Speech by the Hon. Mr Ward.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3711, 9 March 1901, Page 3

Speech by the Hon. Mr Ward.

Auckland, March 7. Mr "Ward visited Te Awamutulast night. In the course of a speech, he stated that last year remissions of taxation had been made to the extent of .£325,000, yet the revenue for eleven months of the present year, amounted to .£5,112.200, against £4,859,700 last year, an increase of £252,000 with another month to go. He ventured to prophesy that at the end of the present financial year the surplus wgmld amount to £IOO,OOO. The colony never stood better in the -London market than now. The last intimation received concerning Hie position there was chat 3 per cent, bonds stood at 93£, 4 per cents, at ITil, and 31 per oents. at IOS. There was a plethora of money in New Zealand to-day suchashad never before existed in its history. The income tax to February this year showed an increase compared with 1892 and 189-1 of £105,000, and at the end of March it was calculated the increase would amount to £159,000. Referring to the South African war, he said that whilst he was opposed to militarism in New Zealand, he considered it our duty to continue to assist the Umpire in fighting for the rights of its own people. It was said we had gone far enough, and were asked by some to stop sending more men to the war. Bnt we had had 1300 men out there for 13 months, many of them weary and worn, and the Government were going to replace them by asking the men of New Zealand in a position to do so to go and relieve them till the necessity had passed away. more had offered than were required for that particular purpose. With regard to the present cable rates between Australia and New Zealand, Mr Ward said he regarded them as unsatisfactory. The Cable Company had been asked to reduce them, but said they were unremunerative, and had given no reply to a request to soil. Mr Ward considered—and he said the Premier agreed with him—that the State should own the cable, and he saw no reason why twelve words should not be sent fur sixpence. He t’listed Parliament would agree to the laying of a New Zealand owned cable.