MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2248, 12 May 1881, Page 3

MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELBGEAM.J WANGANUI, May 11

Mr Reliance addressed the electors of Wanganui this evening in the Princess Theatre, which was densely crowded. The chair was filled by Mr Henry Nathan. Mr Reliance, who was received with applause, began with a retrospect of the political events during the past twelve months, and a brief reference to his political career since his first contest with Major Atkinson and Mr Moorhouao for Bgmont, describing himself as an Abolitionist from the first. Commenting upon Mr Bryce’s statement that there was no such thing as party he referred to the latter’s language on the vote of no-confidence in 1877, when he accused the Atkinson Ministry of violation of party principle. Ho referred to Mr Bryce’s condemnation of Mr Whitaker's Native Lands Bill, 1877, us calculated to put land in the hands of speculators, and not to promote settlement, and enquired what change there had been since then in Mr Whitaker’s policy. He could not see how the Government then differed from the present in the very matters Mr Bryce denounced, especially as Mr Whitaker was the moving spirit in the present Native policy of Mr Bryce. He spoke of Major Atkinson’s speeches at Patea and New Plymouth as a canvassing tour preparatory to the general election. As to the deficiency in the land revenue, he said there was none during the Grey Ministry, He characterised Major Atkinson’s statements on the subject as throwing dust in the eyes of the public. He referred to Major Atkinson’s many changes of opinion, the beer tax, and as to working men paying an enormous amount of Customs duties. Major Atkinson came round to Sir G. Grey’s opinion in 1875 as to the incidence of taxation. The property tax was now in danger, and was even assailed by Mr Ormond, and proved a failure, being more than £2OO (?) less than the first estimate, either from miscalculation or unnecessary machinery, or unfair exemptions. Had the land tax been doubled, it would have nearly reached the property tax, and it covers a greater area. Major Atkinson now denounces an income tax, but in 1878 ho was the strongest supporter of it. He ridiculed his argument on the subject, which cut at the imposition of any tax whatever, and believed his contrast between professional and business men fallacious. Major Atkinson’s advocacy of the property tax would prove its death knell. No one proposed that farmers should pay a land tax as well as an income tax. The policy of the Liberal leaders would touch the farmers lightly and speculators more heavily. As producers should be protected no large system of taxation should be imposed without going to the country, and the property or income tax would be the test of the question at the next election. Nothing was more calculated to destroy confidence in the Legislative Council than the fact that they had unconetitutionally rejected the Legacy Duty Bill, but passed a Bill and other measures affecting the public at large. The Council was on trial, and if it did not benefit the people at largo it would have to go. He referred to the proposal for leasing or selling the railways, and said that it could not be carried out, as the linos could only be rendered productive by filling up gaps. He disapproved of grants of land to companies for that purpose. He advocated the division of the linos into two classes, such as Canterbury to Westland, and Wellington to Pox ton. They must continue to borrow to complete the main lines. The amount of borrowing would have to be based upon the increase in the annual revenue of the existing lines. The other class of linos might be carried on by means of land grants. No more money for general purposes should be borrowed, nor even for railways, till the existing lines were carefully scheduled. He complained that there was a want of administrative ability in the railways, and the Government had refused to carry out the recommendations of the Civil Service Commissioners on the subject. As to the retrenchment policy, he considered that it was clearly understood that a'sliding scale on large salaries should be adopted, but the Government broke faith with the House by imposing a uniform 10 per cent, reduction on great and small. He considered that the Government proposals for local bodies would not work, and met with no favor anywhere, and Major Atkinson’s doctrine of political rest meant on this subject that the House led the Government, and not the Government the House. It was impossible to return to provincialism, but County Councils might be better elected, and have more powers and endowments. The constitution of the Waste. Lands Boards should be altered, and the Government should vote land funds according to their recommendations, for roads and other purposes of settlement. Government were the worst administrators of local institutions, and even lunatic asylums should be delegated to the local bodies. As to immigration, he pointed out that a class of unemployed was demoralising to the whole labor market. He advocated no more free immigration whatever. An infiuz of Chinese was disastrous to the colony and laboring classes, whom they unfairly handicapped, and it should be prohibited, either by direct limitation of numbers or capitation grant. Speaking upon the land question, he said he was opposed to the fixity of tenure in Otago leases, and supported lettings determinable at a year’s notice. He referred to the email number of landholders in Otago and Canterbury, and said that the question affected everyone in the colony. As to setting aside a large quantity of land on deferred payments, Mr Stout initiated it, and the Government were entitled to no credit, especially as it would grant the working classes no lands for special settlements, although the Minister of Lands promised to do eo, while large areas were disposed of to Messrs Vesey Stewart, Grant and Foster and other English capitalists. He justified his support of the Prisoners Detention Act after the Government statement that there was danger of an outbreak. He supported Mr Bryce’s vigorous policy on the coast, but could not understand why he so long delayed the policy which he opposed the Grey Government for. The Royal Commissioners and t heir peace policy got the upperhand, and Mr Bryce was subjected to their influence, hence the reason why Te Whiti was not sooner brought to terms. It had oven been said that Mr Parris’ power was greater than the Commissioners. The time for peace overtures, such as the Governor’s letter, was past, but Mr Bryce’s proposal to take Te Whiti would have been condemned all over the world. He condemned the exorbitant price demanded of the settlers for the Parihaka block, which was not a strong and vigorous policy of settlement or calculated to do.away with the presence of a large armed constabulary force. As to the restitution of confiscated land, ho said that the late Government never agreed to do so, even though they and Mr Sheehan might have been in acoord. Before restoring the land a proper understanding with the Natives should be arrived at. He condemned the Native Land Court Bill of last session as favorable to rings, and considered that the Sales Bill went in the right direction,but was killed by the Government supporters themselves. He went over the Fatetore question, and upon the authority of Mr Sheehan and Mr Haloombe affirmed that it was good land. The interests of everybody would be beet secured by settling upon the best land procurable, and the action of the Government was not creditable. He deprecated the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and said that it had a tendency to introduce a poor law. Upon education be said that he agreed with the general opinion that it was too expensive, and was progressing at a rate of increase which frightened the colony. He opposed the Bible in schools, which would destroy the national 'system and lead to denominationalizing the scheme. He would support the existence of Education Boards as part of local Government. As to the Representation Bill, he considered that the present system was better than single electorates. He had heard that the Government intended repealing the Triennial Parliaments Bill, with a view to a longer lease of power, but snob repeal was not likely to be carried, and ho would strongly oppose it. He hoped that the capitation to volunteers might be restored next session, as the sum was small. He concluded by expressing strong opinions in favor of party Government with clearly defined principles, and said that the Liberal party had yet a great work to do for the welfare of the greatest number, and not merely class. At the conclusion of the address, which was heard with trifling interruptions, a vote of confidence was carried unanimously.