POLITICAL SPEECH. SIR J.G. WARD AT AUCKLAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1908, Page 9

POLITICAL SPEECH. SIR J. G. WARD AT AUCKLAND.

WORK OF LAST SESSION REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT POLICY. [Bt Telegraph:.— Special to The Po3t.] AUCKLAND, This Day. Tho Prime Minister, Sir J. G. Ward delivered an address here'last evening at tho Royal Albert Hall. After bomo introductory remarks, tho Prime Minister proceeded to deal with various measures brought in by the Government and passed last session. LAND AND INCOME TAX. He said that change in tho land and income tax law cf the country of the most advanced character that wo ever had in operation, providing as it did for the stopping of future aggregation of landed estates and for the prevention of obtaining, a' series of estates under one holder, even though not named as belonging to one holder, was in itself a remarkable piece of legislation. The value of it would be better understood by the mass of people in the years to como, as a great adjunct in bringing about that which tho vast majority of the people in this country desired namely, the preventing of large areas of land being held by individuals, and thereby bringing about the clqser settlement of the people. It was the more remarkable from the fact that on a division upon this measure in tho House, even though it was fctiongly criticised by its opponents when parsing, every member of the nousc, except the two supporters of the Government who specially called for -a division, vcted in favour of this advanced pieco of land legislation. So he coidd for the Government claim that the whole country, through its representatives, supported putting this important measure on the ptatute book. A very largely increased revonue would bo 'obtained by it. NATIVE LANDS. The settlement of the large areas of native lands, particularly in tho North Island, was one of the greatest importance. He was persuaded that we had at last m this countiy got our great native problem an sound lines, and that permanent and lasting good to both the European and native races would be produced by the careful and vigorous carrying out of that policy. Th* Native Land Commission, which was set up by the Government as an active preliminary to enable the working out of this policy, hid already done most valuable work. L'p to the present tho Native Land Commission had had under consideration about two million acres of land. Ha was officially informed that tho commissioners actually dealt with an area up to August last of about 769,964 acres, recommending for sale or lease to Europeans 311,730 acres. Out of 759,000 acres dealt with by the commission in previous reports, nearly half has been set aside for European settlement. Tf anything like that proportion could be maintained, as it would be at least mi some districts, the area of settlement would be enormous. The commission probably would have to deal with about for or five million acres after they exclude hilltops and useless lands, most probably five million acres Even if only one-third was available for European settlement, it would represent an enormous addition to our, land for settlement. > LAND LAWS. The amended land laws were now upon their practical trial. He felt confident that the people of the country vho were so interested in tho settlement and the utilisation of our lands would give the important provisions of the Land Bill a fair trial. Extremists upon either side upon tho matter of land tenure should recognise that it was not possible for all to have their way, and that the measure comprised a well-thought-out practical method of dealing with the lands of tho Dominion. NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. Tho National Endowment Act, which set aside about seven million acres of land for permanent endowment for educational and old age pensions purposes, and prohibited the sellipg of that land, made an important departure in the interests of education and old age pensions. As the country grew and land became scarce and the values of national endowments in j'ears to come increased in value, it should be a considerable auxiliary financially towards the upkeep of a well-equipped educational system. ' CUSTOMS TARIFF. There were to be ifound a few people who declared that comparatively no relief had been given by tho remission of taxation to. consumers. It was difficult to understand how they could make such a statement. Ihe fact remained that the concessions amounted to a sum of £405,250, truly a stupendous 3um to be given away at one stroke from one branch of our revenue. Upon articleG of diet the total concessions amounted to' the bum of £272,330; upon articles, of clothing, ■ £69^750 ; and upon articles used in our industries and in connection therewith the sum of £63,300. FINANCE. Tho revenue for the ten months ended 31st January, ISOB, amounted to £6,944,718, and for the corresponding period of last year to £6,422,841, or an increase for the period of £521,877, made up as fellows: — Customs £l2B,24l, Railways £156.607, Stamps £128,557, Land Tax £89.248, other ' leceipts £39,223. Comparing the re\pnuc of the past ten months (April 'to January, 1908) 'with Ihe same period two yeaifa ago (April to January;, 1906) the increase was hotter by no less a sum than £1,225,600. I'or a period of twelve months (Ist February, 1907, to 31st January, 1908) tho total receipts are £8,920,951, as against £3,288,060 received for the corresponding period of last year (Ist February, 19U6, to 31st January, 1907), an increase of £632,871, the principal increases beins = — Customs £144,878, Railways £203.266, Stamps £134,293, Land and Income Tax £125,039. *" The estimated revonus for the year was £8,200,000. The Treasury had received to 31st January £6,944,718. Add to this an amount cquai to February and March, 1907, receipts (£1.935.398) and they had a total revenue of £8,883,116, or an increase of £680,116. But in view of tho continued buoyancy of our revenue, he thought ho might tafely set down our excess of revenue at tho end of this financial year at £750,000. r; Estimated revenue for year... 8,950,100 Estimated expenditure for year 8,121,610 Excess revenue over expenditme 828,490 Balance fiom last year ... 717,825 Other receipts 3,800 Total 1,550,115 Transfer to Public Works Fund 800.000 He estimated that our credit balance on 31fet March, 1908, would be £750,115. It was tin ly a wonderful result, and its value and importance to all our people could not be o\eiestimated. All the loan money under the authoiitirs provided by Pailiamcnt la-at sosmoii had be^n ;.ik i.e'tt fully raised. Nearly pi;;!it and a half millions lequired to be "lie found iv the next three .years for re-

newal of debentures. This fact had exercised the attention of &omo critics of the Government, and for general information he would like to state the position. Ho had already made arrangements for the renewal of the debentures falling clue, not only for tho current year, but for the coming year, and at tlie right time the public would find that the renewals have been effected, or ths money found to redeem the debentures, at very littlo cost to the country. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward then dealt with the Public Woiks expenditure, the road question, the extension of the post and telegraph, system. Ho eaid he was opposed to a general system of immigration. He was of the opinion that the policy now being pursued of careful selection of suitable immigrants in limited numbers was a good one. After referring to the socialist movement, and defining the position of the Government, the Prime Minister concluded : — I am persuaded that any Government in this or any other country that adopts a policy of legislating in the interests of ony one class, to the detriment of the interests of the whole, instead of taking a broad, comprehensive, and far-sighted view of the public requirements of the people, would in the long run do a great injustice to the pcpple, whoso general interests it is m duty bound to serve. While I do not propose a policy of heroics, I do urge that in the general interests of the country our policy should be one of progress, one of development, one of solidity in finance, and one calculated to inspire a feeling of confidence, a feeling of respect, and to promote a feeling of national pride in tho breasts of tho people. At, this stage Mr. >W. Richardson, well known in prohibition circles, created a diversion by wishing to ask questions. The Mayor (who presided) held that Mr. Richardson was out of order, whereupon an attempt was made by the prohibition advocate to move an amendment to the vote of thanks. This led to uproax A vote of thanks was carried practically unanimously, prolonged cheers being given for the Premier, the Government, Lady .Ward, and the Mayor.