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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4371, 24 March 1875, Page 3

despatches should not be laid before Ministers. If the colony had its own Secretary of State in I England, lie would not cost half what the Governor costs. £2OOO or £2500 per annum would make him a very great man indeed, with a salary more than any American ambassador received. He doubted if the Emperor of China paid such enormous allowances os we gave our Commissioners when proceeding home. A Secretary for the Colonies, appointed as indicated, would become a member of the Queen’s Privy Council. Every colonial question would be properly represented to the Queen, and a closer bond of union knit between the different portions of the Empire. It would raise the position of colonial statesmen, and give a worthy object of ambition to every colonist. If the Assembly remained in -Wel--1 lington, and Provincial Councils were abolished, the 3 future of Auckland would be a gloomy one. If, on the other hand, they reduced the Assembly, and made it meet every three years, giving enlarged powers to local legislatures, they would make the chief towns another Sydney, another Melbourne, another Adelaide, with great governments and great centres of learning and intellect of their own. The provinces of New Zealand were not inferior to a great number of colonies possessing Governors and all state paraphernalia. The millions now - being borrowed on the security of the colonists’ industry and wealth were wasted, though many millions more might be raised if wanted, but let them commence by economising expenditure. Eix the Constitution upon a permanent basis ; take stock of the great wealth we have ; then determine for years to carry on immigration upon a prudent and proper system, so that they may not be threatened with crises from time to time, and be told then that if, they cannot get a £4,000,000 loan they will be all ruined. What is to become of us when the £4,000,000 loan is expended ? It will be the same thing. The colony will be in difficulties if it cannot get more money. Let us determine upon some fair line of policy by which public works and immigration can be properly carried on for many years to come, and if necessary additional loans should be raised, which the colony should thenbe able to pay, and give good security for. He referred to comparisons that had been made between the increase of population, and the increase of revenue, and said taxation had greatly increased, while enormous liabili - ties to the native race and civil service had been created, which could not be stopped sud--denly. If the present system was continued, he believed enormous revenue would continue to be raised by taxation in New Zealand from „ a population to a great degree sunk in misery, while those benefiting from those poor wretches will be absentees. - At the close of the address a vote of confidence was passed, with three sounding cheers. The greatest enthusiasm ever witnessed at an Auckland meeting was shown.