8.—6.

consent to the payment of a bonus of 2s. per ton upon 50,000 tons of coalfif exported within twelve months from the Ist October next. The necessary conditions for this will be furnished in detail, one of which will be that the coal in question must be sent to foreign markets—viz., markets beyond Australia. ASSISTANCE TO FEUIT-GBOWEES. The magnificent climate that has so often formed a theme of admira-: tion of both residents in and visitors to the colony makes me believe' that advantage is not taken of the fruit-producing powers of this colony to anything like their full extent. I am disposed to think that in the past we have shown an indifference to fruit-culture which almost amounts to culpable negligence. As honourable members know, there are many places in the colony which are eminently suited for this class of produce. One of the causes which has hindered the successful production of fruit has been the free admission into the colony of Pacific Islands, Tasmanian, and Australian fruits. It would seem to me that, while we are protecting our industries and endeavouring to find fresh avenues for the employment of our people, those desirous of using imported fruit should be prepared to pay higher prices in order that fruit may be profitably produced here, and that a duty upon fruits which can be grown in the colony should be levied for this purpose. Then, the railways, which have been made for the general use of the people and for the primary object of developing the resources of the country, should be placed at the service of the fruit-producers at greatly-reduced rates. In that way fruit-producers living at a distance of, say, a hundred miles from a consuming centre could have their fruit conveyed as cheaply as the more favoured producers living, perhaps, only twenty miles distant. I am prepared to hear it said that this would be an innovation in the direction of establishing a system of railway transit that should be approached with diffidence. To this I would answer that, if fruit is to be profitably produced in all parts of the colony where climatic conditions favour it, settlers must be put upon even terms. I therefore hope that in this practical age the officers in charge of the railway service will, if this House favours the proposals now sketched out, loyally give effect to the wishes here expressed. I am convinced that, while the imposition of a duty against the imported article would restrict the use of outside fruits, such a duty and a low railway tariff would give a great impetus to the industries of this colony, and create such a local competition that it would be only a short time before better fruit at a low price would be at the disposal of the people. SMALL DAIEYING. Small settlers in various parts of the colony have been greatly assisted by the carrying-on of the smaller class of dairying business. The railways have not, to the extent which they ought, enabled this class of settlers to get their products at reasonable rates to the larger consuming centres. The Government are of opinion that the producers of such articles as butter and eggs, who are largely dependent upon the sale of these for a living in the larger centres, should have extended to them privileges similar to those which are suggested for the facility of the transit of fruit. The railways should be used for settlers of this class for the purpose of overcoming the disabilities arising out of distant markets, or of making it as desirable for settlers to live at a long distance from a town as to live where those now more favoured do, having selected an allotment closer to a city at an earlier date. I earnestly commend the above suggestions to the careful and thoughtful consideration of honourable members. EECIPEOCAL TAEIFF. I would direct the attention of honourable members to the policy which has so prominently characterized the neighbouring colonies for some years past: I refer to the policy of raising their tariffs. These increased tariffs have had the effect of limiting the outward trade of this colony. I believe that a colonial reciprocal tariff entered into would confer greater benefits upon Australia than upon New Zealand. But, in order to enable friendly com-

Fruit-culture capable o£ enormous expansion.

Railway rates should be lowered to assist.

Balance of trade against New Zealand.

XV