MAJOR ATKINSON AT OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6774, 5 June 1885, Page 2

MAJOR ATKINSON AT OPUNAKE.

Lfbom oub own cobrespondent.] Major Atkinson met the electors of the Egmont district at Opunake on Wednesday. Mr. Burner (chairman of the Town Board) occupied the chair, and introduced the Major to the audience. There were several ladies present, and the Drill Hall was well filled. Major Atkinson reiterated the speech he had delivered at the various centres of population daring the past week or two. After touching on Federation, relating the history of the matter up to last session, he went into the question of defence, explaining how the guns obtained by Sir George Grey's Government had been t mounted and the ports defended under the supervision of Major Cautley. He [ approved of. the action of the present Government in taking steps to defend the ports as they had done, providing that the Opposition would require a strict account ! from the Government ns to the expenditure, and objesting entirely to the cost of a swift cruiser as said to have been ordered i from home. THE NATIVE QUESTON. The hon. gentleman then touched on the *""■ native question, hoping that the statement of Sir Julius Yogel in Christchurch with regard to Mr. Ballance might be fulfilled; but he considered that the verdict of the __ country would be that Mr. Ballance yfia the last Native Minister the country should have. He referred particularly to the action of the Government in connection with the Northern through railway. He considered that Wahanui was a far better diplomatist than Mr. Ballance, and further said that the northern railway could not be continued, till the native title had not been individualised. He said the late Government would- have pushed the native title through the Lands Court and have had no further trouble ; but taking the land under the Immigiation and Public Works Act would without doubt giveendlessdisputes and trouble in future. Tho survey was stopped because the Minister had determined to form native committees to fix native titles before bringing the land into the Land Court. Ho was opposed to leasing native lands to a greater extent than would provide reasonable comfort for owners, and would fight against anything that would create a body of landlords. As to Te Whiti, there was no reason to believe that the natives have lost faith in Te Whiti and Tobu,.but rather that their influence has increased. They believe in some mysterious way that their land would shortly revert to them, with all improvements. They have no idea of this being brought about with force; but when the prophet has a direct revelation from Heaven, though so far peaceable, they might at any time be otherwise ; therefore it is necessary to be careful. We know the return of laud to be impossible, therefore we must make it quite plain to the natives that it is so. He then censured the withdrawal of the constabulary, as they were the visible sign of the authority of tho Crown. He considered it would be better for the district if all the A.U.'B were removed ; but the action of Mr. Ballance began at the wrong end, as the settlers did not want to crush a rebellion, but rather to show the power of the Crown, and so prevent a rising. He thought the action of the Ministry in raising hopes in the natives, by withdrawing the A.C.'s, absurd, as it was not supplemented with efficient polio force, as the " one policeman " was absolutely incapable of doing the duty of a full A.C. camp. He would do his best to enforce law equally as between Maori and white man; and would see the statement (which he could not believe) " that the Inspector of police was not prepared to proceed to Parihakn," was without foundation, and that the Queen's writ should run now through the land aa it did two or three years ago. FINANCIAL MATTERS. The Hon. Major Atkinson then entered on financial questions, explaining the whole action of the Treasurer with regard to the sinking fund as a means of making things more pleasant for a time as against permanent improvement; and explaining there was no justification in foregoing the property tax. He said there would be ft day of reckoning, and then the present easy times would have to be paid for. He considered that an opposition to be useful must bide its time, and must convinco the country that nothing but hard work nod saving would save the country. He liopcd the constituencies would resist any furth r borrowing of Government for tho purpose of making present prosperity. He did not doubt a permanent prosperity for the colony. The tone of the House, he considered, was highly satisfactory, and he felt it would continue so, unless the constituencies determined to go in for reckless borrowing. He referre 1 to depression, and considered that this district bad suffered far less than at home, nnd considered the country was able still to bear a lot of mis-Government QUESTIONS ANSWEBED. Mr. Denney asked did Major Atkinson vote for an endowment of 20,000 acres for Gisborne ? Major Atkinson said he had always supported tho endowments of harbours as equally important with railways. Mr. Thos. Mane questioned the appointment of a Minister of Agriculture, so aa to enable settlers to obtain a living off land ? Would a further tax on tea and sugar ho opposed by tho member ? Mnjor Atkinson said he would try to tax luxuries as against necessaries, but was in favour of a property tax first ; but would tax anything if necessary to meet liabilities. Mr. Gase asked if there was any difficulty in getting an income tnx collected in the colony ? Majir Atkinson said In did not think as income tax was possible. Mr. Breacu asked whit in the opinion of the Major was tho solution of tho native difficulty. M.ij ir Atkinson said an efficient force should be maintained to carry the Qujen'a will through the country. Mr. Breacu suggested tho oponing of rouls through the country. Mrpr Atkinson thought that would hwc no effect. Mr. Elwin naked whether the member had seen the false statements with regaid to settlers, and whether he would in his plaue in tho House endeavour to cause the Government to publish true statemeata with regard to tho aottlers. Major Atkinson said i£ the settlers took actiou themselves he would assist, and he woulJ support a grant for openiug roads in the district to assist in settling outlying sections. He would also see tin Taranaki I Education Board got due justice in proportionate grants, but deprecated speciil votes. He was not in favor of special settlements. Mr. Sanders rained the question of an endowment for the Opunuke Harbour, and asked why the bill was not brought before the House. This bad not been done because no private member would do it. Mnjor Atkinson said if the district desires an endowment, the proper preliminary measures should be taken, and then brougl t by a member into the House. If the Crown gave its sanction, a bill would be brought in, and he would do his best in the matter. Tho whole thing would occupy eight sitting days, which would be equ 1 to" three weeks of the ordinary tioK. He thought there was no probability of an endowment being obtained for a harbour of any good to the district. A h.trbour to give 12 feet of water would cost £100,000, but if Mr. Blackett reported in favour of a sm&Jl euu being sufficient, tie would do

his best to obtain a grant. With regard to higher education, he considered the Stato should provide higher education for all capable of receiving it; unless that were done they would have people from the Old Country superseding the colonials. He thought, however, that the fees should be sufficiently high to enable the colleges to be self-supporting. Mr. Pennington proposed, and Mr. Gane seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence to Major Atkinson, which on being put was carried.

Major Atkinson returned thanks, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.