Speech by the Minister of Railways

Southland Times, Issue 14813, 14 December 1900, Page 2

Speech by the Minister of Railways

_^ . [By Tki.kuraimi.] Auckland Deo. 13. Tlio Hon. J. d. Ward addressed a crowded meeting to-night ftiid spoko for upwards of an hour and a half, dealing with the prosperity and progress of the colony since 1594 which, he claimod, the present administration lias assisted in developing. There had been an endeavour to do full justice to all parts of the colony. The expenditure on public works for the' whole colony up to 31st Ma-eh last totalled £32,978,000. The expenditure on railways in Auckland province had been more than a sixth of the whole expenditure on completed lines. Dealing with the recent reductions in taxation he held that this always had been the policy of the present administration and that the results fully justified it. For the eight months of the present year the colony was £209,000 bettor oft' than for any similar previous peiiod. Imports and exports had increased all round and the colony was never upon a sounder basis. With regard to the Chambers of Commerce Bill he denied that the Government over had any other intention than to give these a legal status. He advocated a Board of Trade for the colony. As to the £40 bonus it was not true that this was put on to get the Public Revenues Bill through the House, nor was it smuggled down : it was known for a month previously that something was going to be done. It might have been better to have effected it by a bill, but. there Avas not time. The £40 was necessary as the present remuneration was inadequate. Not a single member had any idea of taking advantage of the public in the matter. | Mr Ward concluded by advocating land settlement, providing roads and bridges, a progressive railway policy, vigorous carrying on of the Advances to Settlers Act, reduction of railway tariffs and extended facilities for passengers and goods, extension of the powers of local bodies, and the development of the tourist traffic. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ward and confidence in the Government brought the meeting to a conclusion.