THE PRIME MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14979, 27 April 1909, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S POLICY SPEECH. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, April 26. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy speech in extension of the announcements which ho made at Upper Hutt recently, will bo delivered at Invercargill next Saturday night. The Prime Minister will leave for the south this evening, and on Wednesday will distribute the prizes in connection with tho Associated Board of Music at Dunedin. The same day ho will be waited upon by a deputation at Dunedin, representing those sections of the community which are agitating for tho continuance ot the construction works on the Law-rence-Roxburgh railway. It is understood tliat the mind of the Government is definitely made up on this question, and that no departure will bo made from the decision already announced. On the Thursday evening Sir Joseph will be present at a banquet to be tendered to tho Hon T. Mackenzie by his constituents at Mosgiel. In Ids speech at Invercargill tho Prime Minister will deal with the financial position of the country as disclosed at March 31. So far the accounts have not been made public in the “ Gazette,*” hut it is understood that while the revenue of the country is entirely satisfactory, there lias, been a considerable incroase in expenditure. Tlio Prime Minister is expected to make a more detailed statement with regard to the reorganisation of the State departments, and tho retrenchments that will result from the operation of the Government’s decision, The Agricultural Department, one of tho largest and most unwieldy, is particularly concerned. So far, Sir Joseph has said little about this branch of the service, but it is clear that great changes will have to be made, and important, announcements are expocted in connection with the carrying on of the State farms. It is highly probablo that some of the branches of these institutions will pass out of existence ; in fact, it seems to bo generally understood that tho Burnham and Momohaki experimental farms will bo closed up, Ruakura and Milton being retained.