The Opposition Party.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 13 December 1890, Page 2

The Opposition Party.

Mit Ballanck during an interview at Wanganui thus sketched the policy of the opposition : — To my mind a change in the incidence of taxation to carry out the | will of the people is called for, and must l»e suhniitted l>y any Ministry pretending to represent the Opposition. I think the property tax i.s most obnoxious in falling upon improvements, In many other respects its inequalities are transparentIt has been said that if the incidence of taxation is changed sufficient revenue will not he forthcoming. That is if a land tax is adopted. But it is a^umed that the Ministry

would be ignorant of its business. The first duty of a, Government is to provide sufficient revenue for the j purposes of (he country, and it is for Parliament to judge whether chat end has been accomplished by thfc j budget proposals. As to taxation on the necessaries of life (this in answer to a further question) I have not considered that yet. It is my desire to remove it if it could be done without impairing the stability of our finance. It is certainly one of the objects we should look to. " My own opinion was last session, that if the Opposition could reduce the Estimates by the sum of between .€40,000 and £50,000 as we did the Government with their knowledge of the workings of the Departments ought to be able to carry out any substantial reductions without impairing the efficiency of the Services. Much could be done by amalgamation, for there is a good deal of extravagance in the public buildings and other departments." I think that the land policy must lie the leading item in the programme of a Liberal Ministry, and that it should be the first object of a Ministry by a land policy to arrest the exodus of the population that has been going on, and attract people with capital from other parts of the to this Colony. I consider this a matter vital to the welfare of the country. \ think this (village settlements) should be extended, and land always be available to widen the system with such modifications as experience has suggested. My opinion is that twice the number of people should be located on the land that have been in recent years. I think that a policy of self reliance in the matter of borrowing is not only demanded by the people, but is necessary for the prosperity of the Colony, and that we should not go upon the London market. At least for a considerable time to come. With .regard to opening up and settling the country it would be a fatal policy to do nothing. The loeail bodies have no colonising powers in opening up new country, and the Colonial Government must do the work or stagnation must ensue. [ think sufficient money for the purpose can be provided in more than one way within the Colony. Mr Ballanee said, with respect to Native lands, the settlement of these lands is at present at a perfect standstill, notwithstanding what has been done with freetrade legislation and it is probable that proposals of a very important nature would be submitted by a new Ministry. It is essential that in any changes the Natives should acquiesce. [ have a ■ plan by which i. think the greater portion of the lands could be brought within the area of settlemen in a short space of time without allowing them to fall into the hands of a few people. Tdo not say what it is at present, because this is not the proper time to divulge it. Mr Ballance was asked about reciprocity, and declared strongly in favour of it, avoiding political federation, coalition, and an immediate session.