PUBLIC MEETING AT CARTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 498, 24 June 1880, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT CARTERTON.

The meeting called by Mr Fairbrother, at the request of several ratepayers in his distriot, must be regarded as a complete success,, whether estimated by the large attendance, the excellence of the speeches made, the .manner in which the business of'the meeting was .attended to, or by the plain/ common-sense resolutions that were .unanimously passed, and will, we venture to say, be re-eohoe'd by every man who has the interest of the colony at heart, Our correspondent'has supplied us with a very full account of the proceedings, which we sincerely regret being unable to take the fullest advantage of in time to give our readers with this issue, Mr Fairbrother was voted to the chair, and iu a few tersely put observations explained the business of the meeting. The Chairman'! remarks found hearty sympathy with the audience, and he was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. In moving the resolution which Mr Booth had put into Ms hands] this gentleman made a lengthy and able speech, reviewing the causes of the present depression, whicn; although of a nature requiring anxious attention, lie could not allow were so very gloomy as represented by the Civii Service Commission. He thouSht a careful and well thought out system of retrenchment, coupled with a cessation of borrowing, would ultimately see the colony, through its admitted resources, safely over the tide of adversity that now caused so much alarm. He moved the resolution with great pleasure, and hoped it would be carried with acclamation. The speaker them moved-

.." That'.. this views with; alarm the disclosures contained in the report just presented to.the Government by the Civil Service Commission; arid requeits their- ReprisentatativH to further' the system of retrenchment suggested by the Commissioners, also to reduce-the Colonial expenditure by every possible means, and to support the Government in any effort' they make in this direction."; "'v'ln .rising - : to Second' the- resolution. Mi ;B. •' Boys; : whowas received with applause apoJogised;for;noßbeihg: B[«:iaid; thb; Resolution bef lb estin j ps^ : wise;step;uj^rth^

to be returned: they, in theit; turn "badgered the Government ..'of %'daty, :The; consequent was that were|uridertaken,- the existonce of which'ffeuld hbw> cause ui to wince, through -the taxation. these political works had involved us in. Sorao emigrants were Useful settlers, others, the reverse, and. ; we had to deplore the existence of such institutions as soup kitchens, for the unemployed of this young polony. He also was very painfully aware" of how -tight the 'shoe was pinching from the numerous and low ten? ders for'their local public works. Mr Boys read ah extract to show the onormous indebtedness of New Zealand as compared with other countries. If they were to carry out retrenchment, the sessions of Parliament should be shortened and honorariums at any rate lessened, and much work that now occupied the time of Parliament Bhould be relegated to,the County Councils, who could, from their local knowledge, deal mote satisfactorily with the subjects. He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. Mr Boys' speech like that of Mr Booth was frequently applauded, and we regret being compelled to shorten what our- report tells us were thoughtful utterances. Mr S. Hart said he was a working man, and they would, not expect, him to make a speech equal to those they had just heard. He arose; though, to contradict .the assertion 'that this wasteful expenditure was due to want of care on their part The members had always been asked if they would see that the money,was carefully expended, and they had always promised to do so. He hoped they would be unanimove in supporting the resolution. MrCaUiater thought it was time they had commissions to let them know the real state of the colony, flis remarks "as to-the state of working farmers were.trenchant, and endorsed by many who knew how truthfully he was speaking. Mr R. R, Armstrong read extracts from the Civil Service Commission's report, which caused some astonishment, as many were not aware of the waste and extravagance exposed by the Commissioners. . Mr B. Boys then moved—- " That in the opinion of this meeting the thanks of the public are due to the Civil Service Commission for the able and searching report just presented, and that this meeting hopes the Commissioners will continue their investigations throughout every department of the Civil Service." Mr Hammond seconded.

Mr Oarapin suggested the latter part of this resolution, which. was added to it, seconded by Mr Moore. Mr Moore spoke of the necessity for retrenchment, and regretted he had not the map with him to show how little available land would have bean opened up by the West Coast railway. Ho believed the Commission had done an immense amount of good and hoped they would go on with their work. Mr Parkw thought it would not be fair to ignore the claims of gratitude that the Ministry which instituted these Royal Commissions had on the people, and therefore moved with pleasure the following resolution— . " That this meeting views with pleasure the action of the Government of the .day in instituting, this searching enquiry by the Civil Service Commission, and trusts that the Commissioners will continue their investigations, and that the Government will do their best to root out the extrava gance known to exist." Seconded by Mr G. Fairbrother. At the commencement of the meeting two long letters were read, and received with applause, from Messrs Beethara and Pharazyn, setting forth their views on taxation, and regretting their inability to attend. Mr Bunny also sent an apology. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded a very important meeting.