The Hon. C. H. Mills.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7847, 26 May 1904, Page 7

The Hon. C. H. Mills.

[Per Press Association.]

Picton, May 25. The Hon. C. H, Mills, Minister of Trade and Customs, addressed his constituents at Picton to-night Eeferring to the Premier, he said they would all be delighted to hear that his health had greatly improved. Mr Seddon'a colleagues felt that the time had now arrived when ho was well entitled to relief from departmental work, so that he might have more time for relaxationand for general administration. He showed that the large imrease in Customs receipts came principally from luxuries, indicating tho increased spending power of the people. Daring the last ton years the capital value oE the. colony's land had increased from £128.000 000 to £175.000,000, and he. contended the Valuation Department was not excessive in its valuations. He mentioned that the Government had had to pay £367,268 for estates they had acquired for closer settlement over and above tho amount those estates had been rated for. To date Iks Advances to Settlors Department had loaned principally to settlers £4.009,520, resulting in an enormous saving in interest. It was more than probable fcnat the export duty on logs would be increased. The old age'pension scheme was workinp most satisfactorily, and so complete was the machinery that it was next to an impossibility for dishonest applicants to succeed. During the next twelve months the closo settlement of the Maxbourno estate would be rapidly progressing along with the extension of the South Island Trunk line. (Applause). A vote of thauks for his address and of confidence in Mr Mills as their representative, and in tho Government of which he is a member, was earned unanimously.