PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2053, 31 May 1890, Page 2

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

MR RHODES AT TEMUKA. Mr A. E, G. Rhodes, M.H.R. for Gladstone, addressed a meeting of his constituents at the Yolunteer Hall, Temuka, last night. There was a large attendance, and Mr James Blyth, Chairman of the Temuka Town Board, presided. Mr Blyth said that there was no occasion to explain the object of the meeting. They were there to meet their representative, who, as customary, desired to address them prior to the coming session. Ho was no stranger to them, for he had taken an active part in many of their local gatherings. He trusted they would accord him a patient hearing. Mr Rhodes, who on rising was loudly applauded, said : Mr Chairman and Gentlemen,— are on the eve of another session I have asked you to meet me this evening to give a short review of the political events that have happened during the last year. Before proceeding to give a history of the work of last session I would like to make a fev#- remarks on the FINANCIAL EB3TJLTB of the year 1888-89. When speaking here last year I said the Government claimed to have a surplus of about £70,000. As a matter of fact they took credit in their financial statement for a surplus of £77,769, but this ineluded the primage duly, amounting to £46,132, which, you will remember, was put on for the purpose of paying off the balance of deficiency, which was not funded. The Government paid off £50,000 of their deficiency and were able to show a small surplus, notwithstanding the fact that they had provided £52,000 for purposes previously charged to loan. The financial statement was brought down at a very early stage in the session, and there seemed every appearance of a profitable working session until a aeries of stonewalling was started.

1 he principal fight was over THE REPRESENTATION BILL, the Government early in the session introduced a bill providing for election of members on the Hare system. The colony was to be divided into four districts, Northern, Central, Midland, and Southern. As an illustration I will take the one in which Gladstone electorate would have been situated, namely, the Midland. This would have comprised the Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, and Canterbury provincial districts, and would have returned 21 members. The debate on this bill was a very lifeless affair, as there was no chance of it being carried. I myself would have voted against the introduction of such large electorates, as it would be almost impossible for a candidate or member to have a thorough knowledge of those four provinces. I would like to see the Hare system tried in smaller constituencies, such as the four new city electorates, which will in future return three members each. One fatal objection to this Bill is that a large proportion of the population do not understand the Hare system, and in any case such a radical change should not be introduced until the country has some opportunity of expressing an opinion on it. The Representation Bill was withdrawn, and a second Representation Bill introduced. This was for the purpose of readjusting the quota. There always has been an allowance in New Zealand in country districts in the number of population in constituencies, and I believe in England they are allowed a much smaller proportion of members in London than in the other districts. Previous to 1881 there was no fixed allowance. In that year the constituencies were arranged bv Parliament with an allowance of about 33| per cent. In 1887 Sir Robert Stout, got this reduced to 18 per cent., making use of the North Island members, who ware entitled to more representation, and could only get it on this condition. But this” was only a temporary compromise, and it was always understood that the question

would have to be fought out later. The Bill introduced by the Government deducted 25 per cent, from the population of the four principal city electorates. All other towns, such as Napier, Nelson, Timaru, e*c., were counted as country districts. Although a 25 per cent, deduction from cities was really the same as a addition to the country districts this iml was of no real benefit to a 1 purely country electorate like this Ihe only people who got the benefit were those living m the smaller boroughs— those containing a population of oyer 2000. After a long and bitter struggle between the town and country members, during which all sorts of proposals were made, it was decided to add 28 per

cent, to the population not living in any city, borough, or town district of oyer 2000 inhabitants. The practical result is that purely city electorates will contain about 9711, and purely country electorates 7586. I believe the quota has been fairly adjusted It seems to me right that sparselypeopled country districts should have more proportionate representation than cities. The electors in cities can combine to promote their views, and the cities control the most influential papers. This principle is recognised m most parts of the world. The only other amendment in the EepresentaApffH that voting in more than one electorate at the san?P election is made an offence punishable With a fine not exceeding £6O. The principle of j

“ one man, one vote,” is now thoroughly established in New Zealand. (Applause.) There was a large majority of the House in favor of this amendment. Personally I think if a man has a largo stake in a district he should be entitled to vote, but it will make very difference in the result of an election. As matter of fact, the belief that a candidate was bringing a lot of absentee voters was rather - prejudicial to him than otherwise. In " connection with this Bill I should like to make another protest against the systematical stonewalling which characterised the opposition to this Bill others during the past session. It is absolutely necessary that the cloture, in seme form or other, should be introduced if the business of the the country is to be proceeded with without undue waste of time. lam very sorry that the members of. the Opposition refused, during the 1 early stages of this Parliament, to allow any proposal for reform in that direction to be discussed, but I hope, if some steps are not taken next session; that the question will he raised at the general elections, and that the country will insist on some radical.reforms in procedure, which will put an end to such obstruction as has occurred during recent sessions;; 'Besides; the- waste of time and money, a stonewall ill* capacitates a large proportion of the members giving. proper attention;; to work for some time after the stonewall has ended. Although some amendment of the present system of MOSPITAL AND CHAEIXABLE AID MANAGEMENT '' ’ 1

is required, I could not see my way to support the Bill introduced by ■ tlie Government. The Bill had, in my opinion, two very grave defects. First, it gave certain local bodies (called Controlling Councils), the power of spending funds contributed by several local bodies. For example, the Timaru Hospital and Charitable Aid District would consist of Timaru Borough, Geraldine County, and Mackenzie County. These ■ three local bodies would contribute in proportion to the rateable value of their land, and ttho Timaru Borough would have "the spending of the money. Such a system of taxation without, representation would not answer in this colony, ihe other grave defect in the Bill was that the proposed new districts were to be too small. For example, Canterbury was to be divided into five districts, viz., North Canterbury, Akaroa, Ashburton, Timaru, and Waimate, instead of into two, as at present. I strongly object to these small districts. (Hear, hear.) If we are to have them we had better let boroughs and counties manage their own charitable aid, and let hospitals go back to the Government, and be wholly paid for out of ordiuary’.revenue. I can see no reason why Geraldine and Mackenzie counties should contribute towards the charitable relief in Timaru if Waimate does not. We had, as usual, another fight over the OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

A Bill to provide for the construe* tion of this line to Eweburn was introduced by the Government, but I am glad to say it was not passed. It was anticipated that this line would be completed as far as Middlemarch before 1890. The cost of the lino from Chain Hills to Middlemarch, a distance of 40 miles, will be about £520,000. I always understood the advocates for this line to claim that Middlemarch would be a paying point. But here, as in the case of all New Zealand railways, as the work advances the paying point appears to recede. (Laughter). The report made by tho Kailway Commissioners calculated that the expenditure (£520,000) on constructing the railway to Middle* march would be of no use to the colony unless the line was extended another 38 miles, to Eweburn, at a cost of £200,000. But even then, although it might pay working expeases oyer the whole line, it would

, r-J on me *5520,000 already spent, and they would not expect it to pay much interest oq tho cost of extension. Practically the report amounted to this “ hat the effect of constructing the line to Eweburn would be that by the turth'T expenditure of £200,000, you P®7 expenses on the whole line." this did not seem to me sufficient idnucement to vote for the immediate extension of this line, especially as

most ot the other unfinished railways would show as good a result from immediate extension as this. (Applause.) My main reaSon for °PP° Bl “g tha Government Bill was that the money was to be priucipally supplied by fresh, borrowing, and that of an especially Tn 6 ( If t p na j ® £0 o m ’ Datne, 7. from the Trust -Funds. Some £150,000 was to be appropriated from unalloted portions of the last loan, and the balance could be lent out of any moneys available for investment belonging to any department of the Government. The repayment of this *irn™ be provided f or by taking «fc15,000 a year from the pastoral rents m the neighbourhood of the railway. I believe the desire of the country is still against borrowing money, no matter where from/ for railway extension, and I am glad to y the leader of the Opposition has ow come to the same opinion. NW oU ® b r ® a^ance last session, at , . P ler i_ waa in favour of borrowing to tang th ? gnashed )i nfa to the PAymg pojnt points, he eeems. tQ have

altered his opinion, by his Wanganui speech, and I certainly object to tampering with the Trust Pun do for railway construction. (Applause.) I am afraid the recent visit of Ministers and members of the House of Representatives to the proposed

NOETH ISLAND CENTRAL EAILWAT route points to the likelihood of a determined attempt to push on the construction of the North Island Trunk line. Although I believe it 'will eventually be profitable te construct this line I shall strongly oppose it being vigorously pushed on with at present. There seems little "chance of proceeding with this line without undertaking railway extension in other parts of the colony, but my main objection to proceeding with this line is that the route is principally through land which has not been acquired by the Crown, and is not taxable, I think most of the Native land along the line should be bought before constructing the line, and I think the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Application Act Amendment Act, which allocated' a further sum of £120,285 for the purchase of Native lands along the route of this line would be far better spent in acquiring the land and then making the line out of the proceeds of the sale of the land than by pushing on the construction at present. One measure passed last,j.session which I think will de a great deal of good in the North Island is the appointment of a commission to investigate and put right the

DEFECTIVE TITLES (to land bought from the natives. The Government have appointed Mr Edwards, of "Wellington, to the post of Chief Commissioner, and I believe they could not have made a much better selection.,. They have also appointed him a Supreme Court Judge. I certainly think it desirable that the Chief Commissioner should have the status of .a Supreme Court Judge, considering the enormous interests at stake.; Moreover, I do not suppose any man with- the necessary legal qualifications' would take a temporary appointment like that unless he was permanently provided for. Still I think it is a pity that the appointment to the Supreme Court Judgeship was not deferred until Parliament passed an Act providing for a salary for an additional judgeship. It is certainly undesirable that a Supreme Court Judge should be dependent on an annual vbtei for his salary. (Hear, hear.) An important Bill, namely,

THE SELECLOBS’ LANDS BETALTTATION ACT, was passed, under which certain deferred payment and perpetual leaseholders .can apply to the Land Board before Jan. 1,1891, to have a revaluation made of allotments in their occupation, and the basis of such revaluation is the value of the allotment, exclusive of improvements, at the time of revaluation. This measure has enabled the Land Board to give relief to certain crown tenants, -to whom it is:both .just and expedient to give some form of relief. It was unnecessary to bring these matters before the judicial court, as proposed in the Fair Rent Bill, as the Land Board can deal With the ease. There have been very few applications in Canterbury for royal ution under this Act. As.both the

OCEAN MAIL SBETICIS . ' were expiriag at the end of 1889, a long debate took place on the question of subsidies, and the House finally decided to;.' renew them for another on .what are certainly more advantageous terms to the colony. Last election I strongly advocated that the San Francisco mai] should be abolished, but as it seems, impossible to get the House to agree to subsidise only one mail service 1 voted for Mr Saunders resolution “That;.the Post-ma»ter-General or any officer deputed by,, him inky, at his discretion, place mails bn any ocean going steamer, and pay for'the same not exceeding 3s per lb for .letters, 6d- per lb for books, and, 3d. per .lb for newspapers;” As, we have only temporary mail services at present, , the question must come before the House again next session I intend to go fully into the question this evening, especially as the proposals submitted by the British Government to the Australian colonies, to lower the postage rate to gives the question aspecial interest at present. Although the telegraphic reports from Wellington state that results from the ’Frisco •errice are from £2OOO to £3OOO better than : last year, not having full details of the amount of mail carried I have taken my figures from the last -post office .return. The. advocates of the ’Frisco service lay great stress on the fact that in 1888 the Frisco service only. cost the colony the sum of £23 8s 7d, and the direct service £6OBO 3s 4d, that is, after taking cret? it for postages, contributions troin England, etc. But, looking at the question differently , we find that the subsidy, etc., to the San Francisco service of £25,990 was equal to a payment by weight of 18a 9d for letters, Is Id for books, and 4d for newspapers per lb. So, as_a,matter of fact, we are paying the San Francisco service £2IOO per ton for carrying our letters, and enabling them to damage our wheat market in Australia at the same time. The post office return

gives the actual cost of conveyance of letters by the direct service during ' 1888 as £1 5s Id per lb, and this means that we are paying £2809 per ton by this route. Our arrangement ; this year is more advantageous, and we are only paying 12s per pound for Otters, Js 6d for boohs, and Od tor “'•V ' v

newspapers, but I think the steamers are more than well paid at £1344 a ton for letters. (A. voice: “Rather! ”) The 'post office officials seem to have a great horror of cheap postages, and we have been favoured with various telegrams is the newspapers showing the great loss which will be incurred if we adopt Mr Q-oschen’s proposal of a 2§d rate to England. They put the loss down at £31,244 per annum on the English mails. I even see cables from England stating that the more letters you carry at 2£d the greater the loss. These calculations are baaed entirely on the assumption that we keep up our present extravagant subsidies. Whether wo keep them up or not, I feel certain that England, after the late proposal, will decline to pay her present heavy contributions to the'service. The reason they would make a loss at is that they at present carry the whole of our ’Frisco mail to England and back, and pay 4d and 5d each for their own letters, via ’Frisco and direct. This contribution amounted last year to £20,000. It was, I believe, only continued after great pressure from the Postoffice, here, and we must reckon to lose this; in future. We heard a good deal last session of it being a retrograde step! to do without a regular mail service,! but my opinion is that although the 'Steamship companies might give s ; little trouble at first, they would have to keep up rapid and regular communication with England, whether subsidised or not. The frozen meat trade 1 alone will ensure this, and I certainly see no necessity to pay £2OOO a ton! for carrying letters to shorten the passage a day or two. (Ap-! plause.) It is not nearly so important a matter now to shorten the contract time for delivering letters as it used to be, since most important business, is now done by cable. I think we should certainly be justified in spending some money to get cheap cable especially if we saved it on the mail service. Two and a-half pence per Tetter means £745 a ton, and we could afford to pay a fair freight and still make a profit instead of a loss out of the ; English mails. I believe we are only paying the direct unsubsidised steamers Id each for letters and nothing for books or newspapers. Ibis seems very stingy after after bur royal system of payment to the other lines, but really this amounts to £298 per tm—a -fairly profitable cargo. (Hear, hear.) Cheap postal rates will not only be, an advantage in advertising the colony, but will bo of a great advantage to many to' whom the present rates are almost prohibitive. It is certainly time these colonies joined the; Postal Union.’ Nearly all civilised countries now belong to it, and they noL only get the benefit of sending their matter through' any country, or by any service belonging to members of .the Postal Union at a fixed tariff, but. the country from which the letter originates has to pay all the cost of transit. By this we could force America. to pay the‘cost of their letters to this colony, and we could make better arrangements for the distribution of our own matter. Take, for instance, South America. We opened up communicaton with Brazil to distribute our South American mail, which goes by direct steamer to Rio. They refuse to distribute southern letters under 7d a piece, so that the cost of postage is fixed at Is to Buenos Ayres, and after paying direct steamer we lose by it. If we were members of the Postal Union we could compel most 1 of the South American states to .distribute them at a cost of probably under twopence.

THE RAILWAYS There is still a widespread diasatisfaiton among the farming community at the manner in which the railways —the grain trade especially—have been worked this year. If possible, there has been a greater deficiency of trucks than ever. We hear the same cry year after year, and it seems • monstrous that the Department cannot—either by building more trucks or running extra trains—make provision for the grain and stock trade. Ihe amount of loss in wasted time alone, such as waiting for trucks, must be great. The dissatisfaction is so great that I am convinced that, unless some improvement is made at once by the Commissioners, .the, country will, at the next election, demand that the Government take the control of the railways back into their own hands, (Applause.) I am certain that it would be very unwise to sell our railways to a private synd cate. This has been urged in several points of New 1 *nd as a means of abolishing the property tax. Personally, I. shall be sorry to see the property tax abolished if it can only be done by handing over our railways to a foreign syndicate for them to screw the revenue out of the producers who use the railways. (Applause.) I do not b.lieve a syndicate would give for our railways anything like as much as they have post, as Eng'ish speculators would require a great "deal more than 3 per cent, when investing in colonial railways. Our carrying trade is already in ' too few hands—our coastal service is a monopoly. There seems every chance of the direct service combining for practical purposes, and it would be ridiculous to hand over our railways to private monopolists. The Commissioners will be able to show a good increase in the earnings of the railways, I believe they have made a clear profit of oyer 3 per cent. This, no doubt, is a strong recommendation, but this profit may be too dearly bought, if it is at the logs of the farmer and the inconvenience of the public. The Railway Department should not only aim at making a profit, but at carrying ‘he greatest amount of produce and passengers for that profit, thereby adding to the wealth and convenience of the taxpayers. (Applause.) The excuse for the block of grain at Lyttelton and Tijnaru is probably

correct, but trom the evidence we had before the Public Accounts Committee the Department have for a long time been trying to get a monopoly of the Lyttelton storage into -their own hands, and after that there cm ha no excuse in their urging th t there is not sufficient storage at Lyttelton. FEDERATION. Another subject that we have board a g r est deal of latelyi is the question of federation, and, ns you are aware, at the conference recently held in- Melbourne New was represented by Sir John Hall aaJ the Hon. Captain Russell. The outcome of the conference was the passing of a unanimbas resolution recommending federation of the Australian (mainland) I colonies. It was els settled that power should be given to the more distant co'dnies, such as New Zealand, to join at a later date. I am glad that our representatives did not commit ih-ra-s«lves to any! proposal to include Ne .v Zealand in this federation. Personally 1 believe the time,is fnr distent when it would suit New Zealand to place itself in any way under the control of the Australian Federal Council. The only possible benefit to us from any form of federation would be if it were accompanied by intercolonial freetrade, no as to give us a wider free market for our produce, b it judging from the speeches of prominent Australians this is not likely to result from any scheme of federation likely to be adopted, ani even then I am not sure that this privilege would not be too dearly purchised at the price of the surrender of our true local self-govern-ment.- (Hear, hear.) In accordance with ; a promise made when addressing you last year, 1 introduced at the very commencement of last session an amendment of ; THE TOWN DISTRICTS ACT,

providing that eVery elector in a town district, who is duly qualified to vote, should be qualified to be elected as a commissioner. I was asked to allow several other amendments to be lacked ou to my Bill, but I thought it safer to refuse any amendments and make certain of my B 11, and I am glad to say il wag passed through all its stages. I cannot understand why town districts ware put on a different footing te coun'y councils, road boards, or boroughs. You know how the law worked in Arowheoua. The old anomily is done away with, and you now luvb a wider choice of commissioners. Although there were a number of local Bibs passed during the session relating to South Canterbury, none of them were of any particular interest to Tamuka. There was some useful legislation with regard to Chattels Securities which the Government rntroducad at my request, and the Land Transfer Act. 1 hope the House will deal with the Bankruptcy Aat next session, (A voioa : “ Time tuey did.”)

HARBOUR BOARDS, wanting fresh legislation have had a great difficulty in getting fresh rating or borrowing powers, and I think our Harbour Board is to be congratulated on having won the case against Shaw Saville and Ca., in England (applause), as if the case had gone the other way it would have been a very serious matter for this district, as the money coull only have been raised by a heavy rate. For some time it has been known that the New Plymouth Harbour Board would be unable to pay their way, and now the crisis has come, and they hive nude default in payment of their interest. 1 hope the Government will stmd fi m' and refuse to admit the possibility of any liability on the part of the co'ony, (Applause ) The claim that the land I»wa have been altered would not justify the colony helping the Harbour Board. The great d'fficulty in the case of New Plymouth is ihat the expenditure has been absolutely thiown away. While quite agreeing with the Hon, Mr Fergus that as local loans fall due and new ones are authorised it is not only our duty, but a at tesmanlike policy to devise means by which local bodies should obtain the accommodation required at more reasonable rates than in the past, talking of immediately saving some £98,000 per annum by consolidating all local loans seems to me ridiculous, because the majority are borrowed for long periods, and it would be a much worse default for the local body to have the power to compel bondholders to take a Government guarantee and 3£ pec cent , instead of 6 per cent, without. Some of 1 the 6 per cants, stand as high as over 120, and the bondholders certainly would not agree to consolidation unless they received an increased amount of stock. Practically we must wait until the loans fall due, I do not believe Government stocks will permanently fall because one or two local bodies default. As a matter of fact the members of the London Stock Exchange must have known that New Plymouth would probibly make default.

REVENUE. I During last election we heard a good ' deal about our imports being excessively high as compared with our exports. 1 remember being asked a good maay questions on this subject. The balance of trade is a most difficult subject, and I have not time to go into it this evening, but I think our export trade must be increasing fast enough to satisfy the most exacting! Our exports last year have again increased by a million and a.bslf over the previous year, or about 3 millions in two years, and amounted to £9,714,513. (Applause.) Oar imports daring the same year only increased by a quarter of a million. I never lost-faith in New Zealand, and believe our trade will increase consider- < ably during the next few years ; and no doubt, with fresh capital coming in for investment, as it la bound to do when we ,can once re-establish our credit, our imports will increase. (Hear, hear.) Turning to the revenue and expenditure of the financial year that has just closed, we find that the revenue actually raised during the year was £4,209,247 8s 3d, or £21,447 8s 3d more than the estimate. The total expenditure was £4,121,841 J Is sd, or £28,861 8s 41 less than the estimate—a total saving of £87,405 18i 7d. This with a balance of £27,763 3s 5d with which the year began, gives a net surplus of £116,174, and I roust heartily congratulate the Government on this {result. Strictly speaking, this surplus should perhaps be reduced by the sum of £55,000, which was derived from the primage duty. This primage duty, you will remember, was pledged to pay the deficit of £128,000, and it only runs for a. short time longer, and as not more than £13,000 can be expected fronpj this duty I km glad ihe Government will be able to pay lout qf their surplus the bailee o|

•this deficit. It .is very satisfactory that we, have a fair 4 surplus' and this yeari notwithstanding the 'fact that the customs revenue is £49,126 under the estimate. Our public finances have thus been gradually put on a sounder footing., In October of last year the Government floated the conversion loan of ; £2,700,000 at 3£ per cent., at an average’cost of £95'1658d. : This will be a considerab'e present saving to the revenue, and a mtich greater saving in the future, as when our credit-is firmly established the Government will bo able -to borrow .at oven 3 per cent. The Hon, Mr Fergus had proposed that some provision should be made for the maintenance of school buildings. In the South Island especially something must be done, and I hope some of the surplus will be set:apart for this purpose* Unfortunately the:cloud hanging over the '

BANK OF NEW : ZEALAND, lately has acted very prejudicially against a revival of trade. Not only Has that institution been forced to restrict advances so as to prevent legitimate speculation, but-it has reacted on other financiaLinstitutions, which have had to proceed with; great caution in order to strengthen their position and be prepared for any financial disaster. &.a a proof of th's, since 1884 the total bank advances in New Zealand have decreased by a million, while their deposits have increased by three millions, showing a total lessened indebtedness by the public to the banks of four millions. (Applause). Mr Hean’s report on the Bank of New Zealand is now before us, . and will, no doubt, . clear, the financial atmosphere.. In cases it is always beat to know the worst. ' The London directors declined to take control until they got the report of their own nominee, and, as they take the assets over on Mr Horn's valuation, 1 have no doubt his instructions give a reliable report, no’ matter how unfortunate, and that we nowknow the extent of the bank’s losses. We cannot tell what will be the precise steps taken to reorganise the bank, but, what-, ever they may be, I hope that in future the bank .will confine itself to purely banking business, and will take prompt action to dispose of its many properties. A policy of that kind will not only benefit the shareholders of the bank, but be ef enormous benefit to the colony. I hope the colony will not adopt the policy suggested by the Hon. Mr Fergus of buying up the properties of involved financial houses at their own prices, even although it is with land bonds, which, in ray opinion, would be a very expensive means of borrowing. Judging from recent land sales here, I am convinced that all good properties could be sold if financial houses wrote them down to their fair value, and I should certainly oppose the Government giving more than that. With the public credit established now, and ouv financial institutions on a sound footing again, I think a revival in trade is sure lo follow. The pastoral industry is certainly on a very much improved footing, and as trade in England and all over the world seems to be undoubtedly improving, I think we have every reason to look for fair prices for our produce in the immediate future.

LABOR QUESTION. However mnch we may deplore the waste, suflfcring,. and loss o£ capital involved in a strike, I do not believe they can _be permanently successful unless they are justifiable. The recent strikes in moat of the trades in England, have been, as a rule, successful, and were the outcome of a general trade revivals and have resulted in a general increase in the spending power of the great mass of the populatio, which cannot fail to benefit us here, aa it must mean a greater demand for ail our produce. ALTERATION OP DISTRICTS. As you are aware, one result of the reduction of the number of representatives is that the Gladstone electorate is out out. The Commissioners had a difficult duty to perform, as, judging from the. debates, the House appeared to think that it was more important that the now constituencies should vary as little ae possible from the quota, than that the community of interest or means of . communication should be observed.- 1 think it a pity Mackenzie county should bo put into Wainsate, as their community of interest certainly lies more with Timaru and Geraldine County than with Waimate. Although I shall probably not have the pleasure of addressing you in this ball again as the member for Gladstone electorate, I shall, if my friends wish it, offer myself at the next election as a candidate for your sufforagea for the Geraldine electorate, , CONCLUSION. I have to thank you for your kind and patient hearing and shall be happy to reply to any questions to the best of my ability.. Mr Rhodes then answered a number of questions put to him, which will be given in detail in our next issue. VOTES OP THANKS. Mr John Talbot then ascended the stage and said that ha had much pleasure in proposing that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Rhodes, also an expression of confidence in him as their representative. In all his proceedings he had deserved’ their confidence, and be had always shown a disposition to comply with any demands made: npon him locally. He was ever willing to pay attention to the request of any elector, as we 1 1 as to those preferred by local bodies. Politically his actions were iu the right direction. The leaders of the country were of opinion, and he felt sure the country agreed with them, that it was expedient that the'brake should be kept on a little longer, Mr Rhodes, as they could see by his address, had consistently advocated this, and in doing so was serving their interests as a body. On another subject they would all be agreed, and that was as to the conduct of the Rail wap Commissioners. Their appointment had been a mistake, and - their administration of the railway system has been made a vehicle for extortion. He wonld not, however detain them, but would move that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to their member for bis address, and that this meeting.have confidence in him as their representative. Mr J. Wareing seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Rhodes thanked the meeetiog for the vote accorded him and desired to move a vote of thanks to , the chairman, On every previous occasion upon which he .had addressed jihem ilc K. Jf, Gray had occupied the chair,, and" although in Mr Blyth they had a moat worthy successor, still he could not Ist the occasion pass without expressing his regret that theirIfttC chairman had left the. district. The

vote was carried by acclamation, and' Mir Blyth having returned thanks the meeting dispersed.