THE HON. MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2488, 11 April 1893, Page 4

THE HON. MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Mr Seddon addressed a crowded meeting at Hokitika on Friday night. His W orship the Mayor occupied the chair. A large number of ladies were present. Mr Seddon spoke for three hours. He referred to the position of the colony when the present Government took office, and the position attained, and this notwithstanding that the price of staple products was much less than a few years formerly. The policy of the Government on assuming office was the imposition of a land and income tax, the repeal of the property tax, liberal land laws, resumption of large estates for settlement when required for sottlement (not by the adoption of revolutionary measures but by taking over land where offered) also manhood suffrage. These had been carried out point by point where practicable. Since their assumption of office the exodus had been stopped, and now the people were returning. The Atkinson Government had promised abstention from borrowing for three years, but the present Government had been in office beyond that time, and were determined to do without borrowed money. He drew attention to the fact that the Hon. W. Rolleston formerly approved of the land policy now advocated by the Government, whilst as regards education the Opposition were now lod by Mr Kolleston. When in power he endeavoured to cut down the payments for education for 1888-89. The expenditure for education was then £345,000 ; at the present time it is £383,000. For the financial year the Treasurer had estimated that the gross surplus would b« £330,277, from which appropriations amounting to £290,000 had been made, leaving a net surplus of £34,277. The returns to hand, however, showed a net surplus of £154,000, and Mr Seddon believed that it would yet got to £200,000. Instead of reducing taxation he believed in applying a portion of the surplus in necessary public works. Some would also be required for the exceptional exigencies of education, and the Government contemplated increasing the exemption for improvements. The Government proposed, whore possible, to further exempt improvements as the revenue permitted. With reference to the Cheviot Estate, he said that several valuations had been made, and that it was probable that a profit of £40,000 would result. Railway extension through to Blenhiem was in contemplation, and a proposed betterment tax payable by owners of property through which a railway passed if the sum set apart was not sufficient to meet the charges. He spoke strongly against the present railway management and expressed a determination to have tho system altered. The Government would bring in the Electoral Reform Bill on the same lines as last session, but -would insist on the excision of electoral rights for women. Mr Seddon received an enthusiastic reception, and at the close a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr Be van, the former member. Also a special vote of appreciation of Mr Ballance was carried amid cheers for Mr Seddon and ditto for the Premier.