SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7373, 27 January 1902, Page 3

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE.

(per press association.)

Gbbymouth, January 26.

The largest gathering ever seen in Greymouth took place at the Opera House last evening, His Worship the Mayor presiding. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his address, said : The colony was in a very sound condition. Its indebted, ness was said to be increasing, but they overlooked the progress of works. Two millions Beven hundred had been expended in purchasing land for the good of the people, who had the land in their hands. LI ,000,000 had been paid to local bodies for making roads, streets, and bridges. There had been spent in advances to settlers L 2,930,000, besides an amount set apart for a sinking fund. This had come out of the £10,000.000 increased indebtedness from 1891. The colony bad an immense security, and the people had reaped the benefit. The interest paid by some men for their lands had been as high as 10 and even 15 per cent, but now they could borrow money at five per cent. The effect of this was to increase exports and benefit all classes of the colony. He denied taxation was increasing, and stated that since 1895, when the rate per head was £2 10s 3d, it has 1 steadily decreased, until it now stood at £2 5s 6d. The increase in Customs revenue and land and income tax denoted advancement and success. Landed property had advanced in value since 1891 by something like L 20,000,000, and in face of these facts no one could say the colony was going down, when it was evidently progressing very rapidly. The purchase 04 private estates amounted to about 850,000 acres, costing L 1,844,000, the revenue therefrom being L 72.781, and interest paid L 59.069, the profit for 1901 being L 13.692. Since the Government had taken office they had given back to the people in railway concessions L 490.000. The railway had done a great deal for the farmers, to whom railway concessions amounted to £248,000, and "cheap" money had infused new life into the farming industry. He justified the appointment of so many inspectors, and contended they had raised the high standard of products, which now bore the Government mark, and were readily saleable, for it was well known that the article had been thoroughly tested and passed. They could hold their own against any country, even Denmark 'or the Argentine, in the matter of produce. The Government had given away last year £138,000 in reductions in Customs duties. The returns for the past pine months showed an increase of £105,000. The Defence Department had the protection of about £170,000,000 of private property. This department showed a big increase of expenditure, which was necessary, as the stand the colony had taken in helping Great Britain made it necessary to take steps to protect our shores. Anyone taking exception to the increase of £39,000 for defence purposes did not know anything about the matter. Up to the 31st of December, 1901, increases in receipts were shown ia all departments, the total receipts being £4,211,612, an increase of over £181,000 above the preceding year. There was still three months to run, and the increase would be a good deal greater yet. The total amount authorised for public works expenditure had been spent in eight months, and it was the duty of the Government to stop works after that vote was spent. There was nothing to prevent this colony from having a great progressive railway scheme so as to grant every concession to the public. No one could give a forecast of the railway extension. He had been told to stop borrowing, but they must borrow to carry on productive works and finish the railways now in course of construction. To stop borrowing was like asking the Government to construct a house without material, or make bricks without straw. The lobb arising from penny postage would at the end of the financial year only be £2000, and in another year he coneidered they would not lose a penny . thereby. He felt sure that at the close of the year the forecast of the Colonial Treasurer would be verified. If the helm of the colony was carefully handled the people would have assets as valuable as any country in the world. Deafening cheers.) A vote of thanks and implicit confidence in the Ministry was carried with oheering. ______ ___ _ .

-Mr 8. L' Fairhall has presented to tbe Hawera Museum a number of photooraDba of historical interest, including pictures of Normanby redoubt, Waihi tadoubt, and Opunake redoubt. They are copies of photos poßßessed by Mr Gordon, of the Survey Department of New Plymouth, who is understood to have a valuable collection. BEBEHTMENT. . Nature resents being outraged, and is swift to retaliate. When, through indiscretion, hurry, or ignorance, you offend aeainßt nature by overloading the stomach, that common but dangerous complaint known as constipation comes on. The first symptoms of something having gone wronaareto be seen in eruptions of the skin—perhaps in pimples or boil*. ConBtiDation means that the bowels are being oloHCed with putrid matter, and unless the impediment is removed, other troubles anickly follow. Impey's May Apple is a oertairi and effective remedy for all commaints of the stomach, liver, and kidneys. ft aids nature gently and pleasantly ; it cures, and you stay cured. Sold by all chemiatß and storekeepers at 2s 6d per Everybody ought to know thai Messrs Bardley and Sodb have on view the laraeat and best selection of cooking ranges in the district, including among zithers Barningham'B and Shaddock's, Mtftkea of high and low pressure, suitable iCofbriok chimneys or open kitohenß at Ounedin pricoß — Apvt Thai " tired " feeling is the precursor ot -nfaebled constitution, phthisis, paralysis, and insanity ; these are facts which, however distressing, have to be faced. LatterSay science has given us a b oodmaking, flesh-forming, »nd ttwue-bniMing nerve And frame food in Wilton'B Bovoferrum, -that witt work wonders in your personal Aopeatiuice and secure you immunity from iKSohfld, ailments referred to. Ask k wttiawpart or Storekeeper for it. It is