PRIME MINISTER AND THE OPPOSITION

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 18

PRIME MINISTER AND THE OPPOSITION

SPEECH BY SIR J. G. WARD

REPLY TO MR MASSEY AND MR ALLEN.

! . HOKITIKA, May 25. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a large audience in the Princess Theatre to-night. | Mr Michel (Mayor of Hokitika) presided, | and briefly introduced the Prime Minister, I who met with a cordial reception. I _ In his opening remarks he said he came in response to a largely-signed requisition. WEST COAST PROGRESS. - He dealt very fully with the progress of the West Coast, in which in four years the Government valuation of land and improvements had increased by £368,000, live stock by £33,000, shipping by 340,000 tons, the output of coal by 288,000 tons, the number of hands employed in the manufacturing industries by 280, and the population by 2203, according to the latest returns, and the amount of the output of the West Coast mills was 53,800,000 super, feet. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. He then dealt with the Leader of the Opposition's recent criticism of the Government. He referred to the latter's professed friendliness to the Coast when he said that he was much struck with the beauties of the journey across from Christchurch, but he observed he did not make any reference to the advantages of the Midland railway. He referred to Mr Massey's speech at Auckland by saying that the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie was able to take care of himself and his constituents, and with Mr M'Kenzie it would be the case of the West CoSSt first and the rest of New Zealand afterwards. , . i GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING. | Sir Joseph made references to Mr'. Massey's criticism of Government adver- . tisements, and quoted figures to show that advertisements had been distributed fairly and impartially. The figures for- 21 , months, since the establishment of the ' department, though 12 months would be j more favourable for comparison, were as j follows : Auckland Star (G.) : £ 764 I Herald (0.) 758 Wellington Post (0.) 1076 Times (G.). ... 1034 Dominion (0.) ... ' 176. Christchui-ch Press (0.) ... 838 Lyttelton Times (G.) 880 News 16 Star 48 Otago Daily Times (0.) 932 i Star (G.) 855 j Auckland Weekly News (0.) ... 277 j Graphic (G.) 168 Farmer (G.) s ... 20 ; Canterbury Times (G.) 209 j ; Weekly Press (0.) 174 Otago Witness (0.) 252 j Total Opposition dailies ... £3789 ! j Total Government dailies ... 5584 i This represented a difference in favour i ] of Opposition newspaper* of £204. The I ]

criticism was really levelled at the GoI vernment's action re the Dominion, but the policy of the Government was to give a fair distribution between Opposition and . Government papers. DECREASE OP POPULATION. During the recent depression much capital was made out of the fact that people had left New Zealand. This could not be attributed to the Government as it had been. During the five years, from. 1900 to 1905, New Zealand had gained in population 28 per cent., whilst New South Wales had only. increased 20 per cent. New Zealand had had a satisfactory material increase. There was in any case bound to be an ebb and flow, but as an average New Zealand was steadily gaining. TAXATION. Increased taxation was dealt with at • length on the lines of his Winton speech, showing that remissions in Customs had totalled four millions in 13 years. The Opposition contended that the Government had increased taxation by £1 7s Id per head of the population. Sir Joseph said the so-called increase of taxation was due to the growing wealth of the people. It was not due to an increased rate, but to the increased wealth of 41,000 persons, who, of course, and rightly so, had to pay more in the aggregate than when their wealth was less. In regard to the origin of workers' homes, Mr Maesey claimed this to be his idea, but this was incorrect, ■ as every member of Parliament knew that he (Sir J. G. Ward) had brought down j a measure which was not altered in any ! way, as only a Minister of the Crown ! could bring in amendments of a financial ' nature. THE FINANCIAL ADVISER. He referred to the adjournment of Parliament in terms of his Winton speech, and the resignation of Mr W. P. Reeves, as*_nancial adviser. He stated that the vote had been as it was for two years East, and was really a contract, which aving been entered into had to be carried out. Parliament was aware that the Agents-general had had such an officer attached to their office since the earliest days. Suoh a man was required in order to gain confidential information in regard to the money market, and to advise on delicate finance operations. Without such a man it would be an easy matter to lose considerable sums of money; in j the past these ' had been secured. Mr j Reeves had adopted the right course in ' resigning after such a proceedings in Parliament. As a matter oi" fact, he had said all along that the vote be reinstated, and' when it ultimately was passed n_ the House there were five more members present than on tie first ocasion. He denied that the matter 1 had been rushed through the House. ' OLD-AGE PENSIONS. The Opposition had opposed the oldage pension scheme, although Mr Allen on May 23, claimed credit over it. As a matter of fact, the Opposition blocked it with a proposal for a contributory sys- i tem, which would have denied assistance j to those who bad reared large families j and spent all their money on them. UNEMPLOYED. i Referring to the unemployed at the time of the depression, he said people should ! be praising up the country instead of cir- i dilating untrue statements. In Britain the percentage of unemployed was 18 per cent. In America it was 30 per cent., while in New Zealand it was only 3 per cent. RETRENCHMENT. Dealing with retrenchment, he referred to Mr Allen's statement, that the reduction in the departments showed previous extravagance. As a matter of fact, retrenchment was caused by a falling off in revenue, consequent upon the depression being experienced at that j>e,riod. The Government were wise in meeting the position. Now that a normal condition had returned there was no need for further retrenchment. Still the Opposition urged further retrenchment when it was ! really unnecessary. j LAST SESSION'S WORK. He next dealt with the work of last j session on the lines of his Winton speech, j DEFENCE. | The Defence Act was explained by the fact that the Government had accepted Liord Kitchener's recommendation in its entirety, with exception, of the salary for ljigher officers, which was considered too ( ligh for a young country. The Govern-

merit had asked Lord Kitchener to recommend an officer of high standing and ability to take charge of the Territorial Forces in New Zealand, and were expecting his advice at any time now. The quota system would also be adopted, whereby 11,000 Territorials between the ages of 19 and 25 would be trained. They should be ready for all emergency, for millions were still being spent on armaments, and they knew not when the dogs of war might be loosened, and they would have to meet them with trained men. The cost would be £400,000 which would be a real good insurance policy, not only on account of their property, which was at stake, but on account of their aims and aspirations as a part of the glorious Empire. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. The Opposition stated that the Government had increased the rates in the lending departments, but this was not SO', as the moneys were lent out at as low rates of interest as formerly. Under the new system of loans to local authorities, £BOO,OOO was advanced at 3£ per cent. This had * proved a beneficient scheme, as it relieved local bodies. The largest loan was £60,000, and the smallest £34, the latter showing that even the smallest could be assisted, and would continue to pi£ve a boon. MINING. Sir Joseph revised the humanitarian legislation of the past session, and went on to refer to the water power regulations. Some £500,000 would be spent on development annually, and mining would get a fair share of the expenditure. Poor as well as rich would get impartial treatment under this policy. Legislation was promised next session, but the Government must go slowly at first. They wanted to see the mining industry progress and prosper, and would do all possible to achieve that end. The gross value of the production of minerals for the year ended December 31, 1909, was £3,791,186, which was the second highest output yet obtained. The' total value of minerals obtained to December 31, 1909, was £107,849,949. Bullion from the gold mines amounted to £2,187,772. The Inangahua goldfields .produced £214,000, and paid £43,000 in dividends. VOTES OP THANKS. At the conclusion) of the address Mr Murdoch (Mayor of Kumara and county chairman) moved, and Mr Bruce (Mayor of Ross) seconded—" That this large and representative meeting of the electors of Westland extends to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister a hearty vote of thanks for his able, interesting, and instructive address, and expresses its cordial support of the Liberal policy he has enunciated and confidence in the Government of which he is the distinguished leader." The resolution was carried by acclamation, the audience giving three cheers . for the Prime Minister.