THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

CITY NORTH.

Mr Thompson Before His

Constituents.

Mr Thomas Thompson, member for Auck land North, addressed the electors of that constituency in the Temperance Hall last evening. The building was filled more than half-aa-hour before the time fixed for the commencement of the meeting, and the uudience amused themselves at the expense of several well-known political agitators, each sally being greeted with shrieks of laughter. Calls were made for Mr J. Aitken Connell, his mare, and Mary, but they were not forthcoming, and Messrs Hodge, Staines, Oarrard, and Darkey Cox were in requisition. At eight o'clock, the building was crowded in every part, and many per sons were subsequently unable to obtain admittance.

On the motion of Mr E. Mitehelson, seconded by Mr C. Bailey, Mr J. P. King was voted to the chair.

In introducing the business of the even ing, the Chairman said he was glad to see so many constituents present. He read the advertisement convening the nieefcing, and then proceeded to say that the large atten dance gave ample evidence that Mi< Thomp son had given satisfaction to those who had returned him. Mr Thompson had met them twelve months ago, when Mr Doonin was Chairman, and also a year previous to that, when he himself had the honour of presiding. Since then the colony had gone through a severe crisis, and it was now the duty of the electors to look to the men whom they sent, to Parliament. They should not send men who had axes to grind, or who were carried away by.^any particular tads, whether those fads related to railway matters or native affairs. They required to tend able men as a united phalanx, deter mined to turn out the present Government —(cries, "Only some, of them," and loud cheers) —and see that they wore not allowed to return to office, Mr Thompson was a wejl«tr[ea and faithful servant to his con stituents. City North was now a larger district, but he had no doubt that Mr Thompson would never stultify himself to tli>e electors, though his district might be twice as large as at present. He was satisfied that Mr Thompson would go back again with flying colours. He had never sold his constituents, and had ever proved himself true and faithful to jthem. Some people said Mr Thomp , son was not v speaker, but there were many worthy, valuable, and able members of the House avlio were* as a rule silent members ; but they were never theless good men. ' Mr King proceeded to repeat for the benefit of the audience th c opinion of another Auckland member who said that Mr Thompson was one of the best and most worthy members. The audience at this stage of the Chair- « man's remarks became impatient to hear ]Mr Thompson, and having requested the meeting to give their member a fair hearing such as all true Britons would give, Sir King introduced the speaker of the evening, Introductory Remarks. Mr Thompson, in opening his address, said that he hardly thought it necessary for the Chairman to bespeak tor him a patient hearing, for they had always listened patiently to whatever he had to say. He hoped jtnat the same indulgence would be granted him on this occasion. (Applause.) He appeared before them that evening in somewhat of a dual capacity -in the fir^t pl«?e, as their old representative, and in the second place as a candidate for • their suff rages in the forthcoming election. Doubt less it would occur to their minds at a crisis like the present—a period probably the most critical ihat ever the colony had gone through—thai the finances of the country ■were of the greatest importance, and on this subject they would no doubt be anxious to hear his views. (Applause.) They ■would also be anxious to know how far lie had kept faith with his constituents in the past. Most candidates promised something, and gave some pledge to the electors. He had had to do this in the past, and it would be his task on this occasion to show that he had faithfully and conscien tiously carried out the promises that he had made.. Early Pledges.

He asked the audience to go back with him to within about three days of three years ago, when he first asked them to give him a seat in Parliament. (Applause.) With a view of showing how far he had acted consistently, ho would refer briefly to v short address which he had then given. He told them then that he was new to poli tical life, that he had no political sins to answer for, and that he would endeavour to serve them straightforwardly and honestly by carrying out his duties as their represen tative to the best of his ability. He did not claim any extraordinary amount of ability, but he claimed to have common sense and sufficient honesty to give play to •that common sense. (Applause.) With regard to the promises he had made at that time, he might now repeat what he had then stated —viz., if they considered his opponent a man more fitted to represent the inter ests of the constituency, it became their duty to return that candidate instead of himself. (Applause.) He now said to them that if they conscientiously believed that another person would serve the country better than himself, it was their duty to elect him. (Applause.) The Old Liberal Party.

gl&A.t that time he also told them that he lls a member of the old Liberal party, which unfortunately was now nothing but -a thing of shreds and patches. He hoped, however, that some flay it would come together again, and that its members would rally and tight shoulder to shoulder for the true Liberal principles which so many of them had at heart. (Applause.) He told them at the same time that he recognised in Sir George (Drey one of the leaders of that party, and he had never ■ ceased to consider him as such. (Applause.) liT accordance with the promises given to his (Mr Thompson's) constituents he had given Sir George drey his fullest support in every one of his Liberal measures that had been brought before the House session after session. (Applause.) He alao told them at that time, iv reply to a question, that he was in favour of a land and income tax which .should take the pla«« of the property tax, and he was of the same opinion now. (Applause.) Origin of the Stout-Vogel Combination. Ho would remind them that at the time to which he referred the country had pro nounced against Major Atkinson's Ministry, and it became a question what; combination or coalition Ministry would be put into power in the existing disorganised state of parties in the House. A 9 to what combina tion he was most in favour of, he then stated that the combination that in cluded the present Treasurer was the one that commended itseli the least to his mind. (Applause.) He thought that he could, before lie sat down, show that his actions were consistent throughout. (Applause.) On that occasion, too, he nn- Lhedhis address by saying that he came forward with the honest determination to do his duty faithfully, and he now left them to nay whether he had done no. A question iMit to him on that occasion was whether he Eouldsupportanymeaaureallowingpersons to bid fairly for land in the open market, present EducatioHpt raits entirety aq a purely secular, frePTnd com puSy system, ana as far W ppwMe Jg' & manhood suffrage Ho had further stated that if he changed his Liberal prin ciples at W time he would at once resign ta seat, and he said the mmc «ow- <<*£ ptaufe) He also hful **& that lie felb tjhe

, land tax was insufficient;, and that an income tax should be added ; that he would prefer to see a coalition between Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey, to one between Major Atkinson and Sir Julius Vogel ; that he would support the maintenance of single electorates and the ward system, and he voted for that on the Representation Bill. - He again pledged himself that he would I; alwaya vote straight on any question, and , never shirk his duties by walking out of the House when a division was taken. (Ap > plause.) So much for his first address to cj his constituents. The 1886 Session. > In 1886 he had the pleasure of meeting his constituents in connection with matters [ which, had been agitating the public mind t very much, and they would now be able to j see how far the views he then expounded and his subsequent action agreed with their J own, The previous Government had met , Parliament with a falling revenue and a ; large deficiency, and questions were put to I him with regard to the property tax and Customs. He stated in reply that he would give all possible encouragement to local [. industries, and would be in favour of giving ' bonuses for the discovery of certain pay able goldfields and such like. (Applause.) 4 But at the same time lie main-! J tamed that the necessai-ies of life should not be taxed. Consequently, when the Government of that session pro posed to increase the duty on tea, he voted j against it. (Applause.) Now, with re t gard to the position that he took in the J House (for the ot'.ier was all preliminary), } he wished to let them know how much they £ could trust him, by showing what his past 3 actions were, and how he had acted eonsist -1 ehtly with his promises. (Applause.) On the question of the Loan Bill, he made the ■ following remarks : That; he was not a sup porter of the Government, and would not be ' one so long aa the Ministry was constituted as at present. His objection was to the presence ot the Treasurer, Sir Julius Vogel. (Hear, hear.) And he also went on to say . that he was an opponent of Major Atkinson. , That was the statement he had made in | the House, and it would place before the electors clearly the position he occupied. He also stated that if a direct issue were placed before him he would not hesitate as to the course he ought to L" pursue, but. he was nob prepared to as sist in the removal of those gentlemen who occupied the Government benches by • means of any side issue. Therefore he | voted for the second reading of the bill, be cause its rejection would have been tanta -1 ment to a vote of want of confidence, and 1 he was of opinion that a vote of no-confi dence should be taken in hand by a leading * member of the Opposition. In the House 1 he had never been a supporter of the Atkin -1 son party, and he was always against the S-esent Colonial Treasurer. (Applause.) c had given a fair support to any 3 measures that were for the good of the j* country, and did not hesitate when he thought they were otherwise to vote against them. ' He voted against the East and ' West Coast Railways Bill and the District Railways Purchasing Bill, and supported b Sir George Grey in all the Liberal measures ' which lie brought forward, notably the > Plurality of Votes Bill, or one man one 5 vote (applause), and he was prepared to adopt a similar course of action again, although he himself wald thereby lose the power of voting in sev ,. eral districts which he now possessed. He k also voted for the Law Practitioners Bill, ( and would continue to do so. (Applause.) 5 Last Session.—Tbe Representation BUI , He now came to the business of last' ses sion. At the end of 1886, the question that , was exercising the minds of the Northern members, and especially those of the city, was the Representation Bill, which was ex pected to give an increased representation " to the North Island. The principle of that ' bill was representation on a purely popula tion basis. That was settled distinctly in 18S1, when an increased representation was given to the South Island on that ground, and a pledge was given that the same would be done for the North Island in turn. Henc members of the Northern electorate wer anxious that the Representation Bill shoulc be given due prominence before the close of the session. He regretted to say that som members of the Ministry were not in favour of the bill; neither were their supporters. It was kept back, and tbe wonder was that those who were in favour of it managed to get it passed at all. As a matter of fact, the opposition against this measure was verystrenuous indeed. The Ministry were half-hearted, and the North Island mem bers, especially the Auckland members (with one exception), stood shoulder to shoulder for once. (A voice: " It's time they did.") If that question had been dealt with in 1886, we would not have had the present inconvenient delay caused by the rearrangement of the elec toral districts. (Applause.) As he had said previously, there seemed to be a great want of sincerity on the part of members in re ward to the passage of this bill, and when the Premier brought it forward he left a blank to be filled up by the House as to the number of members that should be pro vided for. legislative Expenditure Committee, In connection with this matter he might state that a special committee, of which he (Mr Thompson) was a member, was appoin ted to consider what reductions could be made in the legislative expenditure of the country. After they had held at least twenty meetings a report was brought up, and one of the first recommendations was that the number of members in the House could be safely reduced to the benefit of the colony. It also pointed out where reductions could be made with advantage. At the opening of the past session he put a question on the order paper asking Minis ters if they intended to give effect to the recommendations of that committee, and' the reply was (quoting from a rough proof of " Hansard ") that the fullest information would be given in the, Statement, which was that evening laid before the House. The information given in the papers was very meagre, and only went to prove that the matter had barely been tickled by the Government. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) All their proposals amounted to was the deduction of small percentages oil" salaries over £150, and going up to 7 per cent, off the salaries of Ministers them selves. This mode of retrenchment under the circumstances was altogether insuffi cient. (Applause.) Reduction of Members. In regard to his action relative to the Representation Bill, he might say lie had acted in accordance with the report sub mitted by the committee on legislative ex penditure, of which he was a member. He thought it his duty to vote for the reduc tion of the number of members to 60, and did so; but this proposal was not car ried. The,n 71 w?s the number proposed, and this was carried. But this number was subsequently altered to suit those who were opposed to the bill, and he might say that this opposition did not occur only on the side of the Government, but was also shown by their opponents, although the latter made it an apparent grievance against the Government that they were not pushing the bill forward as they should. He was convinced that some members—and he included supporters of Major Atkinson— who pretended that they were anxious that the bill should pass, were as determined in their opposition to the pssage of the mea ureas were any of the members of the House. After some delay and a good deal of obstruction on the part of those who were opposed to the rt-duction of the num ber of members, because tftis would mean the wiping put of some electorates, and the alteration of others in such a way that the. members would have very little chance of being elected, the Premier stated that unless the old number, *,e.V9V were reinstated, in tnq

• bill, he could not answer for the passing of 1 it. The consequence of that would have i been that these elections would have taken " place under the old bill, and that the North » Island would have suffered by the loss of ' three additional members to which it was ' entitled, and Auckland especially- to • the extent of one. The members had to choose between one of two evils; they had either to go. without the Re presentation Bill or accept 91 as the num ber of members. If they had g-one to the country on the old bill, no elections in the event of casual vacancies occurring could have been filled up for three years, while a Representation Act might be reconsidered or amended if desirable at any session. If elected as their member again, he would most certainly vote for the reduction of the number of members of the House. Financial and Tariff Proposals. And now ho would say a word with regard to the financial and tariff proposals submitted by the Government laab sesdion. As he had already said, Ministers met the House with a large deficit and falling revenue. In previous sessions, the Colonial Treasurer had been repeatedly warned that he had over-estimated the revenue, and that his expectations had not been fulfilled. The result proved that these warnings were correct, and that the Colonial Treasurer had been . too sanguine. And now, how did he propose to meet that fallingrevenue and the deficit? By additional taxation to a large extent, and that, too, at a time when the country was in a more de pressed state than he had seen it during a residence in the colony of more than thirty years. Now, there were three ways in which this difficulty might be met; either by another loan, inci'eased taxation, or rigid retrenchment and economy. He had no hesitation in saying, and he had no doubt they would all agree with him, that the first mode, involving the raising of another loan, would not accord with their views, and at all svents it did not agree with his own. With regard to the second method, which was to meet it by increased taxation. (A voice: " That would not suit.") Well, he could heartily echo that sentiment. Addi tional taxation would not suit, therefore there was nothing for it but the most rigid economy and retrenchment in every de partment in which it could be effected. And he was quite satisfied in his own mind that this retrenchment could be effected if people would go at it with a will. If in creased taxation were necessary, and it was just possible that it might be, it should not be resorted to until every legitimate means of retrenchment and economy had been exhausted, and had proved insufficient. After hearing the Colonial Treasurer's pro posals, which were that taxation should be increased by L 300,000, he had no difficulty in making up his mind as to the course he would pursue. He decided at once that he could not agree' with those proposals (cheers), and made up his mind to vote against the Government on that question. (A voice : " You did right j" and cheers.) Nature of tbe Tariff Proposals. He had his doubts of these tariff pro posals being genuine. Anyone who went over the tarifl schedule would see that much of it was padding. Its effect was to increase the duties on many articles, without, at the same time, tending to protect industries, or even to increase the revenue. He could only imagine that this was padding to catch the eye. If they would refer to the papers published at the time, they would see that even the manufacturers were dissatisfied with the tariff proposals. He would only refer to one ease in point to prove his con tention. A document was sent to tho members by the boot and shoe manu facturers of Christchurch, and in it they said the proposed rates in cant an increase amounting to something like 500 per cent. on certain goods which required to be imported. Infants' boots were charged 6d as against a former rate of 2d, and these could not be manufactured in the colony. Then the rate on women's prunella boots was increased from 8d to 2a 9d, and that was not for the sake of encouraging local industry, because these goods also were not made here. Then, in men's boots tho old rate was Is against the new rate "of 4s, the increase oeing 300 per cent. Oh miners 1 boots, and these were entirely using by working men, the average increase was 500 per cent. Sup posing, therefore, that a man required four pairs of these boots per annum, the in creased duty would amount to more than the cost of his miner's right." These facts would show the difficulty of members in regard to the tariff proposals. They were told in this document that the effect of these alterations would be to shut out coods that could not be profitably manu factured in the colony, and that the result would be an additional cost to the consumers of twenty per cent. This extra taxation would clearly fall on the working classes. He "was firmly of opinion that they should not increase the duties on those articles of general consumption that formed the necessaries of life, or on articles that could not be produced in the colony. (A voice: " Why not ?") Because the increased taxation fell on the working classes without being oi' any benefit beyond assisting the revenue, and because he would not resort to increased taxation until retrenchment failed in accomplishing what was required. They would all agree with him that it was necessary to bring our ex- Sienditure within our income and to keep aith with the public creditor. Government Retrenchment. How had the Government sought to effect retrenchment ? By taking a small percent age off the salaries over Ll5O, and also taking seven per cent, off their own allowances. He asked if they were satisfied with that. (A voice: No; 100 per cent off the Ministers.") He thought they would all agree with him that the country should have what was termed rigid retrenchment and economy. .The Premier himself admitted in a speech he made the other day, that in Otago there was a perfect roar for it, and tho-people said they must have it. He thought they would echo that cry. (A voice: "And we will have it.") The question was, "Is that cry a genuine one ? ("Yes, yes.") He hoped so, but they had evidences from day to day that it was genuine only to an extent. Every day they saw that where retrenchment was attempted locally it was objected to. For instance, the Auckland people were willing to see retrenchment effected at Otago, and vice veiva, but they should make ife a general business if they expected to do any good. He would give them an illustration of what he meant. He saw in the newspapers that the Government, doubtless with the object of effecting retrenchment in the public ser vice, proposed to dispense with the services of the Sheep Inspector in the Manawautu District. Bub that* would not do, and the people had got up a petition which was headed by Mr McArthur, who was one of the loudest advocates of retrenchment in the House last session, declaring that the Sheep Inspector could not be spared, and sayiDg the' could tell several plades, and Auckland y was one of them, where the Sheep Inspector could be better spared. That was why the cry for retrenchment was not altogether genuine. The position of affairs at the present time was a critical one, and they must exert themselves, and pledge their representatives to see that retrenchment in the public service was carried out. Not only should they exact hese pledges, but when the session was ended they should ' see that their re presentatives had kept faith with them, or show them in an unmistakeable manner that they had done with them. Retrenchment in the Civil Service Dlftlou It. If retrenchment was proper, the question aroao.who were the people who would oarry it oub ? This was n very difficult! master to

decide, but those who wenfc in determined to carry it out deserved the support of the electors. Amongst the ' old governing | people, or the old governing families, as I Sir George Grey aptly called them, there was a strong disinclination to effect retrenchment in the expenditure. The reason ot this was obvious, Their re latives had permeated the Civil Service, and the offices were filled with—he was going to say their sisters, cousins and aunts, but that would not do. (A voice: "So, they are.") In fact, if a show was made of dispensing with the services of any unfor tunate individual, as they ,would see by a letter in that night's Star, it was generally with the object of making room for some scion of one of our rising families, or the relative of one of the Under-Secretaries or of a member, or a friend of a Minister's. That was why it was difficult to effect retrenchment in the Civil Service. He hoped that when the new House met there would be found there the elements of a new party, and one that would not be confined to tho old lines, but would be animated by a desire for the good of the country, and would be prepared to carry out those reforms that were so necessary at the present time. They should nob rest until they saw this done, and ifc was their duty to elect the proper men. It was useless for people to say that their members had not done what they were sent to do: That was the fault of those who elected them. Political Morality. The House should be a reflex of those who sent the members there. If members were dishonest, and he was now speaking of dishonesty in a political sense, it was because their constituents wished them to be so. , If they sent members to the House, it should not be to see what they could get in the way of roads and bridges. As a rule, when members returned and faced their con stituents, the question asked of- them was not, "What had he done in the interests of the colony?" but rather " What had he got for his district? Had he got anyroads orbridjres ?"andif not, the conclusion arrived at was that he was no good. That would be the difficulty until local government was removed from Wellington, and the local bodies were invested with more control over matters within their own boundaries. At the present time, the Government in Wellington was nothing more than a great big road board. Now, he would pursue this question of retrenchment further, and he would not tell them anything that he could not be questioned upon when he came back again, and then he would answer them fearlessly. Ministerial Allowances. He fairly believed and entirely agreed with those who said that we must begin with retrenchment and economy at the top of the tree. (Applause.) It was no use be ginning at salaries of L2OO a year, and lie was in favour of beginning with the Go vernor. (Applause.) There would surely be a howl about it from 'Wellington, but we should not mind that; we should bind our representatives to that reduction and keep them at it. (Applause). It was all non sense to say that if this was done we would dwindle down to a third or fourth-rate colony ; he believed we should cut our coat according toourcloth, and at presentwe could not afford luxuries. The Governor's salary should be reduced to L 5,000, and with regard to Ministers' salaries, he was also in favour of a reduction being made, but he would not go the length of some proposals made in tho papers. He might say this, that however much he agreed W-th the sentiment of retrenchment and economy, if the work devolving upon Ministers were properly carried out it was certainly no child's play. The Premier's salary in any case should not exceed LI,OOO. (A voice : " Along with his private engage ments ?") He would debar private practice, and make Ministers give all their time to the interests of the country. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He would have no paid officer of the Government competing with outside labour (a voice: "How can you prevent it ?"), and he thought there could be found a way to stop it. At all events, there was nothing to be lost by trying. So much for the salaries of the Governor and Ministers. Payment of Members. With regard to the salaries of mem bers, it was not only in the amount of honorarium they received that a saving should be effected, but there should be fewer members and consequently fewer to be squared by the Government. (A voice : " I thought they were all honest men," and laughter.) He imagined that if the gentle man who had just spoken would take a trip to Wellington during the session, he would be satisfied on this point. He believed that the number of members could be re duced without any disadvantage. A recom mendation of the Committee was that the honorarium should be reduced by LSO ; but he did not think that step advisable, and in saying so ho hoped lie would not be misun derstood. LSO was of no great concern to himself, and i|/had been proposed by the Committee no£ because they considered that members were overpaid, but simply as an earnest i of their intention to carry out the washes of the people in the direc tion of. 'retrenchment,. by beginning with their own salaries. He was nol in favour of reducing the honorarium too much, for one simple reason, some of the working men might aspire to a seat in the House, and would not be in a position to fight for it were the payment not substantial. Thus if they reduced the honorarium they would debar those whom they wished to represent them from obtain ing a seat. (Applause.) Take a man em ployed in one of the town workshops (a voice : " Jury "); well, Mr Jury for example —if the honorarium were reduced to a low figure, he would be prevented from having a seat in the House, and this would be the case generally. DSore Retrenchment. Another mode of retrenchment was the amalgamation of offices, which could be done in several instances by paying them fairly, and giving them plenty of work. Mr Hodge : How about the Speaker ? (A voice :'' This is not the time for ques tions ! ' Chuck him out!") Mr Thompson : All in good time. He knew Mr Hodge had been to Wellington, and had some experience in these matters, and he was very glad to have a fowhintsfrom iim. (Laughter, and a voice : " Who paid us passage in the.Hinemoai") He thought ihat Mr Hodge had given that information at his own meeting-, and admitted that he travelled at the expense of the public. (Ap plause.) There was another way in which a considerable saving could be effected. He had made inquiries about ifc, and be lieved that one department at least could be abolished with great advantage and great saving. He referred to the Native Depart ment. There was more jobbery and cor luption there than in any other department connected with tho Government. The chief business of the Native Department was at tending to the native reserves, the investi gation of titles, and the sub-division of i blocks of land amongst native -owners. All ■ this he believed could be done by the Pub- , lie Trust Office. The Native Department, at all events, could be abolished with great benefit to the community. (Applause.) He , was sure that there were many other ways in which retrenchment could be carried out, but at the present time he was not in a position to particularise. He believed, however, that a sufficient amount could be ', saved in that way to meet the present defi ciency. (Applause.) At this stage the audience had packed the hall to overcrowding and a large number of persons were standing. One individual who obscured the view of others behind *! was peremptorily ordered to take his hat and ■whiskers off. Mr Thompson paused '. for a moment to allow several unseated < persons to settle down and then proceeded.

He said there was yet another direction in which we might fairly claim that there should be less expenditure than in the past. He meant the expenditure in connection with defence, which he thought might be re duced considerably. Expenditure on Education. There was only one other point in con nection with- retrenchment that had been alluded to, by public speakers and had been given prominence in the papers, and he had no hesitation in pressing his views concerning it. There was not a vote that he was less inclined to meddle with than the vote for education. (Cheers.) If there was anything that they ought to stand by, it was the Education Act. At the same time, he believed that if the exigencies of the colony demanded it, even that luxury should be the subject of retrenchment, —but it ought to be the last they should touch. Now, ho thought that with out interfering with the working of the Act, there might be reductions effected in the expenditure, It had been suggested that a saving might be effected by the abolition of Education Boards. He had at first believed in the desirability of this course, but having looked into the matter, he changed his mind, and he would tell them why. He believed in the advan tages of local self-government (cheers), and the conclusion he had arrived ab was that the effect of the abolition of boards would be to centralise the whole thing in Wellington, and by the time they got their requirements filtered through the Government they would find that they came short. . That was why he was not favourable to the abolition of Education Boards, but he believed they might be con ducted more economically than at present. That might come about, because ho saw that there was a movement on foot regard ing our own Board. Property Tax v. Land Tax. He had told them already that he was dissatisfied with the property tax, and hs would briefly tell them his reasons why. Every time he had addressed them he had contended that the property tax was a tax on industry and improvements. In that sense, it was oppressive. They were told that the tax fetched the wealthy classes and the people wjth money, but this was not so. Included in the properties under the tax were all goods imported into the colony, amongst which were the clothes we wore and the food we ate. The tax had to be paid on these, and they surely did not mean to tell him that the merchants who imported these goods or the shopkeepers who distributed them paid this charge. It was added to the price of the goods, and the consumer paid it. If the property tax were continued, the only way of relieving persons of small means from its burden would be to eliminate from the operation of the tax those goods mentioned, and then the consumer would be free from the tax. It was a fact that the property tax was only another way of increasing the Customs revenuo. He had already told them that he strongly favoured a land and income tax, and in that he was only expressing a senti ment that all true Liberals should accept, and he regretted that the Premier, who ought to be regarded as one of the leaders of the Liberal party in the colony, had not taken any stops in tho direction of having a land tax instead of the property tax. Of all men, Sir Robert Stout should be found supporting that reform, which was one of the main planks in the Liberal platform. He also thought the ownership of tho native lands should be defined as soon as possible, and that the natives should contribute to the taxation of the country the same as the Europeans. (Cheers.) Maori Representation. He thought the time had arrived when the special representation of the natives should be done away with. Anyone who had sat in the House as he had must have seen that Maori representation was a farce, and that the native members were tools in the hands of the Ministry of the day, and they should be done away with. (A voice : "A great many white men there are tools as well as the Maoris.") That was the fault of those who sent them there, and he warned them as electors to take care that they did not vote for such. Protection of Industries. ] Now he came to the question of protec tion, and this was a subject on which they would be anxious to hear his views. He had alluded to the matter of assistance to local industries, and had already told them that he was not at all pleased with the proposals of tho Government last session. There were amongst them many unwise proposals, and a great deal of pad ding, all of which was not genuine. It was the duty of the Government to arrange the tariff in such a way as to give every encour agement to local industries that were the natural product of the soil, and which could be carried on by our own population. Nobody claimed free trade for this colony. We had always given protection to local industries, and the question really was to *whafc extent that assistance should be given. The only question with him was, to what extent we should go in that direction. He would say to those who had the question most at heart, and who were most strongly in favour of extreme measures in this direction, co consider that when the House assembled, unless the members wercdifferent to what they had been at any time during the last four sessions, there would be a tussle between town and country members, as the country was most strongly opposed to protection. Therefore, if they strove to obtain too much, they were not likely to be very successful. Over - Stimulation In Victoria. He found, in looking &c • some papers, an article in the Auckland Evkning Star of March 30th, which gave a very fair cau tion to those who were anxious to obtain too much. The article to which he re ferred spoke in approval of the action of the Government in appointing a sessional committee to inquire as to what industries might best be encouraged, and went on to say :—" There is another lesson which might be learnt from Victoria, namely, the danger of over-stimulation. Between 1880-1 and 1885-6 there has been a material decline in some branches of in dustry in Victoria, a decrease which must have been attended with much loss and suffering to workmen. The boot manu factories, for example, have decreased from 105 to 91 ; woollen mills, from 10 to 9 ; salt works,from. Sto 5; ink manufactories from 12 to 7; sheet iron and tinworks from b'l to 50 ; rope and twine manufactories from 18 to 14 ; tobacco manufactories, from 1G to 12 ; soap works, from 38 to .'>3." Then the article adds:—" The danger of bolstering up bogus industries is one to be guarded against. On the other hand, it is gallingin the extreme to every lover of New Zealand to see dozens of articles imported which New Zealand work men, but for fashion and a penchant for foreign goods, could supply as cheaply as we can import. Furniture, soap, candles and jams are notable examples of this large class." That was quite right, and he entirely agreed with it. Those who wanted more fashionable descriptions of goods than many factories provided hereoughttopay for them, and we should put a very stiff duty o"n them. We could get as good boots and shoes here, for example, as we had any right to expect, and if we wished for English goods we ought to pay for them. The same article further stated :—" We believe that matters have now reached a stage when little increases here and there to the exist ing protective taxes will not be found suffi cient to buoy up our stagnant industries." /Those were the views of the Auckland 'Evening Star on the subject, and they were also his views. As for assisting local industries, he was in favour of giving encouragement only tothoss industries natural to, the soil, and

not to bolster up bogus industries. He believed there wa3 no necessity fo increas ing the taxation of the countryif %c tariff were judiciously arranged. (Applause.) He would also point out to those who believed that the con sumers would pay a higher price for locally manufactured articles, that the competition which would arise would bring prices cheaper than before, and when the-prices of goods were reduced, wages must come down. (Applause and dissent.) If he were endeavouring to curry popularity and their approval, he would nob have said that, but he honestly believed it, and con sidered it to be his duty to tell them his views clearly. Extreme competition, which would be the result of too much protection, lowered the prices of goods, and necessarily lowered the wages of the employees. He had never been a' mechanic, but he had kept a grocery business at the adjoining corner for many years, and there had experienced the bad effects of keen competition. It meant smaller profits for hiniself and less wages for those who worked for him, and in conclusion he would , say to those gen tlemen who were in favour of assist ing local, industries, " See that you do not overdo it!" (Applause.) There was one other matter, respecting which they would probably wish to get from him a distinct pledge ; at all events they would want to know his views with regard to the present Government, and he thought that they should have from every WJ&iffotte a distinct pledge on this point, (JJear, bear, and applause.) The position thsjt !•■■» :ook with regard to the vote of no confidence last session was well known, and he had only to repeat what he had then said, viz., that so long as the present Treasurer was a member of the Ministry he could. not support it. (Applause.) There were good men in the Ministry, who had not been improved by contact with him, and it

THE AUCKLAND EVENING BTAE, SATURDAY, JULY 16 1887

(Continued'on Page 3.)

2



Land and Estate Agents. /IHAS. -TXT ILLIAMSON, HOUSE, LAND & COMMISSION AGENT, 83, QUEEN-STREET. Bankers : NATIONAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. TELEPHONE NUMBER-191, RENTS and INTEREST Collected. ESTATES Managed for Absentees. HOUSES TO LET and PROPERTIES FOR SALE placed upon my Lists Free of Charge. BUILDING ALLOTMENTS AT PER FOOT :— Sussex-street, 45a Pollen-street, 70s Birkenhead, 10s Haydn-street, 553 View Point Road, 503 Epsom Road, £2 Kyber Pass, £10 Hepburn-street, 80s Newmarket, 80s Ligar Place, 80s Richmond, 40? Emmett-street, 62s 6d Bercßford-street, 703 Victoria Park, 25s Howe-street, 100s Conquest Place, £1 Shelly Beach Road, £5 Customhouse-street Northcote, 10s and £5 Grey-street, £25 Lake Road., £200 por acre Onehunga And in various other streets at low rates. MONEY Invested for Capitalists on Firs* • class Securities "without charge. Six pc; cent, allowed on deposits until invested. MORTGAGES and LOANS Negotiated. BUILDING SOCIETY SHARES Mought. ALLOTMENTS Bought and Houses Built on the Weekly Payment System. £5 Deposit—Cottage for Sale in the centre of the city; balance by weekly payments. HOUSES AND SHOPS FOR SALE. Wood-street-New C-roomed House, £330 Richmond Road-5-roorned House, £290 Marshfield—s Rooms, leasehold, £150 Beresford-street-Leasehold, 6 rooms, £250 Newton Road—Leasehold 3 Cottages, £325 Oxford-Street— 6-roomed House, £290 Rokeby-streot-New House; gas.&c, £250 Bond-street-5-roomed House, £260 Union-street—4 Kooms, gas, &c, 1 350 Stuart-street— i Rooms, city water, £250 Cameron-street, Devonport— 5 Rooms, £400 Colliugwood-strcet^-7 Kooms, vinery, &c, £370 Rcmuera —8 Rooms and large allotment, £100 Hackett-street-^6 rooms, leasehold, gas, &c, £110 Stockade Road—s rooms, city water and gas, £270 Wellington-street—2 Shops and Dwelling, £320 Waterloo Quadrant—B rooms, city water and gas, £1.050 Franklin Road—Three Beautiful Houses, £1,500 Glenmoro—Now 5-roomed House, £230 Owen's Roud, Mount Eden—Large New House, £600 Rose Road—B-roomed House; gas, water, £350 Ireland-street—New House, 5 rooms, £250 Cltircmont-streot —5 roomed House, £300 St. George's Bay—lo-roomed House, li acres Devon-street—s-roomed House, £195 Onehunga— 1 Rooms, stable, i acre, £700 Bond-street—s-roomed House, £2GO Commercial Road—New 5-roomed House, £135 Allotment, View Point Road, 63 x 110, £lho Watervicw—(l-roomed Houso and 3 acres first class Land, orchard, garden, £350 Richmond Road—House, stable, and shed, £120 Duke-street—G-roomcd House, new, £1(50 Howe-street—New 1-roomed House, £200 Sussex-street—s-roomed House, city water, £185 Anglesea-street—New C-roomed House, £550 Oxford-street—s-roomed House, £275 Haydn-street—s-roomed House, £160 Summer-street—6-roomed House. 3 lots. £550 Devon-street—s rooms mew), £300 Grey-street—Boarding-house, £1.600 Rxissell-street—NeworoomedHouse. £160 Mount Eden—General Store and House. £800 Russell-street—Large Roomy Hous<s, £190 Beresford-street—Leasehold, 11s 6d weekly Runnell-street Leasehold, 11s weekly Howe-strcct- Leasehold. 11s Cd weekly Day-street—Leasehold, )2s 6d weekly Inkerman-street-Leasehold. 10s 6d weekly Kyber Pass-Shop and Dwelling. £125 Pratt-street-4 rooms, city water, £200 Kyber Pass-Shop and Dwelling, £1.000 Collingwoed-street- New 5-roomed House, £240 Devonport—New 5-roomed House; gas, £360 Kingsland—New 4-roomcd House, £100 Surrey Hills—New U-roomcd House, £375 Mary-street-New 5-roomed House, £350 Stewart-street, Mount Eden — New 4-roomed House. £275 Norman-street—New House; bay window, £265 Russell-street -New House, 4 rooms, £230 Charming Seaside Residence for Sale; quite new, with 3J acres under cultivation; near Devonport; grand view. SIX ACRES for Sale at Waikomiti for £60. Also, Six Acres, Waipareira, Hobsonville, £60 FARM AT KATIKATI for Sale, 610 acres; river and road frontage; a bargain. COTTAGES and VILLAS to Let in Princes -street, Upper Queen-street, Emmett-street, Union-street, Howe street, Ireland-street, Berts ford-street, Kyber Pass, Arch Hill. COMPACT FARM of 88 acres for Sale, within 16 miles of Auckland, on good roads. Six roomed House and outbxiildings ; large run for cattle adjoins. Splendid timber on property. FIVE ACRES OF LAND for Saic on Lake Road, partly fenced, in grass; 2 miles from the first wharf. A bargain. ONE ACRE OF LAND for Sale, at Belmont, North Shore, with three road frontages. £2G0.-New House, in Devon-street, Newton, for Sale; a bargain at the price. RICHMOND ROAD.-Pretty Cottage (New) For Sale, with all conveniences ; £220; gas laid on. Also, new House for £270. PRETTY VILLA RESIDENCE for Sale in Lincoln-street; gas, city water, range. £330. FARMS also for Sale at Waikomiti, Paremo remo, Waitakerei, Mahurangi, North Shore, Papakura, etc; Also, see Listiu "New Zealand Herald and " Weekly News." CHAS. WILLIAMSON, ESTATE AGENT 83, QUEEN-St. (Opposite Fort-street. gUSINEU NOTICE. • Mr L/ RKi NS being about to establish himself in London for commercial and financial matters will transact business for Auckland on behalf of Mr Ewington, and receive through Mr Ewington any Goods, Manufactures, or Produce, which Mr Larkms will personally receive in London and watch the sales of, so as to do full justice to clients and establish a regular business between New Zealand and England. Estates liquidated. Arrangements made fo* receiving money in England. Indents executed. Money lent. wUlbe lo charged.teSforCommiSSion and intere3t F. G, EwTnGTON, QUEEN t-STRKKT, AUCKLAND. Fredk. Larkins, 17, Gresham-Btre«t, jS.C., London. Jf OTIOE OP REMOVAL WOO L F HART, SPRING MATTRESS MANUFACTURER. Plaeos of Business ft?e~> HobioK'Btiiirt (opposite Devonshire House) and oiirnei' of Aiubht ano Victoria-streets.



JBuisness Notices. MACINTOSHES, a Bargain.— At, J. H. Dalton's. Tailor. Victoria-street Kast. G~IARDEN MANURE. - Freezing Co.'s. If In 2s Cd tins, of all merchants. TTTIXPERIENGE teaches thafc Wolfe's JSli Schnapps is more suited to the Colonies than either brandy or whisky. ■ ORN MANURE. -Freezing Co. rs. £S, of all merchants^ WORSTED SUITS, with an extra Pair of Trousers for nothing, £i.—At J. H. Dalton's, Tailor, Victoria-street East. F you wish to establish a name for your house, sell the host brands—Wolfe's ScriNapps stands foremost. "XKT GARRICK having started a Manu * • factory for making a Mineral Soap, nown as Garrick's Patent, it is used for all household purposes, and it surpasses anything ever produced or brought into the market, and beinp: a local article, he trusts that everybody will give it a trial, Sold at all Grocers' shops. D. NORDEN, Agent, Woodbine Cottage, Grey street, WHEELS! WHEELS! WHEELS! ..... ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRIES. MESSRS COPBMAN & CLEGG, Si ani» 86, Grey-street, Are now turning: out Local Made Perambu lators in style 3 suited to local requirements. Every improvement that a long experience as pract cal workmen could suggest has in their Roods been carefully studied and perfected, ana Ladies may rely upon procuring from them Car riages that for Shapo, Comfort, Durability, and low price arc not to bo procured elsewhere. Hitherto the wheels employed on' Perambulators have been a source of considerable annoyance, and Repairs cause a continual drain on the pocket, which is very much felt in these depressed times. To avoid this, pur chasers of these necessary articles should carefully examine the construction of Cope man's Patent Paragon Wire Wheols, which their carriages are mounted upon, and now on exhibit at the Industrial Exhibition. They are locally made, are a marvel o£ strength and elegance, and are sure to become very popular on account of tlnjir durability. COPEMAN & CLEGG, Sole Makeks. James "iiyr?TnwAN & rm, J.YJL Sh vy London', Melbourne, and Suva (Fiji), Desire to intimate that thsy have secured Offices in DUNCAN'S BUILDINGS; Corner of Cashel and Manchester streets, where their Representative, Will be glad to RECEIVE INDENTS For English, American, and Continental Goods of all descriptions. Christchurch December, 1886. HENRY HUGHES, M.1.M.E., M.S.A., CT'7IL. MECHANICAL, AND MINING ENGINEER, . JOHNSTON-STREET, WELLINGTON. INVENTORS ASSISTED. Patents Secured in All Countries on the Lowest Terms. Searches made as to Novelty of Inventions. Henry Hughes, having had large experience as an Engineer and Patent Agent, i 3 enabled to conduct Patent Business by correspondence. Inventions of undoubted merit can be ar ranged to be Patented Free of Cost. •jCTORMB AND KEMP LAY, -*r* Proprietors of THE EDENDALE MANUFACTURING Co., . Manufacturers of Woollen Hosiery and Underclothing, Importers and Commission Agents, 21, ELLIOTT-STREET, AUCKLAND. A PPLES. APPLES. APPLES. •JO.OOO Strong Clean and Healthy Trees, one two, v.nd three years old, at £3 lfs, £1, and £i lCs per 100 respectively, all worked on Northern Spy Stocks. Considerable reductions on larg 0 orders; Plums. Peaches, Pears, etc.; also, a fine collection of Roses. E. LIPPIATT, Nurseryman, Otahuhu. Q1 TILLS -Milk Bread, Milk Bread, sweet and nutritious, and Farm House Home-made Bread, Milk Scones and Cakes delivered daily, and canbo had at the Burlington Victoria Arcade, and at Eden Terrace, or at the Bakery, Udy's Farm, Mount Eden. Agents Wanted. WILLIAM ERRING TON, M. Lnst. C.E., M. Inst. M.E., CONSULTING ENGINEER, AUCKLAND. Established 1559.] GEE & POTTER, COACHBUILDERS, LORNE and RUTLAND Stkeexs. Coaches, Carriages, Waggonettes, Buggies, Pony Carriages, Carts, Drays, aud every de scription of Vehicles kept in stock, or built to order. The trade supplied; N.B.—Traps lent to customers whilst repairs are being executed. // JL H E .A-M J3 RIC A N CORN BROOM CO. EXMOUTH STREET. mo TRAVELLERS AND TOURISTS. JL PRESENTS FOR HOME. Very beautiful Inlaid Table-tops, Cabinets, Fancy Boxes, etc., all made from the pick of N.Z. rich Native Timbers. Other Collections carefully packed and shipped for Home. W. NORRIE, Cabinetworkeb, In New Zealand Timbers only, TOP OF SHORTLAND-STREET. OS BOR N E AN!) LEVOI, CHEAP UMBRELLA REPAIRING DEPOT, 314, Upper Queen-street. All Ribs, 9d; Sticks, from Is. China and Glass neatly rivetted. Cutlery of every description Ground. Sawa Sharpened and Set. mO ROAD BOARDS, CONTRACTORS, JL AND ALL REQUIRING BROKEN .METAL OR METAL WASTE. Wo are in a position to supply metal, broken to any sine, suitable for road or concrete works, in any quantity; also metal waste, suitable for concrete or footpaths. We also supply stone for any purpose. Special Quotations for Delivery.-PASCOE & ROWSE, Mount Eden Stone Breaking Works, near Rifle Range. MASEFIELD BROS.'STAR BRAND BLUE LABEL MULLET Can be had either direct from the Factory, _. t . BATLEY, KAIPARA, Or at the following Wholesale Merchants in T 1", Auckland:— J- BUCHANAN, H. B. MORTON, T. H. HALL & CO.. BROWN, BARRETT & CO. XT 0 T I C E. JLI The undersigned, in returning thanks to his numerous customers for past support, begs to intimate that; on and after this date he has decided to meet the times by manufacturing Two Qualities of Bread. The first quality will V®,manufactured from Bycroft & Co.'s Pure Wheaten Snow-flake Roller Flour-at shop, 3d; delivered 3Jd. Second Quality, manufaoiured from Southern Flour, at shop. 2id; delivered, 3d. A Liberal Discount to Wholesale Cash Customers. Address- THOS. TEASDALE. BAKER .AND CDNKKCTIO^tSH. .'■•:. 63. GKKY-STitliUT,



Money. H MONEY TO LENDirr^ss^ suim, upon first-cto L nh rg,® or «nJST jo S ,S^f l ?.i t;(S;!S»*. MtooHotetest-AoDltta o°*3i DISCOUNT BANONG COMPAQ, ' Darby-street (off Queen-staet). A CCKUs . HEAD OFFICE: Brisbane * Agencies Auckland, Sydney, and Meli*^ MONEY advanced from £5 and n» any amount required, to suit the borr*^ *° PERSONAL, FREEHOLD. LEaXZ^ any TANGIBLE SlKJimrrY^JS? °'i way as may be arranged, either WW* MONTHLY, or QUARTERLY LIP^ 1* lowest current rates. «! ADVANCES made on FUBNTPURp. ' < removal; also, onaU kinds of MEROHa vTOnt including BOND WARRANTS' W)ISji * BILLS DISCOUNTED at current^ Interviews aud communications win v ' strictly confidential. v"ll' auons wdlbojfcju Office Hbußg^jFrom 10 tiU 5 q' c i o( .>. ' Bank op England NoTis~CHAwn^7~H T ONDON MORTGAGE gS;^l AJ DISCOUNT BANK ' AN° 50, SHORTLAND - STREET, AUCKL I And Little CoUins-st., Mdbourn^1 *61',, LOANS are advanced from £10 to Personal, Seoa%; j. Weekly, Monthly, or Quarterly Instoimiw ' At Lowest Current Bates* 80* Advances made on Furniture without rernn».i and all classes of Merchandfeo mA Loans granted upon Life Policies, Letracies »J Interests tinder Wills gacies' M4j Bills Discounted at Current Rvtm Loans upon Deposit of Deeds. RepaynieirtaV Easy instalments. ■ * U]a9f Advances on Life Policies. TVfONEY LENT: ON PROMISSORY1 IVI NOTES, HOUSES. FURNITURES BILLS DISCOUNTED DAILY I MORTGAGES NEGOTLATED. I JOHN W. HARDIE, RTH U R ~q7h^J LAND AND MONETARY AGES'f, 24, SHORTLAND - STREET 1 (Three doors past Star Office). lam prepared to value land in 'Auckland or the Country for intending purchasers at inert reasonable terms. All laud sold by nic ia Auet land I charge 2J per cent, commission. I am prepared to negotiate Mortgages In gflffl* from £25 to £15,000 Advances made on Colonial and English Life Policies* Having Agents in all parts of Australia andin England. I can make Advances upon Willß in sums from £50 to £15,000. INDUSTRIAL AND PRQVIDgp PERMANENT BUILDING. 'LAND'AND1 INVESTMENT SOCIKT Y OF AUCKLAND. Repayments Pay Wo( ,, r Total fimpwti j extending over rei vveea- repayable j 1 year .. .. £2 0 0 £VA 00 j 2 years .. .. 10 10 MS 6 8 ■!■ 3 years .. ~ Oil 7 113 15 0 8 4 ycira .. .. 011 8 121 6 8-1 5 years .. .. 010 0 130 0(I f 6 years .. .. Q8 9 13ti 18 9 5 8 years '.'. '.'. 07- 1 1|7)3 9:\ 10 years .. .. 06 3 16216 3 j The Board lias power in cases of Sickness or j Want of Employment to Suspend Payments. ; Borrowers Share in Profits. j Port or whole of the advance may he rwaW at any tinie. Interest ceases on the portionl repaid. A member who has obtained an advance-Wat ibortv to sell his property at any time, ana to pay pit his niongagu; or way, if ho desires,sol' i his property subjeot to the mortgage totna \ Society. Corner of QUEEN STREET and VULCAN LANE, Auckland. JOHN BANCROFT, A DCKLAND PERMANENT'£ _A: OPERATIVE BUILDING & INTOI' MENT SOCIETY. '- ■_ Office: 147 Quken-strbet. LOANS granted upon approved securities <& Freehold or Leasehold Pl?lier^"mSL? £20 to £6,000, principal and interest beins rapw I able in instalments at the oOoygß^ ! Rates for repayment of each £100j>orrpVW? r ~" £ s. d. 1 year ». » 20 0 M« |i 2 years ~ .. 1010 W .8,8 3 years- .. 014 7 }«» ! i years ... .. 011 8 HBJ'j 6 years.. ..089 \f » ! 8 cm,™ 0 7 1 *" *5 I 5 years « .. v' i 13216 J 10 years .. .. 06 3 . JgjiLl-f And In the same proportion tor Bifl&ller DEPOSITS.-The Society receives mm » deposit :-For6 months. 5 per cent. JUMP* at? days' notice, i per wffiffigffi&B^ -*-1' ~ HIOH-STKEitT Bills Discounted at Cuixent Bate*. This Bank will receive Deposits at theftllc* ing rates of interest:— g per <«nt 12 months .•■ ■• ". r.noroenif 6 months ■• ••' '" gporcM't PURE TKASJ^SPEOIAM 1^