ELECTION NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2866, 25 November 1890, Page 2

ELECTION NEWS.

THE WAiKATO ELECTORATE.

THE HON. JOHN BRYCE AT ALEXANDRA.

Tub lion John Bryoa, candidate for the Waiknto electorate, addressed his constituents here on Friday night in the 1 üblic Hull There were some sixty electors piesent, and for the first time in the annals of Alexandra's political meeting*, a number of ladies also attended to listen to Mr 'iiiitherford was called to the Ch The Chairman, on rising, said it was hardly necessary for him to introduce Mr B$» to the meeting, as he was well-known to all present, and thr3Ugho.it the colony ; neither was it necessary to ask those present to grunt a fair and impartial hearing to Mr Bryce, as he was quite sure of that being granted. He would call on Mf Brvce to address them. Mr Bryce then proceeded to remark that in every place he had spoken in the Wailcato, or wherever he went, ho had beeu received with tho utmost kindness. Ho himself always treated his audiences with respect, and was invariably treated in trie same manner. In Alexandra especially, where he was personally known to many of them, he felt confident of not receiving the slightest interruption or interference while speaking to them. (At this moment two dogs who evidently had a difference between them, at once began to settle it as dogs do, necessitating Iheir being dragged out by the scruff of the neck, and the noise occasioned, of course, compelled Mr Lryce to pause in his address). Quietness being restored, he resumed : See how quickly my confidence in not being interrupted while addressing an Alexandra audience has been misplaoed, but I can hardly blame anyone for that. (Laughter). Ho had already expressed his intention of speaking on different political questions at difWei.t meetings, but found it souiow hat difficult to d» so. Hn referred to his address, which he hoped all had road. Ho had there given his opinions on the financial questions and others very fully. Mr Uryw then commented on the great obstruction to business that had taken place in the H;m»e during tho last session, for which he, in a ereat measure, Warned the leader of the Opposition. He hoped that public opinion would be so raised that it would insist upon members doing their duty. Aβ Koacl Board or County Council would have eubmittod to any such interruption by one or two men. Mr bryco then proceeded to remark on tho financial statement, in similar terms, as at Hamiton, and as already published in flli. W.uKvro TiaiKS. On the subject of taxation Mi Bryce found that in the towns especially it'was proposed to tax the land m lieu of the Property-tax ; ho as a country settlor was not in favour of this at all, it would be unjust in a very high degiee. a person who invested in a vessel or any other property was not to be taxed at all. A Land and Income Tax as proposed, at Ud in the £', would bring in £74,000 only and it was of an inquisitorial na.ure. Ihe designs of those in town were to throw tho bmthens on the country settlers who should stand shoulder to shoulder in selfdefence. Mr Bryce then proceeded to deal with the Single Tax and other matters as in his CainbridßO address, his remarks throu"lr.mt meeting with tho approval oi the audience who signilied tho sumo by frequently applauding the speaker. Mr Bryce then spoke for a considerable timo on tho settlement of the hnd question ami the various ways in which it nmy be acquired. Of those he was in favour of perpetual lease; ho also believed in the deferred payment system which returned one-third of the' value to make roads. Mr Bryce spoke stronctly against the nationalisation of the land, lie wonld be in favour ,if the Government taking ovei the large estates in oases where thenecessities of the State required it, then the Government should take it but without any injustice to the owners, it would however, bo time enough to consider that when our population was so congested as torequire it. In tho proposals to tax the bondholders, Me Bryce thought it would be a very wrong and dishonourable thing to a<>. We had made a specific agreement with them, which should be kept. Ue felt assured that if this iniquity was committed wo would be punished for it. He looked for a great reduction in our burthens uy-and-bye, by the covcrsion of our loan?, and getting the interest wo aro now pay jug considerably reduced. What would these bond-holders say to us then ? If we committed this sin, why they would make us pay for it, thr.iush or r'.pocket*. He had seen in the papers that the Government has made no retrenchment. When they wen in they named » sum of £MO,OM they would retrench, and up to now they have retrenched up to £292,000 which have passed the auditors. He did not t-.ko credit for tlns-and perhaps hardly no much on close inspection-had Ween actually saved. Tho present Government gave strong prooi of their desire for retrenchment. When they proposed to reduce the Governors "■ll/rv fr.Mo £7,500 t» fc\ooo Mr Balance β-iid it was a mean thing to do, and that tiiey would only pet a second-class man ; but it seemed to hi',, to be a very respectable salary for even Imperial Government experience. But see how it turned cm., for those who worship high rank our Governor's blood is the bluest of tho blue. Mr Bryce then nientioncl tho large deduction undo by the Promier and Ministers m their owa salaries. A man that would cut down iiis own salary from t1,700 to a,OOO, other Ministers from £1230 to £800 and travelling expenses one-half, gave a proof in good earnest of his desire for retrenchment. He would ask them to realise how all must make sacrifices to pay our way by economy in every direction and the Government must look to the people for tin-ir support and approval. Mr Bryco claimed to bo in entire sympathy with the real country settlors here and in Xow Zealand and all should stand together shoulder to shoulder. He would bo proud to represent thorn, he had concealed nothing, and ho begged to thank both the ladies and gentlemen fur the attention they had given him in listening to his addross that night. At the conclusion of Mr Bryce's address ho received loud and prolonged applause. QUKSTIOXtf. Mr W. James asked Mr Bryce's views on the education question. Mr Bryco : _ iha question as handed to me is a very fair one, and I intend to go into it very fully at Te Awamutu. 1 have a most pressing reason for not entering fully into the question to-night. I claim to be as groat a friend to tho sysiom »s imyunu m ton colony. I know t.lio system has many enemies both financially and politically. The cost is upwards of £1000 a day. With such a largo sum to face, it will bo sure to be attacked." Mr James : " Would you have education at the fourth standard cease " Mr Bryce: "Certainly not. Mr Mandono : " Arc you in favour of tile three Railway Commissioners. Mr Bryco: "Railways wore mado for tho advance of the settlement of the country, but they woro now being run on business principles. I do not understand Mr Vaile's scheme, and I do not think he does himself. Hβ had event, doubts about appointing new commissioners at the and of their term. He was inclined to think the Government ehonld keep some control but would not speak positively. He felt, however, assured that during the late strikes it was well tho railways were out of the conti ol of the (Jovernment, as thero was no knowing what pressnro might have been brought to bear at that time. Several other questions woro asked Mr Bryce and satisfactory replies given, Mr Walter Jaiuos proposed a vote o thanks to Mr Bryce for hia address and courteous answers to their questions, also a vote of confidence in him as their future member, and that the Waikiito electorate would feel proud at having so well-known and honourable a gentleman to represent "■''carried unanimously with loud applause. Mr Brvce returuod thanks for the honour and the "handsome manner in which the voto had been given by them. He would be proud to represent them to Ihe best of his ability, , , . A vote of thank* to the chairman proposed by Mr Bryce terminated tho proceed ingu.

lIOX. JOHN BIIYOE AT TE AWAMI'TI'.

ON Saturday oveninß Mr John Lryce addressed a large inuetinff of 'he electors of this district at To Awamnlu. On the motion of Mr J.V. Andrew Mr Jas Walton was voted to the chair, and ho ilia few words introduced Mr liryce who on rising to speak was gcooted with up- " In S openinK his address Mr Bryco gave a resume of the subjects on winch ho had spoken at provious wcotings, dunuß which

lie often received npplauso showing that (in tho questions on which lie hud spoken he was in sympathy with tins in this pait o£ the distiiet. Uonlinuiiif; his experiment uf tre-.itiug mi diliVrsnt subjects at various places, the new subject which ho spoke on was KDt RATION. In opening this subject Mr Jiiyce said the question was a mo;-!; important ono in this colony. With rufnreiice to the higher education three universities were undoubtedly too much lor the number of students'which attended them imtowir.K to tlio provincial jealousies ho did not .sea any chance of tlie number being reduced. Jle also referred to the question of endowment, showing how in the old provincial days Education was inorj lichly endowed in tho South than in the North Island. With respect to secondary education, he said that last year this had ost the colony £80,000 which for the 3000 children in the second-

ary schools was undoubtedly a large sum for the amount of instruction convoyed. Of this £80,000, £18.000 is provided for by fees. Tn tho secondary .schools the cost per hsad is about £25, the cost of teachers RaUrieH alone being £1!;, while in tho primary schools the cost is only £1 per head, >'rom this it must be sueii that tho secondary education is very expensive, and that value is not received for the amount spent. This portion of the Edueali.m system rormirei amending, aud ho said he would assist in its amendment. Some people urge that the colony should not be called upon to contribute to the higher education, as it was mostly the children of well to do i. .rents that took advantage of it, but this i- not sound, for if the ailony intends to keep up its name and status, means must be provided for the education of thosse of high intelligence, and mako thorn of advantage to the colony at large. When children hlkiw aptitude and brains, their higher education should be provided for by means of scholarships. He said he did not wish it understood that ho wished to cripple higher education, us that would bo fatal to the intelligence of the colony, of which all are no proud. Coming to primary education Mr Hryco aaid lliiit lie understood that he had boon held u i .".H nn enemy

ol it, no one could be more surprised at this statement than ho wae himself. Before this system was brought in he was an advocate uf it and .since adoption he had suppmtud it. ho had s'aked his election on it, nud had he at laet election, when he was defeated made some slight concessions on tins question, ho would in all probability have been returned, and he was again prepared to stake his election on it. (Applause), lie said it was a miserable tiling for professed friends of the system who have not given proofs of disinterestedness to attack him, and he was bound to defend himsoll. Unk'ss he had failed in his intention in his previous speeches he must liavo satisfied everybody that the finances of thfl colony am in a, straitened condition. Although he was a friend of the present system there would bo many who wore- not and tho svstoin would r>2 attacked, nnd it tlioso who were tho friends of the system did not look to tho course to defend it, it would be attacked successfully. As had been often done of the State, tho speaker likened the pjesent Education .system to a ship under full sail. A storm is coming on, the captain who is a prudent man has all canvas furled and when tho storm burst he hns his ship fully prepared and weathers it successfully. There were others, however, who would meet tlio storm with all sails set and would come out of

it with all the canvas blown <"Y a V and probably a mast gone also. Wind) of theso lio askod was tho best friend tii the owners of the vessel, the prudent ono or tho one that met the full force of the storm with all s.iil.H spread. Kveryune must ii'liiiit Hie pruijijiit one. rnmnry IWiic-itii-ii is now lonelily spoakini! co-tiiiK

£looo \mv clay, aud what i.s there so ea*y as to cut this down, The question U how is this to bo presented. It is to bo done by incurring no unnecessary expense and ahowiug that the friend* of the system are prudent in iU management. . \\ith reference to state ajjo ho snid no puueiple could be involved as to tho time when tho stato should take control of the children. J t may take them at >no year and keep them till they aro men. Wc have to suck the age which shall bo boot for the children and best for the country. liryce then went on to say that he had often seen little children trudging l><> school in the wot and sitting all day in their damp elothe*, learning nothing for wlut, to entitle the toucher to"his capitation allowance It has often b«?en artsuetl aud that if thoso children did not go the uocus.-ary number I would not be obtained and the school would

be closed. This was nonsense as the regulation* were not as unalterable as the laws of tho Modes and Persian*, and if Hie present Educational svstoin did nut provide for the sparsely settled districts in was unworthy of the name, if it were not for the country districts there would bo no need for the national system as I lie towns would be better able to proude for themselves. Ihe idea that lie wished 10 close the country schools was a mo.'.t absurd one. Mr llryce said he oonsidered himself an ideal country settler, lie had a large family—already 25 grandchildren and every prospect of many more-and not one of them lived in the towns, prom his experience he considered that children of from seven years to seven and a-half years of ago 011 going to school would be able to learn sufficient to pass the first standard at nine yoars, while the returns show that the children now attending the schools, —a pood many of whom enter between five and six years of age—pass the first standard at nine years and tivo months. Surely, he said, this justified him in saying that the children learnt little or nothing between five and seven years, lie had also said that education should not bo paid for after 13 years of age or the fourth standard. He did not want education to stop an 111 years, but ho did not think that the State should pay for it jn primary schools after that period. He had niWiiys Jill VOCiltCli tijc Ont.\bil-<l);llCllt i;f scholarships as a means of providing higher education. L'rowoUK to free education being introduc '.'l Mr Brycu said that ho had known country sol tiers spend as much as one-third of their income to provide education lor their children and ha did not think that human nature had so far chan;(;'d that th'\y would grudge the fees necis-aiy i-> provide education for their children over lo years of age whom they could spare from their home avocations. Mr liryce next dealt with the pamphlet issued by the Waikato Branch of the New Zealand lCducation.il Institute, which was headed " Mr liryce, M. H. K,, on Education." In this pamphlet, which was of considerable size, he was allowed three lines extracted from a private letter ho had wiitten to Mr .John Parr, the remainder was someone else on Education. The letter was a friendly one he had written to Mr Parr in reply to some questions on Education, one of which referred to Primary Kducation.-fWe give tho para-

graph heie fully, the portion m small capitals bein? the part not used in tho pamphlet, "I do not think that education in the elementary .schools should be paid for through the State before thoy have reached the njje of seven yeats and after they liate reached the age of thirteeu, or havo passed tho fourth standard ; Ai'i CHILOUKN IN KKSPKUT OF IIICHJCIt EDUCATION SHOULD BE SPECIALLY riIOVLUKI) FOK BY MKANS OF SCHOLAHSHirS OR OTIIKKWIHK.J Mr Bryce said that it wad manifestly unhur that a portion of the paragraph had been quoted and the remainder suppressed, and if the body by which tho pamphlet had been issued wtM'G teachers he way very sorry indeed, as they hold a high, holy and responsible position and if the children hear of unfairness coining from their teachers, the children could not give them the necessary respect. lie hardly knew how to take the pamphlet whether an an election squib or iu all seriousness. lie would, however, take the latter view. No duuot the pamphlet was isaned aa an example of what trained and disciplined thought—as education is called in tho pamphlet could dobut it had not been very liuixcusful. Mr 13ryca llieu pointed out the faulty metaphor in the -Itil paragraph. Ue said that the pamphlet contained one ol the hardest attacks he had ovor ''don oil Uiu present system, for it said that "Education that does not go beyond the requirements of the fourth standard is necessarily delective. It leaves a child utterly unprepared for any position in life, other than that of the commonest drudgery." If this is true, said Mr liryee, then the system is not worth a rap, for returns published by the department showed that more than BO per cent, of the children who attend the public schools leavo at the fourth standard, and these, according to the pamphlet, are only fitted for positions in lifo of the commonest drudgery. Such an attack would not be expected from friends of tha present educational system, Mr Bryee said that many men who had taken tho highest positions in the colony, had not received any education higher than the fourth.standard. Jfe said he did not think tho pamphlet the production of gentlemen of trained and dis"iplined thought, but thai it emanated from those who had an interest in education,

which h:; had nut, ll n had dealt eently with this document, as liu did nnt think the friends of the system should ['.ill out. lfelnd i;iven hU proof as its friend, mid ho felt in a nioiit foi K ivi;,i;; mi H,,l towards lliose friends who had issued H IU circular, and hoped they would nil W, friends. If. however, they thought that, .■>. public mini wns (loiiig B'liucliiiri;? m: unst ■ .inc-.Limi (J f wliicli they dis.i|)|>nni!-l, in their writing aß.uust him they should not 1.-t it look Uko a political iittack. C'O.NX'LUSION'. Mr lli-yce c.mclistiod his m;.o;i:c!i Ijy i .:Eei nn;,', a:i ho !>:.<! ('.on". |ir«vio-.--ly. t> \"-< h"\>:-« for thn future of the colony, i'iid iil-o to l,i ■ buincT rctiin-iiv3 ;>« lln-ir .nnubcr. If, he said, In; worn returned l.i uiy rpprL'sciitui" the. retliii(?s of til.'. <!■;>).; ;o(, lu; would Ire prdiid of it, hut if h" v.-cr-.Mii any "iidorhiind iiiiiiniuf iiu ivouil ltd iibiiiiiniiJ ot ibc po.-itioii. Me jjivwl-hdi took liU seat iiuiiil l««d andconlir.i'cii iipi.ini.-. ■. IJI.'IiSTIONS. la rcply to tlm Clinirman asking it anyone luid any qucbtitms to |)Ut to Ml' liryco,

Mr J. B. Toaadalij handed in tho fnllo-.v-ing:—]. "Wlmt would bo the olVeut on uniall country schools to l'aisu tlie age to seven years and .-.tup at the fourth stimdard';" 2. " Wherein Can tho retrenchment bu made? Will it ba from amounts paid to touchers uv will it lie from l)ep;ntmental expense* sncii a school boards, secretaries or inspectors J .Do you not think that the great difference in salaries you propose to p.iy br-.tween the town and country schools would have the "llect of degrading the country schools '!" Mr Bryce: (1). "Tho cil'ect on email country schools would be nil, us any national system which did not provide for sparsely settled districts the sume as at present is not worthy of the name. (2). The savin? would be eli'ected in largo schools. If theLiepartincnt were reduced :\n all-round reduction would bo made. If thu number of children wore 1.-ii'Kcly reduced the number of teachers would also bo reduced, but Ido not apprehend that tho teaching power in sparsely populated district? will bo reduced. Nor du 1 think that a saving could be effected pro rata by raising the age, but the saving would be about one-half that amount. f. say it without offence to the teachers and with all respect to their intsras-ts that if wo are to consider the question of priority us between the children and teachers I must Bide with the children. (Loud upplauso). To sum up, tho saviiiß wouU bu effected by an nil-round reduction to a small extent and a largo reduction in the larger schools. Higher capitation in tho country would not degrade the country. If any degradation could come in it would in the towns, but it could not come in oven there." In reply to another nuestiou from Mr Teasdale'Mr Brycu said that ho would not favour a denominational system of education and lie could not contemplate tlic State paying for tho teaching of religion. If a denominational .system were introduced the weak country districts would be left and the national sy=tem swept oil the face of the colony. Mr llungeiford Roche: "Does rrnr revenue cover tlic expenditure in legislating

and paying away interest ? n MrL>ryce: uWc are drawing from loan * in the present year to the extent of several * thousands, but the loans will oil bo ex- t haunted in March. 1 have always held a that our revenuo doiw not cover onr ex- r penditure and on the estimates for the present year latee sums arc put down to loan, which should come from revenue. Is'ext year we must'look to our w.;ys as the loans ( will be exhausted, and wo nm-'t pursue one < ot three courses, viz;—We must impose j fresh taxation, or we must borrow more money to carry on with, or wc must economise to a greater decree. 1 would 1 deprecate to the utmost fresh taxation or i further borrowing, and the third course w i the only one I would advocate. Unless the government receive;; outside will not bo able to adopt this course. Lie* 1 mention the (iist two it is not that 1 would advocate them hut 1 fear that they ; may be carried out. Ido not say that there will be no further taxation or borrowing, but 1 point out that there may bo and J. ask for your assistance and co-operation to prevent it." Mr Ruche then asked Mr V,tyco why he had not voted for the reduction of the IVopesty-tax by }d, ami Mr Uryco said that if this had been d«»uc the revenue would have Iwen so much more reduced.

Ho would gladly vote lor the reduction of all taxation completely were it practicable. In icply to another question, Mr Bryce said Ui.it "tlio Midi:imla Iviihvay Company did uot pay 'l'ropoitv-tax on the bulk of their property. He hud been against tins wholo business from the betfinnniir, and ho believed the present position was au improper one. Mr W. Jtihn(Te Awamutu) iViovuci a hearty vole of thanks and confidence in Mr Slurry (Olmupo) said that he would move ax an amendment a vote of thanks to Mr Bryce. Ho said that he did not wish it seconded, an he only did so in order |to hive an opportunity to ypeak. He then went on to say thai he thought it was unf«ir, and that Mr Bryce must think so himself to accuse tlio teachers of laischood in suppressing tlio tnith. The institute had no intention of doing this. (Hera the noise became so great that Mr Murray had to sit down.) Mr Bryco rose, and the audience to give Mr Murray as fair a hearing as they had given him. On Mr Murray rising to continue, tlio Chairman said that it was not customary for anyone else to malic a speoch, except tlio candidate, and lie hoped that Mr Murray would limit his remarks. He would also point «ut that at present Mr Murray was out of order in speakingMr Murray said he was very sorry to see the partisan views, which the chairman held on the matter, but lie would leave the question of order with Mr Bryce, and would abide hy his decision. Mr Bryce said that lie was sorry that this matter had been referred to him, but according to the milos of debate Mr Murray was clearly out of order in moving an amendment before the otigiual motion was seconded. He should either have seconded the motion himself or else have waited till it was seconded when ho could have spoken to it, lie did not wish however to debar the gentleman from speaking. Mr Murray said ho would ahide by Mr Brvce's inline: and sat down, Mr •!. H. Mandeno seconded the motion and Oil it being put it was carried almost unanimously on the voicos only three of four voting against it. Mr Bryco thanked those present for the attention they hud gii'en him and the vote which had been passed, unanimously he would consider it, as the Noes wore given in a weak and hesitating manner. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. .

DEPUTATION TO Mil TOLE. (IIV TKLKGUAL'H.—OWN COKHKSI'ONDENT.) AUCKLANP, Last Night. Mr Tolo wl)i> was waited upon by a deputation to ask him to stand for tho Waikato lias declined.