THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13743, 26 May 1910, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

SPEECH AT HOKITIKA,

(PKESS ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.)

HOKITIRA, May 25

Sir Joseph Ward addressed a largo audience in the Princess Theatre tonight. Mr Michel, Mayor of Hokitika. presided., and bristly introduced tho Prime Minister, who met with a cordial reception. In his opening remarks he said ho had come :n response to a largely-signed requisition. Ho dealt very fully with tho progress oi the West Coast. He then dealt with the Leader of tho Opposition's recent criticism of the Government. He referred to Mr Massey's professed friendliness to the Coast when he said that he was much struck by tho beauties of the journey across from Christchurch, but he ob&erved that Ho did not make any reference to the advantages of the Midland Railway, fair Joseph nude references to Mr Massey s criticism of the advertisement department of the Government, -nd quoted figures to show that the Governments advertisements had been distributed fairly and impartially. Tbe -gures for twenty-one months, since tbe establishment oi tho department were as follow:—Auckland ''Star" (G•>• £<£*' -Herald (().), £738;. U«Uw«ton '•Pest (0.), £1076; "limes (G ), £1034; "Dominion" (0.), £I<<>; CJiristchurch "Press" (O.). £838; "Lyttelton Times." £880; "Now,,"* -Jib: '•Star." £48; "Otago Daily. Times (0.), £932; 'Star (G.), _58So; Auckland "Weekly News' (0.), £277, "Graphic" (G.) £168; "Farmer (G ), £20; "Canterbury Times" (G.), £200; "Weekly Press (O.), £-<•*; "Otago Witness" (0.1, £252. Totals: Opposition dailies, £3789; Government dailies, £3584; difference in favour ot Opposition papers, £204. Criticism was really levelled at the Government's action in regard to the "Dominion, ' but the policy of the Government was to give fair distribution between Opposition and Government papers. During the recent depression much capital was made out of the fact that people had left New Zealand. Tnis could not be attributed to the Government. New Zealand had had a satisfactory material increase. There was in any case bound to be an ebb and flow, but as an average New Zealand was steadily gaining. Increased taxation was dealt with at length, on tho lines of Sir Joseph's W'inton speecn, showing that remissions in Customs had totalled four millions in 13 years. The Opposition contended that tke Government had increased taxation by £1 7s Id per head of population. Tl)e Primo Minister said the so-called increased taxation was due to the growing -wealth of the people; it ivas not due to an increased rate, but to the increased wealth of the people. In regard to the e-igin of workers' homes, Mr Massey claimed this to be his idea, but this was incorrect, as every member of Parliament knew that he (Sir Joseph Ward, had brought down a measure which was not altered in any way, as only a Minister of the Crown could bring in amendments of a financial mature. . ~ .. Tho speaker referred to the cdjournment or Parliament in terms of his Winton speech. In regard to the resignation of Mr Reeves as financial adviser, he stated that the voto hnd been as for two years past, and was really a contract which, having been entered into, had to be carried out. Parliament well knew this, and was aware that tho Agents-General Lad had such an officer attached to their office since the earliest days. Such a man was required in order to gam confidential information in regard to tiie money market and to advise on delicate .financial operations. Withcut such a man it would ne an. easy matter to 'o?e considerable sums ot money. In tho past these had been secured. Mr Reeves had adopted tho right course in resigning after such a proceeding in Parliament. As a matter of fact, he (Sir Joseph) had said all along that the rote would bo reinstated. He denied that tho matter had been' rushed through th_ House. Tho Opposition had opposed th.c old age pension scheme, although Mr Allen oil May 23rd claimed credit over it. As a matter of fact the Opposition blocked it with a proposal for a contributory system which would have denied assistance to thoso who had reared largo families end spent all their money on them. In referring to the unemployed at the time of the depression the speaker said tho people should bo praising up the country instead' of circulating untrue statements in Britain. Dealing with retrenchment, Sir Joseph said it was caused by the falling-off in tho revenue, consequent upon the depression being experienced at that period. The Government were wis© in meeting the position. Seeing thatth© conditions had nol returned, ther* was no need for further retrenchment. The Opposition urged further retrenchment when it was really unnecessary.

The speaker dealt with the work of last session on tho lines of his Winton speech. In regard to the 3>efenee Act it was explained that the Government had accepted Lord Kitchener's recommendations in their entirety, with tho exception of the salaries of the higher officers, which were considered too high for a young country. Tho Government had asked Lord Kitchener to recommend an officer of high standing and ability to takn oharge of the Territorial forces in New Zealand, and were expecting advice at any time now. The quota syster.i would also be adopted whereby 11,000 Territorials between'-tho ages of I.') and 25 -would be trained. With this provision they should bo ready for all emergencies. Millions were still being spent on armaments, and they knew not when the dogs of-war might bo loosed. They would havo to meet them with trained men. The co3t would be £=100,000, which would be a really gcod insurance policy, not only on account of their property, which was at staie, but on account of their aims and aspirations as a part of tho glorious Empire.

The Opposition stated that the Government had increased rate_ in the lending departments, but this was apt so, as the monies were lent out at as low rates of interest as formerly. Under th.? new- system loans to local authoritirs amounting to £BCO,COO, had been advanced at 3" per cent. This had proved a beneficent scheme, as it relieved tbe tocal bodies. The largegt '.-.ran was £6G,GCO, and the smallest £6\. th<- latter showing that even the smallest could be assisted. The speaker reviewed tho humanitarian legislation of the past session, and went on to refer to the waterpower regulations. Some £500,0*00 we.uld bo spent on development annually, and mining would get a fair share of the expenditure. At tho conclusion of the speech Mr Murdoch (Mayor ot Kumara) moved, a *] d Mr Bruce {Mayor of Ross), tecond-ed:—-That this large and representative meeting of the electors of W'estland extends to the Right Hon. tho Prime Minister a hearty vote of thanks for his able, interesting, and instructive address, and expresses its cordial support of the Liberal policy he has enunciated, and confidence in* the Government, of which he is tho distinguished leader."

tfie resolution was carried by acclamation, the audience giving three cheers for the Prime Minister