HON R. F. BOLLARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19142, 7 October 1925, Page 13

HON R. F. BOLLARD.

ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP. COUNTRY'S SOUND FINANCE. A PROGRESSIVE GOVERNMENT. [By TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAUriKI, Tuesday. A cordial reception was given to the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister for Internal Affairs and M.P. for Raglan, at a wellattended meeting of Raglan electors at Taupiri this evening, when Mr. Bollard gave an account of his stewardship for the last three years, and appealed to the electors for a renewal of their confidence m him. Mr. A. H. Waring presided. Mr. Bollard said this was the fifth time he had come before the electors of Raglan for their suffrages. He had done his best, to do his duty as a member of the House and he was gratified at the confidence that had been shown in him by his constituents. He felt that an honour had been conferred on the people of Raglan as well as on himself when the Jate Prime Minister promoted him to Cabinet rank. The Minister for Internal Affairs carried a great deal of responsibility, and the position was one of great difficulty. So far, with the assistance of the capable officers .of his department, he had managed to carry 011 all right. He paid a glowing tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Massey and expressed his confidence in the ability and courage of Mr. CoatesThe speaker said that if the Government was returned to office the nest few years of its administration would make for greater progress than over before in its history. State Lending Departments. Prudo.it finance 1 had always been a feature of the Government's policy and the country's credit to-day was as good as that of the Mother Country. Last year's revenue of £28.643.000 had shown an increase of £682.629 over that of the proceeding year. The expenditure was £27,399,200, and a surplus of £1,243,800 was shown at the end of the year. New Zealand's expenditure bore favourable comparison with that of any of the Australian States. Further money would be available for loans in the State Advances Department shortly and it would not be many months before the arrears of applications were overtaken. The Public Trust Office had lent £3,180,533 during the last year. The office had made a profit, of £90,522 and the reserves totalled £605.274. The total amount of the loans on March 31 last was £22,106,190. Appreciative reference to the work of the Post and Telegraph Office : was made by the speaker, who said that the Government, by its courage and determination to run the postal service in the best interests of the public, had placed the country in the van of Empire progress. Mr. Coates' enterprise and energy had been reflected in the improved position of the country's railways, which were now successfully competing with the motors and giving the people efficient service. Invaluable aid had been given farmers by the Agricultural Department, and the excellent system of instructional work given by the department was one of the finest and comprehensive in the world. State Lotteries. The motor vehicles had given the candidate a great, deal of difficulty. Complaints had been received regarding the tyre tax, but the petrol tax was manifestly impracticable, and if anyone could suggest a better system than the one adopted he would be glad to hear from him. The Government was doing its best to provide the country with better roads. Contracts for coal from outside New Zealand bad to be made because there was a prospect of the railways being left without coal. As much West Coast coal as possible was being used, although it was not altogether suitable for railway engines, but the Government's desire to encourage local trade was hampered by the many strikes of the coalminers. If a guarantee of the supply could be assured there was no doubt the Government would take ail the local coal that could be secured. Mr. Ecllard quoted from the Government's manifesto and said he stood for the sixteen points supported. Asked if he was in favour of a State lottery, Mr. Bollard said he was trying to devise ways and means of saving so much money going out of the,country to Tattersall's. It was one thing, however, to propose a lottery and another thing to get it through the House. He had to be careful, however, and could not state definitely what action he could take. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Bollard was carried with enthusiasm.