MR KELLY, M.H.R., AT TE AROHA

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2639, 11 June 1889, Page 2

MR KELLY, M.H.R., AT TE AROHA

The weather Veing somewhat stormy, may possibly account for the rather small number who met at the Public Hall, on Saturday evening, to hear what the member for this district lmd to say. Mr 15. Gallagher was voted to tho chair, and in a very few remarks, introduced Mr Kelly. Mr Kelly commenced, by stating that the present occasion was tho first opportunity, since the election, hn had had of moetint; the electors of Te Aroha. Practically ho said the session of 1887 was a barren one, the principal Bill being the Land Bill, which occupied the time of the House to a considerable extent. The Bill that was passed, he was sorry to say, had not been brought into operatii.n. In the Bay of Plenty, several blocks of land have been put up under the old Act; he used his influence with the Government to get the Act put into operation, but without avail, and the land remains as it was. If the land had been applied for under the Act of 1887, applicants would have got it. When I go to Wellington, continued Mr Kelly, I will endeavour to do my utmost to have the Act put into operation, so that working men can have land if they wish. He owed them an apology for not having met them before, but he had been in the King Country for a few weeks ; he had also been laid up, which had prevented him meeting his constituents. He bad been to the Urewera country, and expects that in a few months people can go there. He had found gold there, and Mr Pond's opiniou of it is favourable. The natives are somewhat averse to Europeans, but behaved in a generous way to him. He intends during the summer mnnMis to get the Native Minister to go with him there. Tβ Kooti himself will assist in opening up the field. Referring to votes from the Government, Mr Kelly continued : It's very difficult to get anything from the Government. Many sums voted for goldfields are not what they should be. One vote for roads in goldfields was £35,000, whilst only £13,174 had been spent. He did not know whether the goldfields here got any of that sum, and really did not know how it was spent. He presumed tho sum was voted for all over tho colony. £11.900 was voted for bridges, to be used by local bodies on the £1 for £1 principle. ' He did not know if the local bodies had availed themselves of this, but they should ge.t what they could out of those sums. The present Government say they havo a surplus. When the House meets it will be found out whether it is so or not. Speaking of expenditure, he had pointed out where a saving of £400,000 could be effected without injuring the service. This amount would ba equal to tho property tax, the abolition of: which, ho advocated, should be done gradually, otherwise it might interfere with the revenue. Mr Kelly then enumerated the amounts connected with four or five of the departments, which left an apparent deficiency of £127,277. How the Treasurer can explain to the House that he has a surplus, will be seen when the House meets. There is no doubt, he continned, the taxation has been crushing. Speaking of the Civil Service, he said Government have introduced measures to place the departments on a different footing. Heads of departments have not been interfered with in a material way, whilst men with 25 year;' service, and capable of taking up other appointments, have been dismissed, and men who had no claim on the country have been appointed to high offices. Judge Barton, for instance, had no claim on the country ; the wholo question will come before tho House. Referring to tho Railway Commission, ho said it was never contemplated f<ir a moment that civil servants, should receive tho appointments. It was, Mr Kelly said, questionable if Mr McKerrow, who w.i.s receiving £1500 per annum, knew anything about railway matters, he was told, however, that Mr McKerrow has a mind of his own. Mr Kelly said he had made a long address at Tauranga the other evening and did not think it necessary to say much more just now on political matters. Since he had been in Ta Aroha he had been asked if he could assist them in obtaining better titles to the land. Mr Lipsey, he understood was anxious to let the lands in perpetuity, and if the present holders are also anxious, he would do his utmost to have it so, if it can be done legally and if it is put before him. Reference was made to bitter debates last session on the railways and the large landed proprietary questions. Mr Kelly briefly touched on the education question, in which he had not changed his opinions. It was dangerous to interfere with it, but he thought a reduction should be made, but was not prepared to say what. He advocated the raising of the age from five to six years and thought it would bo a great mistake to reduce the standards. In concluding Mr Kelly adverted to several matters of local interest; the sum voted for Thomson's track was £1200. It is a 4-foot track and of no use, and he contended that a good carriage road between Tauranga and To Aroha, was necessary, and he would do his best to obtain it. On the Thermal Springs question— Riitorua and Te Aroha—he would like to do honestly for both. The sum voted for these was £1000 ; at tho time this was voted £200 was spent. The cost to the Government of management at Rotorua was pretty fully gone into. Speaking of the Te Aroha domain, Mr Kelly said he moved in tho House to have t'soo spent here, but the Government refused, and told him that the Domain Board could do anything they liked with their earnings. When the increase of tourists conies about, Mr Kelly said he would do all ho could to get tho money. He felt he was under obligations to them, as he came a perfect stranger to this part of his constituency. He oncluded by saying ho would do all he could for tht! whole district. (Applause). Mr C. Cornes wished to know what amount has been expended on Rotorua and what on Te Aroha.

Mr Kelly: £2000 was voted. I attempted to get the £500 for Te Aroha. Mr R. Mackio asked what Mr Kelly thought of the I'air Kent Bill. Mr Kelly replied the Bill was thrown out by tfic Upper House. Mr Mackie: Don't you think it would be better to do away with the Upper House altogether? How much would it Sd Mr Kelly : About £4000. In reply to Mr Cleary, Mr Kelly said he understood it was the intention of the Government to commence the Thames-Te Aroha railway continuation from this end. Mr Oornes: How much money has been expended for roads in this goldfield district ? Mr Kelly : The only application was for Thomson's track. Mr Comes: While money is put on the Estimates, it is the duty of the member to do nil in his power for hia district. If you've allowed the South Island to get the lion's share, you have been neglecting your district. What amount have you got of your share of the plunder? (Laughter). Mr Kelly could not state how much of the £30,000 had been spent on the North Island. Attention was drawn to an injustice to settlers, inasmuch an they have to pay full fares going to and from Auckland, whilst return tickets are issued from Auckland at reduced fares, and available for one month.

Mr Kelly admitted the injustice, and sairt he had brought the matter before the Minister of Public Works.

Air C. Gallagher wanted to know if Mr Kelly was in favour of Home Rule. Mr Kelly, replying, said he was not ashamed to say hb was. Wβ have it here, and he didn't see why they should not have it elsewhere.

A few other questions were put and answered satisfactorily. On the motion of Mr Deverill, seconded by Mr N. Cloary, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, Mr Cornea expressing a hope that Mr Kelly would work a little better for them in the future.

A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.