DEPUTATIONS TO MR. BALLANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7569, 23 February 1886, Page 5

DEPUTATIONS TO MR. BALLANCE.

[BY TELEGKAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Donedin, Monday. Mb. Ballance, Minister of Lauds, >vaa waited on to-day by a number of deputations. The first was from 1 runholders requesting a reduction of rents of pastoral runs, which they asked for on the ground that since 18S2 there had been a fall of about 32 per cent, in the price of wool, and stock had also declined. Mr. Ballance said the question was a serious one financially, as it meant an addition to the property tax, and must be looked on in that light. The amount of money the Government were receiving from the rents of pastoral runs was about £200,000 a-year, and it must be apparent that any considerable reduction might mean a loss of £50,000 or £100,000, and in the present state of the finances of the colony that would impose the necessity of further taxation. He questioned whether pastoral tenants had any more right to ask for a modification of their contracts than those who had purchased land for cash in ISS2, and who had also suffered from the fall in the price or staples. He would like to know if wool had gone up, iustead of falling, would more rent have been offered ? The deputation stated that if wool had risen and then fallen they would not be there; but there had been a continuous fall since the leases were taken up. Mr. Ballance said the matter must come before Parliament. He would lay it before the Cabinet if possible before rent day—March 15. .another deputation urged that the head of the volunteer force in utago should receive some salary. Mr. Ballance said they should bring about uniformity by reducing the districts already in excess. • The question of defences was discussed by another deputation, who urged the arming of the field artillery with eight guns, and expressed the opinion that the guns at Ocean Beach were unnecessary. The Minister differed on this point, and stated that the fortifications were insurant , against bombardment. If a bombardment were successful, it could not be compensated for by money. Other deputations on local matters also waited on the Minister.