POLITICAL MATTERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1906, Page 2

POLITICAL MATTERS.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER

a* a, a AUCKLAND, March 9. At- le Aroha last night, the Premier said taxation should be on the basis of equality of sacrifice. Farmers were now beginning to realise that their best friends were the Liberal Government. They must still go on taking large estates and opening Crown lands Keternng to. financial matters, the premier said that returns showed that they were taking too much from the people, therefore he hoped that next .Parliament would authorise reduction ot indirect taxation. If money was wanted, they should increase the OTaduated land tax. He regretted that the Opposition had attacked the credit of the colony, but was glad that JNew Zealand stocks were recently the highest quoted of the whole of the Australasian colonies. To be fair" the Opposition should admit that the reS« n • i *he Pr«?ent Government to power had caused stocks to rise. Retemngto.the New^Hebrides question, the Premier said he was afraid that some day Britain' would be giving Fran Ce £lie New Hebrides, anl fof that reason he did not think a protectorate would be of advantage to Brrt fel^d thj s - Personaf y; hVprt Ne mt& mSY'^ n Oi some of «^ Br.>pfnebnies hJ *ra»9c and some by ±tntain rather than a joint protector the present entente cordiale would .oantmue, bat-it was better nevw to ffi? c mk of strained relation^ In Vavt}; 6ttled pollcy of the