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MR JOHNS AT WHATA WHATA.

Mr Johns addressed the electors of Waipa in the school-house, Whatawhata, on Tuesday evening. About 30 persons were present, and the chair was occupied by Mr Rothwell, Mr Johns, in commencing his address, said it was a recognised axiom that for a system of government to be sound it should aim at doing the greatest good to the greatest number. He explained that the Government of a country was nothing more or less than a huge joint stock company, which periodically elects its officers to transact its business. The people were therefore at this time called upon to make their selection. He then proceeded to touch upon the various questions dealt witli in his speech at Raglan. On the subject of education he said he was a firm believer in the present system. He regretted that while they were instilling knowledge into the miuds of the youne they could not also aSord them instruction in the greatest of all knowledge, but as this was impossible they should clea\ c to the undenominational system, and leave it to the parents and the clergy to conserve the moral and the spiritual welfare of the children. After touching upon the questions of taxation and the customs duties, he proceeded to criticise the action of the late member, whom he accused of having broken his hustings' pledges in regard to the administration of the public estate of the colony. He considered the excuse made by Mr Whitaker, that he was acting professionally in the case of the Patetere land purchase, to be untenable, and said if his action did not afford an instance of double dealing he was at a loss to know how to describe it. The system of land monopoly had a most injurious effect upon* them as farmers, because it was the means of locking up money, which, under altered conditions, might be devoted to the establishment of manufactures and local industries, without which they would never be able to find a profitable market for their butter and cheese, their beef and mutton, and other products. (Applause). He then referred briefly to the other candidates, and advanced reasons why they should not be trusted to represent the district, similar in effect to those adduced m his speech of the previous Saturday. On the subject of protection, the speaker said he was, in theory, a free trader. He believed that men of all nations should be allowed to exchange commodities with one another without hindrance. But, unfortunately, such a scheme was almost impossible of attainment, and therefore for the purpose of fostering their industries they must have recourse to protec- [ tion in some form or another. There I were many articles taxed at present which should be free, but among those of general consumption sugar was one upon which the impost should be retained, as they should do all in their power to foster the establishment of beet sugar factories. As regarded many other manufactured articles not of general use, their establishment would be better effected by a system of bonuses. He repeated that it was of the utmost importance that industries should be established m the colony. Speaking m reference to the Highways Act, Mr Johns thought it should be left to the option of the local bodies to adopt a rate on the annual value or an acreage rate. In young districts it was not fair to tax the improvements of the industrious settler, who by his labour enhanced the value of adjoining land which might belong to absentees. (Hear.) He characterised the ten per cent, reduction as a most clumsy and unjust piece of legislation. He contended that while many of the better paid civil servauts could have submitted to a heavier tax upon their incomes, the result as it affected the poor men was most disastrous. He disapproved altogether of the alteration in the Dog Registration Act, by which local bodies were allowed to adopt the tax or not as they thought fit. The dog nuisance was a growing one, and should be put down, but at the same tune he strona:ly}deprecated taxing the shepherds' and farmers' dogs, which, in a manner of speaking, were the tools of their owners, just as the plane and the saw were the tools of the carpenter. He would do his utmost, if elected, to get the law altered in that respect. He denied that the present Government was one of retrenchment, and said the policy had been forced upon them. Similarly, they had taken credit for passing certain great liberal measures, when it was well known that these had originated with Sir George Grey, and that nearly every member of the late House had been sent there pledged to support them. The Government would not have lived a day if they had neglected to bring down these measures. He contended that a member should go to the Assembly prepared to advocate the views of his constituents, but when ho found they did not accord with his own he should cease to be a member. In conclusion, he trusted that whoever might be elected, their member would strive to carry out the views which he had just enunciated. He warned them against sending a political adventurer to represent them, for they misrht rest assured that such a one would only represent himself. They should send one of themselves, one with a stake in their district, and who was identified with their own interests. (Applause. J In response to the chairman's invitation, Mr Foxall asked for the candidate's opinion on the question of the Upper House. Mr Johns said he entirely disapproved of the present constitution of the Council. It was utterly irresponsible, and was a bar to progress. It was necessary, however, to have an Upper Chamber, and his own idea was that the members thereof should be elected, aay for a term of between five and ten years by the House. Tney would then be, in a measure, responsible to the people. In answer to Mr Vowless, Mr Johns said he approved of the principle of local option as affecting the granting of licenses, because it put the power in the hands of Uhe people. Mr Braithwaite asked Mr Johus for his opinion on the question of granting pen* sions to civil servants^ Mr Johns said he believed in paying a servant well for his work, the pay to cease when the work is done. Perhaps, in the case of civil servants, it would be well to retain a percentage of their incomes to go to form a fund to provide against old age, but there should be no pensions In reply to another question, Mr Johns gave it as his opinion that the county system was cumbrous, and as yet unnecessary. With increased powers the road boards were sufficient for all practical purposes, at any rate that was the experience in the Waikato. There being no further questions, Mr Foxall moved a vote of confidence in Mr Johns. Mr Bawson moved as an amendment, " That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Johns for his address." ' This was seconded by Mr Day. Mr Corboy moved as a further amendment, " That a vote of thanks a,nd confidence be accorded the candidate." He desired to know the reason why Mr D*wson had no confidence in Mr Johns. It was nothing more than an act of common courtesy to j>a»s * vote of confi-

dence. He was the first candidate to address them, though he was thB last in the field Mr Dawson said it was not fair to pass a vote of confidence until they heard the other candidates. They dtd not know enough of Mr Johns to put confidence in him all at once. All the candidates could not be expected to come to Whatawhata first. Mr Foxall : None of the others have spoken at all aa yet. Mr Corboy : No, they have been waiting for Sir George to come out to take the cue from him. (Laughter). After some further disputation, Mr FoxalFs motion was withdrawn, and Mr Oorboy's amendment put to the meeting, when eight hands were held up. The chairman then put Mr Dawson's amendment, now the substantive motion, and there voted for it 11. The chairman declared the motion carried. Mr Johns returned thanks for the vote. He said the ballot-box would settle the question of confidence. He proposed a vote of thanks to the chair, which was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18811117.2.14.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1463, 17 November 1881, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,421

MR JOHNS AT WHATA WHATA. Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1463, 17 November 1881, Page 2

MR JOHNS AT WHATA WHATA. Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1463, 17 November 1881, Page 2

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