MAJOR HORNBROOK AT WOOLSTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4248, 2 December 1881, Page 4

MAJOR HORNBROOK AT WOOLSTON.

Major Hornbrook, one of fche candidates for the representation of Heathcote in Parliamont, addressed a meeting of the electors at the Oddfellows' HaU, Woolston, last evening. Thoro was a large attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr York, who briefly introduced the speaker. Major Hobnbbook, who was well received, Baid that ho would have had moro pleasure in addressing them had he been in a better stato of health, but unfortunately he was Buffering from a throat affection, which interfered with his speaking. He had oalled them together, as some of the electors had expressed a wish to hear his ideas on the various political questions of the day. First, ns to the Native question. They might congratulate themselves that the Government had brought the Native trouble to a satisfactory conclusion. He hoped the future arrangements of Government with regard to the Natives would bo marked by justice and generosity. The satisfactory settlement of the Maori question was of great importance to the whole Colony, as the prospority of the North Island affected that of all New Zealand. If tho difficulty were finally settled, the Colony would save by dispensing with the large force of Armed Constabulary which had to be maintained at present. He was of opinion that when the reserves were divided amongst the Natives, each Maori should havo his portion Orown granted to him, and not be allowed to sell it to private Europeans. If tho Natives were permitted to alienate their land, the Colony would in time becomo burdened with Maori paupers. The Government, that was to Bay the people, Bhould, as it were, hold the land in trust for the benefit of future Native generations. Ifc mighfc, however, be leased to Europeans. Tho land should not be open for landsharkß to obtain immense tracts of by dishonest means, as had been done in fche paat. Government should have a pre-emptive right over all Native lands ; and* so be enabled to sell them at an enhanced valuo, and to make roads for the benefit of the settlers. The land at present put up for sale on deferred payments was valueless. Government was acting in the matter liko tbe man who ate the oyster himself ana generously offered to sell the Bhell. He thought land should be put up for sale on deferred payments in convenientlysized blocks - say 500 aores of good quolity. This land should be occupied, not by speculators, but by small farmers and other bond fide settlers. He thought these should not be allowed to alienate their land, bufc fco keep ifc for the benefit of their children. This, however, was a question which required consideration. To return to the Native question. A great many of the troublej were to be attributed to the Native Office, whioh for 20 years had been a perfeot Augean Btable. Mr Bryce had reduced the numbor of employees in this office by one- half. The speaker, to Bhow the way things were done, referred to the contradictory evidence given by officers of the department at the trial of Te Whiti, He hoped Government would have courage to eweop away the whole concern, and put new blood in. The question of local and Oolonial industries was of great importance. He thought Government should give them every protection needed to promote their advancement, though he did nofc say this protection should be made a tax on the public. A manufacturer who could produce an article as good as the imported one should be protected to the extent of about ten per cent. Material required in manufacture should bo admitted into New Zealand duty free. The construction of a railway station at Hillsborough would tend, he believed, to encourage industry in the distriot. It would be the means of introducing new industries there, and of enhancing. the valuo of the properties. They could then have coal, timber, wool and other artioles brought down to the neigbourhood, instead of having thom taken to Ohristchurch first. They could then also sond their manufactured goods to Lyttelton direot. He regretted that his affection of the throat prevented him from speaking muoh, or ho would have dealt with the subject more fully. The improvement of the navigation of the Heathcote was of great importance to the district, especially to Sumner. His idea was to fill in tbe rocks between the Oave Rock and the boacon. The bar would then be scoured away to a certain extent. The mud flats by Mr Monok's house should be protected with piling, and filled up bo as to be made fit to build on. He gave further particulars of the details of his plan for opening up the river. The railway should be carried round from Heathcote to Sumner. He would liko to see the West Coast Railway constructed, but beforo it was begun a good route mußt bo found out. Ifc mighfc or might not be all quito true aboufc the minerals on the route, bufc thero was certainly timber, coal, and Bome gold thero. The people of the two coasts would, if tho lino wore opened, bo enabled to assist one another by interchanging their respective products. Tho Government should not, howevor, mako tho lino. That should bo loft to a Oompany. (Applause.) Tho Licensing Act should have a fair trial. He was in favour of Locol Option, and also of giving compensation to publicans who lost their licenses by no fault of their own, but through the will of the people. No compensation should bo given to any one who lost his licenao through bad conduct. (Applause.) [A Voicb.* "Should a houso closed on account of bad conduct be reopened?"] It was possible that a tenant might misconduct his houae purposely, if he had a grudgo against his landlord, bo as to injure nim, so he (Major Hornbrook) was not in favour of saying that a houso so shut up should nover bo ro-opened. Tlie qucction of taxation was a very vexed one. - Ho considered the Proporty tax was the foireßt, and preferable to a Land and Income tax. It wns really only tho moneyed people who paid Property tax. With regard to an Income tax it wub uncertain, as the income of many men varied greatly during different yoarß. Ho know of a large mercantile houso at Homo thot continued to roturn thoir incomo for ono year afc nil. Then tho incomes of lawyers and professional men woro vory irregular, as many of thoso who had largo incomes 1 oontributod largoly to tbo rovenuo by thoir

expensive mode of living, and it was har.ily fair to tax their incomes as well. Some ouo - had proposed a progressive Land tax on all * estates above 2500 acres. This was unfair, on account of the varying values of land. Then, whero were they to get really honest ond unprejudiced valuerß? He should like tho railway tariff, both on passengers and goods, roduced. The present charges were unfair to Canterbury, on the plains of which tho J haulage was much lesa than on fche steep ' grades of the hills of Otago. Yet Canterbury paid the same rates. He objected altogether to politicol railways. Ho was in favour of the present system of education — free, unsectarian, and compulsory. (Applause.) He thought it was unfair to expect tho teachors to explain the Bible, as a man would be sure to select the partß wbieh suited his particular f views. The parents were the besfc judges of what religious instruction Bhould be givon to their ohildren. (Applause.) The Chaibman said thafc Major Hornbrook would be glad to answer any questions, but he wished the electors to mako them as brief as possible, on account of the Major's indisposition. In answer to questions, Major Hgbnbbook said that if Natives had their lauds Crown granted, they should be made to pay rates for roads, ko. It was most unfair that one man should be allowed to retain 300 trucks for some days, and yet pay no demurrage, while another had to pay for a short time. It was also unfair if Heywood and 00. wero paid for what they nover hundled. He thought tho Gaming and Lotteries Acfc went too far. Small sweeps and lotteries might be allowed. Houseß where gaming was carried on, to the ruin of men and their families, should be suppressed. Ha had always been opposed to putting up a permanent bridge over the Heathcote, so as to obstruct the navigation. (Applause.) He believed that the Law Courts wanted reforming. 'Ihe jurisdiction of the District Courts might be extended. If sent to Parliament, he would mosfc willingly assist to carry out this roforin, but he was afraid he wouldn't have much chance. (Loud laughter.) He believed there wero likely to be some 30 lawyers in the House (renewed laughter), and he, alone, would have a eery small chance againat them. Mr Wtnn Williams here rose, and eaid that he was nofc an elector of the district, but he was a candidate for their suffrages. He would aßk Major Hornbrook's permission to Bay a few words. Major Hobnbbook inquired if Mr Wynn Williams wished to address the meeting. Mr Wynn Williams repliod that he did. Major Hcbnbbook could not allow Mr Wynn Williams to addreas the meeting. Mr Vvynn Williams said that in that case he must inform the meeting that he would take an opportunity of addressing them on Monday next." He might "eay that ifc was fche first time he had ever been treated as he had. He had been in the Oolony 25 years, and this was the firßt time thafc a candidate had refused another candidate permission to speak at his meeting. In answer to further questions, Major Hobnbbook said he was in favour of Sir George Grey'B Law Practitioners Bill. He was of opinion that it was unfair that Messrs Heywood and Co. should be paid for evory ton of goods Bent out from the railway station, even though they did nofc removo fchem, and also that they should neither load nor unload the drays .for those whose goods they carried. A number of other questions of no great public interest having been asked and answered, Mr Wilson moved a vote of thanks to Major Hornbrook for his address. Thiß was seconded by an elector in the body of the hall. Mr Moobb moved, as an amendment, a vote of thanks fco Major Hornbrook, and confidence in him as a representative of the district in Parliament. Tho amendment was duly seoonded, aud, on being put to the meeting, was declared carried. Major Hobnbbook said ke begged to thank the electors for the kindly manner in which they had received him. He hoped that if he went to Parliament aB their representative, he would noi be found to have forfeited their confidence when he returned to.give an account of his stewardship. (Applause.) He begged to move a voto of thanks to Mr York for presiding. The vote of thanks to the chair was carried by acclamation, and the proceedings terminated.