POLITICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 308, 30 December 1891, Page 5

POLITICAL.

The writ for Wellington seat was issued on December 16 and is returnable within forty days. The date of the election has not yet been definitely fixed, but will probably take place on Friday, January 15th. The candidates are McLean (Government) and Bell (Opposition).

The Premier arrived at Patea on Dec. 5, and wa3 received by the Mayor aud a deputation. He addre3sed a crowded meeting on the 7th, devoting some time fcoa reply to Mr George Hutchison's charges against the administration of the Government. He explained that the loan conversion was not borrowing at all, bub exchanging a high rate of interest for a low rate, In reply to a question, he said the Government had no intention to borrow on the English market, as they thought all they should require could be obtained in the colony. A vote of confidence in the Government was passed by a large majority.

The Hon. Jno. McKenzie, Minister for Lands, returned from his northern trip on Dec. 17 in company with his private secretary, Mr Gore. MrMcKonzio is most favouiably impressed with the country North of Auckland. There is, ho said, far more good land there thnn he expected to find, and plenty of good land available for settlement were means of access only provided. The opening up of land in the north he considers of equal or even groater importance than the much-to-be-desired establishment of direct communication between AucklandandTaranaki.

The Hon. the Premier (Mr John Ballaiice) addressed a public meeting afc the City Hall on Dec. 17. There was a crowded audience, and there were also on tho platform a large number of prominent citizens. The Mayor (Mr W. Crovvther) was in the chair. Mr Ballance, on coming forward to address the meeting, was received with loud and prolonged cheering. He delivered a very able address upon throe very important subjects—that of taxation, electoral and political reform, and land tenure and settlement, At ihe conclusion of his address Mr W. J. Napier moved : " That this meeting; of citizens of Auckland accords a hearty welcome to Mr Ballanco and thanks him for his address this evening , , and this meeting further assures the hon. gentleman thab the people of Auckland warmly support the policy of the Government." (Loud cheers.) The motion vas adopted. Mr Withy moved, " That this meeting views with profound dissatisfaction the obstruction offered by the Legislative Council to the Liberal measures proposed by the Government, and expresses its conviction that the interests of the country demand the reversal of the policy of the second chamber." This resolution was carried amidst cheering. Mr Price then moved, " That this meeting of Auckland citizens confidently . looks to the electors of Wellington being true to Liberal principles, and expresses a hope that the result of the poll will be in favour of Mr McLean, who will worthily represent the people's cause." Mr Jennings seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

Ab a native meeting at Otorohanjra on December 19fch, the principal Maori chiefs and influential Ngatiinaniapotos were present. E,ewi was ill and unable to attend. Wahanui welcomed the Hon. Mr Cadman (Native Minister) and AJr F. Lawry, and asked the Minister to address the meeting and explain his views, and then that the natives adjourn and discuss the proposals. The Native Minister said that ,tho previous meeting , resulted in nothing but grievances ventilated ; each side blamed the other. He wished to drop the past and look to the future. He personally took a business view. The law said that certain land should nob be sold or leased except to the Government, with result that the Government purchased at own price, of which the natives complained. This law was broken and both races had pfcorcs and mills erected in defiance of the law. He foresaw trouble, hut hoped that the talk would bring about a better state of things. The natives wore continually asking for .roads, bridges, etc.. and those applications were granted. The JEuropcaiis complained, but had to find the j money. The natives paid no rates, yob werogiven work. The natives of this district especially ware entering into competition iii cattle, sheep, pigs, etc.. with uniair advantages, which enabled them to successfully compete, if the railway would pay thoy must settle the land to provide produce and freight. He proposed that the natives should Pell the Government'sufficient laud for settlettienfc, the Government to remove the restrictions on the balance. There was a Ktrony desire to see the land along the railway settled so as to pay the interest on the cost of construction on nob only native, bub European land all over tho! country. In tho South Island tho sumo feeling with respect to Europeana holding largo tracts of land and nob ucilising was manifested. It was a question oi: time for Parliament to legislate. The Govevn«v.>n6 had no wish to take the land from the natives, butmust take somein this situation. He strongly urged that matters be now settled amicably. He could not close his eyes to the fact that the law was constantly broken in this district. ■ The opinion of the natives could nob force fcho Europeans to pay rent, and they would find it difficult to evict them. This was bound to cause trouble, and ho hoped the natives would weigh matters. If the Parliament took a course unfavourable to the natives it would not be his fault. There was one other matter —with regard to the Native I/md Bill. > was his intention to again bring the Bill forward next tension, with amsndinent?. He suggested that the natives should make suggestions for consideration. Taonu and Wahanui asked that the meeting be adjourned. On the adjournment of the meeting the natives deliberated for some hours, and linally put the following views before the Minister. First, re the sale of land, they are willing to have restrictions made and if the Government wish to buy a block of land thoy expect a fair price, the owners of the land having a voice in fixing the price. Second, re leasing the land. They wish the. Government; to remove the restrictions and throw open bo everybody. Third : They desired the Government to exercise great care in making suitable laws re native lands, both (is regards sale and loase and general management of the land.