PUBLIC MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 744, 16 April 1881, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

FEATHERSTON.

Messbs Bunny and Reetham met the Featheraton portion of the constituency on Thursday evening last in the Oddfellow's Hall. There,,were between sixty, and seventy person's present. '/ ' On the motion of Mr Bunny, Mr Cox took the Chair, and at ones [opened th# proceedings by' Stating the 'object ;of the meeting and claiming the attention of those present. . .. ; - ; ■Mr Beetham then _ came forward and said- Ke 'regrfetted^Wing, ao/ipaH anat«.

pne mooting; but lie thought it vipht»tlipy ihoold address each township, as it would probably be the last time; they would appear ai representatives' of the wliolo Wairarapa district. Next session they would no doubt divide the district, when he would elect to stand for North Wairarapa, and he believed his friend Mr > would stand for the South. Beetham repeated the views pre : viously expressed by him on the Eduction question, advocating payment ■ by, parents for the higher Standards. . With regard to Public Works, the Oolos. .nial.Treasurer would bring down a scheme "' th6t would tend to relieve country districts through which main roadfl 'passed. He had always advocated the Property Tax, and considered it an equitable tax. Mr Beetham eulogised the presont Government, and referred to their retrenchment schemes with satisfaction. _ln adverting to County Councils and Highw way Boards, he thought if they kept to ''their scpnrato functions, with proper means provided for Government, they were both useful bodies, With regard to l the late Native [Minister, Mr Bryce, ho ■feftWas no doubt an earnest man and cariied the duties of his Department most ably; still he thought their present * Minister, Mr Rolleston, eminently fitted for the office. Mr Beetham thanked those present for their attention, and resumed bis seat amid applause. Mr ltobins asked whether he would support the protection of local industries. Mrßeotham said he would vote for free trade, but if the matter were brought forward in the House he had no doubt the Government would make special provision for local industries. An elector—Did you consider it just lo vote for a reduction of 16 per cent on small salaries, Mr Beetham explained there must be some misapprehension, as the House only authorised nlO per cent reduction. In any single instance where a further reduction had been made, it would have been mado without any reference to the authorised Id por cent. Mr Bunny said they knew what the members coming before them had to say, as it was meie'y a ropet't in of what they had said elsewhere. He did not believe in the wholesale ten per cent, reduction, it would naturally bear very heavily on men with small families; but nothing else could be done at that time. He believed that after next session the matter would be equalised, and officers paid according to their worth. Ho would re- ' movo all the duties, except on wines, spirits and tobacco, and shewed how Customs duties pressed unfairly on the working classes. Mr Bunny was very severe on railway management, characterizing the system of local managers having such limited powers as a complete farce, and advocated the running of cheap trains. (Hear, hear.) He supported tho action of Mr Bryce—(loud applause)—and considered he should have been allowed bo carry out Ilia plans, and the Maori trouble would have been at an end weeks ago. With respect to Government, no country in the world had less practical government. Mr Bunny expressed hiß views on triennial parliamei and benevolent institutions, and sat do amidst a thunder of applauso. By an elector: What is a poor man do after his children have passed t first three standards? Mr Bunny said ho went bb'far as. t first four, and after that n cominuni .roust not be taxed for th.o sake of im j/viduals, J x Mr Nich'olls then proposed a vote • tliinka to the members, which . h Beconded by Mr Spearink, and carried. The customary vote to the chairin concluded the moetiug.