THE GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 12

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY.

At the banquet given at Nelson on Monday to the Hon. Mr Seddon, that gentleman, ia replying to the toast of Ministers, said there would be nothing revolutionary, confisoatory, and of the nature of fireworks in tho Ministerial policy, as they recognised that they must attract and not repel capital. They intended to reduce taxation, and to change its incidence, and to repeal the property tax as being a tax on the thrifty. They would pub a tax on land that would not injure the small settler, but would compel tbe owners of large estates to improve or sell. Tbe State should have the name right to take land for settlement by granting compensation that it had to acquire land for roads or railways. They would endeavour to adjust the differences bstwaen capital and labour. The Government proposed to complete tbe classification of tbe civil service, but must first reduce the number within legitimate limits by dispensing with all who were not required. He spoke very highly of the service as unequalled in the colonies, but there were too many to do the work. l v hey would also give hearty snpport to the volunteers. In coßuection with mining, he said the Government would take steps to prevent monopolies, and would oppose the unprofitable looking up of land under long leases. The Government would render every assistance in their power to that great national work—the Midland, railway.