A Forecast of the New Policy.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5082, 16 August 1884, Page 2

A Forecast of the New Policy.

[•fecial to the "star."] AUCKLAND, August Mi. The special reporter of the Star at Wellington gives the following forecast of the Ministerial policy as it will bo disclosed in the Governor's Speech. The first plank ie the abolition of the Property tax, and the substitution of a land tax, to be effected, if

possible, this session. Other prominent features will be the abolition of plural voting ; the completion of the trunk railway in both islands ; the construction of the West Coast railway of the Middle Island; the payment of members at .£3oo a year; non-political Eailway Boards ; mea- I BUTCB dealing with Local Goverument and Harbour Works, and the reforiniug of tho j system^ Native Lauds Purchase, probably in the direction of a Government agency for their sale ; the encouragement of local industries, by protectionist additions to the tariff ; the promotion of the beetroot sugar industry on the lines set out in a Parliamentary paper prepared by Sir Julius Yogel some years ago ; a measure dealing with the Sinking Fund of the Pablic Debt ; the encouragement of mining industry ; aud a Bill drawn by Mr S^out for Sir Julius Yogel re tho promotion of trade and annexation in the South Sea Islands. The last named is a measure which is relied upon to win Auckland support. It meditates a combination of Sir Julius Vogel's «ld South Sea scheme with a proposal for the annexation of Pacific islands combined -with it. These are the chief heads of the programme which the Ministry will adopt, with some financial measures added. It is understood that they will not accept an income tax.