THE HON. W. ROLLESTON AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1568, 14 April 1887, Page 2

THE HON. W. ROLLESTON AT TEMUKA.

The Hon. W. Rolleston addressed his constituents in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, last evening. Despite the fact that the night 4 was dark, and the roads muddy, owing to the raid on the two previous days, there was a large attendance. Mr K. P. Gray (Chairman of the Terouka Town Board) occupied the chair, and in a few appropriate words introduced the speaker, and requested a patient hearing. The Hon. W. Rolleston, who was greeted with applause, said be bad to. thank them for attending in such .numbers, notwithstanding the weather. He had looked forward for some time.to the meeting. He would like to have held it earlier, and would have done so but for Easter week, and had ha not been afraid that harvest work Would have prevented some from attending. He thought the present time waa very important in the history of the colony. During the recess they had beard plenty from the Ministers hut very little from members generally. They had been waiting to bear a more distinct enunciation of policy than they had heard. The Premier had said they wanted political education. He had gone about under the plea of politically educating them. This evening he would deal mors with political subjects than he had done on previous occasions, because bethought it was due to himself, ss a public man who had been silent for some time, to apeak very plainly what he thought. .He would deal first with the politicarsituatioo, as 'given by - Ministers speaking throughout the country, and then he would give his view of the present condition of the country. He would give a sketch of the measures parsed last session, and also a sketch of what is likely to be the legislation of next session. With' regard to the political position, he thought it was in such a thorough muddle that it wcnld be difficult to describe it. Party Government had been thrown into coo fusion by the Premier allying himself with men of different views. The policy of the Government might be compared to Joseph’s coat of many colors, and he might liken it to a kaleidoscope, whichever way it was turned it presented a different appearance. The policy of the Ministry seemed to be one thing one day and one thing another. One day it was a bit of their own policy, but it was a policy of bits and shreds. Another time it waa a piece of. their opponents’ policy, mangled by those who did not understand it. The Ministry might be said to be one of promises, which had very scanty fulfilment. Cabinet government was impossible when members of that Cabinet were so different in their views. He saw by the papers that during the last year the Hinemoa had been engaged in carrying prospectors and miners to Big Bay, and back again. The Hinemoa had also been engaged in carrying Ministers about to make speeches about the country, carrying out the idea of politically educating the country. The members in their speeches said little, and what they did say contradicted each other. They had had the Premier sitting in hot water at Waiwera concocting schemes for borrowing ?nd it might be for land operations with his friends. They had had the Premier at the same time in the cooler atmosphere of Invercargill preaching economy, and speaking on the evils of borrowing. They had had the Minister of Lands at Wellington using the Press Association to sing the praises of the Government, and to publish the the latest sensation which might serve to divert public attention. He did not know why Mr Batlance was chosen for that purpose, but so it waa. Last year he circulated unconstitutional threats during the recess, while his colleagues were menacing tho Auckland members with the loss of the proposed North Island Railway Loan. Other members were endeavoring to convince the public that the motion introduced by Captain Russell was really the cause of - their shortcomings, and the reason they did not get more public works throughout the country. The latest sensation was that given by Mr Ballance. It was that about the Supreme Courts of the colony. That there might be no mistake, he would read that portion of Mr Ballance’s speech as given. in the -Press Association’s report of meeting at Wanganui. [Mr Rolleston then quoted from Mr Ballapce’s speech to the following effect: —ln regard to Supreme Court procedure, he had been accused of interfering with the independence of the Judges, He bad done flothing of the kind. He held that whenever a judgment ' was delivered which violated the public conscience, and was looked upon as a wrong judgment—perhaps not wrong, however, from any act of the Judges—the matter ought to be enquired into and some redress obtained. He thought, indeed, there ought-to be not only a reform in the Supreme Court procedure, but also of the Supremo Court itself. There ought to be a Judical'Cammittee of both Houses of Parliament coo-

tinually sitting, and whenever a judgment waa reported which did not' to tbs public mind seem right, the .matter should be brought before the Legislature], There hod been an attempt made to explain this, but be thought there was very little difference. He thought it boded ill

for the country when a Minister of the Crown did not understand his position better than to make such statements. He earnestly hoped that his colleagues differed from him, and that the Minister of Justice would take an early opportunity of stating so. It was to the Supreme Courts, they looked for safety. It was so in all democratic countries ; it was so in America and in every colony. He hoped the day was far distant when the Supreme Courts would be brought to (be heel of the legislature, and allow them tq ride over the decisions of the highest Court of the land. He wished to mention the last utterances of Sir Julius Vogel, which were very different from what he said two years ago. Then, he said, the country was dosing, Under him it was to raise itself and go ahead by leaps and bounds. Then the colony was only, suffering from mismanagement. The property tax was •wrong in principle and unfair in practice. Education was too costly j by half. Railway Boards were a necessity, and must be formed. Perpetual leasing was unmitigated humbug. He had now found out that the depres-. sion was not confined to New, Zealand • . that the depression was general through-

out the world,-and: that probably wo fool it the least. He had, found out that it " was not in tbo powor T-of any Ministry to take away such a depression as that front which the colony had boon suffering. He (Sir Julius,Yogel);had given figures to show.that during that very period in which the late Ministry were in office tho country was making steady progress. Ho says now that the country could not do ‘without the Property Tax ; education was in accordance. .with • the popular will; 'Railway Boards would not work except perhaps as a. general- tribunal to bear complaints. Ha tells ; qs that perpetual leasing is at the present time the but wiy of disposing of the? land. And now perhaps they would. say (bat its and the Opposition ought to be very well pleased with the changet)f opinion that bo had narrated to them. Well, be could be glad over any one sinner that; turns' from his evil ways. (Applause). So long as the Government blow their tunes he would be very well , pleased. But they must blow them in time wad in tune, and not in discord'. On their Ttho Opposition) side of the House there was no change of policy according as they were in and out of office. - They . maintained their principles and adhered .to them. They would help the Government as they did help them last session. !- f There never was an Opposition that- .more genet* ously assisted, the Government of the day when called upon to do so., .waa very ungracious for Sir Juljui Vogsl to say that be voted, agajqst the : Representation Bill introduced by the Premier because be distrusted the Opposition. He con* sidered it a most extraordinary reason. Nor was it less ungracious for them to say that the. cry for. economy was raised by opposlttep to the Government, and that tbs cry far economy was just a scramble for office. There was not a proposal for economy that the Opposition had not voted for, and there never had been an Opposition that had acted so loyally for the taxpayers of New Zealand. Then the Premier had said if we wanted permanent .Stability la finance, borrowing must cease. He agreed. What were the facts I Take the scheme of the Loan Bill introduced lut session. There were a few lines ia that Bill which might not have been* ad* vantageously postponed, gad there were few which would not want moire borrow* ing for if they wore to be made pay. Take for instance the Tophsuse lin#,whioh was thrown out. £75,000 was placed upon the schedule for the purpose of this lines But to carry it through would cost a million. Take another line, the one from Westport to Inaogahua. £3,000,000 would have been wanted to make to a paying point the railways propbiod last session. What was the nse of talking about ceasing to borrow if a Government is to say so in words and then bring down a Bill like the Loan Bill,and involve , them to the extent the Loan Bill, had involved them. Then when theTophouee line wee thrown out they said it embarrassed the Government, and put them in position. Government talked ofseonomy and practiced extravagance. What economy was (here in the Ponst Depart* raeut, which cost £1(5,000 a yearl Was it economy when the took over the District Railways, and took l over the burdens of linos which- 'wars mainly, it not entirely, made for the benefit of . large. „ estates: What was the nse of . talking of economy- when fresh appointments were made to tho Legislative Council wben ! taxation was bearing >o heavily on the people, t The expenses of the Ministers during tho last few years bad exceeded^those of previous years. They had bad Ministers: furnish* ing bouses in Wellington, and theft ox* pending large sums in keeping away from those houses. He would now say a word or two about the present position as he looked upon. it. It seemed to him to be more hopeful.. .Ministriescoma and Ministries go, and he did 'not think they affected the prosperity of the country to any very Urge extent. The depression had taught them many lessons of thrift, and they had mat it by curtailing their expenditure. Tiie fall in prices waa to be met by larger and cheaper production. Let him give a few figures as shown during the past ftvo years : The population in .1881 was 482,019, and in 1886 had increased to 578,&83. In 1883 the number of sheep in the colony was 11,630,623, and in 1885 14,646,800.. In 1880 the average yield of wool per aeeep. was 5.391b5, and in 1886 it was 6.071b5. Ibis showed that there was a determination on tho part of the farmers throughout the country to make up for the lowness- bf prices in this great brrneh of industry by an increase of production. . In .1881 the land under cultivation wss 4,843,718 acres. In 1886 the acreage under cultl* vation was 6,740,998. When they remain* bered that in England the acreage is only one per head, and that these figures show an acreage of 11 acres per head, it would be seen that we were not standing still in the matter of cultivation. Then, had also “ been an increase in the ramorexports of

the country by a million per annum. By' minor exports he meant other than wool and grain, such as timber,, butter) cheese, bacon and so on. lu dairy produce' it was extremely remarkable the advance that had been made. The increase io the value of butler produced between the years 1881-86 had been very great. Another item which he considered showed in a very marked manner the'progress!re industry of the country wen the Sav* inga Banks deposits, *h : ch bed also increased at an astonishing fate, 1 Coming to measure* of last session the two most important were those thst mads provision for loans to local bodies, which were intended to take the place ef tbs Hoads and Bridgea Construction Act. One-"

contained a provision that enabled local bodies to borrow money, ahd to make re* ; payment by means of a sinking fund. This Bill was, he thought, upon the whole' one of the most valuable passed last session and would no doubt be largely t»ken ad* vantage of by country districts. Thera was in this Bill a provision thst he took opportunity to draw their attention to. It was (to the effect that public works should include school beildings throughout fhe colony, and that the school build* ing might be proyidod by local bodies throughout the country. ' This provision bad been thrown out, and he thought rightly thrown out, because this question of how the building of our schools is to be carried out in future is a very large ques* tion, and one that should not be at* tempted to be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion and in a BUI like' that. It WOBld

£ ■ be in his opinion unfair 'hat the small ’ districts should find themselves saddled With acharge which, all over the country : sod In ill tbs towns had been provided in (.sst times bnt pfloau.paid for by general taxation of the country, and any proposal therefore for the.erection of school biddings should, view, start ■ with an adjustment, of those districts which had fit had none of the difficulties that the settled districts had with regard to those buildings, (There were several useful consolidation measures passed last session. Then there was s wonderful Bill—the Civil Service Reform Bill, .. The provisions' of it were some of the - moat extraordinary that they have yet ■■ had upon mat subject. First of all there \ was the clause that messengers who were appointed in the Government service must pass so examination equal to the fourth standard. Then the service could only be entered by cadets. For his part be thought the service should be made open to the youth of the colony, and that

..the,appointments to the service ahoald be f attainable by the meritorious scholars of , : J ontNatiornl acbotils. Another extract- , j dinary proy i n was that this service was ■■ohiy to be i titered by a nominee of a member of the Legislative Council. But the most extraordinary provision of all ■ ' Was that commissioners were to be ap- . 'pointed triennially to adjust the salaries of the officers. Ai it was neither House . ', would have siy’tbing to say to that. When ' the Bill finally went through the Upper ■ ' .ifiooae the provision for the nomination of cadets, by members of -v the Assembly was struck out and . the' service : would now be corn* petitlve. Another let that was passed was perhaps only second in importance to the Local Government measure, and that . liras the Native Lands Administration Ac’. The reault of this Act will be to atop all 1 ■ private transactions in land with the ' Datives. In future all native lands will i be fought and sold through the Govern- , • ment, a result which, for bis part, he was very glad to see. (Hesr, hear.) j • But the way in which this result would be i obtained, was, he thought, open to great ( - objection. Mr Ballance appeared to I have the extraordinary tendency to intro- j ddee middle men into land transactions, and the]Bill Had been spoilt, he thought, ; by the introduction of natives who were , to havel say in the disposal of all lands , practically trustees with respect to j ■ ■ dealing with the land. Anyone who j knew anything of native matters would * - know that they would practically hr- a ( bar to all operations by the Act and would |; prevent it having the. beneficial operation | that it otherwise would.. For his part he , - would Kke to,see the pre-emptive right re- , ferredbaok to the Government. Nothing ( else wonld prevent the transactions that , had gone on in the past with native in- ,

terpraters, and the scandals that had , arisen, The Midland, railway had goi e through wbatfae hoped, would prove its ia«t stage. He hoped (he question hud , been filially dealt with, and he did not . intend to trouble them with it that eveninf, but he did wish to say that the ; Premier bad no right to say wlm lie , noticed be did the. other day in compering the East and West Coast Railway 1 and the legislation connected with that effecting the Manawatu Railway which , was passed 1 during the year that Sir John Hall was in power. Sir Robert Stout was , excusing the attacks of. inconsistency. . yHe said whet is hot an uncommon thing , to be said by this Government, “ Why, the late Government did it,” Now, with • respect to this Midlnad Railway he (the { . speaker) said the contract was on quite » ( different fobting to that entered into by . the late Government in reaped to the' ; Mauewatn Railway. It differed, first of inthis, that the land will be given to I the Midland rail way which may net be considered to be especially benefited by theline. In the, Manawatu railway c 0 0... ... tract the Gevernment carefully provided ; that land which . would ..not be direotly benefited by the line should .hot- be' given to the Railway Com- ■ pany, • Then again the land was to be given to the extent of 60 per cent of instead of 30 per cent upon a fixed estimated .earn per mile of the cost ot the Vsilway. But another provision wan made in reapect to tho East and West Coast railway for the sale of the Isndfor settlement. No provision was made to etfeure settlement along the line, but on the. Manawatu line the Go.vernment made a strict provision for such settlement, so that the cane of the lianawatn sod Ifaat of the East and West Coast lines were not on all fours as stated bj Sir • Robert Stout. The Government I taking control of the Life Insurance Department was, he felt, a wise step, and be had.done what he could towards that object. With regard to the bill of fare for the next.session. They were told by

Mr Ballsnce that they would have fpr ' next session a Bill for woman’s suffrage, a mesanrefor the reform of the Legislative Connell, an expropriation measure, a reform or the Supreme Court, a tariff . Iramed for protection -purposes, and a Bill for>;the prevention of recovery of small debts. He did not think they would . : bear much-more of that. He did not the. .'Government really meant .to putUhatforward as a bill of fare for the next session. ‘ He thought Mr Btilance had merely brought this forward to divert public attention;' (Applause). The bill for . woman’s'suffrage Was. not to be a Government measure; it would be ;brongbton by different members of the , Government, and the Government would probably vote in two different lobbies upon the' aobjebt; The Bill they were d; told.had taken' tWoyeara te bring forth, nod the poor bantling would in all probability be massacred by its foster Earents. '.(Laughter),' There was a grim umof!;jn .the Government proposing to bring in a reform for the Legislative Conncjl. This was a standing dish with moat rMiniaters. No doubt something would be made of it in the futjure.aaio the past. Threatened men lived long. *• The present Government took care to ~. , make more appointments of life members of Legislative Councillors than hod been dona for -years past, and now they proposed llwt, the appointment ahould be for seven years. The land question as effected by proposals for expropriation WSB one pn which he Wished jo speak yery sprioualy. Look at it as they would F fbe land to his mind was most unsatisfactory. None who looked ahead, end bad anything to do with public affairs; should opiit any legitimate means to leeaen the eyila p( land jpopopoly aa they exist, and to prevent |he eyila from Filing where they had not already risen. The congregation of the working classes la towns at high rentals ; the difficulties

a nd hardships which already encircle our growing civilisation in a country teeming with all that ought to make life happy loom largely in the not far off distance. As a property holder, and as one largely interested in the wellfare of the country, he felt that the distribution of the people throughout the country and the prevention of class cries and bitterness should be aimed at. He felt that upon this more than upon anything also the prosperity of the Government depended. He need ■ot then go into the land laws. The provisions he alluded to morn particularly were those for the year 1885. With regard to some ot the more recent provisions, he professed to have his misgivings. He did not wish to press his opinion with regard to the legislature, but he thought that the formation of associations in dealing with the land would’lead.lo very great defects. He asid that the settling of persons upon th» Und (with money borrowed for the purpose) who bad ot apt ode for that line of life would lead to a good deal of distress, and that the money so easily obtained would in many cases not be wisely spent. (Hear, hear.) He believed, however, that Mr Ballance had his heart in the

matter, and that Government were doing their beat to solve the problem, and he would be willing to give his support to a fair trial of anything which was calculated to help the difficulty. The question of dealing with lands already alienated was a difficult one. There could be no doubt that the principle announced by Mr Gladstone, that the Government of a country is entitled to resume possession of the land, ia a correct one. Judging from what the Premier said about Sir George Grey’s bill last session, he could not think that he agreed with the proposals telegraphed from Wellington In the Expropriation Bill. In hia speech Sir Robert Stout spoke very strongly against views that were introduced by hia colleages. It seemed to him (the speaker) that the bill bad unintentionally been so framed as to be in the interests of the large holders, and cot of the small settlers, and if it came into law in its present form It would be an inducement to the large holders to part with their estates to the small settlers. In his opinion the only way in which expropriation could be carried out was by a special enactment of the Legislature in the same way as lands are taken for public purposes, such as railways, etc. The late Government had also got a bill callad the Railway Improvement Lands Bill, under which bill future railways passing through large estates were to be constructed under terms which rendered those lands valuable to a certain extent for settlement. Whatever may be done by legislation the evils of tying up of land may to some extent be improved indirectly by various remedial measures. The facility of transferring the land, and the tendency of all modern legislation was to deal with land as a chattel. Recent legislation in England with, regard to Irish tenants and Scotch crofters asserted that it is the duty of the Government to legislate on behalf of the cultivators of the soil. There was room for future legislation on | this subject in this country, but it could only be by the removal of restrictions. Money lending corporations like banks shoulh be pressed to realise on land within a reasonable time aftsr the failure of the mortgagor, If this were done there would bo a large amount of land, now locked up, in the open market. (Hear, hoar.) He would be sorry to speak depreciatingly of those who accumulate property, and would not countenance a bursting up policy for he did not believe in injustice being done to any one. He would again urge what he urged last year, the cooperation of the working classes to secure land on the principle of the building societies. Up to the present time co-operation has been only in the matter ( of stores and the distribution of wealth, but his own opinion was that at no distant time the principle would extend to . agriculture, and take the form of Associations working on co-operative principles, (Hear, hoar.) The principle would gain ; ground with the advance of education, and upon it depended the solution of many difficulties that arise between

capital aod labor. From its development we hate to look for the avoidance of the rock* known as State Socialism. The male feature of next session will be the Representation Bill. This Bill ought to have been passed last session, and it 111 became Sir Julias Vogel to say be voted against it, because he could not trust the Opposition’s sincerity in voting for it. If he waits till he carries that Bill himself or his friends he will never carry it. It would never be carried wijtbout votes from both sides of the House, and even in England such measurss were not carried witbont assistance from both sides. With some modifications, it was the best Bill we were likely to get, for the Government which had no control over its party was not likely to force anything better than it. Last session was witusssed the extraordinary spectacle of three of his colleagues voting against the Premier on that Bill, and the Parliamentary Whips canvassing strongly against it. Sir Robert Stont might well aay we wanted a course of political education, when a thing so. contrary to all political propriety occurred in the House. The Government were bound to vote together on any large measure of national importance, and if they cannot agree their duty is to resign. The features of the Eiill were the appoints meat of five Commissioners, who fiad to adjust representation on the basis of population. Another was the amalgamation of different electoral districts in larger towns, and the number of members was to be 91. By dividing the present population by 91, the number in each electoral district would bo fiSQO persons. This would .be the number that would constitute a« electoral district, but there was a provision in it that would, provide “ » give and take ” —IOOO in town districts and 500 in country ones. A concession was also made to goldfields. Sir Robert Stout favors that ia country districts ths population basis'without any concession should be followed, Thp masses, however, will agree. I that the population basis to fhe bnly one that can be'adopted as' the standard on which to' base representation. Sir Robert Stout, however, has admitted, in making the concessions to goldfiolda, that the representation cannot be based .exclusively on population without modifies-’ tiofl. |t skeined ip nfifyafid tfi'fye Government {hat brought ip the bill, that the consideration for modifying the basis of population are the facilities which are itbrdsd in towns for tbs sxsroiae of

■ political influence, the power of Municipal crtranisalions, the effect of people being close together, and of exercising their privileges. These considerations must to a large extent make a difference as between town and country. Then again the question of community of interests must influence the basis of popula'ion. It w«a also claimed that the population basis would not do where It would result in. having parts of the electoral district on both sides of a large boundary like Cook’s Straits, and other boundaries that exist throughout the country. It appeared to him the proper course was to form the districts with natural boundaries so as to give people a community of interests within them. He favored the grouping together of electoral districts in towns, as under existing conditions

paoplo had great facilities for plural voting. Ho thought, however, minorities ought to have representation, and for I hie purpose lie would suggest that if there were three members to be elected a voter should be entitled to vote for two of them. The minority could expreta ih-ir feelings by dropping the third vote. With regard to lessening the number of members of Parliament, it was made a very strong point in the interest of economy, but he doubted the economy, and ho believed no Bill of the kind would pass. His idea was to endeavor to prevent any increise and let things remain as they were. He foresaw that the lessening of tho number of members would render the House open to the manipulation of parties, and the class of legislation would not be improved. As regarded the woman’s suffrage question, there was no logical objection to it, but it might be said that a woman did not desire it. That, however, wis no objection. Woman suffrage, however, weuld introduce a new and coafuaing element into politics, especially at election times, but on the other hand it would give fuller social representation in the House. If the question came to the vote to-morrow ho believed he would vote for woman’s suffrage, for he did not sen how it could be logically refused. With regard to the finance, they would meet Parliament with a deficit of £200,000, of which £125,000 was in tho Customs, and £75,000 »n the Railway returns. The Premier had said they had saved twice tho £30,000 they had promised in the Departmental estimates, and further saving would be effected if the Government would get the support of members. They l.ad made up their minds to retrench, and he would support it, but it must be real, and not like the Armed Constabulary and Charitable Aid, which was merely transferring liability. Chari-

tame Alt* merely meant me transferring or the liability from the General Government to local bodies, but the people bad to pay ail the same. He did not think much would be done by cutting down the a ages of the hard-working Civil servants. It was in the interest payable on borrowed money they should look for retrenchmest, (Hear, hoar). Every million we borrowed increased our liability by about £40,000 a year, and their liability bad thus been increased by such purchases as the District Railways and the Stark purchase case. It was impossible they could make both ends meat without retrenchment. Last year the property tax was increased 1-I6th of a peony, and it was now 13-ltths of a penny, and the Government now proposed to have recourse to protection. To him all tax- -i ation was an evil, and to avoid taxation ; was desirable. It was doub*y evil when put on for such borrowing as that of last year. The value of property in 1885 was £100,682,640; the property in Canter- i bury was valued at £25,842,713, and in South Canterbury £6,348,465. They would, therefore, see how heavily the tax, fell upon this district. He could , not really think, the Government really meant to resort to protection. He could not see how the Customs would be increased more than tho present 16 per cent, adtalormt, duty equitably. Freetrade was impossible, and only for this thsre.was no policy mere preferable to i him. His vote would be given in the interest af revenue, for it was not legitiV : mate to put on protective duties for any purpose other than for revenue. In New South Wales the question was recently fought out at the elections, and the de oision was in favor of Freetrade. Non, what effect had this onus? Last year our exports to New South Wales was £822,861, and from Timaru alone it bad increased from £23,690 in 1881, to £68,678 in 1886. What effect would Pro* , tection have had on us supposing we bad pot on a doty of 2s per ton on coal 9 The immediate effect of that was that coal rose 2s 6d per ton id Timaru, and ha doubted whether the price bad come down since. , That was the effect of Protection, and if carried out the freights between hnra and New South Wales would now

be ranch higher, as the vessels would have o a c»rgo coming back. Anyone wbo desired to study the subject would do well to study a speech idelivered by Mr Bruce recently at Besedin. He felt he was trespassing too long on their patience. (No, no.) He hoped that they would gather from what be had said what his views were. It was by no political nostrums, borrowed money, or paper money, they could meet their difficulties. had passed a deep depression, and th oß * who had borrowed most felt it most. But be felt thing were settling down into steadier grooves, and he firmly believed that everything wou|d come right yet. He thanked them for the kindly manner in which they had heard him, and would answer any questions they wished to ask, (Applause.) Mr lyase Morris asked was it advisable to bring out immigrants at present, and would it' not be belter to expend the money oq the : man to the colony than

still pauperise the country by further immigration, 200 having arrived by the last steamer I—Mr Rolleston said he was not aware the Government was bringing out only the single girls, the relatives of persons already ih the colony, and per* sons with capital. He did not if only such people »era QUt, it was wrpng, ‘ ' In tepTy ‘to Mr Levens. he said be did not know what should be done with the Oxford Bridge. Did not think the Government would ever use it for a railway.

In reply to Dr Haye(, ga fo whether he tboughf ifl th« Government Inauraneo department to canvaea,. be replied that ho originally thought the Pq t-office would have done, but he had been credibly informed that without canvassing a sufficient number of policies could not ba got to render it a success. Ha was happy to say it was a auoeSM.

Mr Twonary ; ''d : When it takes all onr exports top for our imports, wheiwill get the in ins of paying iui-r'-Ki on borrowed mooes, which yon once said amounted »o £4,000,000 a year f—Mr Rollenton »oH be was not aware it took nil our exports to pay for imports, but the question was one which admitted of a good detl of discussion, and he was not by any means going to slight it. He had every confidence, however, in our resources , and that our exports would steadily increase. It was a question which was occupying much attention, but he believed nothing but economy would got over the difficulty. MrTwomey : Will you explain what domestic economy h«s to do with tbe question t—Mr Rolleston said any economy wonld tend to increase the wealth, and would have to do with the national wealth.

Mr Scott asked a question about tba letting of an Education reserve in Mr Rolleston’s neighborhood. Several tenders wore in for it, and they ware higher than tbe one that got it. Would it : not ba better to have oi doss-m aettlera on it than that it should he given to the Bank ? —Mr Rolleston said it was a School reserve, and neither the Government nor Parliament had . any control ’ over it. It belonged to the High School. He certainly thought the highest tender ought lo got it, and he questioned whether Mr Scott was right in his facta. Perbapa tbe highest tender got it. In reply to a question, Mr Rolleston said be would not be. in favor of giving the honorarium lo the Queen’s Jubilae fund. (Laughter.) Io reply to Mr Badham, he said he would not give a hasty answer to the question as to whether he would ask for a return of the money spent in prosecuting ThomosHall. Mr Badham asked if there was law for the rich and a law for the poor, would be, be in favor of a law.for the middleman t (Laughter.)—Mr Rolleston did not know who the middleman w«s.

In leply to Mr Badham, be laid he had spoken to the railway officials with regard to making provisions so that persona carting grain on holidays could deposit it at the railway stations without inconvenience to the. railway officials, and be was inforned that such provisions could be made, if desired. He felt an interest ia this, ss he had' been put to inconvenience through the holidays himself. Mr Badham; Thunk'yon, Mr Rolleston. I see yon can give a very direct answer to a question when it is one where the •hoes pinches yourself, (Laughter). Question: Are you ip favor of Ur Twomey’s bank scheme. Mr Rolleston : I am not.

In reply to Mr J. Brown Mr Rolleaton said be would not be in favor of throwing open the reserves (or secondary education for settlement. He was the wrong man to come to with such a question as that. It was nonsense to speak about these being reserves for the rich. -The children of the poor derived as much benefit from them as the children of the rich. Our Education system was hot yet equal to Great Britain’s, and in coming out here working men ought to bo given the means. of climbing to the top of the ladder. . . 1 ■ ■' Mr Brown wanted to know, whore were tbs poor men’s children taking advantage of the secondary school t— Mr Rolleaton said he had not with him a list now, but he saw one showing the large number of ihe children of men of small means who were receiving higher education. He regretted to hear these class distinctions raised. He spoke at considerable length to the same effect.

-Mr Brown; Supposing, a large majority of this meeting toted in furor of doing away with theae reserves, would you vote for it t (Applause) Mr Gant: Did you not hear him say he was the wrong muni He is the wrong man in the wrong place. : Mr Bolleston never addressed a more orderly or representative meeting, but it did not represent all the electors. He would not vote for cutting up the reserves if the majority favored it. This meeting was not the proper place to decide such a question. At tbe general election he would speak on it, and rely on the intelligence of tbe electors. In reply to further questions by Mr Brown, be said be would be inclined to favor limiting the time members of the Upper House should hold office. He would not give a hasty answer to tbe question ns to whether he would give married women votes on the question as to whether there should or should not be public houses. In reply to Mr Cant, be said he was not aware that the Volunteers were guilty of any disgraceful conduct, but it they were a remedy ought to bo fouud for it. He was not prepared to say the -Volunteers were a useless body. . On the motion of Mr Levons, seconded by Mr W, Ackroyd, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

A vote of thanks to tbe Chairman, prop posed by Mr Rol lesion, terminated the proceedings.