PREMIER'S NORTHERN TOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1040, 1 February 1911, Page 6

PREMIER'S NORTHERN TOUR.

SPEECH AT PUKEKOHE. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY DEFENDED. (By Telcsraph—l'rcss Association.) Pukekohe, January 31. Tho Pukekohe Hall was crowded to overllowing this evening when the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) delivered an address at the invitation of tho Pukekohe Toim Hoard and tlio Liberal Socicly. Tho Prime Minister, who was cheered on rising, referred to the legislation of last session, particularly the Land Settlement I'iuaiico Act. During the' time his party had been in power 27,000 fresh settlers bad been placed on tho land. This meant that over 100,000 persons had been placed on tho land, allowing two children to • each man and wife. Over ten 'millions sterling had been advanced by way of -mortgage- at a rate of interest tnat tiio farmer could not obtain .lrom any otner institution or person. (Applause.) The Government had forced, rates lo be brought down., lairing the past two years ten per cent, had been asked for, but the Government maintained the same rate from beginning to end in its financing department. lApplause.)

During the past nino mouths one and a half million pounds had been loaned to local authorities at 3J per cent, interest, in the Auckland proviuco at the present lime there were a number of local bodies that were enjoying tho benefits of works carried out entirely with money loaned by tho Government. Was there anyone who wouid say it was not a good thing to acquire land for close settlement? (A voice: "No.") No ono would dare to repeal tho legislation that had been passed to this end. Our people, on tho wnolo, were doing well, , continued Sir Joseph Ward. Our wealth per head was tho highest in tho world.

Kef on ing tc the gilt of a Dreadnought', Sir.Joseph Ward said that wo derived great benefit from the British Navy. But lor it wo would'have to build a lleet of our owl', and, apart from its initial cost, it would cost a million a year to maintain. To maintain a fleet for our own protection, would bo ruinous. In the matter ot taxation ivo could afford ■ a Dreadnought, but. whether wo could or not it was our duty to do it. What would be the use of advanced legislation, such legislation as prevented men employing weak women and girls till midnight at sweating wages, and competing against employers who paid decent wages, if the British Navy were not hereto protect ".us, No one grudged our contribution to tho navy except u few here and there who said the small amount of additional taxation imposed ior this special purpose should net liavo been, imposed. , Large remissions of taxation had been made during the past ten : or twelve years,amounting ..in the aggregate to a million sterling. Deferring to tho expenditure of public money in ,tho North and South Islands, Sir' Joseph AVard said he regretted ho had seen a suggestion the other day that there should ])o a readjustment of • tho Cabinet to provide for a preponderance of .representation for the North Island. During tho term of his Administration over, threo millions more had been spent on tho public works in- tho North Jsland than, in tho South. . : :

The Prime Minister said he recognised the importance of limiting borrowing, but reasonable borrowing must go on to ensure the development of tho Dominion. The railways required in tho North Island would, if constructed, cost fifteen millions during the next five years.' When 1500 people ha<l b:cn placed on the land in nine months it was necessary that tho public services should bo extended. .

At the conclusion of the addres?, Mr. A. Berriman moved, ami Mr. Bobt. Bilkio seconded, "that, a hearty .vote of thanks be accorded to Sir .Jjwoph AVard for his. able address, and the meeting express its continued confidence in the Government of which he is the distinguished head." The motion was carried unanimously, and'cheers were given for Sir Josiph and Lady AVard.