MR W.C.BUCHANAN AT TAUERU.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5052, 15 June 1895, Page 3

MR W.C.BUCHANAN AT TAUERU.

Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., addressed his constituents atTaueru last ovoning. Thoro was a fair attendanco including a number of ladies. MrT. P. Lett was voted to the chair and brielly introduced the speaker, Mr Buchanan begun hy thanking the electors for his return to the House at last election, anddelivored an address in the main similar to that reported at Carterton, severely criticising tho policy of the Government and the promises made by tho Premier prior to the election. What had the Government done for the working man ? Ho had met on his way to the Taueru two large parties of men on the road looking for work, and on looking over his station accounts, he found that for the last twelve months an average of twelve men per night had been supplied with accommodation, and for tho first time the settlers of tho Wairarapa (who had been hitherto famed for their hospitality to travellers) hail been obliged to publicly announce that they could no longer supply accommodation to travellers.

There was a large amount of distrust as to what the next move of government would be, and they lould not wonder that capitalists ivere unwilling to expend their .noncy when they wercalready taxed jeyoud all endurance, aud contrary :o all constitutional practice in any mrtof the woild. In referring to ;he Land for Settlement purchases, Sh Buchanan said that some parts if the Pomahaka have never been et at all, aud the Assessment Court he other day decided that portions of he estate were only worth £2 an icre, whereas tho Government said hay were getting 5 per cent,, or an .verage of £3 7s Gd per acre, The nine would be found in respect of he Cheviot estate, where, as they fere aware, the settlers who had ;one to lake up the land were now mable to pay their rents. Ho had no hesitation in saying hat there would be losses on all the noneys borrowed for loans to cttlers, and the money invested in he various estates purchased during he last two years. These losses ,'ould eventually fall on the general axpayer.

Tliu Premier Imd claimed credit, when spSaking at .Marton, Unit the amount spentun public works was less limn for some years, but im examination of figures proved this to be false. But even if it was correct, was it just, when so many men were trumping the Colony in search of work ? Far hotter would it have been to have spent the votes of last year, and given employment to these men.—(Applause). Tbo present Native Land Laws were unjust and vexatious, and would lead to a stoppage in all deal'iigs with Native Land, similar to that which occurred in 1886. With fair restrictions, the Natives should have the right to deal with their lands in the same way as Europeans. He was afraid that during the present session, they would have more legislation of a kind that would still further harrass capital, and impede general progress, among other measures the proposed Local Bodies Bill.

Mr Buchanan resumed his seat amidst applause and no questions being put, on the motion of Mr Mcliattie a hearty voto of thanks was accorded to Mr'Buchanan for his address,

Mr Buchanan replied and proposed a voto of thanks to the chair, after which the meetin? dosed.