POLICY SPEECH

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 13

POLICY SPEECH

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND LAND SETTLEMENT PROGRESS [Per United Press Association.l AUCKLAND, June 4. Before an audience of nearly 4,000 persons, in the Town Hall, the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) delivered a policy speech to-night. The mayor (Mr G. Baildon) presided, and on the platform were the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. Atmoro), the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy), the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner), and the Post-master-General (the Hon. J. B. Dorir aid). Sir Joseph Ward was loudly cheered on entering, and he received an attentive hearing throughout with only a few friendly interjections. Referring to his pre-election address in the same hall, he said that all the items of the United Party's policy then detailed had either been carried out or were actively in process of fulfilment. He had promised to > acquire landed estates for subdivision and closer settlement. Already the Government had purchased eight properties occupied bv eight settlers and had converted theim to occupation by over fifty settlers. Ho proposed next session to seek an increase in the financial authority, which was now limited to £1.000,000, for further operations of the same kind.

The unemployed at the cud of Ofay numbered about 2,000 more than a year previously, but the Government had taken the situation in hand through the Public Works Departi ment, and had increased the subsidies to local bodies for suitable relief works. It was doing its level best to overcome the trouble. Ho looked forward t) the time when all the floating unemployed in the country would be absorbed. Ho also hoped for much from the plan to place more men and their families on small holdings under the policy already begun. Next session legislation would be introduced to provide a new system of acquiring portions of properties which were larger than the owners required. A fair valuation would be obtained through special tribunals, including representatives of the land owner and the Land Board, wth a Supreme Court judge as chairman. This would ensure that no injustice was done. The Government was in earnest, believing that this plan of closer settlement would enable numbers of bread-win-ners who were now unemployed to make a steady living from the land. Referring to the promise to obtain money at -1* per cent, in London, Sir Joseph said ho had obtained £7,000,000 at this rate, though he had to face a conversion proposition at the same time. None of this money had been touched. He appealed to the public not to make excessive demands for new public works. He estimated that if he gave effect to all the schemes brought before the Government since November it would require borrowing at the rate of £23,000,000 a year, not counting new- capital for State advances. Deputations had urged that all. sorts of works should be carried out at a pace which the country could not possibly stand. Last year New Zealand had borrowed only £7,000,000. He would ask applicants to take -a reasonable view of the matter and be patient. “Jf anyone can blow up £7,000,000 to do the work of £23,000,000 a year,” he added, “Isay to him, ‘Come and join the Cabinet,’ ” The Government bad fulfilled its pledges to abolish the c.o.d. parcels system, and to investigate railway construction. It intended to bring before Parliament important propositions regarding the working of railways, the subdivision of estates, and the provision of cheap money. At the present time money was being loaned in Christchurch at 0 per cent.—-a lower rate than when the promise was made. There was plenty of cheap money in the country awaiting investment, and it was clear that the Government’s policy was having a salutary effect. Sir Joseph Ward -defended the proposed Melbourne-Bluff mail service, which, be said, would not interfere with the Auckland and Wellington services in the smallest degree, and would do a great deal of good to the whole country. Sir Joseph Ward was heartily applauded for the announcement that he would provide the sum of £SOO for a preliminary survey of a scheme for erecting a bridge across Waitemata Harbour. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers and musical honours.