WANGANUI.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3326, 20 August 1879, Page 2

WANGANUI.

This day. Mr Ballance at "Wangaaui. Ballance's meeting last night, although crowded, was orderly, there being no interruptions. He defended the Government from many chargts. It was only recently the North Island had received anything like justice due in the shape of public works expenditure. Native affairs were satisfactory except on the West Coast. Rewi is thoroughly loyal, and the solution of the Native difficulty was in the occupation of the .confiscated Jand by small farmers. Two million of acres had been acquired in the North Island. The time woftld come when Wanganui would be the Christchurch of the North Island. The land tax protected-men who needed assistance, while the weight fell on a class •well able to pay, and who were doing no good to the country -by their occupation of land. He was in favor of establishing an Agricultural Bank to assist small land holders. He was opposed to Bible reading in schools, believing the State should 1 have nothing to do with religion. The greatest care had been taken in reference to future loans. The present crisis would soon pass over, and already bo sees signs of improvement. A unanimous vote of confidence was accorded.