TE AROHA ELECTORATE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2953, 18 June 1891, Page 2

TE AROHA ELECTORATE.

SIK VAI.TKK IJUr.iaudioes*. Sill WaLTKK iifLI.HIi Commenced '"S candidature fur tho To Aroha scat by delivering an address on Monday livening last the ] sth inst. in the public Hall, Te Aroha. He had a very good audience indeed, among t.iiem being settlers from the neighbouring districts, Pial.o, Wait-oa and Waiorongomai ; and judging by the attention with which he was listened to and the applause with which at various portions of his address he was greeted, he evidently succeeded in mailing a good impression on his hearers. The choice of Chairman was left to the meeting who elected Mr 10. L. Hirst to the otlice. Mr Hirst introduced Sir Walter Duller to the audience in a few brief remarks. Sir Walter commenced by answering some objections which had been raised by an Auckland paper ou the grounds that he was a stranger in Auckland, his interests being centred in Wellington, and his not being a local man. As against the first he said that the fact of his having beet) born and bred in Auckland where he received his early education and commenced life as a banker's clerk, afterwards holding a Government appointment there, disproved the charge o! his being a stranger in Auckland. He allowed he'had some property in Wellington, but lie hud also a considerable stake in this province, llis not being a local man he contended was a point in his favour, as a representative of a district living at Wellington had far greater opportunities of working for the good of his districtj being always in touch with Ministers both during the session and duriug the recess, than a member who was only then: for three mouths iu the year, uud who iu the exciteuicut of the session could not always i;ct opportunities of bringing the wants of his constituents before the notice of Ministers. He then proceeded to give a rapid outline oi his views on all the political questions of the da}, such as tie of the lauds, the Native lands ijuesti.vn, loans, taxation, railways, retrenchment, education, federation, and mining. On the settlement of the lands, he pointed out that the only remedy in his opinion to stop the exodus of our population, which was drawing the life blood of the colony, was to oiler greater inducements to small settlers to settle ou the land. He thought that it was a fatal mistake to abolish the right of purchase of freeholds, which is one of the greatest attractions to emigrate to this colony. Were this carried into force it would destroy the whole fabric. He himself would go even further, and give the land away for nothing so as to attract settlement. He was not in favour of doing away with the Native Laud Courts, but to do away with the present cumbersome and expensive machinery, and to have as simple a tribunal as possible to determine native titles. Ho was strongly opposed to any further borrowing. The present public debt amounted to £liO per head of the population, and with the public mortgages another £50 per head—equal to £110 for every man, woman, and child in the colony. If we aie ever to recover our cre.-lit in the London market it could only be by ceasing ail further borrowing for some years to come. He preferred the Property-tax to a Land-tax pure and simple, but would rather have a Land-tax and Income-tax, with exemptions of £51)0 iu land and £250 in incomes. Ho would not make the tax press too heavily on small settlers who already pay enough through tho Customs, but he would impose a substantial tax on absentees, who hold large estates locked up for speculative purposes. He thought the present Government deserved great praise for having Saved i' 50.000 per annum on the public expenditure, and the Premier had assured him that he saw his way to a further saving of £50,000. Retrenchment was a distasteful word, and the Government were entitled to credit for having carried it out so boldly. He was in favour of the present system of public education, and would nut have the cost reduced by a singlo shilliug, believing it was the best possible investment for the rising generation of tho colony. Us mining, he considered the Government should aid in developing the industry by assisting prospecting parties as i-; done in the South Island and in other way-;, believing as lie did that it was an iud'islry ot the jrreatesl importance unt only to this district, but to tho whole colony. After he had concluded he answered a number of questions which were put to him in a very able and ready manner, piv'ng straightforward aud decided replies to each aud every one. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Sir Walter Duller at the close of his address. (IIY TKLKIiIIAIMI.— OWN COMllcll'O.Nl IKNT). Camurilmjk, Last Night. Mr L. J. Hagnall's supporters have arranged t.r> hold a meeting n.t Te Aroha on Monday evening, at which Mr Bagnall •.vill be present, A deputation will go from Cambridge to present him with a largely-signed requisition lo contest the electorate, which will be handed to him ou Monday afternoon.