POLICY SPEECH

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 5

POLICY SPEECH

SIR JOSEPH WARD IN AUCKLAND. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 4. Before a crowded audience of nearly 4000 in the Town Hall, Sir Joseph Ward delivered a policy speech to-night. The Mayor, Mr G. Baildon, presided, and on the platform were the Hons. H; Atmore, A. J. Stallworthy, W. B. Tavener and J. B. Donald. Sir Joseph was loudly cheered on entering and received an attentive hearing throughout. with only a few friendly interjections. Referring to his pre-election address in the same hall, he said that all the items of the United Party’s policy then detailed had either been carried out nr were actively in process of fulfilment. He had promised to acquire landed estates for subdivision and closer settlement. Already the Government had purchased eight properties occupied by eight, settlers and had converted them to occupation by over 50 settlers. He proposed next session to seek an - increase in the financial authority which was now limited to £1,000,000 for further operations of the same kind. The unemployed at the end of May numbered about 2000 more than a year previous, but the Government had taken the situation in hand through the Public Works and increased the subsidies to local bodies for suitable relief works. It was doing its level best to overcome the trouble. He looked forward to the time when all the floating unemployed in the country would be absorbed. He also hoped much from the plan to place more men and their families on small holdings under the policy already begun. Next session, legislation would be introduced to provide a new system of acquiring portions of properties which were larger than the owners required. A fair valuation would be obtained through special tribunals, including representatives of the landowner and the Land Board with a Supreme Court judge as chairman. This would ensure that no injustice was done. The Government was in earnest in believing that this plan of closer settlement would enable numbers of breadwinners, now unemployed, to make a steady living from the land. Referring to his promise to obtain money at 4 J per cent, in London, Sir Joseph Ward said he had obtained £7,000,000 at this rate. Though he had to face a conversion proposition at. the same time, none of this money had been touched. He appealed to the public not. to make excess--ive demands for new public works- He estimated that if he gave effect to all the schemes brought before the Government since November, it would require borrowing at the rate of £23,000,000 a year, not. counting new capital for State advances. Deputations had urged that all sorts of works be carried out at a pace which the county could not possibly stand. Last year New Zealand had borrowed only £7,000,000. He would ask applicants to take a reasonable view of the matter and be patient. “If anyone can blow up £7,000,000 to do the work of £23„000,000,” he added, “I say to him ‘Come and join the Cabinet.’ The Government had fulfilled pledges to abolish the C.O.D. parcels system and investigate railway construction. It intended to bring before Parliament important, propositions regarding working railways, subdivision of the estimates and provision of cheap money. At the present, time, money was being loaned in Christchurch at 6 per cent., a lotver rate than when the promise was made. There was plenty of cheap money in the country awaiting investment and it was clear the Government’s jvolicy was having a salutary effectSir Joseph Ward defended the proposed Melbourne-Bluff mail service which he said would not interfere with the Auckland and Wellington services in the smallest degree and would do a great deal of good to the whole country. Sir Joseph Ward was heartily applauded for the announcement that he would provide the sum of £5OO for a preliminary survey of a scheme for erecting a bridge across the Waitemata Harbour- A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers and musical honours. .