MR BUCHANAN AT KAIWAIWAI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2673, 13 August 1887, Page 2

MR BUCHANAN AT KAIWAIWAI.

i (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT,) Mr Buchanan's meeting at Kaiwaiwai was numerously attended, and his address was listened to with rapt attention. On the motion of Mr W, S. Wakelin, Mr W. 0. Williams was voted to the chair, and in a few appropriate'expressions introduced the candidate and solicited a patient hearing for him.

Mr Buchanan in addressing those present, said that the chairman had asked a patient hearing for linn. No greater compliment could be paid to any speaker than that, and ho was pleased to say that he had received thaf honor at the various disi ricts lie had addressed public meetings. He said as lie was their member it was his duty to give them an account of his past stewardship. He then briefly touched, upon the various subjects in connection with last session of Parliament, and clearly showed that although he had been accused by some of advocating retrenchment during the present contest for private purposes, lie thought lie could prove to them that his actions all along had been consist-ent-with "his present views. He alluded.to his action when lie stood alone with only one'other member in voting against the North Main Trunk , line of railway being, undertaken at that time, and many other" of his actions on the side ol' retrenchment; ! but on tho other hand ho clearly demonstrated the wanton extravagance of the present Government while professing tho greatest economy. lie alluded,to their palatial residences and and the special trips of the Governmpnt steamer to Greymouth to bring; down Ministers, at a great expense to the country, when other fine steamers were leaving there about every other day.. He could, if time would permit, show them numerous other instances of the exceptional.extravagances of Ministerial professed economy, and he would suggest that, whether tho electors returned him or any other candidate, that they should demand I retrenchment in every way possible; the power was in their hands. The speaker then alluded, to several subjects of interest, and speaking of the mismanagement of railways, due principally to their being used for political purposes, he would advocate them being vested in 'a Board similar to "the Victorian railways, which change had proved so beneficial financially and otherwise to the people of Victoria, and he saw no reasonlhat

our New ;2ealdindliailwaya should not realise, equally -as good results from the change 'of .management he . suggested, _ He tlien referred to the form ;of taxatioii lie would support, being in fayor.of ft' Property Tax in preference ib aJajid vajid income tax; the latter being'oFa;very inquisitional nature, which lie-fully explained to the meeting. He then went into the subject of education;and other leading questions of the day, and Having spoken , for nearly W houis he concluded by thanking them for. the-7ery attentive hearing that had been given him, and on resuming his seat, said he was prepared to answer. any questions they might ask. .

_ Mr T.-Benton asked Mr Buchanan if in conjunction with the Property Tax lie would be in favor of a' tax to get at those receiving high salaries, such as lawyers, etc. Mr Buchanan answered that he would.

A gentleman asked if the Board; proposed by Mr Buchanan to .manage our railways, would have the power to raise and lower the wagos of employees, freight of goods, passenger fares, etc. , . . '

Mr Buchanan replied 1 , that' they certainly would,; Ho was glad the question had b'eoii asked,"and lie fully explained the power; etc;,. the Board would have, and lie remarked that tho Boajd would bo Jiko a private business affair. Tho Commissioners would go 'into the matter in a thorough business way, and would only employ those that were required to oarry on the railway with efficiency and profit, and hot have a lot of unnecessary persons paid for political purposes. . Mr Knapp caused considerable merriment by asking if. it. was true that the pet settlers of Mr Ballance, in the Forty Mile Bush and elsewhere, that had been located on five acres of land and upwards had succeeded so well that they are' now reduced to living on wild pork. Mr W. S. Wakelin, in moving a hearty vote .of thanks to'.the candidate for the instructive/address they had just heard, said they, had had ample opportunity during the last few'weeks in, .listening- to aiid • reading ■ the addresses of the various candidates, and au.it. was an important question he hoped they would.'give,it their' serious consideration, and then vote according to their conviction. Mr Benton • seconded the "motion, and it was, carried by acclamation. A hearty vote ..of thanks to -the Chairman concluded a most orderly meeting. . ' . • .