The Hon. the Premier before his Constituents.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3872, 27 May 1881, Page 2

The Hon. the Premier before his Constituents.

The Hon. John Hall, Premier of the Colony, addressed his constituents at Leeston, Canterbury, last evening. "We abridge the Press Association report of the address. . ' "'.

Mr Hall, after treating several local subjects, made reference to Sir George Grey's remarks at the Thames' regarding the £100,000 loau to the Patea Harbour Board. He said Sir George Grey declared he wished to drop the curtain, but it would not be fair to allow the curtain or the subject to be dropped without the facts being made known. In July, 1879, the Grey Government was in its death struggle. The want of confidence motion against that Government was passed on July 29. On the day before, namely, July 28, Mr dherwood, by letter, applied to Sir Gorge Grey for an advance of £2,500, in aid of the Patea Board, out of the funds of the Annuities Department. Everybody knew, probably, that as a rule such an application was not very quickly dealt with, but Mr Sherwood, on the same day as he applied (July 28), received an answer that the advance should be made if the Board's debentures proved to be a security in which funds of this particular department could be legally invested. The law officers decided on the 25th that this was not so. On July 30th, or. two days after the first application, Mr Sherwood wrote to the Postmaster-General explaining the previous failure, and asking for help out of the Savings Bank Fund. He stated, in the letter, that Sir George Grey had received the first application most favourably, and he also increased the sum asked for to £10,000. On the next day, July 31st, the application for the whole £10,000 was granted. If this statement of facts should be denied, every portion of it could be proved. Could any one believe that all these things were unconnected with Mr Sherwood's candidature for Egmont District? We knew the pace at which Government business of the kind would ordiuarily be gone through. We knew that Mr Sherwood was opposing Major Atkinson, aud how important it was to him that he should secure' the advance and return to his canvass of the constituency, and when we saw the transaction got through in an extraordinary rapid Way, we were to believe that it was an innocent coincidence ! If it were so, it was simply miraculous. He believed that people generally would agree with him that the transaction was a discreditable one. Sir George Grey, when before his constituents, denounced the system under which such an advance could be made, but Sir George Grey, as Premier, allowed the system to continue in full force during his term of offide. As soon, however, as the present Government came, into power, the system was attacked. Mr Sheehan moved in the House to refer to the Public Accounts Committee, the whole question of dealing with trust funds, and he (Mr Hall) supported the motion. The Committee did not report on the matter during 1879, but last year they recommended that the trust funds should be invested in Government securities, Only the House bad not, in fact' approved the recommendation; but the Government had conformed to it, and thus they bad ended a system which Sir George Grey so strongly denounced, but of which he did not attempt to get rid of. An extraordinary suggestion was made by .Sir [George Grey in his speech at Coromandel. The only way, he said, of stopping Government

Patronage to friends would be to attempt the American system, which gave each Government a right ©f turning out pre■utnably hostile officials, and filling their Pjaeeg with men more friendly disposed ■That was a* proposal to apply i n the worst way possible what was generally admitted to be the worst feature of the American system. This taken with the inflammatory talk induced in about the people being over ridden •y the minority, and the constant prophesying of ruin and misery, forced the conviction that much of Sir Georhc Grey's public speaking had its origin in a diseased imagination, or a mere love of reckless platform oratory. It was constantly j being asserted that the last session was a most barren oue, and that this was largely due tb the Government having brought down a flood of bills; but what were the facts ? The number of Government bills introduced during the session of 1880 was less than the average for the last four years. In 1877 there were 67 such bills; in 1878, 50; in 1879—two sessions 72* and in 1880, 61. The Statute Book could prove that the session was far from barren, and an examination of Hansard would satisff anybody that the session was prolonged and made dreary by mcv things as the no-confidence debate, which, without ever having a chaiice of being carried, occupied a 'ourtl^mthe whole session ; and by much t*rafflH^ I nialterA of no practica\value. i^iwiwa^sigtfa" tion of the late I* tive Minwwfplfie story had been told by Mr Bryce himself. There was nothing to be added. The other members of the Government differed with Mr Bryce—and. Honest men must occasionally differ. His colleagues were united in their regret for the difference and its result,and they were in unison with the evidently general conviction that, as Native Minister, Mr Bryce: bad done much good work, which the country would not soon forget. Prominent amongst the work done in the.Parliament last sdssion was what had been accomplished in the direction of financial reformIt was proved thai; the Colonial Treasurer's statement, in 1879, as to the deficiency was justified. He constantly reiterated the charge which the Opposition members were so fond Of making—that the statement injured the credit of the colony. It was unfounded. That depression would follow the publication of such a truth as to the finances was perhaps inevitable, but the action, taken restored confidence. There was a general recognition of the House, and especially by the Press, that to have done otherwise would have been highly censurable. Now the colonial securities were quoted higher: than ever before. Truth as to the deficiency, and honest effort to secure financial equilibrium, would never really injure a country; but unfounded accusations against public men, unjustifiable depression of the prospects of the country, and illogical urging that paper money issued by the State would cure all evils, must tend to be injurious, and might be believed seriously ; so the Government cheerfully acknowledged the assistance given by the House last year in doing what, so far as he knew, was then done for the first time, actually reducing the estimates as brought down; but during the recess the Government bad, without fuss or pretensions, gone still further into 'what they felt to be an unpleasant but most necessary task, and as a result be opined' it Would be found that the estimates, when presented next session, were for nearly £250,003 less than those pre aented in 1880. Major Atkinson, in his recent speeches, had exhausted the 'question of the Property Tax. Mr Ormond had told his constituents that the tax had been imposed without the people having been consulted; but such a statement could not be justified, because this discussion in the House on the Land Tax of Sir George Grey and throughout the country during the general election had completely raised the question as between the two taxes. Sir.George Grey, despite the manner in which he had been answered in the House, continued to urge taxing the English bondholders. He (Mr Hall) must persist in sta'ing his conviction that such a course would be practically a breach of faith; that it would amount to partial repudiation, and that it would damn tlie credit of the colony in London. The views of the Government at to the native land purchase system were fully stated by him in bis address last year. Experience had confirmed these views. The Govern ment had steadily pursued their policy, viz., first to complete purchases which they found near completion; second, in certain cases to take land sufficient to represent the amount of Government advances, and to release the- rest; third, where only small payments had been made to abandon negotiations with the consent of the natives interested. He hoped that in six or eight months everything connected with the Government purchases would be wound up. There had been much talk about Patetere. He would only now say -that if Sir Geo. Grey would move next session to reappoint his Patetere Committee, which last year he got, but did not take advantage of, he (Mr Hall) would second the motion. Mr Hall allude I to the enquiries made by Mr Bradlaugh in the House of Commons re dealing with the native prisoners. He said that gentleman had acted at the instigation of an opponent of the Government. It was, however, his duty, as the head of the Colonial Government, to say that the Imperial Govera* ment long ago directed the transfer to the colony of the [responsibility and the burden of conducting native affairs. The management of these affairs by the colony had been, if not perfect, certainly juat. Laws had been altered to meet the peculiarities of the natives, loyal and otherwise, and they had teen in many ways exempted from taxation that fell on all European residents. The Government of the colony would continue to be ready to give information bearing on the native J question that might be desired by the Imperial Government, but the present Government of the colony would not I allow outside interference with the management of native affairs. It was in every way important that the natives should continue to recognise that it was to the Colonial Government they must look for the. redress of grievance* and *he * preservation of right. Mr Vincent Pykj* had commenced an agitation in Otagb, at; to the mode in which runs there were to be dealt with when tkeir lease fell in ; but the agitation was unnecessary, because, before it was begun, the Government bad taken steps for the classification of land. That which was fit for agriculture would be surveyed into three classes, namely, for village settlements, for sale on deferred payment, and for sale for cash. The Government regretted exceedingly the circnmstanees that had compelled Mr Oliver to retire from the Ministry. That gentleman had had the nejNtoarily un>

popular and unpleasant duty of reducing expenditure and increasing receipts from the railway system. He bad succeeded in making them pay 3£ per cent, on their cost, instead of 2£ per cent. That was a great success. In losing Mr Oliver, the country lost an able, painstaking, and conscientious administrator. As to the future, much of the work of next session must be that of dealing with measures introduced last year, but not passed. Foremost were those relating to electoral reform, namely, the of Elec tious Bill, the Corrupt Practice Prevention Bill, and the Bedistribution of Seats .bill. As to the first, it would be proposed to extend the hours of polling, and probably to have all elections on the same day. An endeavour would also be made to satisfy voters that the system of ballot was really a sacred one. He believed there was (comparatively at least), rery little of bribery or other corruption at elections in this colony ; but " prevention was better than cure," and it would be sought; to make the law as effective as fairly possible. One proposal would probably be to close public houses during the hours of pollingThe Redistribution Bill of last session could not be again introduced, because the census report would destroy the population returns used in the preparation of that measure ; but the principles of the Bill would remain unchanged, namely, (1.) That the population should be primarily the basis of representation ; (2) .that, speaking generally, regard should nevertheless be Qad to the circumstances of the population; and (3), that no important district should be left without representation. Rigid equality between population and representation if attainable would in some cases involve greater evils than a trifling departure from such equally. He believed the proposition would be generally accepted that relatively to the actual number of voters, country districts should have somewhat larger representation than town districts. Sir George Grey had said the Government bill would not pass. That, it might be supposed, meant that Sir George would oppose it, but Parliament would fail in its duty if such measure were not passed in the ensuing session. The Government believed that the Constitution, mitjht be beneficiently amended in another direction. He believed a second chamber to be necessary, and most useful in any form of national representative government. -For any Minister or body of men men to be conscious of possessing absolute power, without check or appeal was dangerous, and likely to lead to despotism. The Legislative Council of New Zealand had, by its-action, greatly improved our legislation; it had not resisted any important measure on which public opinion had been definitely expressed ; but it bad saved the colony from dangerous proposals which had never been renewed. Amongst the many suggestions for improving the constitution of the Council, his opinion most inclined to one similar to that discussed by the House in 1878, on the motion of Mr Curtis. That plan Was in effect that the number of members of the Council should be one half the number of members of the House; that whenever a vacancy occurred it should be filled by a vote of the House, taken by ballot; and if there was prolonged difference of opinion, as to any measure, it should be settled by the two Chambers sitting as one, and voting upon the question. It wig supposed that by such a plan elections to the Council would, as far as was possible, be freed from party character, and that there would be more "probability than at present of members of the Council being chosen from those who had rendered eminent services to the colony—whether in the House, upon the judge's bench, or'in any other capacity ;or from those who had become conspicious by general ability and high character. The quesiiou was, however, a most serious one, and it would have to be very fully con sidered by Parliament and the country before any practical attempt was made to solve the grave constitutional problem of how to secure a satisfactory second Chamber iv a new and progressive country. Mr Hall proceeded to describe the other measures or Vroposajs it was intended to submit to' Pa.rfom.cnt next session. It would be said he sought to abolish the law of entail s« •,! tp prevent land being locked up, except, perhaps, during a minority. Proposals, flight be made outside Parliament for, sepuriug large expenditure on public irpr^s, aud for the purchase of the priucipiUJnea of railway. The country should be on its guard against such proposals, which must necessarily be conceived in the interests of those to be concerned in the operation. The Government would, opposa any scheme of the kind. There was, however another mode of helping on railway, construction. Public attention bad already been directed, and that mode W/hwb involved the policy of granting lajn4 subsidies towards making approved ljnei, for which money was not available, would be favourably considered. 'Of course, any proposal with this object would have to be most carefully opiiidi. tioned, so as to secure settlement along (; ijb lines. The Hospitals and Charitable 4 4 Bill would again be introduced; aod he felt confident it would be passed. The Licensing Bill of last session would bp resubmitted, and passed. On the opening of, unlicensed drinking shops, under the guise of working men's clubs, the real owners in some cases—men to whom licenses had been refused—was threatening to become a strenuous evil, and it would be proposed to require that all clubs of whatever class should pay a liceuse fee, and be under the control of the police. A bill, prepared by the Queensland Government, and approved of in the recent intercolonial conference, with the object of limiting Chinese immigration, would be introduced immediately after the commencement of the session. Measures would be prepared by the Statutes' Consolidating Commission, which would freei the Statute Book of S6 Acts. In conclusion, Mr Hall said we were told that there were now ■ two distinct political parties. He hoped this would prove to be a fact, and that the alleged " compact Opposition " would not be as mere & myth as it was the last session. There wu ou one side of the House but session • body of geotteaie* who acted tooetW to enable th» Government to eflfeet nsefat constitutional reforms, and' to maintajju an economical and , efficient administration. To that party the Government were deeply indebted, and not the least ■ so* for the patience with which they refused to be drawn into long opposition speeches. On the other side of the House there wat a body of gentlemen who insisted on nothing but opposition to the Government, and without any of the qualifications to'anable them to do the useful work of an Oppoik tiou party. We were told that an infiuen ; tial leader for this party was forthcoming, and at that gentlemen had put forward an

important programme, better things than those of last session might be expected. The planks of this Opposition platform seemed to be—lst, abolition of the Legislative Council, and substitution of a single chamber; 2, removal of the Queen's appointed Governor; 3, taxation of the English bondholders, to supply the necessities of the New Zealand Treasury ; 2, dismissal of Civil Servants who were not political supporters of the Government of the day; and this was called Liberalism, forsooth! He calied it despotism of the most oppressive kind. To this platform Mr Macandrew proposed to- add two planks, namely, unlimited expenditure in public work» ; 2, the issue of Govern* ment paper money. The QpTernment of .Russia had been described"'asa despotism, tempered by association; the platform of the so called Liberals, with the two added planks, might fairly, r be desocibed as a despotism, tempered hy bankruptcy. The party with which lie (Mr Hall) acted did not think it necessary to put forward a new programme. They.did not hare claims to support upon.platform oratory or platform promises. T&ry asked the people of New Zealand to jfjftfe theai by their action. During the.agweaatsbaths the Government held offiee 1, theconititution had beeu amended by a broadening and deepening of the foundation:^, f»Hti- , cal power. Some laws, had* too, paased, and others had been prejtared, distributing this power on the fairest praitvaUf^iguj guarding against abase in its exercise. A condition of the colonial finances as «lam» ing aS'cojld well be,imagined Vad Jbien faced. Public expenditure, had. been re* duced, public revenues 'increased, and thus the Credit of the colony had been restored.,'An end had been 1 put to!" system of land purchase hy which, through the squandering of mouey, r tie t European settlers were being robbed, while the natives were bein^ demordiMd. TUraatening native difficulti^tf •had^baeli* peaceably settled; large facilities for enabling the people to settle themselves-Upon the land had been provided, and all legitimate means had been employed in an endearor to stimulate such local industries^ as afford employment to the labouring popu* lation. The Government left it to others to talk so calied Liberaligai,: but they claimed to bare earned the name of working liberally/ As such they asked from the House and the country a continuance of the confidence and support which they had hitherto enjoyed. Mr Hall resumed bis seat amid^bjearty applause. A number of questions tMrinß! been replied to, a vote of thanks and confidence was passed by acclamation.