Address by Mr unknown.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 146, 23 June 1887, Page 5

Address by Mr unknown.

Hon. Mr Ballance addressed a meeting of electors, here last night. He deijended the Village Settlement Scheme at 1 ength, and stated that it was the intention of the Government, if retained in power, toi carry on the system. He dealt with the qutestion of retrenchment in the Railway, rlative, and Education Departments, with 1. view to showing that the railways were, more economicallymanaged here than in an; pother colony; that if the Native Department, which now only cost L4OO a year, cc mid be doneawaywith, itwasthe greatest tesl iimony that could be given to the administration of native affairs during the past three :years; ,and that an alteration iri'the educatic in vote really rrieant: nothing else but a red taction iri teachers'wages, which now only ay Waged L 94 10s a; year. . He compared hi Is own travelling expenses with those of ' Messrs Bryce and Rolleston, his prede* bessors in the Native and; Land Department is, and showed that he'had not been c: ctravagant, though "he. did not accuse! them of unnecessary expenditure. Heine licated that the question of -protection; w< )uld be the test question •of the election, a nd the Goyernriient,were prepared to .-stand by it. He dealt at length with the success iof the Government in the past, mentioni. ng the measures' they had passed; arid ,summing up'"' by* stating '"" that,', considering j they bad::.never--(had' -:a.. strong: par ly, he Considered they had done very wel 1. *,- Mr Ballance"was well received by a crowded meeting, _. and -a vote expressing rei -ie wed confidence,- followed' by three cheers, V was accorded him. . , ' '', : . '