The Premier at Hawera.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 114, 9 April 1884, Page 2

The Premier at Hawera.

Major Atkinson addressed a large me ting at Hawera on Monday evening. He complained that- the Opposition failed m their duty — that there was not one real debate during the session. He acknowledged that there would be a deficit upon the operations of the last financial year, the amount would possibly be £170,000. The first direction m which n saving could be effected was the Civil Service. He stated that it now cost about £100,000 for charitable aid and hospitals, but £50,000 might be saved by a reform m the above. The Colony was proud ot its education system, but it was very expensive, costing £384,000 a year. The greater part coming out of the consolidated fund, and th*>re was no reasonable way of reducing this expenditure. Since 1876, £ 600,000 had been spent on school buildings, yet this large expenditure was not sufficient to meet all demands, as £150,000 was at present required to meet what the School Boards termed " necessaiy requirements." The charge for interest and sinking fund on loans was nearly £1,600,000 a-year. He defended the action of the Government with regard to the increased railway rales, as the railways were not paying 2 per cepfc. The deposits m tho Savings Banks hiul fallen off by £75,000 as compared with the previous year. It was contemplated to make the large towns single electorates. He thought the Government should resume the pre-emptive . right over Native lands. Further borrowing would be necessary. The main trunk line to Auckland should be .pushed on as early as possible. Federation with the Australian Colonies was necessary to prevent the islands m the Pacific being taken possession of by a foreign power. He ridiculed Mr Mac Andrew's idea of a united colony with financial separations. He concluded by urging economy m- public nmairs, j -