MR BRYCE AT WANGANUI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 125, 4 June 1885, Page 4

MR BRYCE AT WANGANUI.

(BY TELEOBAPH-PRESS ASgOfIUHOK.)

Wanganui, Wednesday/ The Hon. Mr Bryce addresaed the elector. of Waitotara here tonight. After speaking for some time on the Wanganui Harton, Bill, he referred to a statement to tha effect that he (Mr Bryce), and not MajorAtkinson, was the leader of the Opposition This was not correct. He wsTbolt a private and a public friend of MaW Atkinson, and although they might differ on some unimportant points he (MrßryMi acknowledged Major Atkinson aa the only leader of the Opposition, and afflwquentlv his leader. Referring to the question of native lands in the King Country and on tie central route, he spoke much to the same effect as at Waverley, but more la detail speaking strongly as to co__menci_e tho railway before arrangements had been made with regard to surveys and grants 0 f land by natives for settlement purposes, Ha thought a great mistako had been made with regard to the greatly-e_tendedpoweis to be given to native committees. Speaking of the alleged Maori trouble atParii__a,h. said there certainly was irritation,''' It was absurd to deny that It existed!." X might not amount to much, but it did exist. :fle said it was cruel to the settlers for certain newspapers to say they had got up thisagi- • tation for personal ends. It was untrue unjust, and unfair. Federation was the text subject touched upon, He allo'ded to the growing importance of the eokniies,1 They would ultimately beamightyaation.an-they wouldfind advantages from federation. Asto whether Now Zealand would benefit by itj he was not so sure. He thought we had better go slowly, and not rush into any scheme of federation yet awhile. The islands'of the Pacific would be better, he thought, under Imperial than under Australian control' _i to tho Russian scare and the vast sums spent on defenco, he thought the importance of the defence question had been over-estimated, Three or four ports might be made safe in order to afford coaling facilities for Brills, vessels. We were not a great nation, although an abundance of borrowed money might mako us think bo, and' the colony could not afford to have a largo and expensive army and navy. Defence was necessary to a certain degree, but the Government hod been too lavish, forming a staff, of officials whom it would be difficult to get rid of. A vote of thanks and confidence.' was carried unanimously.