PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1566, 9 April 1887, Page 4

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND. Sir Kobert Stout delivered an. address at Auckland on Wednesday evening in the hall of the Young Men’s Christian Association, under the auspices of the Radical Reform League. The hall was crowded. The mayor presided. On Sir Robert Stout entering the hall, accompanied by Lady Stout, the crowd rose to their feet uml cheered. In his opening remarks, Sir Robert expressed regret at the sudden crath >' ! ka Hakuene, M.H.R., a good and iWul member of the legislature. He then, in an eloquent speech, spoke on the Land question, Native Land Bill, Native land purchase, adjustment of taxation, and encouragement of local industries, representation, the Civil Service retrenchment, and social reform. Sir Robert was greeted with great cheering. At the conclusion of his address a mnmimons vote of thanks to him for his able address was passed by acclamation. SIR JULIUS YOHHL AT CHRISTCHURCH. Sir Julius Vogel addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents on Wednesday night. After sayL.g that the colony had sustained an immense loss by the deaths of Mr Mucandrew and Mr Bradshaw, he referred to the measures passed last session. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act was exceedingly useful. It was to some extent spoilt by the Upper House insisting that there should bo a majority of all votes exercisable. An endeavor would he made to get that altered this session. He explained why he had net voted for the Representation Bill last session. It would be brought before the House somewhat modified, with regard to the consideration to be shown to country districts being more clearly defined. He hoped that the resuits ’of the present year would prove better thm might be expected from the deficit in the Customs and Railway revenue. Government had constantly occupied themselves in retrenching expenditure. He did not say that any largo reduction could fee made in the expenditure on Defence and Education. He did not think that reduction should bn made in the honorariums of members. Borrowing should not altogether cease, and should be reduced according to fluctuations of revenue. There is likely to be considerable curtailment of borrowing. It should be the duty of Government to push on railways in hand, and lie thought there would be considerable hesitation about beginning new railways. For certain purposes, however, borrowing could not cease ; such as purposes of settlement, roadmaking, telegraph construction, purchases of Native lands, and loans to local bodies. The railways already constructed were a vast benefit to the colonj’. He considered that the public saved fully one and a-half times the whole gross receipts for carriage of goods on what they would have to pay if they had not the use of tho railways.The railway charges were not so high as would be charged if revenue purposes were the first object. He did not think the country would approve of Mie railways being handed over to Commissioaers as in Victoria. If they were to manage the railways on commercial principles higher rates would be charged. Preference would be given to large users, and rates lowered to compete with the small harbors, which would practically be closed. If the railways were not handed over to Commissioners, in his opinion it would be desirable to have Courts of Enquiry in which complaints of railway charges and management could be made and publicly considered. Ho was of opinion it was too late to substitute a Lmd Tax for a Property Tux. The mortgagors were in effect a'ready paying the tax on the money they borrowed, os the mortgagees asked a half per cent interest to cover the risk of Property Tax. He thought the general desire to bring the public expenditure within the revenue did great credit to the public opinion of (ho colony. Mr Balance's bill for enabling portions of large estates to be opened for settlement did not involve the question of the nationalisation of land, which he considered it was impossible to carry out. He considered the Colonial Conference was an event of very high importance, and he regretted that it was not possible for the Premier to attend. The chief question would probably be provision for defence of the Empire. In that connection (hero should be considered the fact that persons interested in New Zealand paid large income tax in England on profits made and property in the colony. The Midland Railway contract was well conceived. It was not yet signed, but he thought they were awaiting Mr Brodie Hoare’s arrival in England, and that it soon would be executed. Interests were amply protected, and the expense of unnecessary surveys wculd be saved. He concluded by saying that ho had indicated sufficiently that the measures most demanding consideration were the Representation Bill, a Bill to smooth the working of tho Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, and a Bill to promote settlement. Some measures relating to the criminal laws were not the least in importance. Tho condition of the finances should be thoroughly considered, the nature of taxation reviewed, and, the expenditure of the country adjusted to its revenue.

At the termination of the speech, a vote of (hanks and confidence was carried by acclamation in favor of Sir Julius Vogel.