MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2226, 6 May 1880, Page 2

MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI

TOWN EDITION.

[By Telegraph.] Mr Ballanco M.H.11. addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents at Wanganui last evening, at the Princess’s Theatre. The Mayor presided. Mr Ballauce who had a cordial reception, referred at the commencement of his address to the Industrial Schools Bill, and the circumstances that led to the defeat of the Grey administration, alluding to the action of the Auckland four in strong terras of condemnation. The change in the electoral law he claimed should be credited to the party that supported the late Government, although now all parties in the State accepted the measure. The Triennial Parliaments Act he commented upon in terras of warm approval. Bodies like Waste Lands Boards should be elective, and should undertake all colonising works except railways. The colony, like the Old Country, was passing through an unprecedented dullness, but it would not last. The evil was in squandering large suras on unproductive works. Immigration should be stopped as there were quite as many men as the country can find work for. He thought the native lands of the colony should bo rated, and the natives in return allowed the privilege of voting for members of the House. He referred to the proposed stoppage of subsidies and the word of the Colonial Treasurer that some other plan would be adopted. He would suggest that as the proceeds from the sale of land were not taken into the account of the colonjq the fund should be handed over to local bodies. He thought all raw materials for manufacture should be admitted free. He said Victoria was anxious to put a duty on Hew Zealand oats, and if this were done the colony had a perfect right to place a duty on Victorian produce. The class who would escape most from the action of the Property Tax was the runholdcrs. The total result of the Property Tax was estimated by the Treasurer at £280,000. If a Land Tax had been introduced £300,000 would have been received, and the colony saved from an unjust and inquisitorial tax. The deficit last year was £BOO,OOO, and was due to the falling off in the land fund. lie referred to the interim report of the Native Commission, clause b} r clause, and con tended that the only logical inference that could be drawn from it was that the natives were justified in claiming the Plains. He was in favor of compensation to houses where licenses were taken away by a popular vote. Mr Ballanec concluded by declaring himself a faithful adherent of the Opposition, lie spoke for two hours, and had a most cordial reception. At the conclusion of his address ho encountered an organised opposition at the hands of four of the prominent opponents of himself and Mr Bryce at the late election. The burden of their speeches was that a vote of confidence in Ballauce would imply a vote of censure on Bryce. This championship of Bryce by former opponents caused some amusing and sarcastic comments. Mr Ballauce replied to his critics and carried his audience with him. An amendment of no confidence rejected by over five hundred to about twenty, and a vote of confidence was carried almost unanimously. Three cheers were given for Ballauce at the close of the meeting, which lasted long after midnight.