Speech by the Acting-Premier.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXV, 21 June 1902, Page 1290

Speech by the Acting-Premier.

pkcxjKKss or THE COLONY. A REMARKABLE IMPROVEMENT. SUPPLIES FOR SOUTH AFRIC A. THE PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAMME. PUBLIC WORKS POLICY. Sat Joseph Ward addressed the electors of Awarua at Winton last Tuesday evening. The Mayor preaided, and the Oddfellows' Mali was crowded to the doors. The Acting-lTetnier was accorded an enthusiastic reception, and applause was frequent throughout the address. Sir Joseph Ward, after referring to the pleasure he felt at meeting his constituents, said that a remarkable improvement was noticeable *n all aides, and it was evident that people were not content with the antiquated condition of things which prevailed in former years, which prevented the power of the State being used for the uplifting of humanity. The gloomy predictions that the colony, as a result of experimental legislation, would gradually drift into a state of chaos, were by no means fulfilled, and we had passed through the budding stages into the full fruition of success and prosperity. America was frequently pointed out as the land of freedom and progress, but most of the inquiries concerning the conditions prevailing in New Zealand came from America. That country was behind ns in the use of the State for the well-being of the people. In New Zealand the people owned the railways, the post and telegraph services, and the telephone system, and the State had its own Public Trust Office. Insurance, and Advance to Settlers’ Office, not one of which was controlled by the people of the United States of America, where the god of wealth overshadowed almost every one of the great industries upon which the people had to depend for their existence. In regard to Stateowned Departments, we were 50 years ahead of the United States, and so far as railways were concerned of England itself. FINANCE. The revenue and expend! tur for the year ending March 31, 1902, was of a reassuring character. The balance of £270,400, considering that remissions in Customs duties, railway charges, and penny post ran into £300,000, could not be regarded as other than a wonderful result. The liabilities for the year were £lB4/100 or £230.000 leas than the previous year. Of course, ft was impossible to include all the liabilities when the books were closed, but last year’s revenue had to bear an expenditure of £207,000 of liabilities for the preceding year. Naturally, the interest upon loans had increased with increased indebtedness, but it ought to be recognised by ail that a great deal of the loan money was remunerative to taxpayers. The Public Works expenditure was undoubtedly high, but they had a great and growing railway service, and it would be disastrous

not to give this branch of the industrial life of the colony the attention necessary. The Westinghouse brake had been applied to rolling stock of nearly the whole colony, and the rest would be equipped shortly. The rolling stock had been enormously added to, and the railways were paying over three per cent, interest upon the total moneys expended, and that Interest was provided by the people who used the railways. The member for Bruce referred to the one per cent, underwriting trpon oar loans, but this was the fee fixed by the Stock Exchange. The member also mentioned the old age pensions, but Ministers could not be blamed for the matter to which he alluded, as all claims were investigated by magistrates. and Ministers could not interfere. The member also made a mistake of three millions in the publie debt, and said that the public works liabilities were £ •00,000. whereas they were £318,000. The expenditure

from Public Works Fund was £834,231 nun than ia the preceding jaar. The growing tendency to clamour for expenditure must be resisted, and reason should predominate tn this connection It was absurd and fallacious to any that the increase of income tax from £81.031 to £179,000 was due to e tra taxation. The same remark applied to Customs taxation. Since 1895-90 the Government had not increased duties, and the growing receipts were due to increased trade, and in spite of enormous reduction in the duties. THE RAILWAYS. Sir Joseph went on to deal with the finances, and then came to railways improvements. He said that a new time-table would come into operation on July 1. A reduction of 45 minutes would be made in the Christchurch expresses. The goods service between Invereargill. Riverton, and Nightcaps wo-Id be rearranged so as to allow the whole of the settlers in the western district getting stock through to Dunedin in one day. THE WAR. After reference to allowances to settlers. which had lowered interest 2 per eent., thus saving £750,000 per annum, the Tourist Department, which had already exerted a good influence. and the Health Depar t nient. St Joseph alluded to the justice of the war. and the exceeding happiness of its issue, and referring to its commercial side, he said that 202.085 tons of produce had been shipped in 55 steamers, the net value being £1.371.501. Horses worth £45.9.80 had been purchased in the colony, and £ 675.574 had been paid to the Defence Department for the pay, equipment, gratuities, horses, forage and transport, so that the total expenditure made in the colony was £2.095.755. The Government had been trying to obtain a direct line of steamers for South Africa, and a tender had been received from the Blue Star Line. After negotiations the Government offered them the service, and the matter was remitted to London, where it was receiving the’ htfenticn of the solicitors for the colony and those for the contractor. HELP TO THE FARMERS. A great deal had been done for the farmers. The Government had relieved them from an unfair imposition under which they were previously living. Cheap money had been obtained for them, and the practical results from the Agricultural Department show that it had been of inestimable value to farmers. The grading and inspection of butter and cheese had lifted the trade in those articles to a high level, and legislation for the purification of manures had done an immense amount of good. The lowering of the rates on f arrnlng produce upon the railways meant a great caving. A system was established in London by which regular advices were cabled out for the benefit of the farmers, and a trade representative had been sent to find additional markets, and to furnish information which would be of benefit to farmers. The land laws had been broadened in a way which had enabled thousands to get holdings at rates at which they would be able to make a livelihood. Fifty thousand pounds had been authorised for cool stores in South Africa for farmers' produce. There was no reason for the farmers turning against the Government, because they had endeavoured to do good also to the artisans and workers in towns. Any person who attempted to create a class prejudice of this sort was an enemy to his country. THE COMING SESSION. The work of the coming session was in a very forward state. In the last session of Parliament too much should not be attempted. If they kept the finances in sound position, and laid out a practical, progressive and a prudent railway, lands and road policy, they would be doing what was of paramount importance, to the colony. The legislation to be submitted would, while dealing with many important matters, be found to be within the limits of practical procedure. The colony should agree to

adopt a referendum. ao that Urge •octal questions should at certain times toe remitted to ttoe people for consideration and decision. The electoral law required attention, and an effort would be made to enable memtoers to be returned who represented a majority of their constituents, bteps had already been taken to have every adult placed on the roll. Attention would be given to all important matters concerning the export of our products. A measure would be submitted dealing with the question of a system under which railway employees could be superannuated upon retirement either as the result of accident or old age. A proposal would be placed before the House for the regulation by the Government of sharebroking, and some necessary improvements would be made in' the Factories Act. An important proposal would be submitted concerning the depravity which existed in all parts of the colony. Amendments dealing with rating on unimproved value would be considered, and attention would be given to the conservation of rivers. Safeguards for the public doing business with second-hand dealers would be made law, and important amendments of the Coroners Act would be introduced. The land laws would be still further amended, and proposals made for dealing with the question of rebate to Crown tenants. State fire insurance would also have consideration. He did not think that any attempt would be made to deal with the licensing laws during the session. Further remissions in railway charges would be announced during the sitting of Parliament, and a means would be introduced for classification of civil servants. taxation and expenditure.

In regard to expenditure, he said that some advocated wholesale retrenchment, bat be had come to the conclusion that, excepting where actual necessity compelled a wholesale reduction, it should be avoided, or, at any rate, it should not be done from any light consideration, or the outcome of a mere party cry. As far as he had been abte to -follow the effects of such a policy, it had proved disastrous in many directions never contemplated- Unnecessary expenditure should be avoided, and that upon public works should be made primarily upon reproductive works. At present there was no reasonable ground for the cry for the retrenchment of officers of the Civil Service almost indiscriminately. The spending power of a community was of vital consequence to the body politicIf they dislocated this unnecessarily, and to an appreciable extent, in the Goveranment service, it did not end there, but spread through every avenue of occupation in the country, and produced consequences which tended to reduce the volume of trade and bring about a depression. The colony must see that the taxation of the people is not too high, that the revenue is in excess of expenditure, and, if it turned out that financial equilibrium could not be maintained by reason-

able taxation, then, without creating panic, and without dislocating the service from end to end. a prudent reduction should tee made in permanent appropriations. In his own Departments employment had only been given when there was work to do, and when work was slack those in exeess of the number of hands required for the time being had to stand aside. PUBLIC WORKS. There was an apparent effort being made in some parts of the colony to force the hands of the Government, and make them go in for lavish publie works expenditure. Wellwishers of the eolony should carefully ponder over the position which presented itself in connection with its progress and development. To expert a colony sneh as thia to go on borrowing enormous sums of money annually for public works was to expeet the impossible, and if publie men Jid not realise the fact they would be plainly told that sneh a policy would ultimately lead to a disastrous position. He was far from feeling at all nervous of the position ahead of the eolony. They required firmness and courage, tempered with caution and reason, and these characteristics had not been wanting on the part of the Government in earryijg on its responsible duties since their accession to office. The constituents should be reasonable. Requests had been made to enable local bodies to increase their spending powers in various directions, the Government to supply the necessary money by way of lean. This should and must be checked. The financial stability of the colony must be maintained in a strong position, and our credit must be utilised for colonial purposes in contradistinction to local ones. Railways already begun should be carried Io the point at which it is intended they should stop. Having made up its tni&d what railways are to be completed, the eolony should inaugurate a system of finance for obtaining the' money for first class reproductive works. The main trunk lines already commenced should have precedence, and he was of opinion that the connecting link of the North Island Trunk railway should be vigorously prosecuted- The surplus revenue from the Consolidated Fund, estimated at £300,000 this year, would be used for opening up lands and reading the country. Extensive settlement in the interior ind greater development of produce for export could only be carried out by giving those in the interior necessary facilities for getting produce ■to the seaboard. There was a great deal to be done, and while the Government would not shirk its legitimate responsibilities in doing its test to accomplish it, it would not be driven upon a course which it believed to be unwise or unsafe for the colony to follow- In conclusion, there were no grounds for a prehension; ■Che outlook was hopeful; and he felt a thrill of pride tn being able to call New Zealand home.

A vote of confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and the Government was carried unanimously.