THE PREMIER AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 761, 3 May 1877, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT NEW PLYMOUTH

POLITICAL UTTEBANCES. j At the banquet given to the - JPremieiy the Honi Major Atkinson,* m the Odd Fellows Hall, at New Plymouth, , m rising to respond to the toast of his health, he said :— " It would not, perhaps, be out of place to take that opportunity "of stating ' shortly the policy and indention of the Government. He would, however, content himself- ; by indicating the ;broa"d lines upon which they proposed '-to travel. The policy of the Government "would be first to complete the establishment of local Self-govern-ment throughout the colony, to complete the establishment of \a system, of primary . education, to promote the settlement of our waste lands by a yeoman population, 1 -and" to .cultivate and maintain a good understanding with, the native race.:; to reduce considerably the .animal ex-, penditure on public works, and continue the construction of main lines of railway throughout the colony until completed; to reduce ordinary expenditure to within the .narrowest limits consistent with -efficiency; to simplify our finances, and to place them on a. sound basis for the future. That policy had been, carefully pursued during the last year, and what they would submit next session would have for its object its further promotion. "With regard to local government, the Municipal Corporations Act was likely to be a considerable success, ■ as it had given satisfaction throughout the country. The amalgamation of the County system had proved, on the whole, very satisfactory. With experience gained, and the advice of the County Councils, he had no doubt that by next session they- would be rendered more efficient and useful. They had been blamed for obtaining the assistance of the Superintendent and Provincial Executives, m introducing the system, but they were calculated io lend assistance, and it, was the duty of Government m initiating a new system to do so with as little friction as possible, and he would take that opportunity of thanking those gentlemen for ; the assistance they £}o patriotically rendered m establishing the new order of things. Though the provinces were nominally abolished on the Ist November, they really were not until the following January, and, con-, sidering the Constitutional changes effected, it was only reasonable that some months should, elapse before the change was completed. But the further delegation of powers regarding provinces would be no longer necessary. Eegarding education, they looked upoa it as their first duty to see it properly provided for throughout the colony, and it must be secular, and administered by local committees. The settlement of waste lands was of vital importance. The colony could not advance without occupation and cultivation of fresh j lands,and they would providefacilities for farmers, small capitalists, and persons desirous of taking land on deferred payment. They had also under consideration the necessity of providing some means of opening new bush country. Intimately connected with this was their relation with the natives. He was happy to say that the good understanding which had been gradually growing for years was still improving, and would, no doubt, lead to complete reconciliation between the two rases, but they must be content to tarry a little m order to make an end the sooner. Looking at the past legislation on these questions, and the general circumstances of the colony, they came to the conclusion that greater facilities should be afforded for the acquisition of native lands by private individuals. (Applause.) The subject was surrounded by difficulties, and would require .careful handling, but they were of opinion that an Act could be drawn which would protect the interest of the native, the European, and the community. They would submit such a measure for consideration to next Assembly.

They had also under consideration the laws reflating to.^presentation, the registration :]bi- electors scale, Jencin^, ; and tne" Civil Service, but °T x* * hey would be V^ le to deal wjtti them next session' he was unable to-/say. At .^resen^the question of .finance was intimately conl3^^ mth.every one of these subjects. Those interested m finance would find m the Financial Statement last year a short and clear .statement of what was then their financial position. There was nothing to add to that statemeut except that the Customs Revenue would not .probably -come up to his, estimate , probably by a lifctje more than his estimated surplus. .Those who read the statement would see the position was one of considerable difficulty. They had grappled with it> and he was sanguine enough' to think they would deal with it so as to satisfy Parliament and the country. They had!; reduced 'expenditure,' arid obtained at' their own doors necessary funds -for continuance of their works. From the Bank of New South Wales they obtained half a million, for two years at 5 per. cent, and from the Bank of New Zealand £500,000 for Ijwb years at 5 per -. cent, both negotiated under author- y ity of the Loan Act of last session. These arrangements placed them m a good position, by enabling them to abstain from going upon the London market for at least twelve months, an advantage which resulted m the advanced value of these bonds at home. They also arranged with the Bank of New Zealand to extend the bank' arrangement by which another half million woald be placed at the disposal of the Government if Parliament should approve, and still longer keep them from placing a loan m England. ..= No doubt a good deal of thrift and prudence would be necessary m managing their finances, and that it would be necessary, to give time for the railway already constructed to get m thorough working order, arid also that the large sunY now amounting to between tnree and four millions which is lying unproductive m the railways under course of construction shall give some return. The interest upon this money amounts to something like £180,000, .but he was satisfied that with ordinary care and prudence m the management pf finance, by, the end of the time mentioned they would be m a thoroughly satisfactory financial position .and have no reason to regret that they had dared to undertake the" Public "Works and "Immigration ; schema,' 1 . 1