SIR ROBERT STOUT AT AUCKLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2648, 19 April 1894, Page 3

SIR ROBERT STOUT AT AUCKLAND.

Sir Robert Stout addressed the citizens of Auckland on Tuesday night, on the aims and methods of the Liberal party. Mayor Holland presided, aud there was a large attendance. Sir Robert Stout said the aims of the Liberal party should bo to get the best men into Parliament, into the Executive, aud into public life generally. He urged Parliamentary reform by having the Executive elected by Parliament, and appointed for three years; also reform of the Legislative Council by the electing of new members for the term of six years by the Lower House, half of the number to retire each Parliament, so as to biing the Council into touch with the popular branch of the Legislature. As to the land question, it had been unsatisfactorily dealt with by the Liberal party, and he denounced the “ eternal lease ” —as only freehold by another name—and the single tax. With regard to State acquisition of lands for close settlement, these should only be taken under stress of necessity, and not by a stroke of a Minister’s pen or proclamation, but by a judicial tribunal after judicial investigation. There should be no political element in it, and the same safeguards should be given to Natives and Europeans alike. He approved of Ministerial control of railways, and thought the railways should be more utilised than hitherto to promote settlement and aid struggling farmers in getting produce to market. Coming to social reforms, Sir Robert said why should the Liberal party be afraid of Liberalism 'I Yet some of them shrunk from trusting the-people with power to control the 'iquor traffic. If time came when the saloons controlled the Liberal party that party would seal its own death warrant aud thenceforth become known not as the Liberal party but as the liquor party. He urged that steps should be taken to initiate State old age pensions, commencing at 60, as one solution of the problem of poverty, aud loading to betterment of capable workers left in the labor market, A low scale of contributions would encourage thrift and ease the Charitable Aid Boards. Sir Robert was accordt d a good reception and cordial a vote of thanks at the close of the address