Mr Ballance Before the Electors.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 8, 28 June 1887, Page 2

Mr Ballance Before the Electors.

HIS DEFENCE OF THE MINISTRY. PROTECTION THE TEST QUESTION. WANGANUI, Saturday. Tub Hon. Mr Ballance addressed a meeting of electors here last night. He defended the village settlements at length, and stated it was the intention of the Government, if retained in power, to carry out the system. He dealt with the question of retrenchment in Railway, Native, and Education Departments, with a view of showing that the railways were more economically managed here than in any other colony, and if the Native Department, which now only cost £4OOO a year, could be done away with, it was the greatest testimony that could be given to the administration of Native affairs for the past three years, and that any alteration in the education system vote really meant nothing else but the reduction of teacher’s wages, which now only averaged £94 10s. He compared his own travelling expenses with Messrs Bryce and Rolleston, hie predecessors in Native and land administration, and showed that he had not been extravagant, though he did not accuse them of unneessary expenditure He indicated that the question of protection would be the test question of the election, and the Government were prepared to stand by it. He dealt at length with the success of the Government in the past, mentioning measures they had passed, and summing up by stating that, considering they had never had a strong party, he considered they had done very well. Mr Ballance was well received by a crowded meeting, and a vote expressing renewed confidence, followed by three cheers, were accorded him.