MR BALLANCE BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2194, 14 January 1886, Page 2

MR BALLANCE BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOMATION.) W.ANGANUi, this day. Mr Ballance addressed his constituents last night. After explaining at length the work of last session, he referred to the Native policy' of tho Government, He showed that the Parihaka disturbance was commenced by persons interested. He denied that the sugar and flour policy had been returned to, and charged Major Atkinson with offering bribes to Tawhiao. The Native Lands Disposition Bill met with considerable opposition, but he was glad to be able to say that at a large representative meeting at, Hastings, lie found the natives unanimous in support of the principles of the Rill. The Bill provided that no sale of native lands could be made unless under the Waste Lands laws of the Colony. The native population was about 40,000, and they owned 13,000,000 acres of land. Mr Ballance spoke of the advantages derived from the special settlements. One of the most important questions for future consideration would be the settlement of land in the vicinity of towns, and ho was prepared to say that the Crown had the right to take any property for that purpose by paying the Property Tax valuation plus ten per cent, He supported protection, as it was necessary to have manufactures in the colony, Speaking on defence matters he thought that it was absolutely necessary to do something for the defence of the ports With regard to volunteering, he had ordered Martini-Henry rifles for volunteers, and he wished in every way tosupportthe movement. He deprecated the idea of New Zealand entering Australian Federation, be lieving that it would tend to weaken the forces of tho colony. In his opinion in the present state of parties the Government should avoid to ask for a dissolution before the House met. After touching on other matters of minor importance, Mr Ballancowas accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.