ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2653, 21 July 1887, Page 2

ELECTION.

MR A. W. HOGG AT.MASTERTON

Between seven.- and eight' hundred persons were present at the/Master, ton Theatre Royal last evening (Wednesday), when _ Mr A, W, Hogg addressed the electors of the Masterton district, Mr A. W, Rehall occupied the chair, being supported ; by Mr Woodroofe. '-The latter, gentleman's appearance bivtljp stage was the signal for some jociilai: remarks among the audience, and the Chairman, in opening tho proceedings of tho meeting said he was pleased that they gave his old friend Woodroofe such a hearty welcome, and if they did not know all the good there was in him they very soon would do. Ho asked for a patient hearing for the speaker of the evening and expressed a hope that those who bad questions to ask would do so, and would also be accorded a courteous hearing. Mr Hogg, who was received with cheers, said he was gratified to find such a large and influential gathering before him, as he hardly expected so many, considering the bad state of the weathor. WHY HE WAS A CANDIDATE, He would first tell tbem why he was a candidate soliciting their suffrages, A few weoks ago he had not the remotest idea of contesting the election, I as his duties in connection with his business were quite sufficient for him, and under ordinary circum,stances he would have been content to

remain in the obscurity ot his literary den. He denied the rumours that he influenced Mr McCurdle to withdraw from the Masterton election, and contest the Woodviile seat, so that he could, come out in thi3 district, and although, he considered it a very desirable aim, lie had no ambition for Parliamentary honors, He had no axe to grind,or he should say he had an ,axe to grind, viz., the axe of public policy, and if the people thought him capable, of grinding the axe and would •turn the handle.for him, in the shape of voting for him,, he would do his

utmost to'tepay them for the labor ol turning. (Cheers). He considered at this critical stage of colonial affairs, s stage unparalleled in the history oi New Zealand, that any man, whether a,working .manor not, should come forward to try to raise the masses from the state of things brought about by the mal-adminlstration of bad Governments, POSITION OF N'RW ZEALAND. He thought the country had grown m advanco of her requirements, and

was at [iresout suffering from an overtax of her strength, and was struggling to _ keep pace with other countries which were more developed. Ho inferred to tho heavy expenditure of the Public Works policy, and the losses the Colony suffered through the rich men leaving it to settle iu Englaud takingwith them the wealth they had accumulated here,/ Every vessel that loft Now Zealand took away from its shores somo of tho crtam of tho colony, and he considered it to be a most disastrous state of affairs when all the wealth was leaving the country to find that men were

walking about the town of Masterton willing to work if.they could only got it to do. He considered that with all its natural advantages New Zealand should be in a prosperous position, but the country had been spoiled by bad Government. Sir Julius Vogel had promised to make tho country go ahead by " leaps and bounds." and le did not consider it was his fault that a tide of prosperity had not set in, but blamed the Opposition for not allowing him to cany out his new policy,. Those men who now opposed Sir Julius had made their money through the introduction of the Public Works Policy, and they were now hounding down the

man who had been their benefactor, and although he did not believe in him solely, he did like to see any man trampled upon, Had rtir Julius Vogel'B schemes of 1870 and the present time been carried out in their integrity, ho believed that New Zealand would now be in a better position, (Cheers) Ho attributed the existing depression to tho. tactics of tho Opposition, who would not allow anything proposed by the Colonial Treasurer, to be carried out, which had brought the''<leap and bound" progress of the Colony to some-' like Mark Twaios loaded jumping fro?. (Laughter), Pie considered "tho

designs of Sir Julius were good, but had been loaded by tho Opposition, and when they were wanted to go, held fast and would not:move.' -He thought there was pleuty of room for reform and retrenchment, ospeoially iu providing work for those who required it, and considered that the object of those in power should be to build up and uot knock down. (Hear hear).

THE LAND QUESTION. His opinion was that tbo great qucs tion of the day was land. What arc we' to do with the labor? How tc profitably and fairly settle peoplo on the land? Ho thought they had only

to look at Great Britain, and they would find that the laud question was the most nnportaut question of the day. The peoplo of the Colony should see that the laud did not fall into the hands of monopolists, that the few were not to be allowed to hold land to the detriment of the many, but that every endeavor should be rnado

to settlo it as thickly as possible. He considered the land was the nervous system of the colony, through which everything was felt, and unless they took the matter in hand, and shook themselves freo from the hands of the foreigners they would have such a state of anarchy in the Colony that had not before been seen. (Cheers), If land had been improved with road 3 and bridges at the public expense, that land should bear its fart of fho burden of the country. He did not beliovo in Land Nationalisation,- and would not

stand by and see the poor or rich dispossessed of their rights, At the same time" he thought that the Stato should see that the people should settle on the best land .in the Colony. His opinion with regard to Village and Special Settlements wore, that they were only experiments groping their way-andif by any effort of legislation the people would be made happy, even by an expense to the colony, it should be done. He believed thi'it there was not a man in the colony who was more large hearted than Mr Ballance, and who was endeavoring moro to settle people upon the lauds (cheers) A deal of odium had 'been thrown upon Mr

Ballance because lie bad placed some of the Auckland unemployed upon lands of five acres and upwards, (A voico: At tho expense of the country) Mr Ballance had certainly entered into contracts that had pledged the colony to tho extent of £70,000 but ho had placed between nine hundred and a thousand people on the land. He attributed the causo of the opposition to Mr Ballance was the success* of his land scheme, and read portions of Captain Sutter's and Major Atkinson's speeches from Hansard to show that the Government were driven from officeon the land question and not the customs tariff. He alluded to an auction sale of land which took place at the Masterton Institute three years ago when a block of land was bought by ono individual amounting to 55U acres, and characterised the sales of land by the Atkinson party similar to a man setting fire to a splendid building to get the insurance money, (laughter) He said that while the Atkinson Government were selling the land to raise revenue they were at the :samo time helping' their friends, but he was pleased to say that the day was gone by for ever, for such transactions.' He stated that the land referred to was not properly advertised, no roads niado to it,no chance for people to find out where it was, not properly

described, and up arrangements mat's for giving intending: buyers a chance of ascertaining its value, than there was of finding the mountains in tho moon, (Laughter) [A voice: Would Mi Hogg tell us what' money has been spent on this land since it was bought 1 !] Mr Hogg said he believed that whatever had been spent, it would return a handsome sum for the outlay, He asked the people not tojillow this clisa of m'onopoliats to have their own way. or they would be made, slaves to the foreign money lender. <He considered the farmer who turned his.larid to good account should be protected by the State; and although not in favor oi consficatioh, he did hot think persona should hold land for .speculative purposes (hear! hear), PROTECTION, Public opinion appeared divided in reference to this question, bathe considered that Protection tonativeindustries was tantamount to a heritage. There were many who did not know what it meant. The first object was, to build up industries in their midst. If New Zealand was lib England with factories and.skilled artisans, it would'not do, but aB everything was in its infuncy in tho Colony, it was necessary to nourish their industries.-. The surplus labor required employing. Tbeio wae nothing for the men to do, no matter where they travelled, a stale of things that was to be depldred. Efforts:.had

been made to establish factories in Now Zealand,, notwithstanding the low rate of the Custom's tariff. He alluded to tho efforts made in Masterton by Messrs Haiveyi Sous, tanners, Wilton's Kunpuui. Soap and Candle Factory, Arnold's Basket Factory,dkc, all of which wero unable to make any headway. He said they might seem trivial matters, but if they -had been properly protected would now have

been in a flourishing position. Employment was required for the youths of tho Colony, and the encouragement of local industries wpiild supply it. ■ Protection would attract numbers to the Colony, and thus, abolish Free and State Aid emigration.. As an instance of what was paid by the colonists for freight, commission, etc., he said that for 9s worth of wool send home, it was returned again ; manufactured into broadcloth, for which the sum of between £i and £p bad to be paid, and that was money, he contended, that should havo been kept in Colony. He referred to the struggle of tho different wool works in "the 'Colony which were in the majority of cases losses to the promoter and thought that tho 15 per cent ad valorem duty was insufficient ■ protection; and as lbqg as the English shoddy was.allowed to enter tho colonial market the New Zealaud

BtuCNould occupy a second rate position.. Freotradoin New Zealand be characterised as bunkum, which tbey should not have; Protectionists prop up .the industries aud civo-profitable employment to tho working;. classes.' The Working class was what the colony required, and not the'largo capitalist, to build up its prosperous future, The Freotrade party belonged to a class

of men who would make them all slaves to tlie'fdreigner, aiid bowers of wood, and drawers of water to tho . London Egyptians. He considered itwould be far! better.to put'on a< duty of 40 per cent, and assist in developing our resources, than to pay the 15 per cent as they did now with freight.and commission added, for their goods. They might then tell the English capitalists if they wished to come thoy must jump over the 40 percent, wall to settle in tho colony. Protection he argued would bring freo emigration, free capital aud a tide of prosperity to the country. The moment it was known that New

Zealand had pledged i W to protection the British manufacturers would sell out, and the' artisans would pack up their traps, and make for this beautiful country, and instead ot having to bear the heavy burdens, it would be lightened by tho influx of population- Next to libsral and laws he considered protection was the most important question, as it would raise wages and the price of produce, He considered that wiiges was the most important factor in any community, as it bore the whole burden of the country. The wage earner was the

foundation of the whole structure and if he was raised the whole colony must bo raised to a state of prosperity (oheers) RETRENCHMENT. He said this cry was always raised by the Opposition to get the Government out of offico, the civil service was to be massacred, but that was only a side wind to get at the Ministry, He hoped tho days of high salaries were, passed.' Though the reduction in the service was necessary he would not like to massacre any department and ho considered it downright cruelty to turn them out of their billets; perhaps to starve or commit suicide, He would.; not tavor such retrenchment just because ut cry was raised. He would! have other employment for the youths ot the colony so that there woulct'nofc' be tho likelihoodrof. the- civil service being overcrowded. He.wpuid reduce the Governor's salary, but said that tho

very men who ware now agitating to take it off, wore the very ones that put it on. He considered Major Atkinson had destroyed the confidence of the colony in tho British money market by crying down the credit of the state He referred to several cases of supposed retrenchment that the Major had carried out whilst in office, • and stated that his only object now was to secure the reins of power and'" bang the expense." (Cheers). He would be in favor of abolishing our defences, and trusting to the Volunteer force. He would stop all further pensions to Government servants, after the present promises had been fulfilled;:and in place of them would be in favor of

gratuities to the widows and orphans lof deceased civil servants He would abolish the Upper House, and have in its place a revising committee appointed by the House consisting of capable, experienced, and intelligent men, who would act as a cheok to unwise and hasty legislation, He alluded to the short meetings of the present .Legislative Council, the time of which was taken up by prayer, looking aitor.their

own interest, and combatting useful measures brought forward by the representatives of the people (Cheers). He considered that these men were a

burden to the Colony, and overthrew measures that had taken months discuss, just because they did not suit their own particular views. Ho would not favor an elective chamber as it was found to bo a long way worao than the nominative system in Victoria, and by adopting it would be making bad infinitely worse. TAXATION. '■■-.._ , The property tax' Was, lopkedjnptffl : by Major-'Atkinson as the' -poferful direct tax, .calculated to touch.evetythihg—land, property, and ( personal effects—but in reality it only affected the small farmer and thg.WM™ginai, not the great land • - mprovements upon the small holding Were directly taxed, and an infliction •placed upon the laboring classes. •; Mr Buchanan had said that a progressive land tax would drive capital out of the! colony, and in place of this had proposed that the £SOO exemption should not be allowed on properties of £50,000 or more. Such a thing he contended would raise one of the most crushjaji systems of taxation against the inbalp tants of largo towns that had yet been devised. If this was carried, the rate

on toWn properties would increase from Is to Is Id in the£. Everything would in like manner he taxed, and their position would be worse than .the serfs of Russia or the mhabitants'pf China, (Cheers.) He was in favor of a land tax, as' he considered that.,it would touch land that was now lying idle and the absentees who were drawing money from the colony by hundreds of thousands of pounds.' When tliey found the cream driven away, men unable, to got work, while others were mopping up the land as they werfl doing, he thought a land tax was necessary to burst them up. He would not tax the producer, witlr his 15Q acres, as ho considered they would pay enough taxes in other ways. He alluded to Victoria and what had been the result of protection and a progressive land tax there during fivo years, and compared the state of Now South Wales during the 'same period. (A voice: How about the climatic differ\ ences?) He knew that New South Wales suffered' from drought, but what ho knew and could gather asp" it, it was_ just as good a climate as Victoria in a great many ways. EDUCATION. Although most of the. candidates were going in for vigorous retrenchment in this department, be would not bo in favor of taking a singleshilling from the fund, if : he thought it would affect the children of the colony. He thought a saving .'might be effected by abolishing the infant school and cutting off tho higher standards, but would not advocate touching either, as he considered it was a serious thing—a matter of life and death—to those who had to start in the*' battle of life (cheers.) -He would be in favor of throwing the South Island reserves into one common fund, and let thoso who required the higher branches of education pay .for it. He would like to see one central educational institution for the wbji Colony at Wellington, but would™ advocate spending one penny of publio money upon it. It would have to be self-supporting (Cheers.) ; v LOCAL GOVERNMENT, "■: 'He considered too much was. done in Wellington; too much money was spent and works planned that could be more advantageously earned .out by the local bodies. He advocated a system of liberal subsidies to enable districts to inanago their own affairs. If there was not much work required in a particular locality they could make a light rate accordingly; if there was plenty of road and bridge work to do, the peopto would bo' put on their metal and tax themsolVes for theirown requirements, If a progressive land tax was imposed a portion of| it should be returned to the localbbiieß to enable them to open up and settle the land. (Cheers.) ' PERSONAL. ' " ; ' ;^ .■" ' He bad laid bis platforija->;iaS|fev them, and hoped there was; nongilfr uncharitable as to say object in placing his remedies ;b'et6re them for the present, He was identified with no capitab;§js. of land jobbers, had'no "family braehda, in position, no connection'with 'ljjncl or land mortgage-companM "jHis interests were; :; identified.!; people, and if:-his carried out, in two years would be prosperous and happy, and manufaoi tureb would be»jgpMng axound for men instead of m|g|ooking around for employment.,; T|ey had a splendid climate-equal ilg any in the ..worjld—and the outlook-was of a most'gMrioua character,--(Oheore.) He that they had given him reoeptidii'i'that his speech' nad :v jnefc their, respect, if not their/approval. He was not a scholarly, manjthad no high accomplishments. as ...a,? speaker, but he advocated what he-believed best for the interest of'his fellow men.: (Cheers.) He called lipbii those who WAl'fl flflnhndnnt. linrtn'flio" nnnna nML:

tion to send men/ftfßepresent ffl|a-' who would suppoi'tvMr-Ballauce witli his liberal fend inlaws and Sir Robert Stout witli-lys liberal legisla-. tion. (Cheers'.),:-;If they thought he was able toasorve them they would. elect him. /He: had very little to fear from the liberal,party in the presentcontest;;/ -and be believed thai., the liberality had very little tol&r in, him 7:' ; :Mr Hogg, then resumeChisjsealauiid prolonged cheering. ■>;;■: -■•■•' .. QUESTIONS. "'lnanswerto'MrPrentico, he said

ho would be in'favor of extending the Franchise to females, and considered ' it a great injustice to them that they did not enjoy the same political privi-' leges as the males of the colony/ (Cheers.) Would have no objection to ladies being returned as membors of'the' House of Representatives, if they wished to go there, as he considereda few strong minded women wouldbe an advantage to the Assemhir

He thought if some of those who 9f been members of the House were to get dean shared and be put into petti." coats they would make very good ok ladies. (Laughter.)' '•'—' : i : p' r By Mr Lyons: Hadnever received a red cent from the Government for ' contesting the election, and'if it was/ offered to him would think it one of

t greatest affronts that could be red. (Cheers). Would not interfere with the liquor traffic. If there was no demand there would he no supply needed. Would not interfere with the present Bystem of State'education to allow .the Bible to be read in schools. ■ ■ ';'; 'Would be in favor of.ah'oiishing'.the Friscy Mail Service; f - ' ; Would, be: in.fa'vbr, of. a public tnjrinal'to try'the claims of .the old - . ■.•:.-.• ■■'''.;'"' .-' .Wbuldnotfavor"the;'£lo,ooo 'vote •for the Imperial Institute.' •'■'■■ '..'.By Mr Papworth : Would; be; "in layer of 'tbfjp&sines's' of the colony Jwjjiig cameaMby Parliament instead ""of sessions, so that Bills that had advanced a stage or two in one session would be continued in the next, to Thought the Roman Catholics had re, substantial grievance in not having their schools subsidised by the Government. They paid rates and taxes and were entitled to some consideration. *he found that the schools were' nod to tho Government Inspectors, and that they wore giving a fair education to the pupils, he would bo prepared togive them some assistance He "was not in a position to give a definite reply. Mr Papworth: Would not the other denominations require the same privileges as tho Catholics, and would it not break up the system you S6cm so. anxious to protect ? Mr Hogg said if he thought that any assistance given to any denomination would break up the present system he would not give it, but would set his face resolutely against it. He did not apprehend that if assistance was given to Roman Catholics, it would extend to other denominations. FBy.Alr St. Hill:—Did not think the North Island was paying towards tho District Railways in the South Island—as Mr Beethamsaid--any more than the South were paying for roads and bridges in the North Island constructed witli public monoy, and of very little use to the Colony. Was not in favor of the abolition ofbarmaids. h Papworth, who was greeted with loua and continuous mixture of howling, cock crows, and cheers, pointed to a cluster of youths, and said " Keep .quiet you Star boys!" and in moving a vote of thanks, claimed tho privilego to express his opinion as.anolcctor. He regretted, and was ashamed to see representative mon of Christian bodies trying to howl down those who had a right to be heard—. He was unable to proceed further as hoots, yells and hisses were continued with redoubled the chairman being unable "to'ob'tain a hearing for him. •.. : Mr Pranguell, who was also greeted withjlarrikin romarks secondedthevote ofi'thaiiks, and would liked to have added one of confidence. Cries of No, Ko'rSit down, Enough of that, etc. Mr Gardner, road contractor, seconded the voto of confidence. Mr Hogg thought it unwise to pass lyxote of confidence, although he sß&ved it would bo carried unanimously by them (Oh, oh, and laughter) Ho preferred confidence at the ballot box (Cheers) ' The vote of thanks was put and earned with the same compliment to the chairman, an,d the meeting broke up.