MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1901, 8 June 1889, Page 3

MR BALLANCE AT WANGANUI.

WiNGUNDi, June 5. The Hon. John Ballance addressed his constituents to-night. The mayor was in the chair and there was a Urge attendance. Going back Mr Ballance refered to the tariff, and recalled (he fact that Sir H. A. Atkinson had taken exception to Sir Julius Vogel’s protection policy in 1887, but he had since followed on the same lines. The preseat Government had accused the former Government oPundoe expenditure, and even the ministers of personal extravagance, but the speaker said even if the ministers of his party had been guilty of personal extravagance in the way of incurring travelling expenses, not one of them had the privilege of seeing the Melbourne Gup run. Referring to Sir Robert Stout losing his seat Mr Ballance said that his absence in the House was a loss to the colony. Sir H. A, Atkinson had come into power because he was the only fit man, us Mr Bryce had not won his seat. Mr Ballance attacked the land policy of the Government, and maintained • hat under their regime fewer settlers hud been put on the land than under that of the Hon. W. Rolleston. Having alienated the land they had of course reduced the number of settlers. In attacking the proposal of a reduction in' the representation, Mr Ballance maintained that the way to reduce would bo by not increasing representation as the population mounted up. A reduction in the number of members meant greater expense, as the districts would have to be enlarged. The measure was proposed to give great power to the Conservative or Tory party in the colony. He considered the reduction in the capitation to Volunteers was an injustice, and if they were not worthy of being allowed the cost of clothing it would be better to do away with the force altogether. He attacked the Government for their attitude regarding the native lands, end stated that their duty was to give every aid to the obtaining of these h»nda for settlement. With reference to Chinese immigration he suid that he hoped to see tho present Restrictive Bill made permanent, as it was clearly the duty of the Government, to protect the traders of the colony from tho importation of Chinese, He and his parly thought protection necessary to the interests of tho colony, and had therefore supported Sir H. A.'Atkinson’s Tariff Bill, and voted with the Government independent of party feeling. His village settlements scheme had been pronounced last session an unequalled success, and tho Ministry had to give effect to the policy of their predecessors. Electoral reform was also touched upon, as well as the redistribution of taxation. Ho expected to soe tho property tax so modified as to, become more of a land lax, and he considered that absentee landlords should be subject to a higher tax. Referring to tho recess, Mr ilallance commended the appointments of the Railway Commissioners, but considered that Government should be made lo give an explanation of the re»soa for passing over Judge Ward, and placing Mr Dennistoun on the Bench, lha latter having no more recommendation for tho post than any other member of tho bur. Mr Ballunce also condemned the Te Kooti_/tasco, and censured the Premier for his action in the matter. At the conclusion of his address Mr Balance was accorded a vote of confidence.