MINISTERIAL ADDRESS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9207, 8 October 1891, Page 2

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS.

PREMIER AT WANGANUI. VOTE OP CONFIDENCE IN MR. BALLANCE PASSED. [P«B PRESS ASSOCIATION. | Wangandi, October 8. — The Premier addressed his constituents last night. He detailed the work accomplished by the Government since they came into office, making special reference to the more im portant bills. He asserted the settlement of land had been carried on with energy and vigor, but it was absurd for any one to expect a Government could carry out all the items of its programme during the first few months of its existence. He defended the proposals for the reduction of postage to a penny, and predicted within the next five years we should Lave universal penny postage over tho whole of tho British Empire. He claimed that in tbe Public Trust enquiry the Government had remedied a great social evil, aa they had also in the Friendly Societies Bill. The Government's conversion opeiations were in no sense borrowings. The Bank of England acted as their agents, and if conversion were borrowing from that Bank and others in England, thoy would soon let them know, they were breaking their word. He regretted the Bryce episode, but he and hi« party had done all in their power to biing about a reconciliation. Everything was done fairly, and it was significant that while tho {Speaker had been reproached with weakness, nobody had ever given bieath .to a suspicion of unfairness. All were agreed on a principle of payment of members, and that beiog so it see me i to him only just that the payment should be sufficient to support members. A good member not only worked for hia constituents during the session, but he was busy all the year round addressing meetings and working among people. The circumstances connected with the Old Soldiers Bill were detailed, and the Premier said the Government were at present considering the advisability of paying off tho older men in cash. A decision would bo come to soon after his return to Wellington. Referring to the land tax he considered it an advantage if, as had been said, large capitalists lncl refused to buy land in Now Zealand because of that tax. They did not want large landholders and small population, but largo populations and small landholders At tho close of the speech questions were anawored, and tho meeting adjourned after passing a vote of confidence in their representative.

A final reminder is given of the organ recital at St. Mary's Church this evening. The following counsel were present when the Supreme Court opened this (.Thursday) morning :— Mr Samuel, Mi Standish, Mr Hughes, Mr Roy, Mr Govett, Mr T. Fookes (Stratford), and Mr Jellico (.Wellington). They not only imitate WoWb Schnapps i Wt «opy tdvtrtiicm.«t§ 4