Visit of the Minister of Lands.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2423, 12 October 1886, Page 2

Visit of the Minister of Lands.

The Hon. J. Ballancc, accompanied by Mr Lewis, .under-secretary for Native affairs, arrived by mid-day train yesterday, and was met by His Worship tho Mayor, several of tho Committee of the Special Settlements, and Colonel McDonell. They were drivon to the residenco of the Mayor for lunch, and in tho afternoon the party visited tho school, the Acclimatisation Society's ponds, the Institute, tho Hospital, and tho To Ore Ore pah. It was also intended. to visit tho Park and the Gas-works, but tho weather proved too inclement, and tho idea had to be abandoned, Mr Ballauce expressod himself greatly pleased.with all he saw, more especially tho school. If timo permits the lion, gentleman will bo shown round tho Gas-works and the Park this morning.

THE BANQUET. Shortly aftor suvim o'clock about forty settlors sut down to mi oxcollent apioad, provided in Host Elluns' well-known style. Tho chair was occupied by Mr W, W. McCardlo, tho guest of the oviming being on his riajht, and His Worship tho Mayor on his loft, Tho vico-ehairs v/oro takou by Mcssm Parsons and Grundy, tho centre table being occupied by tho committees of the two Associations. After full justice had been done to the edibles, tho Chairman proposed tho first toast, "tho Queen and Royal family," and "tho Govornor."

Mr A. W. Ronull proposed the toast of tho " Parliamant of .New Zealand," It was difficult for him to pick up the history at a point to do honor to their guest, Tho first form of Government was introduced by Mr Fj, Gibbon Wakefield and Mr Sovell. There were some queer pranks on that occasion. Parliament did not want Mr Wakefield, and a Government was soon aftor formed on t'io same lines but by different people, known as tho ■' clean shirt Ministry," through .one of the members of it on being summoned to bo sworn in saying ' he must go and change Ins shirt." The speaker roferred to tho removal of the seat of Government from Auckland to. Wellington, and gave a history of the different Parliaments, in which he criticised some of their actions in anything but complimentary terms. Ho coupled with tho toast tho name of Mr Baliance.

Mr Baliance, in responding, said ho could not subscribe to Borne of tho remarks made by Mr Renall. He thought no one was more competent to speak on tho early lights than Mr Renall, and admitted tho present form of Govornmont was not in the Constitution Aci, but he did not know whether that was a disparagement or a compliment. Responsible Government meant taking the power from the Governor and placing it in tho hands of the pooplo. Ho did not know anything of tho dodgos referred to by Mr Renall (laughter). Parliament was generally severely criticisod, bub he thought it discharged its duties satisfactorily, and that tho Parliament of New Zealand stood higher in tono than that of England. Referring to the Legislative Council, ho said it was a nocossary evil, and ho was under tho firm conviction that some form of obstruction was necessary. Parliament should bo above suspicion, or the people wore bad, as it was a reflex of tho people. He could come to no other conclusion, Two Houses wevo a necessity or thoro would be no progress, No measure which had the approval of tho colony would fail to bocome law in spite of opposition. Ho thought Parliament deserved the respect and confidence of the settlers of the community. Mr A. Roeso proposed tho "Army and Navy." Ho was at a loss to know why he had been selectod to propose the toast, as it was quite out of his line, although he took a great interest in these matters. He coupled with the toast the names of Colonel McDonuell and Mr W. Cullon,

Colonel McDonnell, in returning thanks, said ho would briefly recall a fow of tho many aorvices rendered by them in the past. During the Maori war of 1845;4u many a bravo man fell in conflict with tho hostile Nijapuki tribes. Tho gallaut commandment of Her Majesty's ship Hazard (Robinson), backed by a scoro of blue jackets, met tho foe at the corner of the churchyard at Kororakika (Bay of Islands) and sin ;le handed held them in chock, cutting down with his own sword some half dozen of their braves, until he fell covered with wounds, but was borne oiftho field by his brave seamen, aud so saved, A friend of tho speaker's, who has since'won high distinction iu Canada (General Sir P. Middletou), fought in Hiki's war, and no doubt tho oxperionco he then gained in bush warfare stood him in good service against the rebel Rieland hiß foices. Tho speaker went on to give several very interesting particulars of conflicts in which the army and our volunteers bore a most conspicuous part.' MrW. Cullen also returned thanks, more especially on behalf of the navy, which he entered at tho ago of 13. Sir Cullen related hi 3 experience in tho navy and regretted that bo little interest was taken in nautical affairs in tho colony. He thought it time they had a training ship, The Chairman proposed the toast of tho .evening. " Tho Hon. J. Ballance." He was sorry Mr Ballanco was so near his right hand, as he was given to speak in plain language, and if ho oxpressed what he thought, he might be accused of flattery. No man deserved their thanks, and support more than Mr Bullance, For a number of years ho had taken great interest in politics. Ho referred to Mr E. G. Wakefield, Sir G. Grey, and Sir R. Stout, as men (with all their faults), for whom he had the greatest esteem and admiration. When speaking in contrast, with all his admiration forthem, ho did not admire them more than Mr Ballanco. It was only a few years ago that they could not get land. He agitated for land laws and used his energies for a change. It was the hope of his life. Under Mr Balance's administration during the last two years settlement was equal to the previous twenty years. Those who have not had opportunities of going through the Forty Mile' Bush during the last four years, - would not now recognise it, and it showed they had the right man at the.'holm, They owed Mr Ballance a debt of gratiI tude. Their national debt waß a heavy burden, and the land laws were their

salvation. .-.The administration of" Mr Ballance was art:earnest' of •what-was to" follow. Road-constructionwa>ffhatth'ey required. Under the liberal initiated by Mr Ballance tlie wlony would/ he relieved of its [difficulties. The'people should do all they could to keep in power a Government which was likely to dogood for them. He referred tdMr- M- : leston's land poljcy in eulogistic- terms; and regretted that a disagreement in certain lines of policy should prevent him becoming a member of the present. Government', He welcomed Mr Ballance on behalf of the Bottlers of all classes, _ The toast was drunk with musical homii's. ''".' •; .•'.'• : ' •

Tho Hon. Mr Ballanco, who was received with cheers, said ho did'not know how to return thanks for tho -manner iu which they had received the tat, and could not-respond to'the glowiug eulogy of tho chairman, '■' Ho did not deservoalltho praise for placiug the people oiitheland, aa itahouldboshuredbyothora. But for the hearty support and sympathy of the Hon. Mr Stout he could not" have carried out his proposals for the settlement of the land. Ho thought they had achieved a groat success,' and if it was due to. Mm in the first place, it was also due to Mr Stout who was. a staunch liberal, and whotookaswarm'an interest in tho welfare of the Associations as if they woro Ms own creation, Having boon informed by tho Land Department that all tho available land had boon disposed of, and that the'area to be Opened up would not amount in the future to tho samo as in the past tho open lands being disposed of in large tracts to a few capitalists aiid now could only be had at a high price', ho' :; looked about him for a way out of the difficulty. The auction and tondor system was opOii to great objection, and it mis' impossible 1, to carry on sottlomont oil this systom in /the future. He thought the''Govern-' mont should enable associations to take up bush lands at a low price and on favorable terms, and it would bo the fault of tho people and not of tho Govornmont, if they did not succeed, Everything would not be rosowater. Tho settlers would havo great difficulties' to contend with. The Govornwoub should receive the support of tho people. Tho present scheino had many enemies and oppyueiits. Some said even at £1 an acre these settlements could nut be made to pay. However, the settlers kaow best; and newspaper writers wore hardly the men to know. Another argument used ngnitisb it was that if thoro was a splendid piece of country in the Wairarapa for instance, through which the railway ran, or was about to run, it should be retained, and tuiido tho.iooat of by the state, and put into the auction mom for tho highest value. But thuy ahould look at'it in another light. The desire wan the successful settlement on the laud by tho sons of coluuisls. .None were mora dcairablo. Tho colonising powor was money, and withuut money they could not succeed. Ho did not know how the local associations stood, but ho heard they were going on with vigor, and that they were fulfilling tho conditions faithfully. They had to guard against speculation, and it was most difficult to keep it out, but ho thought there was very little of it in tho present instauco. One thing should be done, and that was tho making of roads. If roads were made settlement would follow. Railways wore not so important. (Cheers). Main artorial lines wore a necessity, but the bulk of thojiiios in the colony could not be compared to roads, and the railway expenditure should bo curtailed, and more money devoted to road-making. Tho depression would be removed by roads. They were accused of constantly making new land laws, and tho Agent-Gonoral said the. uns'ottloinent of tho land laws, in tho country prevoutcd immigration. This was all nonsense. The laws wore baiug mado moro liberal, aiid tho more this was so tho moro land thero was available for the people With regard to immigration it was wf no U3O for bush lauds. Tho sons of old settlors woro tho inon for settling tho bush land. They dosived immigration of tho right class—men with capital, and from those they derived benefit. The masses wero opposod to immigration, as compoting in tho labor market and reducing wastes. Ho quoted figures to show tho result up to tho present of the introduction of farmers undor the new regulations. Tho number of famihos was 25, or 102 souls, and these had brought with them capital amounting in the aggrogato to L 9490, tho amount paid for assistance in the way of passngo money being LIOOO. The regulations provido that each head of a family shall possess in cash LIOO, i and for each other moriiber of tho family LSO, tho possession of which is to bo i established to tho -satisfactou of tho

Agout-Genoral, the condition being that the Government will then pay ouo-half-tho cost of a third-class passage to tho colony or LlO. Should tho intending settler desire to takoany other class of passago, tho LlO will still go towards the fare, Tho sum of L 9450 was placed in the hands of the to transfer to tho colony. Well, for the expenditure of LIOOO they had introduced a number of must desirablo immigrants with capital. Supposo they only expended £IOO,OOO a year, ae it had boon found necessary to ourtail tho voto, it would mean two millions of money brought to the colony, on which thoy would have to pay no interest. Would not this ben great gain \ and it would teud to stimulate tho industries of the colouy. Tha nominated system was also a sourco of wealth, as all of those nominated had some capital, and woro not likely to burden the colony. Ho had givon instructions to the Agont-Gonoral to onquiro the amount brought out by nominated immigrants, and ho would bo much inistakeuif a large sum was not brought to the colony. The problom so difficult to statesmen could bo solvod if properly grappled with. They woro bound to provide for tho workiug classes who had no capital, but wore willing to go on tho land to work. Tho unomployod woro thought to bo a drunken loafing lot who had, no desire to go on the land. This was true of many, but they were in the minority. Tho majority wore not of this class, and a lar?e number of them were most anxious for work. ,He had made enquiries'in Auckland with a view to placing them on the land under tho villago settlement bystem, and in a fortnight 170 of them woro providod for, Ho found most thorn had capital, some not much, othors a fair amount. The preference was given to married men. When.times woro good and monoy was flush, these men hod saved a little. When the reaction camo they were thrown out of employment, and when they found their store going they knew in a short timo they would bo in a stato of destitution. The depression made them discontented, but they wero not loafers, only the victims of tho law of action and ro-action—the victims of circumstances of this nature. They had now gone to work to make a home' for themselves. The Government recognised the fact that they must give money to build houses and clear the land, which they did, charging 5 per cent interest. These mon were employed making roads, and in course of time they would have a numbor of settlors who would otherwise have been a burden to the colony. Somo of the resolutions passed by tho unemployed were most ridiculous. There would arise a most dangerous class unless something was done in the way of settling them on the land. That was the solution of the difficulty. Tho land should not be in the hands of a lew, but should bo divided into small holdings, A proposal

"was' More the House of Comto»tiatf;'' : 4; ; the 'holder.of alqrge estata'h'«^:p(i'^ ; f;f UhMtivated may have .frpm'.him, the owner of "course 'fair'cbmponsatioi • large eitatia ; tfot stand-in the way ofaettloment; ioMs. ' as fair cbmpimsation was given. Politlejiihs i£j \', ■. were advancing, and were coming tp'fifesh ■-^' : • ■conclusions; what they did not see Wst: : thnysaw next day. Land in the of large towns should be taken;; ties-JJoood in/Ills way oF. arrivitig- at a; I, ~: j fair Value. Extraordinary thiiiirs wore <c .:. ; done "under the Property . Tax, Thp: y v Stark case, for instance, but he would-'m not "go into that as it was subjudice f .r..-. Another property in Wellington ,waf .- ; wanted for the same purpose. Last «|& • :■'■■ under the Property Tax it was vali'eTat •■::.; £lO per acre, the previous year 'and'tlie year before that £lO, The owner • now asks £l2B an acre for it. If it was.■•-'.-.'. of tho; value now naked, the owner was ■•• defrauding the revonuo, and should ho '• . rocoivo a benefit from his own act I:' . >■■

Another propoaal was mado in a Bill

Sir George Groy brought mto enable tho ,-i ; Government to take land, but the measure; •■.•: ■•-•. haduot boon properly thought out, and' . would not work, It was protdtod to i .'• take largo estates by ■. ... the proprietors to retain a fair proportion, v. •■. the Association paying ono-fourth, and tho :■•■■'.■ Govonimenb thrce-foui'tlia, thd former pay- .. :• ingsporcont'. Associations were springing .:• ■•.; up all over tho eolouy. Ho would likoto.■■ •'.;. ; -■ refer to angther question of somo import- -:.. auc'e— the Native Land Laws, hat" sessionthoy had made.a groat reforin.r,-. In the past laud-sharks had been able to -': V acquire land whore nobody else could,- ■ An' Act hild now been passed placing,'-. ; 'minimis of acres, without injury to the-*--? Native owners, undor preemptive right' :. or Orotfn grant, Ho thought this.oneM;;^ ),< the • greatest works ovor. acWWd-vi', by any Parliament, Another Bubjeeb'.Uwas the nocessity for fostering tho :::. : . industries of the colony, He thought...';.' they should bo protected and he •"; wa3 not at all opposed to bonuses. .•',-':

Why not use the customs to build up/;:. their own industries, If free trade wero ■■ -■:, the rnlo, ]irices of goods might boV-v.r lowered su that their own manufacturers... .:> could' not exist, and as soon as they- v smashed the prices would be raised again.-' i He alluded to the difference in tho coll- >■ clitiuns of the Australiau colonies-in this '.. '•■ resnact, and it was bliowh that protection'. ■/.: had put Germany ahead of France in tho -. 7 way of manufactures. Returnim; to •''::■ special sottleincnts they h;id Ilia hearty'.-'' : sympathy and he almost wisheiLjje had a ::. rusted interest in them. No'cAJ wuulJ ■ ■ bo wanted on his part to ma'kfthem a ".;:"■, success. If the (iovernment had not.'..: done much road making, tliey had donor;'. the boat they could with the money at.- ;.'■ their command. He was in hope' tho -r vote would bo inciuissd. He would do ..'. all in his power to mako the settlement a'• -■■■•■ success. The lion, gentleman ros^pid: <■. his seal amidst appkuso. '(

Mi'W.T; Grundy prupiwod "Trade and cmnmerce," coupled with the names of Messrs Oaselberg aud Boddiugton. ..-!." Mr Cnselborg responded in a humorous •: speech. He thanked Mr Ballanco for his ■ eloquent address, after listening to which ■ • bo felt Bituffod out. Good government. .. had a good deal to do with trado and ..'.• eommei'co. In this respect they had boeu v.,fairly well governed. They should be- .' careful to. elect trustworthy men to .'■■'■ power, Peoplo wmit into politics aa a' trade. Politicians wore mostly oithor: lav/yers or journalists. Tlw formor wero •••■ too conservative, and the latter too ■■ theoretical, and thorofore ho did not think'they, made good legislators,-. What '■ they wanted was practical mwtflTividn . .' fluctuated, vising with good ltm, and ;•> became doprosaudl with bad laws. -Ho ■ thought the present Government a3 good ■'..•'' as'any that had gone before. Mr BaT- "' lance had done something for which they '■:' ought to bo grateful. Ho also had :-th0..,-. ■'■ coiirago of his opinions. If a scheme ofland nationalisation wero carried out in ' its mtogrity, thoy should got a of settlers and more prosperity. iPmey . wero an industrious class of sottlers, with ■■■■•' their fine climate, they must accumulate capital. Much had boon written on the ■-. depression, but labor could not exist I without capital

Mr Bodtlin«ton said ono thins; ho. :.. would point out was notwithstanding tho,-: . depression, tho district had held its own. . Wellington and Hawkes Bay had foltthe . depression less fhan other districts. Tho riao in the price of wool and wheat would' ••<■ instil confidence and induce peoplo to,'/' come to tho colony. Mr J. Vilo propo3od " Agnculturaland .-• • Pastoral pursuits." In doing so ho would •. like to say that although not at all an admirer of banquets, he was ploasod to v bo ono amongst thoui to welcpaio. Mr. . Ballance. Ab Secretary to olrjfef tho ; Associations ho must here bear Word to : the fact that the Minister of Lands had ": dondall in his power to promote tho ■• sottlo'raont of tho land in this district and - throughout tho colony. Ho was also .. pleased at the unison which this visit had •. brought about betwoen the two Masterton Assjciations, as in.union there was "V strength, and he believed it would require all the strength of tho WOWoloc-.. '.i tors ou this aido of ■tho Mnnawatu mm'.:. to impress upon tho Public Works • Department the necessity of completingwhat tho Minister of Lauds had begun,-.-viz,, Roads, Ho coupled with the toast •.: tho.names of Messrs Girdwood and . Hawkiiiß.

Mr' Girdwood was rather at a loss how ■: to reply, as the subject was now out of his :. line. He spent the greator part of his lifo iii agricultural pursuits. In the -old - ;. country ho had put in a lot of time' :■■ jnakiiig monoy for the landlord, and then ■; (jamojto tho colony to see what ho cduld; s.. do for himself. Ho had not dono any- ■■■- thing'in pastoral pursuits in tho colony;' . but when Mr Ballanco placed tho land :• within the reach of all, he thought ho';..:. would again cast in his lot with niriouK turo.; Tho Minister of heart and soul in the work, a\jßjj; was ■ ' theirduty to assist him in carrying it to v a successful issue. He had been foreman •■ ■•' of works in all parts of tho Forty-Mild. '. Bush', and could testify to tho progress.;; that had been mado in settling tho land,' " which heattnbutod to tho liberal laws.-. <• No district in the"colony could comparav v; withthe Wairarapafor cheese factoijfcsjv arid ho rcgrotted thero wore not mora': ol :. ; , them. Ho hoped Mr Ballance wouldv live long to occupy the position he now: held.

Mr R. S, Hawkins said aftor tho speeches already made, thore was little for him to say, but thought ho might make a four remarks. Thoy should thank Mr-Ballancefor dividing the land into small holdings instead of allowing it to 150 to large runholdera for sheep and cattle. Tho chairman oulosfisod Mr Rolleston, and he (tho speaker) ostoemud hiui, but thought he made the fatal mistake which led to make the stato a general propriel or. Man's dosiro was permaiiont ownership, and if only a router it would oramp hifl energy. To attempt to get too much for • the land was a mistake. To take tho highest price would cripple a man. They j owed Mr Ballanoe a dobt of gratitude for placing people on land. TheGomftgont * had made an advance in providingnnfiiey for making roads at 5 per cent. Having put tho people oil tho land the menfc had another duty to perform, and thafrwwtoseothat the burdens which, which they'hail to boar werf not too great. . : , ' ■ Mr-Renall Droposod ments," ajidttaveajiifitory toaand'Greyto'wu'Spitol merits. He had ; t!ufgreatest %msSfej| both Si* H, Grey anil Sir JiTogepjfiiw

. , ™t)(j the •'. • ■. _ latterHe'gtibo&ietiii^nped-valued:--'. 7 -;• •"■" ' -. ,' Messrs i^lcOiir jle" «iicl *Parfe'responded.'' ,; C<]l<mel' c,i'©ding9 :_ which, he wa,s lbadly applaudetJ. ... .' ■ • Mr Hogg; proposed! '.',|ho ladies V"-.and MawM Jfljs'on and Gaht'responded, .'., ',' • Mr Pari-proposed ""The'Press, u to, , which Messrs Hogg and McKonzie ■'rd i ' i | <is . spoiuled, '. .'. .','•,.','.',' The Chairman apologised for ,thk. absence of Messrs W. 0. .■Buchanan and Mr Lowes and the proceedings- terminated.