MR. BALLANCE

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 516, 6 May 1880, Page 2

MR. BALLANCE

ON PUBLIC QUESTIONS. j AN EARLY DISSOLUTION. * [Special to the Mail.] Wanganui, Wednesday Night. Mr Ball an ce addressed a crowded meeting to-night at the Princess Theatre ; the Mayor in the chair. On rising he was well received. Mr Ballance explained that his reason for not meeting his constituentf earlier was a wish to await the public re-turn-ofthe-Gov6rnai6ut.accountß,-wluch were now presented in an entangled state. He. reviewed the result of the appeal to the colony on thel't no.confidence”.motion; and said it was currently stated that four Auckland members were bribed by huge land-jobbers; - "Reid Induced- a newspaper correspondent to telegraph; that; Auckland would gain half a million. The compact beck stated at a late meeting that while ( Macandre.w was only willing to vote. £IO,OOO, ho had secured £65,000 for Auckland. The conscience of the colony should declare against such log-rplling. (Hear, hear). Ho explained the provisions of the Triennial Parliaments Franchise Dill, and said the next dissolution, according to that statute would take place in February but it was probable it would this year. The time would come when native land would iiavo to bo voted. He advocated the introduction of a bill giving local, bodies power to .rate Crown lands and public buildings, in lieu of the former subsidies. LAND BOARDS. He advocated the election of all waste land boards by the people, instead of their being, as at present, mere creatures of the Government. Ho would entrust these boards with the construction of arterial works, railways excepted. ABOUT THE PLAINS. Speaking of the Waimatc Plains, ho said the Commission had sot aside 25,000 acres of the best land. Te Whiti was no fanatic, and was too clever for Fox and Bell. The Commissioner’s report had gone beyond all calculations. For wlmt purpose was the Government spending £6OO a-day, and where was the expenditure to end ? Two individuals connected with the celebrated triumphal arch were leading these.forces The Government had actively adopted the Commissioners’ report. Bell’s and Fox’s opinion of to-day were not in keeping with their opinions of 1876. Why was Parris dragged from Ids retirement ? and Hursthouse and “ Decimus” Atkinson pressed into the Service to receive Government pay? Tho only thing that was now left would bo for the House to pass a stringent law to protect the land passing into the hands of large holders, and allow the natives to lease the land.

REDIS'I RIRUTIOK OF SEATS. The Goreminent had promised to introduce a Bill upon the basis of population, viz., one member to every 5,000. By that bill Taranaki would lose one member.

EQUAL TAXATION. He referred to the present and past methods of taxation, discussing the Property Tax and the Land Bill. As to the Piako Swamp transaction, in 1876 the land there was valued at £500,000, whereas by a recent valuation under The Land fax it was valued at £150,000. The other day it was sold to a company in London for £500,000. The state should reserve laud for bona fide settlement. He was opposed to the intrsductiod of any more immigrants for a time. Ho would bo in favor of allowing raw materials used in manufactures to pass iu free.

KniDKRY VOTKS. He severely criticised the Government in their bribery votes, ami said Wanganui had received only a small vote of only £2,000 which was übaorbed by the unemployed sent over from Wellington. LAND MOXOI’OI.Y. The cause of himself and Bryce leaving Government in 1877 was because he hoped to secure a liberal Laud Bill. Last session Government were of opinion they hail no money to pnrehose native lands. They should have introduced that Bill to protect them from passing into the hands of monopolists. Lately 23,00J acres were sold at Waitotara, at 12s per acre. The largest portion of the land was still in the hands of natives. In reference to the movements difficulty, he would sooner compensate the claimants and keep the land. He concluded by expressing his determination to act with his party, which would, in the end he acceptable to the colony. (Applause). Opposition Upiioak. Mr Willis moved a vote of confidence, seconded by Mr Gilbert. Amidst interruptions and cat-calls, Mr Carson moved, in an excitable and hitter speech, an amendment tantamount to want of confidence, and as an approval of the Government native policy this session. (Groans.) - . ‘ Mr W. H. Watt seconded, in an equally hostile speech, and appealed to the meeting not to carry the motion. The motion of confidence was carried with cheers.