Mr. Ballance at Wanganui.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1657, 23 June 1887, Page 3

Mr. Ballance at Wanganui.

On Wednesday nigbt the hon. Mr. Ballance gave an address to bis constituents at tbe Princess Theatre, which was completely filled by the large number present. His Wovsnip the Mayor (My. Laird) presided. Mr. Ballance began by referring briefly to tbe causes which bad led up to tbe defeat of the Government, which he attributed to tbe withdrawal from tbe Government of tbe support of two or three waverers' in politics. He defended at length the position taken up by tbe Government in respect to village settlements. Tbe vote of £5000 made by tbe House in tbe session of 1886 implied n further expenditure of many times that amount, if tbe terms of the law relating to snch settlements were to be carried oat. Under the Appropriation Act the Government bad power each year to expend £100,000 in excess of tbe sums voted, and that amount had not been exceeded. In 1884 Major Atkinson . had expended £260,000 without express authority from Parliament, on railway plant, and in 1885 hiß Government expended £150,000 on tbe defence of tbe colony without express authority. Parliament had never censured either Ministry for such expenditure. The fact waß that tbe actual expenditure on Village Settlements was less than the amount voted, and Parliament so far fiom censuring him had voted a iurther £7500 to continue tbe work, as they recognised that there was an emergency which justified the Ministry in pushing settlement in order to cope with the question ot unemployed. He anticipated great ■access of Village Settlements, from a settlement point of view. Referring to education, be maintained expenditure per head was greater in 1884 than now, and that whatever change might be made, whether in raising school age from five to seven, or in cuttiug off the fifth or sixth standard, must mean reduction of teachers' salaries. They now averaged £94, and he deprecated any such reduction. If any reductions in normal schools were insisted on, they mast also tackle and cut down expenditure on higher education. The railway management in New Zealand would compare favorably with that of any •other 1 colony. He extolled the care and ability shown by Mr. Maxwell. As to extravagance of Ministers in travelling expenses, be compared Mr. Bryce's (as Native Minister) travelling expenses in 1882 and 1883, which totalled £1355, with hi 6 own, as Minister for Native Affairs and also of Lands, in 1885 and 1886, which totalled. £1112. The proposed* increase' of Customs could well have been- borne by consumers, in view of the decreased consumption of spirits and the fall ' in 'values of imports. Tbe Customs revenue had declined since 1882 by £160,000. However, tbe tariff bad been rejected by the Hoqse, and the Government were free to consider what alternative they might propose. He warmly upheld a progeesive proper ty.tax, andsaid'it 'would-be for the country to decidecwhether such- should be; adopted, or whether themeriotsmall means should bave.theirjpfopertT>tax increased by .Bo per cent; while' £Be large capitalists o"'nly submitted to an increase of 4 pef.cent.

He was satisfied that dependence on foreign markets bad nearly rained the farmers,- and protection was the only hope of the colony. He favored upset rentals for State lands lower than market value, and would let the ballot decide who should become tenants. The Armed Constabulary had been reduced to 40 men from 650. The unquestionable success of the one policeman policy was largely due to Inspector Pardy's great tact, courage, and able discharge of bis duties. He was opposed to any reduction of honorarium or of the Governor's salary. The meeting gave him a very favorable hearing throughout. A telegram from Auckland states that the mail steamer Zealandia was signalled at 1.30 p.m. to-day. Captain Edwin telegraphed at 11 a.m. today: — Indications for change of wind between north and west and south-west, and rain. Glass further fall, but will rise witbin twelve hours from now. The West Coast football team will arrive in Hawera at ten o'clock, by the through train, to-morrow morning, and it is intended to give them a reception, in commemoration ot their victory at Auckland. They will be met at the station by footballers, and, no doubt, by many others, and they will be entertained at dinner at noon. This will take place at the Commercial Hotel, and will no doubt be largely attended. The team comes home with the honor of championship of the colony, and are well worthy of a warm welcome.