THE PREMIER'S SPEECH AT NELSON.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 30, 6 February 1899, Page 5

THE PREMIER'S SPEECH AT NELSON.

[by telegraph— press association.] Nelson, 4th February. The Premier addressed a. large meeting to-night. Referring to the financial poai- . tion of the colony, he quoted figures showing the increasing prosperity ol the colony and the relief afforded the bulk of the setr tiers under the policy inaugurated and carried out by the Liberal Party. He anticipated a surplus of half a million ; and in view of the increasing railway revenue, he indicated that as the lines were not regarded as mere revenue producers, reduc- ' tions will be made in the charges to en- • courage the producers and benefit the '' people. He said that a reduction in , freights to Home markets must take place, and that the Government must assist to that end. He claimed that the shipping companies should be satisfied with moderate profits, and said if they were they had done good service, and merited colonial support in return. He indicated a reduotion in the inland postage to a penny, though this meant a sacrifice of £70,000, but last year the Postal Department's profit was £35,000, and a reduction must come. He expressed the hope that the Government's Local Government Bill will be carried next session. He mentioned that some foreigners who were old colonists and who had " fought for the countiy had never been naturalised, and under the Old Age Pensions Act were not entitled to any pension ; but he promised to rectify this next session. He spoke very fully about the Midland Railway, alleging that the time had ar- v rived now for the Cabinet to consider throwing open the company's lands, and the only question was whether this should* ' be done on the authority of the Executive or by Act of Parliament. He questioned • tile wisdom of reducing taxation, as they needed to spend money to • improve the colony, but he added that the question would be carefully considered by the Cabinet. The Premier was frequently loudly applauded, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, no one opposing.