SPEECH BY THE PEREMIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13354, 7 December 1906, Page 4

SPEECH BY THE PEREMIER.

NATIVE LAND QUESTION.

A COMMISSION SUGGESTED.

Till: INFLUX OF ALIENS.

[BT TELWJBAPH.— FIiESS AS-'OCIATIOV ]

Wellington Thursday. Thv, citizen-"' reception to Dr. Fradlay, in recognition of his appointment a* AttorneyGeneral in the Ward Ministry, was he'd in the Town Hall this evening. There was a large attendance, including many ladies. The Mayor (the Hon. T. W. Histop), in congratulating Dr. Findlay. said he hoped that in his present position ho would place our laws in a little more understandable position than they were at present. lb asked the people to congratulate Dr. Findlay, and join in wishing him great success in his new- position. (Applause. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the people of Wellington on their recognition of IV. Findlay's appointment as Attorney -General, and said throughout the colony there was the same feeling. He. deduced that the profession would recognise that in having Dr. Findlav in the Ministry they would have a gentleman who would see that then interests were not neglected. Dr. Findlay ! entered upon his work at- a very opportune i lime, and all ought to be pleased at the | condition of the colony. Sir Joseph quoted figures tor eight months of the. financial vear which showed that the revenue in- ! creased bv £404.570. The chief increase* were: Customs, £178,000; stamps. £103,000; post and telegraph. £5800 (de spite the great concessions which had been granted); income tax, £3000; railways. £111,000; registration and other fees. £3000; marine, £2500; and miscellaneous, £1300. On the other hand, the territorial revenue decreased £15,600 (against the estimated decrease of £16,000). Although there had been increased expenditure, be was confident that at the end of the year they would be fully £217,000 to the good, which was the estimate he had mentioned in the House. The Government could not lose sight of the fact that the/ native land* in New Zealand could not remain in their existing position. They could not allow such lands to remain dormant. He was strongly' impressed that a Commission should be appointed to thoroughly inquire into the native lands, and after setting aside sufficient for the natives, the. excess should be dealt with for the benefit of the colony, and the revenue set aside for the benefit of the natives for all time. Next session, when the question would have to be dealt with, the Government might suggest a course for the set dement of the matter, which was now in a most unsatisfactory position. Sir Joseph spoke very strongly on the colour question, and paid that in this young country every class should unite so as to prevent people from Eastern countries coming to this colony for good. (Loud applause.) This question must come up at the conference at which he would shortly attend, and he, was right in declaring thai they must assistthe Old Land to prevent an influx of aliens. They must also show that they were prepared to put their hand/! in their pockets to make the British navy stronger than at present. In two months he. would be leaving for the conference, and he assured the meeting that be would, in strongest terras, urge upon those present to stop the influx from Eastern countries. Passing on to the Exhibition, the Premier mentioned that the. Minister for Railways hoped shortly to arrange cheap excursions, and ' mentioned that Mr. Mills, the general manager of the Union Steam Skip Company, had promised, when extra, steamers were 1 available, to co-operate in thin direction. The Premier gave on emphatic denial to - the rumour that he intended to reside permanently in England. Dr. Findlav, in replying to congratulations, said ■ the present was one of the ■ proudest moments of his life, and the large' ' gathering proved that he had their ap- • proval. It had been said that he (Dr. Findlay) lacked Parliamentary experience, and, while he admitted that, ho would ' attempt to cure it, and lie felt certain of ■ receiving the courteous and ; indulgent • assistance of the older members of the 1 Legislative Council in the discharge of hi* new duties. It bad been urged against him that lie did not take his politics seriously, but he assured them he had had to live the strenuous life, and would take politics m strenuously. The proceedings throughout were, most ■ enthusiastic, and were enlivened by musical selection.*".