MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1214, 16 January 1886, Page 3

MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

Mr Ballance addressed his const ituenls at Wanganui on Wednesday evening. He spoke for two hours, and a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed. He re* f erred at length to the events of last session, saying the Government, only held office after their defeat at; the urgent appeal of their supporters. He held that no useful legislation could be expected in tbe present state ot the House. He spoke enthusiastically of his native land policy, and said ihe reviled ouepoliceman policy pro ! uced marvellous results, and the day or serious trouble with the natives for ever hud passed away. The natives had granted land for the central railway and station purposes free, and were ia sympathy with the Government. In addition tion to native land coining into the market it would be nece9saiy in future legislation to provide fcr reserving the large landed properties 0, Europeans on the property-tax ' valuations. Ho declared himself au out nod i 0^ protectionist, and said the Colony'B lookout would b." a poor one if it had to depend alone on the expert of its iaw products. He referred to the rumored borrowing of ten millions, and said that the matter bad not been considered in Cabinet. Ministers might have different opinions as to the amount, but . all were agreed that the railways to be cou etructed should be vigorously pushed on. He did not believe in allowing the first laid ! sleepers to rot before a line was ready for j opening. He approved of the East and West Coast railway, and thought it ought to be uudertalten by Iho Government and not by ' any syndicate. Referring to the local go- ' vernment question he *nid subsidies would ! probably be discontinued next year, but ' thought the road boards should have powe.to borrow for road making. Keferring to , the suggestion that the property-tax exemption Bhould be reduced, he said be would have no objection if property holders excepted the principle ot the equality of sacrifice and would agree to pay an additional j Jrurthing on values of over £10,000, and so on 1 in proportion. Additional taxatiou would have to be faced in the luturp, and this would be one way of providing for it, aB not much money couldbe expect edfrom protective duties. After a reference to federation, deience, and equipment of the volunteer force, which he said the Government intended to arm with the New Mjrtini-Eniield, the best rifle ever produced, Mr Ballance referred to a number (■f local papers, and sat down amidst general applause.