SPEECH BY SIR J. WARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13031, 23 November 1905, Page 6

SPEECH BY SIR J. WARD.

i RAILWAY- CONCESSIONS PROMISED. • , , r' ' - t' j/'-' , OVERSEA TRADE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —I'KESS ASSOCIATION.] Wixton, Wednesday. Sir J. G. Ward Minister for Railways and member for Awarua, addressed a large meeting of Lis constituents at Winton : to-night. The Minister, who was : received with cheers, dealt with the general progress of . the colony, and then • replied to Opposition criticisms. He said those who criticised the annual borrowing ignored the purpose for which the money was obtained. Since •1891 £22,789,429 had been borrowed, and of the gross debt of £60,000,000 no less than £31,322,000 was directly interest bearing. If they produced a good asset for money spent, and did not. increase taxation, then expenditure was warranted. He believed it would be better for the colony to build one lino of railway at a tinfe. If he were able he would not hesitate to put every man employed on railway construction on to the-North Island main trunk, and finish it, then the Otago Central, then the Midland, and then the North of Auckland line. In a few years the whole of the trunk lines could be completed, anciV then it woud be possible 'to ; cease borrowing for railway-making : purposes, and from the surplus of consolidated revenue 'to carry on a vigorous policy of branch railway and road construction. In ■ the meantime, the policy was not. feasible. Every place wanfed its railway made at'the ' same time. Further adjustments in railway arrangements .were contemplated in regard to sea-, son tickets, annual sectional tickets, and' in' connection: with commercial : travellers' luggage. As to the latter, the alteration would bo on a mileage basis cine way. . This would allow commercial travellers to break their,. journey wherever they liked, and book through'again without taking a fresh ticket. • As a result of the, competition with imported coal, an alteration would bo made in the , long distance charges on native coal. There would also be an alteration in connection with the haulage of ground phosphates, and the carriage of locally manufactured cement. : The system of numbering slots lie hoped would be in operation bv the new year. He hoped that at the World's Postal Conference next year the notice of motion given by" New Zealand to have the universal penny post through the Postal Union countries would be adopted. It had been a marvellous success in New Zealand. 1 The Tourist Department had given excellent results. Oversea visitors recorded last year numbered 5992, and must have left behind them £2,99,000. The steamers to South Africa .took away produce to the value of £900,000. The colony , had paid £90,000 for subsidies, and the steamers spent in the colony £85,288 for labour, port charges, etc., The diversion of this produce from London must have increased prices to the farmers. Tenders would bo called- for a . service direct from New Zealand to South Africa. He did not think that they would get an otter except at an impossible price. The sen-ice to the west coast of England was one of the most valuable things done in the interests of the export trade, and ho hoped shortly to have a cargo connection with Canada, subsidised by both Governments. Referring to the great increases in exports and imports, it was regrettable to notice that imports from British possessions increased only by 30 per cent., while those from foreign States increased by 274 ' per cent. It was not sound business to stand by and see trade between the United States and j New Zealand rapidly expanding -while trade : between Canada. and ; New Zealand', remained comparatively small. j He favoured a general superannuation j scheme for ail , the Civil servants of the j colony," they contributing from their salaries I or wages to a- general lund, and, if necessary, the colony should provide, a contribu- ! tion in the shape of an investment fund. He supported the optional " .system of: tenure in connection with Crown lands. He was satisfied that a. readjustment of the Customs tariff , would bo necessary next session. It should go in the direction ox remissions, upon . some of the necessaries t of life. Remissions on raw material used in factories and industries would give an impetus, to trade. , The colony should - have no hesitation in increasing its contribution to the British navy. Referring to wireless telegraphy, Sir Joseph- Ward said that the Government had an offer for the completion of the service between New Zealand and Australia for £20,000, and lie was very hopeful that before long the connection would he established. In reply to questions, the Minister said that if a plebiscite ' were taken on the- Bible-in-schools question, the issue - should be whether an' alteration should be- made in the present system of education to introduce religious instruction. If tho majority ' pronounced in favour it should then he decided in what form the instruction should be given. A vote of thanks and confidence j in the Government was carried - unanii mously. . :