NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9387, 10 April 1896, Page 5

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED

THE STATE ADVANCES SCHEME.

Press Association—By Telf^'raph-Copyright Sydney, April 9. In reference to the State Advances Scheme, outlined by tho Premier, Mr Reid stated in an interview that advances would not be confined to settlei-3, as in New Zealand, but made on any class of real estate providing the requisite security, though the agricultural and kindred industries woulcl receive the largest share. The money would be used to assist urban as well as rural industries. The details of the scheme had not yet been worked out, and they -would need very careful consideration. With regard to the proposal to assist the sugar growers, Mr Reid made a conditional promise that in the event of the Sugar Company withdrawing its aid from the growers on account of the duties, the Government would see that they were not left without crushing mills. These are now in the hands of the Company, j and are all, so the growers state, in I danger of being closed. It is understood that the Government pro- j posal is to establish central j mills on the basis of the Queensland system. The Premier considers the undertaking well within the scope of a freetrade Government, and thinks that there will be no difficulty in getting Parliament to adopt the scheme. Mr Reid has also taken occasion to deny the hints that the Government policy was dominated by the Labour party. There was never a greater libel. Never on any occasion had any section of the Labour party attempted to apply pressure to the Government. If they thought that they could succeed by such means they would find their mistake. The party had acted loyally to him, and he to them, and so long as they stood by him he would stand by them.