THE MEMBER FOR TUAPEKA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4899, 12 October 1901, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR TUAPEKA.

The following is a continuation of the speech delivered by Mr Ben net;, M.H.K, for Tuapeka, on the Financial Statement:— Mr Fowlds: Yon have two millions more than tbe r>ort,h,and we have the greater population. Mr Bonnet : The North is getting the money as fast as it is possible to spend Et.

Mr Fowlds: I say you are getting twice as much money in the South as in the North. Mr Bennet : You are trying to make us believe that we get the same amnnnt spent on roads as in the North ; but I am coming to that by-and-by, and we will Bee what is the real position. I really think, however, that a little more attention should be given to these oataide districts, even if the railway rates were kept a little higher. It would be better than cutting down the rates to bed-rock, and leaving these districts without railway communication, although they have contributed as much towards the promotion of the working railways as those that live convenient to them. We are in the same position as the Auckland people ; we could not decide on the lines that we want; but that now will have to be left to the depart- '' meet, and then probably it will be settled. That has been the bone of contention with us, as it has been in the North Island, Now I will come to the mines question, and I think honorable members will see whether there is any reason to coin plain :—": — " Gold-mining generally is Bteadily progressing, and, Although many companies that were floated more for the purpose of collecting calls from shareholders than for the purpose of winning the precious metal have been and are being wiped out of existence, the yield of gold is increasing. The quantity and value exported for the half-year ended 30th June last was 217,4780z, valued at £844,888, being an increase of 38,1750z, valued at £150,029, over the first half of the year 1900." Well, let us Bee what it is for 1900. I will give you the returns : The gold and silver produced from 1853 to end of 1900 was £57,721,648, and the . production of minerals, including kaurigum, was £18,383,945, giving a total . wealth produced of £76,105,593. The value of machinery employed in all classes of mining was £1,736,036. In dredging, for the nine months ended the 3lst December, 1900, the banks purohased gold worth £400,000 in Otago, the greater portion of this having been obtained from dredges- The total number of dredges in the colony, both in Otago and West Coast, either working, under construction, or tenders for which have been called, is 305 — Otago, 240 j West CoasG, (id, Including the coalminers, carters, and those actually employed in working the machinery, each dredge employs 11 men, so that the number ot men employed in this industry, when all dredges are completed, will be at least 3,355. The N or th Island qnarlz mines produced in 1900, £635,053, and the South Island £123,754, making a total production from quartz of £768,807. 'Jhe gold produced during the .first 8 months of the present year, ending 31st August, was 279,5850z, Valued at £1,079,476 ; and the production for same period in 1900 was 242,7550z, valued at £938,047; the increase for eight months over last year being 36,8300z, valued at £141,429. If this rate continues, the production for the present year will be the highest for twenty - eight yeajs. Now, although an enormous amount of gold has been got during this season', which has been one of the worst winters for dredging we have had for many years, yet these returns show they have done good work, and one therefore may imagine what ib would be under better circumstances. How, tbe return goes on to show that the number of men employed in gold mining in 1900 was 13,502, as against 13,291 in 1899 ; and in coal toioiug 2,160, as against 2,159 in 1899 ; the total in all classes of mining being 15,962, or an increase of 518 over 1899. Now, in spite of the value of this industry to the colony, very little has been done to assist the men who are engaged in it. During last session the Premier proposed to reduce tbe taxation ■' on mining machinery, and there was at once a great clamour raised against it, "•nd all the town members voted against that. How, Ifeniak fchafc was very unfair, for, although there is a duty of 22 per cent, on machinery used for induso trial purposes, the goods manufactured; . by them are protected to the same extent. I think the case of the miners , ought to 1 have received a little more consideration. There is another matter that I think they have great reason to complain ot,aodthat is in respect to this Inspection of Machinery Act. They have been urging me to get an amendment made in that. lam pleased to say that the Minister of Marine has taken in the situation, and has not

forced a strict compliance of the Act. Had that been done a large portion of the dredges would have been stopped. There was no reason for that being passed, for, although dredging has beeu going on for 30 years, never once has there been an accident from want of efficiency of the drivers. Any accident that haa taken place so far has been in connection with the machinery of the dredges. However, the Minister wisely enough recognised that the thing would be unworkable. There is not one of the managers of these dredges that would allow a man to be left in charge of the engine until he had a good knowledge ot the business. Now I come to the subject of establishing a State coal mine. There haß been a good deal Bald about this projeot of a State coal mine, and to get steamers to carry their own coal. Now, for my own part, I have some little doubt about tbe advisability of doing this. Judging from circulars sent to members it is clear enough that the owners of these coal mines have not got all tbe profits, and that it must be amoDgßt the retailers of the towns that we must look for the profits. We have information from America, from Texas and other parts, that they are going in largely for using oil instead of coal as a fuel for motive power. There are two steamers being built in Belfast whioh are to use oil instead of coal, and they can oontraot to ran at a speed of 20 knots with oil eDgines. If that is the oase and oil is replacing coal in this way, I think it would be unwise for the Government to speculate in any undertaking of this kind. We all must be perfectly well aware that the consumption of coal oannot go on very lopg. It will run out sooner or later, and if it runs out there would come a collapse that we would not like to see, at all events. Now I oome Ito that part of the Budget which is headed "Help to Farmers and Froduoers: Coolstorage," and. also to that part referring to 11 Trade with South Africa." Now, there is not the slightest doubt that the South Afrioan market has been a very great help to the producers of the colooy. It it had not been for tho demand that Bprung up in that quarter for our produoe many of our farmers would have been in an awkward position at the present time. Although it would be of great advantage to get our produoe to South Africa, I am not so sure if South Africa is the proper place for the erection of cool stores. I am of opinion that it would be far better to erect cool stores in London. If cool stores were erected in South Africa, as soon as that country becomes stocked with cattle again they might be used there agaiost the interest of the people of this colony. We know that in South Africa they grow far more cattle tbau they require for their own consumption, and these 000 l stores might be a disadvantage rather than an advantage to this colony. My own impression is that if 4he Governments of the various oolonies would get proper 000 l storage erected in London, and place a thoroughly competent man or men in charge, so that they could regulate the output and see thai, it was cold &fc a ptio6 that would benefit the farmers who ' seDd meat Home. It would be of great advantage. At the present time their produce has to go, no matter what may be the state of the market, and at whatever price they can get. The farmer is in a somewhat invidious position. When he has anything to sell he has to go to the store and ask what price they will buy at, and he has got to take whatever is offered. But if the farmer wants to purchase stores he asks what they are Belli Dg at, and he has got to take them at whatever price is asked. He has no say in the matter whatever. If coolstores were erected in London or Glasgow, or some other large oentre in the United Kingdom, under the conditions 1 have stated, the farmer would get some share of the spoil. Now, Sir, I will give the hon. member for Auckland City a list of the moneys that have been spent as between the North and South Islands during the last year : — Boads— Miles. Mileage made . . . . 949 Miles improved . . . . 912 Mileage maintained . . 3,304 Total Mileage . . . . 5,165 Cost .. .. £310,660 This amount of road work was apportioned as follows ;—; — Miles. Cost. £ Auckland .. .. 1,883 92,255 Hawke'sßay.. .. 317 31,336 Taranaki .. .. 476 33,088 Wellington .. .. 1,252 72,039 Nelson .. .. 250 9,278 Marlborough .. .. 344 13,933 Westland .. .. 259 11,452 Canterbury .. .. 140 8,914 Otago 122 15,902 Southland .. .. 143 20,298 General .. .. 2 3,065 Total .. 5,165 £310,660 Mr Fowlds: Look at railways, and compare the two together, and you will see you are getting the lion's share. ( To be continued. )