Mr Ballance’s Speech.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1785, 20 January 1886, Page 2

Mr Ballance’s Speech.

Mk Ballance has made an able speech to his constituents at Wanganui, which deals with many subjects and covers a great deal of giound. His review of the events of last session was fairly accurate, but dreadfully dry and uninteresting, Nobody wants to hear the old and dreary story over again, which has been already so often told by bon members when addressing their constituents during the past few mouths. Mr Ballance next explained and defended his Native policy. He claimed the credit of having preserved peace, and at the same time of having reduced the armed constabulary in the Native districts from 428 to 48. We, however, think that it is the force of circumstances which has made the Natives keep quiet. They know very well that it would be utterly hopeless for them to become turbulent and aggressive, as such conduct would only bring destruction upon them. As to Mr Ballanoe’s policy in dealing with Native lands, we shall be better able to judge fairly about it when sufficient time has been afforded for its trial. With respect to the general land policy of the Government, Mr Ballance said that one of the most important questions in the future would be the settlement of land in the vicinity of towns, and he was prepared to say that the Crown had the right to go in and take any property it pleased for this pnrposs by paying the property tax valuation, plus 10 per cent, With regard to the resumption of land in this manner, he believed that after the Central Government had acquired the land the municipalities should he entrusted with the management. Means for this could be provided by 4 per cent debentures, the State to issue the debentures to municipalities, If the people paid about 4J per cent as rent for the land he believed the system would add materially tn the prospeiity of the towns as well as to that of the occupiers of the laud. The question of free trade and protection next came under review. We very much regret to find that Mr Ballance has declared himself as a Protectionist. He tries to qualify this statement by adding that he only desires Protection for the sake of encouraging local manufactures, but reading between the lines, it can be clearly enough perceived that Mr Ballance is going iu altogether for Protection. If the Government go to the country on that cry, they will be beaten, as they thoroughly deserve to be. A policy of Protection would be most disastrous to the colony, and any action in that direction should be opposed to the uttermost. But the most important part of Mr Ballance’s speech is to be found iu its closing sentences. After making a passing allusion to the question of Local Government, Mi Ballance stated that there was a probability of the present subsidy system being discontinued. He was in favour of giving itoad Board Districts power to borrow money at 4 per cent, £IOO,OOO to be advanced annually. He next referred to the East and West Coast Eailway as a work which should be constructed by the colony; and with regard to the borrowing of ten millions, said that the question had not come before them, but he could aate that the policy of the Government would be cautious, nothing rash or heedless being done. In his opinion, in the present state of parties, the Government, to avoid the cost of two sessions, should ask for a dissolution before the House met.

We quite agree with Mr Ballance that there should be a dissolution of Parliament aud a general election before the House again meets. Little good can be expected from the present Parliament with its confused aud disorganised state of parties, so that the sooner a dissolution takes place the better will it be for the colony. Should the Government appeal to the country ou the cry of Protection, we shall tight stoutly in the ranks of those who are opposed to them on that question.