NEW ZEALAND'S PROSPERITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1902, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND'S PROSPERITY.

SPEECH BY SIR J. G. WARD

\. BRIGHT OUTLOOK.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

GKEYMOUTH, Saturday

The largest gathering ever seen in iGreymouth took place on the occasion of Sir Joseph Ward's address at the Opem House last "evening. _xis Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. A large number of ladies were present, including Lady Ward.

Sir Joseph was heartily received,

He said 'since his last visit many changes had taken place. He referred to the death of the Hons. Jas. Eerr and Bonar, who had always taken a prominent part in local politics. It was well that all the people of the colony should be acquainted With the progress this part of the colony was making-, so that the people in other parts could see why money -was spent on the Coast. If they had a sound basis of finance to start with then there was no danger. When ■they remembered the great works that were in progress they mnsf look at the valuable assets. This colony was in a very sound condition. The indebtedness of the colony was said to be increasing, but they overlooked the progress of works. Over two millions had been expended m purchasing land for the good of the people. A loan of over a million had been paid to local bodies, which was for the good of tne people. The money was spent in making our roads, streets, and bridges. Two millions nine hundred and thirty thousand had been spent in advances to settlers. There was also an amount for sinking fund set apart. This had come out of the ten millions of increased indebtedness from 1891. The colony had an immense security, and the people had reaped the benefit Some men had paid for their lands as high a rate of interest as 10 and 15 per cent., and now they could ' get it at 5 per cent. This had been the means of increasing the exports ann doing good to all classes of the colony. An argument had been put forth that the rate of taxation was increasing. Nothing of the sort. Since 1895 the rate per head was £2 10/3, and it had steadily decreased until it now stood at £2 5/6. The Customs revenue had increased, but •this, was due to larger imports, which pointed out that more business was being done. The Customs and land and income tax had increased, which denoted an advancement and success. The value of the landed property advanced since 1891 something like 30 millions sterling. The colony was progressing very rapidly, and there vvae a grand future before the rising generation. The purchase of private estates amounted to about 350,000 acres, which had cost something like £1.844,000. The revenue derived was .£ 72,781, the interest paid being £ 59,069. The profit for the year ending October, 1901, was £13,692. A farm of five acres was not a bad arei io? one man to hold, but wlfen yon found men owning 400,000 acres it -v/p.s out of the question. If things had been allowed to go on they •wculd have found themselves in a like position to Ireland. (Cheers.) Since the Government had taken office they 3jnd given back to the people in railway concessions £4.200.000. The aim ■sv.i\ effort of the Government should "be to legislate to help all classes of tie community. The railways had done fi great deal for the farmers. The cheap money had infused new life into the farming industry. They 3:.ad been accused of having too many inspectors, but who had raised the Mgh standard of their products but the inspectors. They could now sell any product that bore the mark of the Government, for it was well 3mown that the articles had been thoroughly tested and passed They could hold their own against any country—Denmark or the Argentine —in the matter of produce. The Government had given away last year £138,000 in reductions in Customs •duties, and still people said the Government were increasing taxation, and pointed to the heavy departmental expenses in the Colonial Secretary's Department, -which amounted to \£ 75,000. This was due to the Royal visit. This would not occur next year. It cost £20,000 to take the census of the people of the colony. This item was included in tire above. There was an increase of £36,000 put on by the Educational Department for the increased payment of teachers' salaries. The Railway Department had increased £142,000, but one iiundred miles of railway had been handed over this year, besides fixing up the carriages for the public convenience. The Defence Department had the protection of about £170,000,----000 of private property. This department showed a big increase in expenditure, but this was necessary, owing to the stand the colony had taken in helping Great Britain. They must take steps to protect their shores. When the population had increased to as many millions as there *were thousands at present the jealous eyes of the Powers would likely be iturned to our shore, and anyone takang exception to the increase of £39,---000 for defence purposes did not know anything about the matter. When rthe concessions on the railway and ICustoms were granted the people were afraid that the financial position would >be weakened. Up to December 31, 1901, increases were shown in all departments. The total receipts in all departments were £4,211,612, and for ihe same period of the previous year .£-1,010,620, an increase of £181,000. [.There were still three months to run, t.nd the increase would be a good deal ■'reater. Yet people, said that the •olony was not advancing. The total ■ mount authorised for public works expenditure had been spent in eight months, and it was the duty of the )G •;■ ernment to stop works after that !} '.'■ \ was spent. He had been told to . ]_> borrowing. They must borrow carry on productive works sid finish the railways . now 5n course of construction. The •penny postage had been introduced, and the loss at the end of the financial year would only be £20,000. In another year, in his opinion, they, would not lose a penny by the reBuction, When the Workers'- Cojn-

pensation Act was passed there was a cry against the Government, especially by the farming community, but matter had been misrepresented. The law was a good and humane one. In New Zealand for the past two or three years a wave of Imperialism had passed over the colony, and they had given their men and money to uphold the flag,- and the people at Home will see that it floats over a loyal people. He really was convinced that the position of the colony was perfectly sound. The way to arrive at the matter was to put receipts and expenditure together aud see the position. He felt sure that at the close of the year the forecast of the Colonial Treasurer would be verified. If the helm of the colony was careful?/ handled the people would have assets as valuable as any country in the world. (Loud cheers.) The speech was listened to with "•reat attention, and was punctuated with cheers. A vote of thanks and implicit confidence in the Ministry was carried with cheering.

Sir1 Joseph Ward goes to Hokitika on Monday, where he will be banqueted, and stay several days. In the course of his speech at the banquet he said Mr Seddon was the greatest man in Australasia.

Sir Joseph Ward expects to be in Auckland about the middle of February, and will spend a fortnight in the district visiting the North of Auckland.