POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13277, 4 May 1907, Page 6

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

HON W. HALL-JONES AT TDIAKU . The Hon. W- Hall-Jones, M.H.R. for Timaru, and Acting-Premier, addressed a meeting of hfc constituents in the Theatre Royal last evening. Ihers was a good attendance, the Theatre being fairly full. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and a number of Mr Hall Jones' supporters, including the Hon. J. Anstey, M.L.C., occupied chairs on the stage. The Kan. Geo- Jones, M.L.C., Oamaru, was also present. The Mayor briefly introduced Mr KallJone?, pointing out that the Membe? for Timaru now occupied a number" of very responsible positions, and that fact reflected credit upon Timaru. He was sure that they were all pleased to ses their mfember among them again, and especially to* see him looking so well. The Mayor asked th? meeting to give Mr Hall-Jones a welcome by cheers, and this was done Mr Hall-Jones, who was well received, remarked that he had bsen absent from that platform for some *in-hfeen" months, and dining that time some important changes had taken place in the administration of the. colony, beginning with the death of their late and honoured leader. Mr Seddon. and they had lost also another Colonel Ktt ; and he mentioned other members of the House, and some leading , public servants, who had been lost by death. Last June additional responsibilities were cast upon him, by hi? being asked by His Excellency the governor to form an Administration. He declined to do so, save for a temporary period, till his colleague Sir Joseph Ward returned from England; and he believed every one approved of his action at that tjme. A short time ago he had a similar responsibility thrown upon him. A Prosperous 1 Colony.—He had be.n happy in having to take the' reins during a time when tL,e colony was in a state of great prosperity. The people of Timarn could understand that, as they had rh,-tired in the general prosperity of the colony, and their energetic Mayor was very properly taking advantage of it to push on important . works for the improvement of the town. He thoroughly approved, for instance, of the underground drainage scheme. He had been much to hear of the progress made wcth the barb-mr and to hear of th-3 steamer Atfenie bein>; berthed there. Of course, if the idea of a single port of export lor each inland was ever adopted; Timarn must be the port for this island, (applause and laughter). The colony as a whole could not be prosperous save as the individual members of t-h; community were, and the general prosperity war. indicated by some figures he would read regarding the increase in exports?:— 1897. ISC6. £ £ Butter and cheese... 433,229 1,708,363 Frozen b-.ef, mutton and Lamb ...; 1,166,511 2.434.217 New Zealand Hemp 32,985 690.577 Wool ' 4.245.049 6,028X93 Increase for year ending 51st- March last in above ilems. £1,129,100. The tola! exports of those line? were valued at nearly eleven millions, or five millions more than ten years ago. That was a marvellous output for a community of less than a' million people. The total exports for 19C6 were £18,095.137, an increase since 1396 of £8.774.032. Some people said Australian experts were greater than ours; bat that was made up by including interchanges between the States'. They might as well reckon in the coastal traffic in this colony. (Applause.) The colony's exports for the la t quarter were 8j millions, an ex!laordinary development- of their trade. They had the right men iu this colony, who knew how to make use of the resourt.es of the- country, and the shipping companies were aiding them by providing facilities for the transport of produce. The Exhibi inn.—The business of the colony had been greatly increased by the Exhibition. He hoped everyone in Timant went- to see it—an excellent Exhibition, spoken of in the highest terms by visitor* from all parts of the world, who said they could scarcely realise that New Zealand, with i s small population, could have got together such, a collection of products and manufactures. Some pe->-ple were alarmed at its cost, but the Railway Department would benefit at least a quarter of a million, and they had every reason to be satisfied with the financial iesults. and its educationad value must hav.: been inestimable.

Labour.—Mr IT r.! (-.Junes next referred to the unfortunate incidents in connect inn ivi h the frozen meat industry. He I.eli'vel that 95 per cent iff the working men desired tfie Arbifration law* to staiid. f»r the benefit it had been to He regretted that there had bejn a disturbance that- could Iwive been avoided bv an appeal to th.» Arbitration Court. lioth vmployers and man mast suffer by a strike, and as there was a tribunal for the settlement of such disputes he appealed to alt working men to refer their grievance to the Court, and save the ill-feeling that a strik- must leave behind it.' The Inw provided penalties for breaches, and he f.lv i- necessary to say that the (Jovernm; r.: would insist on a btrict enforcement of t'ilaw how-eve r p-iinful it midlife be- to do •'>. The finer- that had been inflicted must I)-' pnH. The ■wrank n/>T"+i nbmif. th" <1 rb'"tration taw the dtluyi tnisc had oct-tttTe I, and that was? the direction in which amend-

ment of tlie law was necessary, and the amendment would be provided. The prosperity of the colony was sometimes affected by such outward events, and the effect >of the strike was intensified because it followed on reports sent Home by some one connected with the Press, exaggerating the effects of the drought. The two combined led traders at Home to seek for substitutes for New meat-, and it was difficult to get back a trade that haa been displaced. A great aid to prosperity in this district had been the cutting up' of estates for settlement, as they all well knew. It had led to increased production, for the small holder farmed better, and the land for settlement policy had increased production to such an extent a,s to have added' materially to the general prosperity of; the colony. „ „ ' . The Colonial Conference. —Mr Hall-Jones having briefly referred to the visit of Sir Joseph, Ward to the Old Land, said that he knew thoroughly the needs of the colony. and was actuated by the highest sentiment of Imperial patriotism. He looked for great good as the outcome of the Conference, much more than had resulted from previous ones: Consolidated Fund.—Turning next to the year's finances, Mr Hall-J ones stated that the year just closed had been one of the most successful New. Zealand had ever ex : pcrienced. (Applause.) He read the following figures, showing a record of increases in one year: : ■Statement showing the Consolidated Fund Revenue for the financial year ended 31st March, 1907, compared with the previous vear:— Consolidated Fund— Ordin-

The increases in the railway and Customs were no doubt largely due to the Exhibition, and as he had said, the Exhibition would be profitable through other departments. He had some time ago anticipated a surplus of half a million. They had actually transferred to the public works iund from consolidated fund £775,000 as authorised by Parliament. That too, was a record. Then they had redeemed £150,000 of Treasury bills, a start made in clearing off an old -score of £700,000 of such bills. They had also started a sinking fund to clear off tliree millions of old Maori war loans, and £39,950 had been set aside for that purpose. The Exhibition had cost £49,500, and after these special payments they had a record surplus, as well as a record increase of revenue.

Railways.—Since he met them last he I;ad bui'ji appointed Minister for Railways, and ho had the pleasure of reading some

very satisfactory returns from this department : ' Railway revenue last financial year £2,621,396; increase over previous year, £282,978; number of passengers carried, 9,600,786 (more than double what-it was in 1898); amount of increase in wages paid to employers since 1895, £375,000. The Exhibition had of course largely increased the number of passengers carried, and tlid total of receipts. To earn larger revenue by the railways, however, necessitated increased oxpen.ses, so that th? profits . were not greater in proportion to increased <trade. He had had his attention drawn 'to the fact that there was a shortage in rolling stock, and especially to the fact that the volunteers had had to bo taken in trucks to Sheffield for the Easter manoeuvres. He did not believe in that. (Applause.) Men who gave their time to the country had at least the right to expect second-class carriages to travel in. Hie difficulties of providing such accommodation were very great, through the Exhibition and Easter holiday traffic. There wore also complaints of shortage of ordinary truck's. He had determined to put aside all other claims excent those of the most urgent nature, in order -to provide an efficient supply of rolling stock. Concessions.—People, he thought, did not realise the advantage they had reaped from reductions in Customs duties and otherwise. Ho referred >to the following table to show the sayings to the people since 1895, through those concessions, the total being over two and a half millions : Return showing the estimated amount- of loss of revenue on items on which rates were reduced by 1895 and 1900 Tariffs, and the Preferential and' Reciprocal Trade Act, 1903 ; from period October, 1895-to 31st December, 1906:

Savings to the people by remissions since 1895,, by Customs, Jt;2,519,957; by reduction; On postal and telegraph, etc., rates, £275,000; bv railway I arts and lreighty,. £750,000. The reductions in postages, telegraphs, and railways had is av Ed to the people since 1895 over 3£ millions. He had tried to ascertain the savings through the reduction of interest through the operations of the Advances to Settlers. Take all ih-j money , that had been lent at the reduced standard rate, and the savings would be seen to run into so many millions that ha did not like to name them. 1 Public Works.—Turning to the Public Works Department, Mr Hall-Jones said he had ho doubt that the North Island Main Trunk line would be completed bef"rc the end of next year, and that ChriUinab holiday makers in 1908 would? be able to travel by rail beiween Wellington and Auckland.- Ho wished to keep the public works expenditure within reasonable lithat limit, he placed at a millioit. of borrowed money each year. There was much-to do, Wt they must not- overdo it. Ihero were half '• a • dozen lines that could bs completed in a year or so, and with the completion : of the North Island Main Trunk line they • would be able to turn their attention to 'smaller lines;'-, which were of great interest to the people to be benefited by them. Reading the country was a duty of growing importance, the more- so as so much attention was being given to dairying in the North Island, where the rainfall made road making difficult. Before the advent of the- dairying industry people were not so particular about their roads, but dairying involvcl so much carting that decent loads wera necessary. Water Tower. —A great deal of information had bc-en obtained regarding the available water powers of the colony, and there was no doubt- that- New Zealand presented most favourable opportunities of this nature. It would bs quite easy from ari engineering point of view to obtain elec-1 tricity from water power -to drive all the railways and all their industrial machines twice over. The difficulty was the initial expense of the installations. The cheapest proposal that he knew of waa one in North Canterbury, £340,000. In the Opilii they had the opportunity of obtaining 10,000 horse power at a of £50,000, or 16,-, 000 h.p. for £61,000; and by a larger expenditure, bringing in other streams they could get as much as 6CO,C-03 h.p. It would be no use taking any one of these .schemes in hand unless -they were prepared -'to carry it through, ;.nd he would notthink of starting-on any of them until Parliament had fully provided for it. Mr Hall-Jones said that if the railway to owiSLCiiurcli could be electrified they would have frequent cars instead of a -few Lrairs a- day, (and industries would be carried on in Tisfiaru that were now impossible. And' electricity could be supplied at a price that would put all ste;un engines on th-j scrap heap. The question was whether Parliament would provide the means for a commencement Land Bill.—Mr Hall-Jones dealt at some length with the Land Bill, as re-ported elsewhere. Cus.oms Revision.—Besides the Land Bill, one of the principal measures of the next session would deal with tariff revision. He had mentioned the great savings effected for the people by reductions of the Customs tariff, and he lef-erred to the contrast between this action and the increases made- by their predecessors, wnich included 1 per cent, on everything imported. Tea, he lemarked now bore a lower duty in New Zealand than almost any other part of the Empire. They had not yet done enough for the working people, however, The Government deiire to give- thcai as nearly as possible a free- breakfast -table. Rents had increased and reductions in the cost of necessaries were therefore, the more required. Some local industries had notprogressed so well as they had been expected to do, and ic- would be sought to amend the tariff in such a mann.r as to help these indusaies forward, if pccsible. The New Councillors.—The rtcent appointments to the Legislative Council were referred to. The new Councillors had been silected as representatives of different classes of -the commrnity,—Labour, law, and farmers. He- would prefer a system of electing the Councillors by the House •if Representative-.

In conclusion Mr Hall-Jones aiked his hearers to tlunk of what lie had said and of the. work t!i > ( JuviTinii. 1 iiad done, and s.-iy vrhei !i ;• that, work had not bo '.n for the bene'it of (h - peop'c as a v-'iole: to mark the i»;'i veilous advene nf !V> conn' ry sincu 1890, the w'rn.bvr of difficulties which lie had encountered v-I;en he fir.-..- bec.mia Ziliimler of Public Works in a time of ?;lackius> when a number of

men were unemployed; and to compare the different state of things to-day. He did not think there would bs a return to such a state of things, but it -would take careful administration to prevent it. tie believed the people recognised that they had placed in power men who had done their b:\st in the interests of the colony ; and they would not change a trijd medical man, who had brought them successfully through a critical time-, for an inexperienced man who lfiight bs no better than a quack. New Zealand was one of the finest countries under the sun, and in years to come, with increased population, increased industries, and increased developments, the prosperous New Zealand of w» day would scarcely be realised in the j progress thai, would ba mad-;? in thi next ten years. He concluded by offering to answer any questions thai might be put to him. In reply to questions Mr Hall-Jones said that hi war? not quite sure whether the 'Executive of the Harbour Boards Conference had asked the 'Government to take charge of the Harbour Boards Superannuation Bill, but if they did, the Government would bj only too pleased to' carry it through.—ln the event of cold storage accommodation being provided in Timaru, the Government grader would attend when required.—The question of providing additional accommodation at the Hermitage necessitated by the increase in the number of visitors since the inauguration of the motor service would come under the consideration of the Cabinet next session, when Ministers will report on nece&sary' works, and the Cabinet will decide wbat should be undertaken.—Asked whether he was still in favour of establishing a ibta'te coal depot in Timaru, Mr Hall-Jones said that h=. had made inquiries regarding prices of coal, and had found that coal could be brought from Christcliurch at "prices ( approximately the same as 'those now luling in Timaru. —As previously stated, the Exhibition would probably cost the colony about £50,000, buti this would depend largely on the amount realised froni the sale of the Exhibition buildings.—-Mr J._ Mee asked, in regard to the proposed change from a 999 years to a $6-years' lease, if it was not necessary for a holder desiring to change his title, to allow his land to be submitted to a general, ballot. Mr HallJonss said that this was a misapprehension; there was nothing of the kind required; the change of lease was simply a transaction bet-ween the leaseholder and: the Land Department.;!. ' As no more questions were asked, Air' W. Makepeace Howe moved that " A vote of thanks be accorded to 'the Hon. William: Hall-Jones for his address, and of renewed confidence in the Government,j_ of which he is a member." Mr F. WaddelT seconded the motion, and Mr Craigie put it to the nieeting, when practically every Land was held up" for, and none against the motion, which was accordingly declared '•carried unanimously" amid much applause. / \ . . Mr Hall-Jones thanked the ntee,tmg for the vote- of thanks passed to him. The empathy and confidence showed towards l-.im was of greater help to him in his work than many could believe. Mr. Hall-Jones then, proposed a vote of thanks to. the chairman, and this was carried with acclamation, and the meeting dispersed atlo p.m. ;

arv Revenue — 1905-6. " 1906-7. £ £ Customs - 2,941,040 2,657,411 Stamps (including Post 1,201,263 and Tel, Receipts) 1,365,727 Land Tax ......... 447,342 385,756 Income Tax ... 277,867 261,816 Bear Duty 107,582 98,135 Railways 2,621,396 2,333,418 Registration and other v fees 119,444 ins. 222 Marine 40,891 36,739 Miscellaneous 226,885 195,811 Territorial Revenue*— Cash Land Sales— 37,309 32,406 Deferred Payment— Land Sales 2,462 5,440 Pastoral Runs— Rents, etc 211,130 222,942 Totals ... £8,399,075 £7,584,359 Giving a net increase of £814,716. Results of the Consolidated Fund. Ordinary revenue account for the- year 1906Receipts— £ Revenue 8,399,075 Sinking fund accretions 66,000 Other receipts . 13,881 Total 8,478,956 Expenditure— J0 Permanent charges - . 3,038.120 Annual appropriations 4,736,806 Total 7,774,926 Excess of receipts over expen- £ diture ... 704,030 Balance, 31st March, 1906 788,795 Transferred .to Public Work: Fund 775,000 Balance from last year's surplus 13,795 Bulanco 51 March, 190f* 717,825

Public Works Fund.—Tlie following figures were given to show the year's account -under this head for 19Q6-G7 :— £ I5al;me:.' from last vcnr 492.298 Receipts— Loan money (including premium) 1.141,520 Transfer from revenue 775,000 Other receipts 1.560 Total 2,410,378 Expenditure— £ Appropriations 2,040.319 Other charge-; 10.659 T.ital 2.050,978 Balance at 31st March, 1907 ... 359.400 Balance loan money to receive ... £5.400 Availabh. public works moneys to start the current year with ... 415,800 Total amount transferred from. Consolidated Fund to Public Works Fund •. 5,550,000

£ Belting, other than leather 38,936 Candles •••- 68,246 Coffee, raw 29.325 Chemicals and Drugs 29,112 Currants and Raisins 155,235 Machinery—agricultural, dairying gasmaking, mining, woodwork96,395 ing. woollen-milling 7,841 Medicines, patent and proprietary 75,975 Kerosene 614,558 Rice 137,536 Salt i ••••• 45,258 Sheep Shears '. 7,302 872,815 Turpentine . 29,356 Wax, pa ratlin and i'tearine 29,002 Wire, fencing 162,911 Woolpacks :....... 55,854 All other items 50,300. £2,505,957 Loss through c'rawbaek, 1900 14,000 Total £2,519.957