MEETING OF ELECTORS AT KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 936, 22 June 1878, Page 2

MEETING OF ELECTORS AT KIHIKIHI.

3\IR F. A. WHITAKEU'S ADDEESS. Mr Whitaker addressed the electors of Wuipa at Kihikiiii ori Thursday evening last. Mr Audrew Kay I v*' vobed to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate to the electors. Mr Whitaker, who was cordially received by the very numerously attended meeting, said he was proud of the numerously signed requisition which had been presented to him, signed as it was by '223 gentlemen, all hough the short lime which had elapsed had not giv<::u all au opportunity of signing who desired Lo do so. Throughout the day the telegragh and post oflice brought him the names of fresh supporters, and he ielt highly gratified at such assurances of the confidence of the constituency. In an early period of the political history of a gentleman now high in oflice, that gentleman alluded'to himself bjiug as the voice of one crying in the wilderness ; the foreiunnorof others who were shortly to follow in his footsteps ' Young New Zealand had furnished in Mr Tole, jyir Hamlin, and others, illustrations of the truth of that lion, gentleman's statement. He, Mr YVliitaker, was another of the young colouials, and lie now stood before them at the request of the electors of Waipa, a constituency, which was not only a large but an. important one, which attracted the attention of the whole aojouy, aud, if elected, he had the satisfaction of knovv--111- that he should go to the House representing something respectable. (Cheers.) Mr Whitaker considered that the politics of New , Zedand were in a state of transition Ten year ago he had remarked on the apathy shown by the colonials in parliamentary matters greatly affecting them. A change had, however, come ovei", the mind of the people. The present waking of public opinion was, he believed, the ripple of the political, wave which had been sweeping over the whole world. Public opitiion was growing and progressing. The actual position of political affairs was not easily explainable at the present time. He whs almost 'incline 1 to predict that all the political turmoil now experienced would culminate in two distinct parties being formed, which would assume the same political character as the parties known at hom6 as the Conservative aud the Liberal. (Cheers.) Having briefly alluded to general matters, he would touch ou the most important measures to be laid before the House of Assembly. Prominent among these was the Tnc'.dence of Taxation — a subject of vital importance, as it touched pockets of | each one of them. His own opitiion on the question was definite and clear. The incidence of tax ation required careful re-adjustment. Mr Whitaker alluded to the Public Works Scheme of 1 870, where Sir J. (then Mr) Vogel proposed to borrow ten millions of mon«y — sending a thrill through the country. His scheme, was pronounced by Judge Gillies and other men high in oflice as a ruinous proposal, nevertheless, ab the present time, double that amount had beeu raised and expended ou public works throughout the colony. The interest and sinking* fund therewith were now investing the taxation question with the utmost importance. He would j like to see a measure introduced which was just and consistent. At the present time through the medium of Customs and other duties rich aud poor were made to pay alike. The borrowed money had beeuexpended upon railroads, bridges, roads, &e. The effect of this expenditure was to be seen, on every hand. Persons owning property found the same advancing in mauy instances one hundred percent in value. Yet those paid nothing more to the revenue of the , country than the man owning, no property which could receive benefit by the expenditure, iin-1 yet who was a laryo consumer of dutiable goods He desired (hat (lie electors should j clearly uudei'sfeiind him, for at all j hazards he would uphold what he I thought was right and just (o be j done. He ecu I ended that such property should bear more of the burdens of taxation, and that too, in proportion to its increased value through the laying out of public

inonyy. Thete wcru only two sources in lib opinion through which the readjustment of the iiujidoDco of taxation could be elected, land, and property, and income tax. All funds derivable from "such* sources might be cn-B.diled to the 'consolidated fund, and the 'approximate amount to bo raise 1 a ay £300,001) to would lie the sum which could be dispensed willr in estimating the amount necessary to be raised by general taxation. . The L-ind Tax would bo a failure (regarded as a financial measure), as it was in Victoria. Ir, had never boen found to realise by oue-third ;'o much as Was expected from it. For a purely political par pose he (Mr Whiuker) would advocate a land tax, and that purpose was to make landowners out up their large blocks and throw them open for snotbment. (Loud cheers.) The man with 5000 acres did not produce the same proportionate amount as ten men with 500 acres .of laud each. He looked ut the political value of a laud tax fioin this point of view : that a sliding scale would meet the requirement of th« case. He would say : Classify' lauds into certain sized estates, anil impose such a lav ou all blocks of land of over 5000 acres tit for settlement, an would compel owners to sell a considerable portion. (Applause.) lu the sliding scale system of tax ing lands, a man with 30,000 acres would bo charged, say for argument sake, 5s per acre, 25,000 acres, 4<, and when the quautity of land was reduce I to a small homestead,' the *tax might altogether disapp-Jir. In short, the bigger the estate the higher the tax upon it. Monopolies of land wero to be regretted in any countiy. They hid proved a great curse at home, where they had squeezed tho once numerous yeomanry class almost out of existtance. Men who had baen accustomed to liviug on small estates had been forced into factories, or out of tue country through wealthy men acquiring their land and adding to their own already too "bulky territory. Thus it was that' the able-bodie 1 men, known as yeomen, h -id diminished. From this class used to In; drawn tho robust and hardy men which formed the British Army. At the pre&enb" time a miserable, squalid, lever class were increasing, whose poverty and wretchedness had been brought about by the causes previously mentioned — the monopolising of large traces of laud by the wealthy. Of what use would money be if by its accumulation it had depopulated the country of the good old yooinaury, leaving as a substitute the ground - down, half -starved factory ham's, whose attenuated frames -could nob supply that bone nucl sinew required to provide fresh men ..for tho defence of ohe country and its wealth As communication became cheap and quick, labour could easily mi grate but it was to a country's best interests to retain such labour. Men were made patriots by direct interests in the soil and such men it was who built up great and Ires nations. Therefore it was that he advocated a laud tax of such a natuie as should be fixed by a sliding scale. He would however if elected support any measure which would promote the settlement of the country, and enable men to secure small blocks of laud (loud applause.) The laud tax if levied as proposed would at the utmost probably realise only some £70,000. If he had to face the question of taxation ho- should support the property and income tix, as a fair aud just financial measure rather than a land tax alone. It was unfair that lauds which had risen in value should be taxed in consequence, while stores and buildings and property generally, which advanced in value at an equal rate, wer« not to bo taxed to a corresponding extent, if at all. It was not consistent to propose to tax the lands of country people, and to allow townspeople to go almost scot free; all should alike share in the burden of- taxation. A. Property aud Income Tax would give a rough estimated yield of some four or five hundred thousand pounds. lucome tax would touch the revenue derived from colonial property, shares, &c, held by people cither in tho colony or at home, so that men at a distance drawing incomes from Ntw Zealand, would bear a share of the cost of improving their colonial properties of whatsoever kind they might be. Mr Whitaker hoped he was not misunderstood. Ho said nothing against capitalists, whose wealth frequently was the product ot their brains, and was indispcnsible to the prosperity of any country. Capi tal should, with labour, work harmonionsly together for the g« leral developmeut and welfare of the land. He was perhaps a little selfish, in advocating the encouragement of an increase of population, for he was advocating that which wes calculated to benelifc himself If there w,is no population he had no readers for. his paper (Waikato Times) (laughter.) Sheep could not read, nor cattle. From a literary point of view the introduction of human beings was to him a mil tor of great importauw, for population was essenti.il to tbo cu dilation of the Waikato Time*. ((Jheers and laughter.) G-jneral politics embraced, another disputed question— that of Universal Suffr.vro—and, while on that subject, he felt bound to state that he did not agree with those who advocated it. He had come before the electors to speak his mind, and if hiii view* did not suit .them he could not ' hoi? ic ' 3Xanlwod and Universal

Suffrage, though associated together by some, were totally different, as the former allowed any adult male to yote, t but the latter, he apprehended, also ad*auittechr woman into tho mysteries of electioneer- f ing matters, which, in his opiu^i^ was not altogether ayery desirable 'thu||j'. He opposed everj^m'aK adult *#|$ingf|j|vote, ' and whs in favor o£ every jm'ifn being first of all a resident?; in tl|e coldrjy f or twelve months, .-'nl not convicted 6rsrime. It was not right that ship-loads 6f;;immigrants, just landed, should be allowed to go straight to tho polling booths. (Cheers.) He had seen men carted from the hospital to vote. It* *»*?as not right that the migratory population which hang about cities should be allowed to exercise the franchise for the simpl'j reason that they are male adults. It was not right to allow the sweopings of the oities to vote, as these centres of population already exercised too much dominance over the country. Even in the old times of Provincial Institutions everything was monopolised by 'the towns, and if the eouutiy people got anything it was given them by the town members — like a bone thrown to a dog! Manhood Buft'rage would thus throw enormous power into the hands of the cities through the medium of an euormous voting population, and he should be sorry to soa tho present system changed for such a universal and objectiunable process. He would oppose _ auy thing under twelve months' residence with registration, which t he believed such would be a purer franchise than the present mixed one. With respect to the relation of Maoris to the franchise , lie thought they were in many districts obtaining undue influence. They returned four members to the House of Assembly from constituencies of Maoris only. He thought it hard and most unjust that Europeans in certain districts should suffer in a political sense because Maori votes preponderated, the latter always voting en masse under the control or guidance of not always conscientious Palceha Maoris. Mr Whitaker hinted at the unpleasant position in which the electors of . Waipa might be placed, unless some alteration in the principle of the Maori Franchise were effected, if the present Government nogooiatlous were suooesful, as lie trusted they would be. The basis of population was tho only true system of representation which could be advocated, a certain number of members being allowed to a specified population. A selfadj listing system was the only remedy for the present unsatisfactory state of tilings, and an equitable scale would be one member for about every u,OOO people. Mr Whitaker did not wish to criticise his neighbors severely, but he had for some years Avatched with interest Tarauaki members aud others who had consistently, or inconsistently, supported every Government in turn as the latter assumed office. He believed that one member in the House represented a constituency of oidy 1(30 voters. He Avould briefly refer to matters more nearly affecting Waikato settlers' interest. A very important question was that relating to the country beyond the frontier. Mr Whitaker said he felt so convinced of the great impor tauce to be attached to the opening of these lauds that auy arrangement which could be made by Government, or by a regular treaty, at all feasible, which » would lead to a settlement, he would, if elected, ardently support (loud cheer*"). , He was delighted with the yearly improvements visible in the settled portion of Waikato, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see settlements such as Kihikihi and Ran- , giaohia studding the country beyond the boundaries (cheers). He believed in the ultimate success of negociations with reference to the King Country, as no , interference had taken place with those native lands, and he thought that an equitable treaty might yet secure the peaceable possession of the land beyond the river. The question of titles in Waikato re- , quired the attention of the Government. Since he had come to the district, he had discovered that a great numbar w«re not 1 good. Scrip had becu lost, and other papers relating to rightful possessiou had been lost, and although purchasers had paid the mone y, and had the right to th 3 lands, they had not die titles. He thought the General Government should appoint a comuiission to enquire iuto .this matter, and decide on the grounds of equity respecting the issuing of titles if receipts could be shown, or satisfactory evidence 1 adduced of a bona fide purchase. The commission could then report to the , House, aud a Bill might be passed validating such titles as might be recommended. . It was a hard case for many a man, and he considered required early legislation. There were other topics he could touch on which were of general interest, but as at such meetings it was customary for questions to be asked, he would not take up more of their time. He could only say that as far as his general political views went, he was a liberal. He believed in liberty of thought and speech, not only on the part of electors, but of the elected. 1 He felt strongly on that particular i subject, feeling that no one ought Jo be tied down to follow any particular man, or be posted and placarded up for party purposes. He wished to see " Equal aud exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political." He believed that the interests of the few should be made to give way to the interests of the majority. He would, in conclusion, say that if eboted, his best endeavours would be for the Waikato, wherein were all his personal interests, aud in the words of the motto adopted by the newspaper Avhich the reporter present represented .(' Star ') he would say his work was '* For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, "For the future in the distance, Aud the good that Ave can do." Mr Whitaker resumed his seat amid loud applause. The Chairman said he had not signed , Mr Whitaker' s requisition, but he was so well satisfied Avith the manly and intelligent address delivered, that he would say to Mr Whitaker he Avas inclined hoav to vo'-e for him. On questions being invited by the Chairman Mr Farrell asked Mr Whitaker his opinion relating to the disposal of the town acres. Mr Whitaker replied that he was averse to giving back confiscated lauds. But if railways could be got back into the country by such concessions, and if lar°*e blocks of land could be secured for settlement, and for the furtherance of the introduction of the class of settlers Avhoin he had already referred to as being the strength of a nation, then he would say that no proposed sacrifice could be too great ; but until the Waitara meeting was at an end, it was difficult to form an opinion as to probable results. He Avould, however, say that, in the event of negociations proving a success, he would prefer seeing a larger equivalent value given in money to the natives instead of inland. (Cheers.) Mr Moiicrieff asked if Mr Whitaker Avas going to support tho present Government ? Mr Whitaker said they had heard his views, Avhich in most points accorded Avith those of the present Government. Ho would uot, however, have himself fettered, nor have his intellect insulted by auy such thing as being tied to auy one mm. As he had previously remarked, Government measures Avero in a transition state 2s o man could foretall the questions to be brought up for th<* coiiside:a';ioii of the Assembly in future sessions, and he k;u.e\Y

that thu Waipa constituency did not wish to fetter and tie him down hand aud^ioofcjras such was neither right nor *Man|y^(l6ud applause). '-M.V Favrel proposed a vote of confidence in Mr Whitaker'a* being' a fit and proper perol ; to Igpresent the Waipa constituency^ "^ . I Mr^CowanStseeonded the proposition, whiolt was" put and carried, with one dissentient. ..- Mr Whitaker briefly replied, *ind a vote of thanks to Mr Kay (the Chairman) closed the proceedings.