BANQUET TO THE PREMIER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4740, 27 April 1877, Page 2

BANQUET TO THE PREMIER.

[by telegraph.]

..... . New Plymouth, April 26th. The banquet to the Premier, given in the .Odd-Fellows' Hall to night, was largely at- ; tended, the principal citizens and settlers being present;—the Mayor occupying the chair. In rising to respond to the toast of his health, .The Premier, who was received with enthusiastic applause, said it v/as at all times a source ; not only of pleasure but of real strength to a public man to be assured of the confidence and sympathy of his fellow citizens. For few pub;lic men could do useful work in a new country ; without the hearty, support of the people. He therefore deeply felt the sympathy aid confidence expressed thut night in presence of so many old settlers, who had known him for 20 years as a public man, settler, and neighbour. ■Mr Steindish had said■ the pleasure was enhanced in entertaining him by the knowledge that he was one of themselves, and he confessed if there was "one thing .he was proud of,: it iwns- of; being a Taranaki settler j and - the: Spain of being .turned put of office; !when- that time came, as no doubt it would, would be ,lessened; by .the, thought itiiat he would once more return amongst them. It would not, perhaps, be but of place to take

that opportunity of stating shortly what are the policy ana intentions of the Government. He would, however, content himself by indicating the broad lines upon which they propose to .travel. The policy of the Government would be, first, to complete the establishment of local self-government throughout the Colony, to complete the establishment of a system of primary education, to promote the settlement of our waste lands by a yeoman population, and cultivate and maintain a understanding with the Native race, to reduce considerably the annual expenditure on public works, and continue the construction of main lines of railways throughout the Colony until com- ; plete.d, to reduce ordinary expenditure ;to within the narrowest limits consistent with efficiency, to simplify our finances, and place them on a sound basis for the future. That policy had been carefully pursued during, the last year,, and what they would submit next session would have for its object ts further promotion. With regard to local government, the Municipal Corporations Act was likely to be: a considerable success, aa t had given satisfaction throughout the Colony The amalgamation of county system had proved on the^ whole very satisfactory. With the experience gained, and the advice of County Councils, he had no doubt that bynext session they would be rendered much more efficient and useful They had been blamed for obtaining the assistance of Superintendents and Provincial Executives in introducing the system but who were calculated to lend assistance, arid it was the duty of the Government in initiating a new system to do so with as little friction as possible ; and he would take that opportunity of thanking those gentlemen- for the assistance they so patriotically rendered in establishing the new order of things, though the Provinces were nominally abolished-Ist November, until the following January, and .consideringl: the constitutional changes : effected,,.it was only reasonable some months should elapse before the change was completed.! But the further delegation of powers regarding Provinces would b« no longer necessary.;' Regardirig"e(iueatioii, theylookeduponitasafirstdutytoseeit properly provided for throughout the Golony k It must be secular, and administered by local Commit--tees. _ The settlement of the waste lands Was of vital importance,; the Colony could not advance: without occupation: and cultivation of .fresh lands, and they would provide facilities for farmers, small capitalists, and persons desirous of taking land on deferred payments.. They' had also under, consideration the necessity of providing some means for opening new bushcountry. Intimately connected with this was their relation with the Natives. He was happy to say that the good feeling gradually growing for years, was still improving," and would; no" doubt, lead to a complete reconciliation between the two races, but they must be content to tarry a little, in order to make an end the sooner. Looking at the past legislation on this question, and general circumstances of the Colbny.'they came to the conclusion that STeater facilities should be afforded - -for- the of Native lands by private individuals.— (Applause.) _ The subject was surrounded by difficulties, and would ■ require careful handling, but they -were of, opinion an Act could be drawn which:would.protect the interests of Native, European, and community. They would submit such'measures for consideration at the next session of the Assembly. They had also under consideration laws relating to; representation/ registration of electors, scab, fencing, and civil" service, but whether they would be able to deal with, them next session he was unable to 'say at present., "The question of: finance,;was ; intimately connected with every one of these Eubjects. . Those interested in finance would find in /the financial statement of■ last year a, short, and clear.statev iuent of what was then their, financial position. Th&rewaa nothing to add to that statement, except that the Custp^as revenue would not probably come up to his estimate, probably by a" little ,more than.;- his surplus. Those who had read the statement would observe there was one considerable' difficulty they had ;grappled-.with,,-,and h? was sanguine enough to think they would deal with it so as to satisfy Parliament and the country; they reduced expenditure and obtained at, their, own doors the necessary funds for the continuance of their works. From the Bank of New South Wales they had obtained; a half: million for two years at 5 percent., and from the' Bank of Now Zealand, L 500.000 for two years at 5 per cent. ■: Both,; advances .were negotiated under the-authority of -a Loan Act last session. Their arrangements ; placed them in a good position by enabling them: to abstain from going upon tho London- market ior1 at; least 12 months—an'advantage which resulted in the advanced value of their bbnds at home;: They had also arranged with the Bank of New South Wales to extend the bank agreement by which another half, million would be "placed at the disposal of the Government; if Parlia ment should approve, and still longer keep them from placing" a loan in England. No doubt a good deal of thrift, arid prudence would be necessary, in order to give time for the railways already constructed to get into thorough '■ working order, arid also, until that large sumnow amounting to;between three and four millions—which Is. l^ingt unproductive in the rail-' ways under course of construction, shall give some return,;... The interest-upon this money ■■ : amounted.to something, like L180,000,;but he' was satisfied that, with ordinary care and prudence in management of finance, they would; by. the end pf/the time mentioned, be in a tho--: roughly satisfactory financial position, and have nd-Veason^to regret they dared to undertake.the Public Works and Immigration Scheme. ■v He did not refer to local matters in this short ad-^ dress, because he desired to keep..them distinct from what hei said pi a general nature; He had been complimented by the^ Chairman with regard to the harbour, question, but he looked . I upon carrying- it-oiu .As-the man-who had pushed the harbour question in seasbn'and out of season, it was a great satisfaction to him to think he might yet live .to see "the harbour "com-1 pleted. He had rid doubt the harbour'would, go steadily |on if\ they;managed with prudence;1, and as he. believed the' Harbour Board would manage. In a small place they were apt .to: , think,.if a work did not go on 'instantly that '■ it was not .likely to be accprnplished, atall, buc the thing was now really started., . They-had: also.reason to be pleased at the. way their railways werebeing.goneoD!withj although there; was: a feeling .they ought: to.:berpushed:. with, greater speedy'but that was'impossible'to be. done without: greatly increased taxation. They: must be content. to"assist;the G^yernm'ent in 5 carrying on the works at a- nioderate rate, and as a prudent man ivp.uld' mariag^ "has own estate. ■'■'■' '-' ''■"■ •■-' ■'■"■' ''"■-"-■.'"'''""'

The remainder: of Mr; Atkinson's remarks were of a purely local character, and elicited loud applause. ;:,He!spoke'on3y 25 minutes.: '"'