THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1258, 20 May 1884, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Tho Hoq Major Atkinson addressed * public meating of tho oitiqsns last night in the Theatre Royal. The Mayor (Mr W. R. Waddle) presided. There was a crowded attendance. Among those pre* sent were the Hon E. Mitchelaon, Sir F. Whitaker, sereral members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly, and a large number of leading citizens. The members of the Auckland Trades and Labor Council were present on the platform by invitation of the Premier. The Premier, on coming forward, was jwell received. He said it was thirty-one years since he had landed in Auckland for the first time, end he noticed vast, changes and progress. Owing to the colony having been settled from several centres, it was difficult to elicit public opinion, if it existed, and he had come to. Auckland to ascertain what publio opinion was here. It was desirable that their public men should address the people on thegreat publio questionsofthe day, and it was for the publio to give careful consideration to the policies laid before them. # Referring to finance, he said the country was thoroughly sound, and better able to" bear its. burdens thsn before the borrowing policy was initiated in 1870 Omitting education, which now came out of taxation instead of out of their pockets directly, the taxation was 2a 10d per head'less than in 1870. As to the railway tariff, the Government were not prepared to go on continuing the deficit that was accruing, and therefore raised the tariff, and took the consequences,, and were prepared for them. It showed the difficulties of party Government when some members of a party said they could not longer support the Government on this matter, though agreeing with their general policy. The so called leader of the Opposition, Mr Montgomery, thought he saw an opening to •jsct the Government, but he was leader only in name. They knew, and ho (the speaker) knew that the only possible leader who could lead an Opposition in the Assembly was their representative for the City East, Sir Goo. - Grey. Mr Montgomery proposed insular separation, but that, apart from being impracticable, would be ruinous to both. With separation tho eonstruo ion of the North trunk railway would be impossible. The Minister for Publio Works had . examined the several routes, and the Government wou'd be prepared to make proposals at the approaching session with the object of pushing through the North Island trunk line. It was necessary to deal with the native lands which would be improved by the construction of the trunk railway, otherwise these lands would fall into tho hands of speculators. They intended to put an end to the purchase or lease of native lands by private parties. The natives would be allowed to dispose of it through tho various Crown Land Boards. If necessary, the natives would have seats ou such Boards. The Orosrn would have the right to purchase such lands where desirable. At present, when the natives sold blocks of lands tho money had all gone. The Government proposed that a largo majority of a tribe should decide as to selling land, and that the natives should only receive a small portion of the procseds in hash and thereat in annuities. The present proceedings in connection with the purchase, of native lands, were a disgrace to civilisation, and private parties were reaping a reward which properly belonged to the State. Ho then referred* to the questions of Federation, of colored labor, and of a Protectorate over certain South Sea Islands, in order to the development of our colonial trace. With regard to tho continuance of the San Francisco mail service, he understood there was great uneasiness in Auckland. The American Government refused to pay anything towards the service as yet. The Home Government now intended to send all letters not specially addressed via the San Francisco route, by the first opportunity. New South Wales had arranged with Victoria, under certain conditions, to send letters alternately by the Orient and P. and 0 lines. If these new mangoments readied in New South Wales withdrawing from the San Francisco service it would involve an increased cost to New Zealand.With regard to the subsidy of L 32,000 a year, the service cost very little at present, but increased cost was a of grave consideration Notwithstanding its cost they should strain every nerve to maintain a service, and ho would be very sorry to sse it fall through. With-regard to the prospects of the next session he was not going ta prophesy. He would be a wise man who could do so, but this much-he would say. If members would 1 tfot go on with the business the country would be pqt to the expense of two sessions in the year instead of one. He hoped the Assembly would see its way iu a short session to accomplish the necessary business of the country, and tlius avoid the expense which otherwise would be inevitable. The elections could take place earlier in the year, so that no great loss of time would be incurred in ascertaining the feelings of the country on larger questions submitted to it. Of course this was a matter entirely in the hands of thp fjouse, but he thought it right to make known to the country the opinions of the Government on the subj ot; and as Parliament was only two years old he hoped the House would see the wisdom of not putting the country to the exoonsa of J;wo sessions in one yesr. There was another question he desired to refer to, that of national insurance. It was a mistaken idea to think the Government were hostile to the Friendly Societies. On tho contrary, they desired to foster them. Ho had received the proposals of the Auckland Friendly Societies, and thought them on the whole very reasonable, and the Government woum see their way to comply with moat of them. It was the desire, by his scheme < f national insurance, to r«n er paupe ism an impossibility in this colony. He then

referred to immigration, and the necessity cf keeping up a stream «■£ people of the right sort to entile on the. lands of the colony and establish local industries. As to the question tf protection and free trade, it would come in time ; but he would not refer to it now. He referred to the question 6f the Oiril Service reorganisation, and the extension of the franchise to women. The Premier, in conc'nsion, thanked the audience for a fair and patient hearing. There had been a little badinage and pleasantry by way of interruption, but he did not think tbe won* of them for that. In reply to questions, the Premier said ' as soon as the Asembly agreed upon a route for the North Island trunk line, the Government would be prepared to proceed et once to raise the' million loan for its construction. He was donbtfnl it it would.be advisable to make the Waste Lands Boards elective. He was favorab’e to altering the Licensing Act so as to give every adult in the distriet, male and female, the right of voting for the election of members of the Licensing. Committees. He was not in favor of a member of the Assembly join? back to his constituents on accepting office. 11 only led to useless expense. If they insisted on perpetual elections they -would soon hare only rich men *u the House. Oaptain D. H. McKenzie moved, and Mr John London seconded, a vote of thanks to Major Atkinson for his ad-, drees On a show of hands being taken," the vote of thanks waa carried by a large major! y. Major Atkinson’s speech lasted two hoars, and the questioning one hour, the meeting: breaking up at eleven o’clock, with cheers for the Premier* and also, lor Sir Oaorge Grey.