A GREATER NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8060, 10 March 1906, Page 2

A GREATER NEW ZEALAND.

SPEECH BY THE PKEMIER. I'EE PHESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, March 9, At le Aroha last night, the Premier, referring to taxation, said it should be 011 a basis of equality of sacrifice, but the Opposition put it in a larger proportion, relatively speaking, oil the poor settlers. All improvements were taxed. Farmers were now beginning to realise, that their best friends were the Liberal Government. Dealing with closer settlement, they must still go 011 taking large estates, and opening Crown lands, lteferring to financial matters, the Premier said that the returns showed that they were taking too much from the people, therefore he hoped that next Parliament would authorise a reduction of indirect taxation. If money was wanted, they should increase the graduated land lax. The Premier regretted that the 1 tpposition had attacked the credit of the colony, but was glad that 'New Zealand stocks were recently the highest quoted of the whole "of the Australian colonies. To be fair, the Opposition should admit that the return of the present Government to power, ;had caused stocks to rise. Referring to the New Hebrides question, the Premier said he was afraid that some day Britain would be-giving France the New Hebrides, and for reason lie did uot think a Protectorate would be of advantage to Britain, or Ibis colony. Personally, lie preferred administration of some of the Ne« Hebrides Islands by France and some by Britain, rather than a joint protectorate over the group, He trusted that tlio present entente cordtalc would continue, hut it was better never to rim any risk of strained relations in the future. Every opportunity should be onhaneed to bring those Islands into the Empire. A greater New Zealand was the settled policy of the Liberal party.