The Premier at Dunedin.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4772, 25 April 1884, Page 2

The Premier at Dunedin.

[Pee Pbess Association^

Dunedin, This day. Major Atkinson addressed a very large meeting in the Queen's theatre last night, He began by remarking that he knew he was addressing an unfavorable audience, who looked upon him aa the head of a Government of extravagances, which spent large sums unfairly in the North, while neglecting the South altogether. He would quote figures to show how untrue this was. Since the year I§7Q, some ;£19.250,0:Q had been borrowed, of which upwards of two millions had been spent in immigration, and the remainder on public works. Altogether £6,030,000 had been expended in the North, and £10,350,030 in the South, the money been distributed according to the mean population, the figures would hare been—£B,sso,ooo for the North, and £10,700,000 for the South. This was without counting the Maori population, so that on that basis only, £300,000 more than the proper proportion had been expended in the North, of the total, £17,250,000. No money could bare been more equally divided., especially in view of the main object of the Pubjfic Works policy, which was the construction of a railway from Auckland to the Bluff. He defended the expenditure in detail, saying that he was himself qnly responsible for sir and a half millions, two of which weje not yet raised. He said he had been wrongly reported at Hawera as saying that there was no depression in the colony; what he had then said was that there was none affecting the soundness of the colony, or the spending power of the people to any appreciable degree. The people could rise to the occasion, and sweep the depression away. Go rernmentliad dared to tell the people they were borrowing too freely and spending %<3O lavishly. Their fault was not that of being a wasteful and extravagant Government, but a careful and economical one. Much depression was paused by undue •peculation in mining. They should promote local industries, aid so create wealth, vpA if tlwy faced the difficulties with, stout

hearts they would pass away like a rainy day. To stop all borrowing would increase the difficulties; but there should be no indiscriminate borrowing.- He ridiculed the decentralisation cry, and said the so-called " Constitutional Association " should be called an " Anti-constitutional Association." Decentralisation such as they wanted would only cause confusion and increased expense. Throwing out the Government, altering the constitution, and stopping borrowing would not mend matters. They should have faith in themselves and in the country, and things would come right, as there were plenty of outlets for capital and labor to be profitably employed in. He knew it was unpopular to say so, but what they wanted was more immigration. In 1870 the people were taxed at £3 4s 6d per head, and now the rate was £2 Is Bd, while wealth and wages had increased, and if tfyey had more population they would still/ncrease. After alluding to the railway tariff, Civil Service reform, and i other matters, he denied the statement that i he and Sir John Hall had disagreed, and concluded by urging hard work, economy, and self-control, as only necessary to secure a great future. ! "A. motion of thanks for the address was met by an amendment that the meeting had no confidence in his administration of the Government. Only half those present voted, and the Mayor, amidst some confusion, declared the motion carried.