Speech by the Premier.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11524, 13 May 1899, Page 2

Speech by the Premier.

CRITICISM OF THE OPPO ITION.

THE REVENUE FOR THE YEAR,

| PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. I Eketahdna, May 12.— The Premier addressed a meeting here last night. Speaking of the land tenure he said that Mr Rolleston favoured the leasehold, while Captain Russell and Messrs Durhio aud Buchanan disagreed, and the Government, therefore, were at a loss to know the mind of the Opposition. He challenged the Opposition leaders to put fortH a policy. The Marino scandal was referred to on similar lines to previous speeches. He asked the settlers if they were prepared to go back to the Property Tax, because that was what Captain Russell wanted. If the latter wanted more taxation, he (MrSeddoD) would put it ou larger ootates. The Premier challenged Capt. Russell to fight the next election on the broad lines of the Property Tax versus the Land and Income Tax. He quoted figures to show tbat the Advance* to Settlers Act had been a great assistance, and said the dobit balance to the profit and loss account in connection with that Act, of £527t> .'at the end ot March, 1898, had beeu converted into a credit balance of £12,321 at the end of March, 1899 Tho sjstem should go further, and he wculd propose to Parliament tbat tho advantage of cheap money should be ex tended to urban and suburban properties, and beside?, those who paid interest promptly should receive a concession of half per cent. He declared that the settlers were in the hands of the mono poliats, and gave instances where sheep were bought in tho Wairarapa and sent to Canterbury, and af'er deducting freignt and charges, they brought 2s per head more than the settlers received. He and his party would endeavour to break down that monopoly, and if it could not bo dona otherwise they would hive to estu'-lish fiee zing works of their own. During the year the land taken up under all syst- ma was 1,363,716 acre.", by -2,585 sel ctors. Tho total laud revenue was 1 273,799. Speaking on the finances lor the year, he said the estimates were £4,°G'J,-000 and tho actual receipts £5,180,428, being an excess of £2 7,428. ') he amounts in exces« were : — Customs, £30,018; stamps, 19400; laud and income tax, £23,533; beer duty, £5,213 ; railways, 495,507 ; teiritorial revenues, £6,799 ; miscellaneous', £6,958. 1 he expenditure from the consolidated revenue was: — Amount appropriated, £4,849,830, with additional vote for railways of £52 920, making a total of £4,902,750. The acttul expenditure was £4,858,511 leaving a balance underspent of £44,239, and making a surplus for the year of £495,861, made up as follows : — Excess of revenue over expenditure, £399,717, balance from lust year, after transfer of £425,000 to public works fund, £96,144. He said the surplus showed that the colony was still prosperous and the spending power of tho people increasing. 7498 old age pensions had been issued, amounting to £128,000, distributed as follows :— Auotland, £31,000; Canterbury, £24,000; Hawke's Bay. £3,000 ; Ma-lborough, £2,000; New Plymouth, £3,000; Nelsoh, i' 9,000 ; Wellington, £14)000 ; Westland, £11,000; Otago, £31,000. No additional taxation would bo required. The Premier said since tho returns were rnado up 51 pensioners had died, and the Department was of opinion that in future there would .be «s many deaths as the new applicants. The Premier was well received throughout, and reciived a unanimous vote of thanks ; also one of confidence in the Government. Replying, he said ho would face the next election with confidence.