaching state of the colony with dismay. The interest paid on the indebtedness of the colony, and by Councils and Harbor Boards, was not less than three millitns and a half. He condemned the system of borrowing, though he could not state that it was possible to stop it entirely. Borrowing was too popular. The financial .Adepartment deserved great credit in respect to borrowing money. The lands department was also creditable, particularly, to Mr Rolleston. It was the duty of the Government to give every facility to the occupation of laud, and the Government, he maintained, did not stand so badly in regard to such occupation. In regard to native affairs, five years ago the Constabulary were largely increased in expectation of war. The surveyors were stopped, and much inconvenience caused. Tawhiao was then isolated in the Waikato. He is now paying a friendly visit to England. Other great chiefs who supported him are visiting Wellington. Thera was a marked improvement during five years. The Constabulary were now reduced to 470. It was desirable that Kawhia should be opened to Europeans, and he caused the harbor to be buoyed. The buoys had been destroyed by Tawhaio’s orders and a redoubt was erected, but no outbreak had occurred since. He condemned the system of Maori meetings and presents, which he abolished. The blame he attached to Government in regard to the grain tariff was for reducing rates too much previously. The rates were not sufficient to pay the cost of carriage, therefore they were increased. In other y* things also Government had lost favor. The restoration of pre-emptive right he , considered a misnomer. It was restored partly for financial reasons. There were many abuses in regard to native lands— Maoris receiving less than the value of their lands. Buyers reaped no advantage. Ihe Pakeha-Maoris alone benefittod. Maori lands should be dealt with as waste lands, with a sufficient allowance for rates. Mr Bryce inveighed against the land tax, by winch mortgaged property was taxed on the occupier.

Mil SUTTER AT PLEASANT PuINT,

Mr J. H. Sutter, the late member for Gladstone, addressed a meeting of the electors at Pleasant Point on Saturday nighi. Mr E. Acton occupied the chair. Mr Sutter briefly referred to the defeat of the Government and the causes which had led thereto. He held that the Governor wa« quite right in granting a dissolution as parties were so disorganised. He spoke very highly of the deferred payment and perpetual leasing systems, which ho would always support. Ho eulogised the action of the Government in arresting Te Whiti and Tohu. In reference to the raising of the grain tariff, lie considered the Government had acted quite right, They had lowered the tar iff on the representation of Christchurch merchants that the traffic would increase. It did riot increase, and they were justified in raising the tariff. The tariff did not press very heavily on fanners in this district, b*i»g only per bushel from Pleasant Point, and not more than 3d from Fairlie Greek, tie considered the agitation about the tariff had been got up by Christchurch merchsuts because the Government would not consent to an expenditure of some two millions ou the West Coast Railway. He supported the resumption of the preemptive right by Government over native lands

as it prevented land-sharking. He considered the Government should stop the sinking fund, and give the property tax to local bodies for local works, and abolish the Road Board and County Council taxes. Ho considered the ’Frisco Mail Service should be stopped and the N.Z. Shipping Co.’s lino of steamers subsidised to carry the mail in forty-five days. He did not think the State should educate children above the fourth standard. He had voted for Mr Pyke’s Bill to give, the capitation grant to Catholic schools for children passing the standards, and he would vote for it again. He did not know what Sir Julius Vogel’s opinions were, and he would not pledge himself to support him. He asked them to return him as an independent member. In reference to the main trunk line in the North Island he said if it were built the native lands through which it passed should be taxed. Me believed in Mr Bryce’s

native policy, and hoped if he wore not again Native Minister his successor would follow in his lines. In reply to a question, Mr Sutter said he would be favorable to giving votes to women who were ratepayers, and, if it could be done, approved of the Government borrowing money at 4,per cent and lending it to the farmers at 5 per cent. A vote of confidence was carried.

MR ROLLESTON AT GERALDINE. On Friday evening last Mr Rolleston addressed the electers of Geraldine in the Oddfellows’ HaH, Geraldine, the hall being crowded. Mr W. XJ. Slack occupied the chair. The substance of Mr Rolleston’s speech was similar to that given by him in Temuka on Wednesday last, and therefore need not be repeated in these columns. The following questions were replied to by Mr Rolleston : In reply to Mr R. S. Cook, Mr Rolleston said he never was a resident in this district. With his family he had resided in tbs Avon district till he went to Wellington. He need give the reasons why he came forward for this district. He did not osk them to elect him unless his views were in accordance with their own. They had the remedy in their own hands, but if they returned him, as he believed they would, he should be pleased. If not, he still should come and reside in the district, and like them'none the worse. He came forward with a deal of service at his back, extending over many years, and offered his services. If they rejected him he would take the beating like a man. Mr Coltman asked if it were true that Sir Frederick Whitaker received £IO,OOO as a bonus for certain services done for Government when in London ? Did the Government pay this from the public funds, or was it paid by the Bank of New Zealand, and for what reason ? —Mr Rolleston said he had heard it alleged, but bad no knowledge of such. Mr Sbiers, for Mr Manning, asked that in order to afford the people the best method for settling on the land, would Mr Rolleston, if returned, endeavor to give to all enquiries the most reliable and fullest information to facilitate settlement on the lands ?—Mr Rolleston stated he had caused the ,l Crown Lands Guide ” to be issued, which contained the fullest information. Mr bbiers asked what were Mr Rolleston’s views on representation ? Hr Rolleston considered there was safety in numbers. Parliament, in his •pinion, did rightly in increasing the number of Representatives. If the number were smaller there would be a greater tendency to form cliques. Mr Kelman asked whether there was not too large an alienation of public land, and money for the support of High Schools 1 Mr Rolleston was not prepared to say that High Schools were in a satisfactory state. He did not believe that education should stop at the 4th standard. High Schools were attended by many children who showed ability in Primary Schools. Higher education should not be a class thing at all, but should be within the reach of the poorest child. Mr Maslin asked if a general scheme for granting assistance for denominational education on a basis which the majority of electors would approve of were determined on, would Mr Rolleston sink [his own opinions in its favor, or would be still adhere to his principles, so well but unfavorably known and received in this district ? —Mr Rolleston said it was his rule whenever he had principles to slick to them. He did not consider that the State should recognise different sects oi religious bodies. In a national system of education they could

not recognise sections. Mr Pearpoint said that as Mr Rolleston had expressed himself so favorable lo High Schools, would lie make thsir continuance dependent upen the prosperity of the colony or otherwise 1— Mr Rolleston did not suppose such a contingency would arise. Mr Lewis asked if it were just to take the deferred payment sections away from persons who had paid five years instalments because they had not fulfilled one of the conditions in not residing on the sections 1-Mr Eclleston thought that the people had not had timely or sufficient notice from the Land Office. If he were in office such cases should receive his attention and compensation be given. In reply to Mr G. Ward as to whether be would support Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Rolleston said that if returned he was not likely to support any leader who was iu opposition to Major Atkinson. In reply to Mr Pearpoint asking for an explanation «s to why when the Government reduced taxation they lowered the Property Tax by 25 per cent, which was mainly paid by wealthy capitalists, Mr Rolleston said that that tax was imposed the same way as the Income Tax was at Home, it being understood that it was only a temporary expedient to meet the emergencies of the time. Mr Mundell asked if Mr Rolleston was in favor of making the Upper House elective, and for a stated period I—Mr Rolleston did not believe in the Upper House representing wealth only There were men whose services should be rewarded by seats in the Upper House The Government had proposed to curtail the honorarium to the members of that House by one half, and he was only sorry the vote was not carried. Id reply to Mr Gore, Mr Rolleston said he did not think members would relinquish their free passes, though he would be favorable to that course. Id reply to the same questioner, he said he had not held out any inducement

either to Mr Postlethwaite or anyone else in order to obtain their support in the present election. Air Gore also asked if lie were favorable to members’ wives having free passes to and from Wellington during the session, and whether it was right for them to take their own vegetables as baggage. Mr Rolleston did not consider that privilege should be accorded to them, not at least till members’ wives had also become members. In reply to Mr Maslin, Mr Rolleston said he was unaware as to who was at the bottom of the opposition to a portion of the Geraldine district being proclaimed a Town District. Mr Mundell having asked h..w much of die loan had been spent in Canterbury? —Mr Rolleston said he was nut aware, but £76,000 had been spent in railways alone. In reply to Mr Pearpoint, Mr Rolleston said it was about December last the Government discovered that there would be a deficiency in the revenue as estimated. In his opinion with regard to letting the wool season without raising the railway tariff, he considered the Government had done right in the matter. Mr Mundell desired to know, if Mr Rolleston were returned and retrenchment were required, what department would he cause to be affected thereby ? Mr Rolleston said that Government were icorganising the Civil Service in each branch where it could be effected. Mr Waite proposed, and Mr Allen seconded—‘'That a vote of thanks and confidence be accorded to Mr Rolleston. As an amendment, it was proposed by Mr Maslin, and seconded by Mr Pearpoint—“That this meeting, whilst thanking Mr Rolleston for his speech, has no confidence. in him as their future representative.”

The amendment being put, 54 hands were held up in its favor, and 61 against. The Chairman, amidst applause, declared the amendment carried. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman was passed. Mr Slack thanked the audience for the vote of thanks. He might say that he was entirely in favor of Mr Rolleston, whose speech was straightforward in the extreme. The meeting then terminated.

THE HON. W. ROLLESTON AT HILTON. Last Saturday evening the Hon. W, Rolleston addressed a meeting of electors at Hilton. Mr L. H. Rooke occupied the chair. About 40 or 50 were present. Mr Rolleston travelled over the same ground as in his previous speeches at other places with regard to the Lands and Native policies, railway tariff, etc. On the lastnamed question he pointed out that Mr Cox took Mr Richardson for his authority and Mr Richardson took the telegraphic report in the Press newspaper, which was all wrong, as might have been seen by a comparison of the reports of what he had said, as given in the Temuka Leader, Geraldine Guardian, and Timarn Herald. The question of the exact amount of percentage returned and estimated was simply a ■ t'i* of calculation —-the fact remained the same. There was a deficit of neai y £60,000 at the end of the financial year which would have been considerably increased had not the freights been raised when they were Mr John Hay, of Kakahu, proposed a vote of confidence, which was carried on a division. Twelve voted for it and nine against it.