BANQUET TO THE HON. JOHN BALLANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1271, 29 November 1884, Page 3

BANQUET TO THE HON. JOHN BALLANCE.

The Hon. John Ballance, Native Minister, was entertained at a banquet, which was largely attended, at Wanganui on Thursday evening. Mr Bryce, M. H.R., was among those present. In replying to the toast of the evening. Mr Ballance thanked the company for the honor done him. After a few complimentary remarks he spoke of a measure which had passed last session—the Married Women's Property Act—which was of great importanca and was a measure which had received cordial support from both parries. Every married woman in the colony had now the same right to hold property and to deal in property, as a man had. He believed the time was not far distance when we should advance another step, and give every woman an elector's franchise. He next referred to the central line of railway running through the North Island. He was quite certain that it would benefit the North Island generally. The line, as they knew, would start from Alarton and run through to Te Awamutu, and there were no fewer than 4| millions of land to be acquired along the line, tt had been definitely settled that the first sod of the railway should be turned simultaneously at both the Marton and Te Awarautu ends. It was intended to commence the construction at certain points long the line, and certain sums of money had been appropriated for the opening of roads to the line for the conveyance of material. The Government fully recognised the importance of dealing with the unemployed difficulty. It had been asserted that the difficulty was principally due and could be traced to persons of the working classes who indulged too freely in strong drink, and to loafers who did not work ; but on enquiry the Government had found that the distress was not confined to these classes alone. Some of the better class were also suffering, and even in some cases those who were employed. Under these circumstances the Government did not propose to continue immigration until the surplus labor had been absorbed, and he believed that in the settlement of the hind the difficulty would be solved. The Government intended to borrow only so much as woald complete the Works already sanctioned by Parliament and for such works as would be reproductive. He thought there was a great future for the industries of the colony which would | he supported by the Government as far as possible. On the question of the defence of the Colony, the Government believed that while it would be impossible for any Foreign Power to hold any permanent possession, it was their duty to place the harbors in a state of defence and to depend upon the volunteers. As regarded the purchase of Dative lands, it was the intention of the Government in future to acquire land for settlement only, upon a commercial principle, and they would not borrow money except for lands that would be made to reproduce at least 5 per cent of the purchase cost, consequently the native difficulty had resolved itself into simply a question of settlement of land. It was the intention of the Government to establish Land Associations that could take up land to the extent of 5000 acres. Restrictions were placed on the native lands so that 4,\ million acres on theline of the central railway would not he available for open purchase, and this had met with the approval of the great native chiefs Wahanni and Major Kemp. If the natives had been allowed to settle their own lands they would have overcome the great difficulty. The pastoral lands of the colony should not be alienated. They represented 12,000,000 acres, and the revenue would yearly increase. It was the intention of the Government to cut the present large runs into smaller blocks. He approved of land settlement on a purchase extending over 10 years, the extent to be 1000 acres of good land in proximity to a market, and a low price. The particulars of the Association system would be gazetted in a few days. The question of local government and taxation would shortly be referred to hy the Hon. the Premier in Dunedin,