Sir Joseph Honoured

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6865, 21 March 1929, Page 6

Sir Joseph Honoured

Great Gathering He!d at Invercargill POLITI CAL PROBLEMS DEFICIT IN YEAR’S FINANCE FORESHADOWED. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Probably no greater tribute could have been paid to tho Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward than the welcome accorded him this 'evening when over two thousand people assembled in tho Drill hall on the occasion of a monster banquet. The gathering was representative of the whole province and in addition there was a notable representation of Cabinet Ministers. A crowd of upward of a thousand had congregated in front of Sir Joseph’s hotel and he was given a rousing re eeption as ho entered his ear which preceded by the Pipe Band and followed by a long procession of cars proceeded to the hall. Tho route was lined by largo crowds. In proposing the toast of “our guest’’ Mr. J. C. Thomson, former Liberal member for Wallace, said that considered from the point of view of public service Sir Joseph Ward was tho most distinguished Southlan'der that the province had produced in its

History. Within its borders there had arisen a statesman gifted with foresight, initiative, wise discernment, quick judgment aud prompt action, qualities always associated with greatness, who for over 34 years had helped to shape the destinies of our rich and beautiful land. , On rising to reply to his toast, Sir Joseph was accorded an enthusiast reception. In addressing tho vast assembly he thanked those through whoso efforts the banquet was organised. “I think I am right in saying that any man would realize in these circumstances that anything he had attempted was a mere consequence compared with the pouring out of appreciation that was taking place to-night.’’ Ho declared that lie had been tongue-tied on taking office when questions and criticisms of some opponents were levelled. He w r as not aware that the position of the consolidated revenue was not so satisfactory as. it should have been especially as this was an era of tho country’s greatest prosperity. He hoped to make an announcement of the true position of the country’s finance shortly after the end of the financial year. r Ho spoke of the government’s desire to overcome tho unemployment difficulty and by closer settlement he believed the country areas could absorb 5000 or 10,000 more people. Tho Goveminent ; s policy was to complete tnc productive railways and since taking office it had stopped work on one railway which it was believed would not be productive. Continuing ho made reference to the State Advances, stating that the Goveminent took office on December 10 and since tbat date to March 15, £1,617,000 had been authorised to settlers and workers at low rates of interest and there was approximately in hand now available for settlers and workers £1,600,000, so that those wanting money from those branches had only to comply with the Act in having their valuations sent into tho board to havo them considered and dealt with, and where valuations warranted favourable consideration no unnecessary delay wduld take place. The board could not of course make advances beyond tho true value, but Sir Joseph said it was wonderful what had been dono and was being done by the relief and assistance given irrespective of party. The State Advances had been invaluable. Prom its inception at a low rate of interest the Department had advanced to date upwards of £40,000,000 and was at present providing funds at the Tate of between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 a year: “If I allude,” continued Sir Joseph “to the fact that I was responsible for the preparation of both tho settlers and workers schemes and introduced and piloted the legislation for both through Parliament anyone would bo entitled to a feeling of pride that over a very long series of years of effective operation they have in tho teeth of some of the most vicious criticism ever directed against a public man been completely successful.” Sir Joseph also touched upon the question of a direct Melbourne to Bluff shipping service and stated that the matter was in hand. At present negotiations were under way for tho establishment of two steamer services running each way. An important announcement followed in connection with the national accounts, Sir Joseph stating that the revenue would not equal the expenditure at March 31 and the country would face a deficit. This could be safely negotiated in the coming year, but it meant that the Government woud have to have the assistance of the people to equalise the position in the coming twelve months. He had not anxiety about it and he merely mentioned it to prepare the country for the position that would be disclosed by the publication of the statement of accounts very shortly.

The railways, he said, were not paying and nothing further would be don< in extension of short lines. The Government would concentrate on the long lines and main trunk railways. The solution of tho unemployment problem lay in land settlement and this would be pressed forward without de lay as soon as the Government was in possession of all the facts.