PRE-SESSIONAL.

Evening Star, Issue 7180, 6 April 1887, Page 1

PRE-SESSIONAL.

MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUL Wanganui, 'April 5. The Hon. Mr Ballance addressed a meeting of his constituents at the Princess's Theatre tonight. There were between 700 and 800 persons present, the gallery being well-filled with ladies. The chair was occupied by the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr J. Laird. Mr Ballance, who was received with much cheering, delivered a speech extending over two hours and a-quarter, and dealing with a wide variety of subjects relating largely to the policy of the Government. He commenced by saying he hoped to be able that evening to place before them not only a summary of what had been done during the last session, bat to indicate as clearly as he could the policy which in certain respects might be brought before Parliament daring the session about to commence. Before doing so, however, he would like to refer to the loss of two very noted and distinguished members of the Legislature, in the persons of Mr James Macandrew and Mr J. B. Bradshaw. The latter gentleman might not have had such wide reputation as Mr Macandrew, bat in his (Mr Ballance's) opinion, on account of the services which he had rendered to his fellow citizens in the amelioration of the condition of the working classes, his name would be long remembered with gratitude by the Colony. Mr Ballance alluded to the late Mr Macandrew as a man who became when occasion demanded a colonial statesman, and who was associated with some of the greatest projects ever undertaken by the Colony, especially referring to his connection with the establishment of the direct steam service. The speaker said he knew of no man within the walls of Parliament who so much commanded the esteem,, sympathy, and love of his fellow members as Mr Macandrew. He next referred to a few slight mistakes which he said had been made in the course of a speech recently delivered at Waverley in regard to measures with which his name was connected. In that speech Mr Bryce's memory had not served him faithfully, and he had consequently fallen into several errors. In reference to the surveying of Waihua's boundries, the present Government had during the first year put 2,500,000 acres through the Court, and Mr Bryce wished to take a little of the credit of accomplishing this work, and claimed it was in consequence of what he did before he left office by having the boundary surveyed that the work was prepared. But the principal chiefs had written that they were not prepwed to assent to the proposal to pass their land through the Court, and the survey was obstructed by a number of Natives; and Rewi, who had done most to get the boundary, wrote a letter that he was not prepared to allow the land to go through the Court, and placed himself under Te Whiti's winft at Parihaka, whereupon Mr Bryce as a punishment withdrew his pension. When the present Government went into office the work of inducing the Natives to consent-to the land going through the Court had to be commenced de novo. Then Mr Bryce described the Waimarino block as being worthless, bat he (Mr Ballance) had the most trustworthy authority for stating that some of the land was the very best in the Colony. Such a statement was therefore unwarranted, and he asked if Mr Bryce was right in making it. He had also said that the Maungakaretu block was not worth 6d per acre, but a portion of it the other day brought 13d per acre for rent. What object, he asked, could Mr Bryce have depreciating the land in this way? Then they were told there was no likelihood of any land being purchased irt the King Country. The Government had put nearly the whole of the land through the Court, and the work of subdivision was about to take place; while there were no fewer than 5,000 names on the deed relating to the land which passed the Court in the Waikato. Since he (Mr Ballance) had been in office, Wahanui had been exceedingly friendly to the Government, rendering them distinguished services. If anybody had made Wahanui a colonial figure it was Mr Bryce, who told him the House would give him a pension and chalk a great boundary for him. Ho also accused Mr Bryce of misrepresenting him in what he had said in reference to the Natives paying rates; and with respect to the one-policeman policy, claimed that this had been perfectly triumphant. The Native Land Administration Bill which was passed last session he described as the measure of the session, and entered into a full explanation of its scope, adding that it established a great reform bv restoring the pre-emptive right of the Crown, and providing that the Native lands could only bo bought in the interests of public settlements. Adverting to questions likely to be dealt with next session, Mr Ballance next touched upon the subject of women's suffrage. He knew there was a great diversity of opinion in respect to this subject. Some held that the time had not come when the franchise ought to be extended to women, and others that women could not properly exercise the franchise if they enjeyed it. Regarding the latter objection, he pointed out that the very same argument was used when the question of manhood suffrage was inaugurated; yet they were bold enough to make the experiment, and he asked whether the result had been to deteriorate the Legislature or prejudicially affect the interests of the people. They might therefore confidently assume that the full extension would not work the disastrous consequences which some alleged. He contended tb jre would never be any great social reform accomplished in this Colony until women enjoyed the franchise. Concerning the proposed refoim of the Legislative Council, this question, he pointed out, was discussed on that very platform ten years ago. All sorts of schemes had been put forward in the past, and it was very likely that the Government would introduce into the House of Representatives next session a Bill providing that the term during which a councillor may be appointed should be limited to a period of seven years instead of for life—that was aIL This limitation, it was thought, would have the effect of getting rid of members when they approached something like eighty years of age, when it was time they should disappear from the political arena. In regard to Supreme Court procedure, he had been accused of interfering with the independence of the Judges. He had done nothing of the kind. He held that whenever a judgment was delivered which violated the public conscience and was looked upon as a wrong judgment—perhaps not wrong, however, from any act of the Judges—the matter ought to be inquired into and some redress obtained. He thought, indeed, there ought to be, not only a reform of the Supreme Court procedure, but also of the Supreme Court itself. There ought to be a judicial committee of both Houses of Parliament continually sitting, and whenever a judgment was reported which did not to the public mind seem right, the matter should be brought before the Legislature. In relation to a recent case there was given a judgment which seemed to him to be opposed to the public conscience, and which seemed to convey a feeling—perhaps not justified, but nevertheless appearing so—that there was one law for the rich and one for the poor. It was the sacred duty of the Legislature to remote any impression of that kind, for nothing could be more perilous to the welfare of the State and community than the existence of an impression that the rich man might by the use of his friends and money evade the penalties of his abuse of the laws of the country, -It bad also been stated that the Government were undermining the Volunteer system of the Colony. He was astonished at such a charge being made in view of what the Government had done for the Volunteers. It was stated that the Government were creating a standing army of permanent Volunteers, but the plain facts of the case were that they had done more to make the Volunteers a strong and efficient body capable of defending the Colony when called upon than any other Government. It was quite true that things arose which caused local irritation, but there was no general dissatisfaction on the part of the Volunteers throughout the Colony; and the Government had looked upon them as the mainstay of the defence of the Colony; and the Volunteers were quite sensible of that fact. It was true that the Government had created the fortifications. When there was a scare a few years ago about the Russians visiting our ports and destroying our shipping and towns it was urged that the whole of the Australian colonies should federate, when New Zealand would be in a position to defend herself. He believed if a cruiser came in to-morrow we could give it a very hot reception indeed. There was not a finer body in the world than the Permanent Force, alike for physique, character, general intelligence, and a knowledge ot their work. But the first line of defence in the Colony mum be the Volunteers, although the -time might arise when the militia would have to be called out. With respect to the rifles, he admitted the' delay that had taken place, and he ex- : plained the cause to be due to the fact that the English Government had not yet selected an arm, and as the New Zealand Government did not wish to have three different kinds of arms and ammunition, they were waiting nil the English Government made their sdeenoa. Steps, however, were being taken to obtain a

supply of the Slee rifles, and the probability was that before very long the best shots at any rate, and perhaps the rifle associations, would be in possession of this particular arm. This led him to mention that, with respect to the Commission that sat upon old soldiers' claims during the current recess, a Bill would be brought in to deal with the subject. A great many claims had been rejected, consequently muoh disappointment would ensue; but the reasons for rejecting had been set forth in each instance, so that the Government would be in a position to give specific reasons for the actions they had taken. Mr Ballance next proceeded to sketch what the present Government had accomplished since they had been in office notably the passing of the Married Women's Property Act, Workmen's Wages Act, measures to deal with State forests, and the hospital and charitable aid questions. The Act relating to the latter subject he admitted was not perfect, but he expressed his belief that it would shortly work very satisfactorily. He also mentioned the Land Act of 1885, claiming that it was the most liberal Act of the kind in the world; the Native Acts and the Amending Assessment BilL which he said would have provided a land tax had it not been rejected on the motion of those who were in favor of this tax. Respecting the question of retrenchment, the promise of the Premier that there would be effected a saving in salaries of between L 30.000 and L 40,000 would be carried out. He himself objected to an all-round 10 per cent, reduction, and the only way to accomplish their object was not to fill vacancies unnecessarily. It would be admitted that further taxation would be required next session, as we should have to pay an additional LIO,OOO for interest; and there were also to be considered the increased cost of education and such services as the post and telegraph offices, which must be provided for. He considered that the form of the change in the Incidence of taxation should be in the way of protecting local industries. If that were done he did not) believe the people would feel the increase of taxation; while new industries would spring up and those already in existence would be encouraged and strengthened. On the other hand, if the increased taxation were imposed on the necessaries of life, the people would feel it by having to pay more for their goods. The question of a land tax was entirely out of the region of practical politics at present. He considered that the principal advocates of this tax were not sincere, but simply wanted a tax in a form in which they could computate it for their own purposes. Those present were aware that our bonds had lately gone done to a price unprecedented for several years past, and it was said this was owing to the seizure of the sinking fund. This was said in the Waverley speech, which was unfortunate, as at that time the bonds stood at 94, while now they were at 98. Alluding to the visit to the Colony of Mr Froude, he said that gentleman went to Auckland and also the island of Kawau, and at the former place he met a distinguished citizen of Wanganui, who told him that everything was going to the bad in New Zealand. In his book published subsequently Mr Froude condemned everything about the Colony to the lowest depth, and represented that the Colony was about to repudiate. This he thought was quite sufficient to account for our securities going down to 94, and there was no doubt that the temporary cause of the depression had also a deal to do with it. Mr Ballance pointed out that the taxation per head of the Colony was to-day exactly what it was in 18C9, before the initiation of the Public Works policy—viz., L 3 2s 7d. There was also to be considered the fact that we had greater facilities by means of railways and other works, so that we had nothing to complain about. He maintained, however, that the prosperity of a colony could not be gauged by the amount of taxation per head. Coming to the question of further borrowing, he asked what would be the consequence if we were to cease borrowing altogether. He pointed out that many of our railways were only partially completed, and would consequently be suddenly stopped, and everything would come to a standstill. On this subject he "wished to explain that the Premier's views were that we should borrow no more than would be necessary to carry such works to completion or to a paying point. He, for his part, had in IS7S come to the conclusion that the Colony show! \ limit its borrowing to three-quarters of a million per annum, and that opinion he held still. We ought also to provide for carrying out new roads. If we did not open up the country and place the people on the land, disaster must follow. This was moreover a measure of relief to the congestion of the towns. As to federation, he thought there was no occasion for Australasian federation so far as New Zealand was concerned, as we should be thereby sinking our name and independence to some degree. With regard to the scheme of Imperial federation, his idea was that it was mooted by some people at Home who wished to have the control of New Zealand tariffs, and if this were done we should undoubtedly come to grief. We ought never to abandon our independence and position, and should retain the absolute right of taxing ourselves. There was danger in this paper federation scheme. He held there was no disloyalty in the Colony, and we had no grievances against the Mother Country, because we had the power to make our own laws. If that be taken from us there would arise a spirit of rebellion, which might end in separation. He then went on to describe the nature of the Representation Bill to be introduced next session. For himself he explained at tho outset he could not see that one man in the country should count for more than one in the town ; but the majority of the House, he believed, wa« in favor of giving larger representation to the country than towns, and he concluded it might be necessary to yield somewhat. They should have equal electoral districts, but he thought there would be a small percentage added to the country districts. The limit of population per member would be 6,100, and the number of members would remain the same as at present, eighty-one. This would really be a reduction in the number of members in proportion to population. To reduce the number from ninety-one to seventy-eight, as had been proposed, would create in England an impression that the Colony was going to the bad, and the rumors of depression and stagnation would be confirmed. He did not think ninety-one members too many, and during the last few years, since the numbers had been increased, the legislation of the country had generally improved. The Ministry, however, had resolved to allow the question to remain an open one; and, moreover, themselves entertained different opinions. It was their determination to force this Bill into law next session, and nothing would be left undone by the Government to put it through, unless the power of the Opposition was too great. They had the power of defeating the measure, which he did not anticipate. After dealing further with Native matters, he mentioned that it was the intention of the Government next session to introduce a Land Acquisition Bill which would give the pewer to take lands from private estates. He believed the country was in favor of the principle. The question for the consideration of the people was whether the time was ripe for putting the principle into force. It would have a beneficial effect in promoting the settlement of the country. He went on to describe what the Government had accomplished in promoting the settlement of the land by the establishment of the village system, 900 married people having been placed on the land during the last twelve months. By the special settlement system a large number had also been placed on the land who would otherwise have remained as unemployed. As to immigration, he believed this was necessary for the welfare of the country; and we could never have great prosperity unless a healthy stream of immigration was constantly coming into the country of people who would not be a burden, but would join the reproductive classes, j Concerning Protection, it was our duty to encourage local industries in every way, and he specified Canada, Germany, and Victoria as prosperous countries owing to the adoption of protective principles. In conclusion, he eaid the policy of the Government was one of progress—energetic and vigorous progress—and his opinion was that tho Colony wouH never get over its difficulties unless it laid down a vigorous policy of progress, including the settlement of the land by large numbers and the protection of native industries. Mr Ballance resumed his seat amid warm applause. Questions were invited, but none were asked, and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried without a dissentient voice. Tho meeting throughout was of a most orderly character, and the greatest interest was evinced in the Minister's utterances.

Colonel Trimble addressed his constituents at New Plymouth on Monday. He reviewed the work of the session from an Opposition point of view. He explained the reason of Ms conduct in the House with reference to the Harbor loan. A vote of thanks only Mr Lance addressed his constituents at Amberley on Monday. He was opposed to Mr Ballance's Land Acquisition Bill, and to female suffrage, but would give the Government a general support. Ho was opposed to a redistribution of seats on a population basis. Ha received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Ivess, a strong Government supporter, in his Ashburton speech was unsparing in hia condemnation of the existing railway management, and said that Mr Richardson's ■vstem of railway management was a signal failure It was hoped that when he assumed office the railways of the Colony would have been placed under a better system, but this had not been done, and the sooner the railways were now withdrawn from the Hon. Mr Richardson's management the better. He was evidently only second in command, and Mr Maxwell was the sovereign head of a department of which he should only be a subordinate. Referring to the proposed measure for the resumption of private lands, the speaker said the time had now arrived for Government to take some measures to compel the cultivai tlon of large traots of valuable land held by private individuals and companies, but a burstlng-up policy would meet with no sympathy at bis hands. The owner who

was working his land to the best advantage was deserving of every consideration. Still the large tracts of land held by absentees and large companies was the means of inflicting a serious wrong on the Colony. He held the view that when the Government were adjusting the tariff from time to time it would be a proper thing to slighly raise the duty upon articles which were being manufactured in the Colony, with a view to encouraging local industries. He announced his intention of again contesting the Wakanui seat against all comers. A vote of renewed confidence was unanimously passed.