LGISLATIVE WORKAHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 133, 7 June 1910, Page 2

LGISLATIVE WORKAHEAD.

. W.XJtyJNG. QTJTTSps FUKLiC D3SB? i INtTIA'TISiG' THE POST MXTDTF ' _.-.:. system... g ■ BIG _£IST , BHIS. The Prime -Minister, .Sir Joseph Ward, arrived in Auckland this morning, and was interviewed, on arrival, by a."Star" Tfprtiofntative in regard to "the workof the coming session, which opens on the ZSlh msl.—three weeks from to-day.

Six Joseph he had been interested to read the criticism of Mr. Mussey" at the Thames in- regard tto his .policy speech at Winton. The Leader o£ the Opposition had referred to that speech, ana siud he bad Toaifd nofhing bat tte custoDTary one-sided statements on financial, questions; further, that he-had fojmd no policy, and mo attempt to put forwa-Td a policy. This allegation was in striking contrast to the remarks of Mr. James Allen at Milton, "who took up the task of . replying to the Prime Minister's speech, and found enough in it to deal with its differeut phases at Milton, Stirling, W&itahuna, and Lawrence in inra. Likewise, the Opposition organ in 'Wellington found plenty in the speech io-criticise, so .that it would -be seen that, notwithstanding .the Opposition Leader's E-t tempt to "create an impression to the contrary, ..it .was recognised in. at least iw.o qruirters on his own side that the activity of the Government was pror. Jiounced, and that t}*#re was nothing to. Justify the feigned..assumption that 'the Government is jnakiqg" no attempt to put iorwar-d a -policy.

—*i£2i the. jDiaitexs_to_engage the attention of "Parliament during the coming session." continued Sir .Joseph, "some are pi certainly very great importance. Take, lor instance, the bill I propose to bring flown xo provide for th& extinction of the public debt. The time is now opportune to provide a system by wiich the whole of the public debt of IStew siealand can be _paid_-pff withaut_any jappreeiable burdens being placed on the people to do it. I have no doubt that after careful examination of the whole position, we can provide for-tie-complete extinction of our present and future indebtedness, and place the ginl-i-mr funds completely ieyond the power of any Treasurer to, in future, divert the fund from the actual' repayment-of tie debt for which, it.is: set aside and. provided.

"I ani quite -aware," added the Prime "that some people ihave suggested ;that I have in -the past been responsible for the diversion oif sinking , funds from the-purposes ior which they were originally intended. That is not ito—case. On the.contrary, I iave submitted legislation 'to Bajliament for the estaHishmen.t of sinking funds that were never provided for, and in illustration I might' mention the sinking funds laid ioT' the' Tepaym-ent , ■ of- ■ -the- amount- borrowed for Jtar expenditure, repayment of sooney fcoTrowed. for lands for settlement, ior the repayment of advances to settleTs

sad workers, and the repayment of the ■ loan._ I mention these in- . cidentaiiy, only to show that I base at. - - BaiSlamerit- e>-makfe-.proyision for tlie repayment of certain, -loans. Tarn- ecnr?ineeil~ia miad. of -the ' desirability' of making provision • .for— the repayment of the 'whole of -the Eoans of the country, and-1 propose to --isk: Parliament, .during the., coming: ses^ sion, to deal "with the matter. Ihejiroiposals wMch. I -will .bring down I hope ' -xo 'see accepted- by a .large majorrty of aaembeis of the JJouse." ■ ■ '.'AtiotheT important; subject in connec■iion financial _nia±texs to come be- — iiext-session," -said Sir .Joseph, %a proposal to adopt this post-' — audit system-instead of the pre-audit

.system: in .connection 'with our accounts. ~ nEfc~will "help 4e-put~euT position, -so far as furnishing full details'" Is concerned, in regard !■•!» public «xpendi£ure r -ku.a ?posi-_ -+ion that-eceiL-the most.fasiadiojis critic" -will hot be able to cavil at or adversely criticise" in. a" general way, as-is so ofiben -done, .at . fie . .present time. England, "Canada J and Australia - have -adopted the - jpost-aiulit system, - and the only country "".. .'soi'.'iar 'as. XJniowln the Empire which . ..do.qs np.t.. favour .post-amlit is South Africa." -" .~"One..ottter very important subject is *hat dealing-with ear water power", and a " bill • will be introduced- -dealing -with the control of our rivers and lakes for water . power purposes." This power will be.nsed -in connection .with t 6ur .manufacturing and mining industries, and "the whole -Question-is one of"enormons_importance* - - The difficulty thai has Mtbjerto stood in rffie.way of the "xxrantry "utilising- waters ~* flowing ip .Traste - " has-been- our finances, and k>r that reason, though, the country . letained the. .control of these streams in - its" power, it .was not able- to -turn them ■ . -ip_-fnll advantage-for reason named! "Parliament will - this session." be asked to. vote £500,000 per year to this particular wbrE. : T dcTnot say .-tlfit it may not be possible-dn a few years to expend a larger sum. as' when success follows in the - wake of the undertaking, _it ;will be necessary'to spend a greater sum to "expedite" the ~ utilisation of-water - poorer. -r4hroiighout the-Dominion." -.

'"The importance of ~ oirti-trnsfc legislation is another thing which cannot be tm"d*i'-estniia±sd/'--said -Sir Joseph. "1

fosrve had cases 'brought under my notice,

showing that in connection with" the sale _ x>f__oil and there are trusts of considorableimagnitntte-an operation. The same may to sugax, and we must make it impossible for anyone who has the disposal of wholesale articles .to compel traders to deal with him or them orfy." Other; "matters to come forward this . seseion yoD. be the national Annuities

Bill," land legislation, a Gaming Bill,

Tramways Bfll, Haxbonr Board Amendment Bill, 'Mining Amendment Bill, Bet-

isrment.'B&ilway Bill 7 .;Hec£oral Bill, and measures.