THE PREMIER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 5

THE PREMIER.

VISIT TO FIELDING AND DISTRICT. NEW POST OFFICE OPENED AT APITI, AN ELECTION SPEECH. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), accompanied by Lady Ward and his private secretaries (Messrs. Hislop and Matthews), arrived in Feilding just before nine o'clock yosterday morning, having been driven ovor from Palmerston. The Premier was received by the Mayor of Fcilding and Mrs. Trowin, and members of tho Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce. After lunch, deputations were received, Sir Joseph attended to some pressing business, and at 10.30 o'clock the party set out for Apiti in motor cars. THE DEPUTATIONS. CUSTOMS DECLARATIONS. Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P., introduced, several deputations to Sir Joseph Ward at 9.30. . Mr. John Cobbe referred to tho need for an alteration in the departmental rule regarding the witnessing of Customs declarations. Ho said tho matter had been referred to the Hon. J. A. Millar, who had replied stating ho could not see his way to alter the present arrangoniont. Mr. Cobbe said that under tho old arrangement declarations could be witnessed by Justices of the Peace and Custom House officers. Now they were limited to the postmaster. Tho inconvenience of confining tho witnessing to the postmaster was a serious one for business men. because tho mail from Wellington was sorted here about 12.30 or later, and the 'return mail closed at 2.30, and this was the hour when the postmaster was away at dinner. Mr. Cobbe further stated that the postmaster had control of a _ number of sub-districts, and these sometimes necessitated his absence from tho town. The business people, on referring' the matter to the Department, had been informed that the reason for eliminating the Justices was that they were uneducated. ■ That, said Mr. Cobbe, was. rather rough on himself. (Laughter.) It seemed to the Feilding importers to be a perfectly safe arrangement for the Justices to witness the declarations. They had been further informed that certain Justices had signed a irhole batch of declarations, at once, and ■■ handed them to importers: but that was not likely to occur here. They .would be very thankful indeed if the Government would revert to the former state of things. The Premier replied that he _ would bo glad to see Mr. Millar on the subject. The matter might be got over by naming certain Justices to witness declarations. Mr. Cobbo stated that that had been suggested. 11 • Sir Joseph Ward said he would try and get the matter arranged. MORE SHEEP TRUCKS WANTED. Mr. H. Tolley (President of tho Chamber of Commerce) spoke on the necessity for more sheep trucks to cope with the heavy craffio during the busy season. Tho matter was a pressing one, ; and now that the Government was taking over • tho Manawatu Company's line, there would be a still further increased demand for trucks in this district. Frcviously, owing to the double railage rates, stock was driven by road to Longo.urn, and there trucked; now, they would be trucked at Feilding, Last year's railway returns showed that there were trucked ' at 'Feilding 144,000 sheep, 5000 pigs, and 2000 head of cattle, making Feilding the largest trucking centre m the North Island. This year they were going to -hay,record season, with' the-great increase lambs, which was something abnormal 'They~brought tho matter before the :Government in order that they might know the requirements of the settlers. The completion of the Main Trunk line would mean an increased demand for stock in this district from the Waikato, as Feilding had the largest stock sales in the North Island. The matter had been brought before tho Government on Juno 3 last year, but tho reply indicated that the Government, did not realise the importance of the subject. He therefore urged Sir Joseph to inquire into tho matter, and suggested that the difficulty might bo overcome by the railway men working in two gangs to cope with tho increased demand. The shrinkage in the weight of sheep caused by keeping them .waiting'for trucks was a- serious item. For • the credit of tho country, they wished ■to export thoir fat lambs in the pink of condition, and not with tho bloom which tbey possessed when leaving the pastures .utterly lost., Sir Joseph Ward replied that tho Government would do all that was possiblo regarding tho matter. They were" anxious to ■ run tho railways with tho least possiblo 'troublo to the public. During the last year ■ there' had been considerable additions made to the rolling stock, the building programme for that purpose .being a very extensive one. They had got well up to tho requirements. It was not always possible to have the rolling stock where required at the particular time. However, ho wanted to assuro the deputation that tie Railway Department was thoroughly impressed with the necessity for rolling stock. Tlioy were prepared to run night trains, and do everything in their power to meet the settlors' requirements.' With the Main Trunk lino open, tho difficulty of supplying trucks as required would bo greatly Ho would bring the matter beforo tho Minister for Railways. TRAMWAY PROPOSAL. .' '' ' Mr. Fred. Pirani said for several years there had been, a' desire that Feilding should be connected with Sandon and Rongotea.by train. The Manawatu County Council had a tram lino from Foxton to Sandon, and he understood that tho authorities would be willing to extend tho tram to. Feildiug if tho Government would givo its sanction. Tho proposed extension of tho tram from Sandon to Feilding' would connect two thickly populated and rich districts. They knew there would bo some objection to the line from tho Government, but he thought if the lino extension cheapened transit then tho Government might waive any objection they might have to tho matter in other respects/ He hoped Sir Joseph Ward would inquire into the ouestion, and get au expert opinion on it.' The route, he pointed out, was an almost level one, and. was only about 12. miles in length. It would bring Feilding within about 20 miles of Foxton by rail. Sir Joseph Ward agreed that the matter was an important one, and he would be glad to consider it. ■ The real difficulty was that as a general principle tho country was against what he called private lines. He pointed out that local bodies might bo persuaded' to construct a lino, and then pressure would be brought to bear on tho Government to take it ovor. Some local bodies wero getting into a dangerous position. He thought it was not a good policy to have private lines in various parts 'of the country. MENZIES'S FORD BRIDGE. Mr. W. L. Fetch referred to the necessity for a bridge ovor tho Oroua River at Menzies's Ford. Ho stated that the Government had promised a subsidy of £1 for £1 up to £400 for tho bridgo, but tho settlers would like, whilo thanking the Government for this offer, a better one. He said the cost of a light traffic bridgo, such as they were attempting to get, would bo about £1600, and ho then made request, on behalf of the . settlors, that tho subsidy bo a £1 for £] one without limitation. Tho Premier repliod that he would be glad to see tho ford, and to look into the matter. The fact that the sum of £400 had been placed on the Estiniates showed that tho Gov» ernment had looked into it. Ho promised to confer with the Minister for Works on the matter. AT KIMBOLTON. The party reached Kimbolton at 11,30 o'clock, after a pleasant trip round the Waituna district. The journey to Apiti was resumed at noon. After leaving Kimbolton, a. stop was made at the school, where tho headmaster, Mr. Astbury, was introduced to the Premier' by; Mr. E. H. Crabli; chairman

of the School Committee. Sir Joseph Ward, addressed the children briefly, and then asked for a holiday for them, to commemorate his visit.' Cheers were given for the Premier and Lady Ward. ' The Premier was waited on by a deputation In reference to local mattera. Mr. R. M'Beth explained that there was a necessity for more justices of the peace, and suggested that" Messrs. W. Morton and George Beard be appointed... He' also' asked that telephonic communication should be allowed between Kimbolton arid Wellington, and explained how inconvenient the present conditions were.'• Sir Joseph .replied, in reference to the appointment -.of .justices, . that the matter would.be considered after '' the. elections,', as the Goyernment.jriade .it.. a rule, not to make such appointments on the eve of an election. -Tho-question of telephonic communication with Wellington would do carefully considered.. -

. VISIT TO APITI. OPENING OF. THE'NEW POST OFFICE. The party : arrived at Apiti, jiist;aften noon. !A. crowd,'of about four hundred settlers;arid others gave'a' great reception"!*) th'e'Premier arid Laay. Ward. The object of the Premier's visit was the official bpening of 'theiriew.'post office. ~ _ \ In .perfoririing the ceremony the .Premier fiaid'it was-nearly.'twenty years.sirice ,an application was first made for a'.post office at • Apiti/'ln reporting upon the . application, the. Inspector of Post Offices , remarked that 'Apiti was a-small farm settlement, on. which twenty families ,had succeeded in floating a loan for. the purpose of making roads in tho district, !so that it was anticipated the settlement would .be likely to increase.. As . the struggling ■ settlers in those'day's-were ..ten miles distant from a post office, the request for an office, although ; deferred. for a few months, was eventually' "granted .on October 1, 1889, when Mr. William Frederick .Marsh was appointed .the first postmaster. He' held the position for about tliree j'ears,. until the 23rd May, 1892, and carried I the mails from Fowler's for a. little over' a _ year. A plan which accompanied the application for the post office showed that tne early settlers laboured under' great difficulties, the only means of communication at first being a bridle track; , which was converted into a dray road before the office was opened.' It was significant that the steady progress that the settlement had made was prognosticated in the report of the Department's \officer when he stated that there could be no doubt as to the ultimate and even rapid progress of the place. The second ' postmaster- was Sir. W. Spurway,,who only held the office for about, two months, Mr. Hugh Osborne succeeding him on July 1, 1892. ''On .December '26 of' the same year Mr. Francis. Samuel Guy took over the office. June 13, 1895, saw tho establishing of a telephone office, also in charge of Mr., Guy, and a postal note office came five days later. Mr. Edward Gascoigne was postmaster from January 1, 1896, till March 31, 1900. ' A money order office 1 and Savings Bank followed on June 24, 1896. , In 1897 the number of articles dealt with by the Apiti Post Office was* 37,128; ten years later the number had increased to 84,344- 1 -more than double. In 1897,'303 money orders of the value of. £1 160 were issued, and paid, and 65 deposits and withdrawals of the value of £1050 made at and from the Post. Office. ■ .In 1907 the numbers had increased-to 625 money orders, of the. value of £2292, and ■ 371 deposits and withdrawals, of the value of £5234 respectively. Tlje postal -notes sold in' 1899 numbered 489, of the value of £129. . In 1907 the number had risen to 1265, of the value of The number of telegrams forwarded and received in 1899 was 2286.- This number had 'by 1907 increased- to - -r,3920. Mr. William Duncan James was appointed postmaster on! April, 1/ 1902, and .he. ,was succeeded by Mr. Henry Herbert Stephens. Before Mr. Stephens took: the office, the '' accommodation . was V.-contained in' a hut. , Mr. Frederick_ Heldt took over .-the office on July l'of this year, and the present postmistress, a. departmental • 'officer, assumed';' charge jjh September 23. • 'Thj# third' stage-in:the history of the, Apiti post : office is thfe 'jirovisioh '"tir the - building. tfhYdh <HS, as Postmaster-General, was about to_ formally ;'bpen.' ' The> building, which is-of wood and iron construction, comprises-•an office and a residence. for the postmistress. The office ; portion comprises a public office 20ft.'6in. x 9ft., " with telephone; bureau, a mail room (20ft; x 19ft. 6in;),;with a; telephone also private - boxes and gosting boxes. The contractor- was ' Mr. W. anks, of . Kimbolton, the.-, ■ amount of his tender being £896.185. : Mr. Birch, secretary of the reception committee,' read; an address referring |to- the town and to its great convenience! The . address expressed the hope that Sir-Joseph Ward would long ,be spared to occupy, pis position' as Premier. - - The Premier ; briefly replied, (thanking them- heartily . ]for their- kindly expressions and , reciprocating their -good- wishes.- He also briefly addressed the school-children.

SPEECH AT FEILDINQ.

. . PROGRESS OF THE DOMINION. , REPLY TO MR. WINDER. / ' ' (bt telegeaph—peess association.) . Fellding, October 20. Tho Drill Hall was'packed this evening, ' when Sir Joseph Ward delivered' a political speech largely on the lines of the . one at Palmerston last night, but some new matters were also dealt with. . Referring to the pro/ gress of tho-Dominion,'Sir Joseph ; quoted statistics- showing that during - the seven' years from 1890 to 1897 the population had increased 48.60 per cent.; impprts, 170.97.per cent.; arid exports, 109.65 per cent.; New Zealand produce exports, 109.82 per cent.; Customs revenue, 99.78 per cent.;; excise duties, 100.11 per cent.; biitter exports increased -843.36 per cent.; cheese, 485.48 per cent;; frozen meat, -161.97 per cent'. : Land Settlement. < ' He considered that special efforts should be made by the Government on-lines they had already initiated of setting workmen on the public works on land-in the vicinity. Two years ago, in the Financial Statement, this had been- outlined. No rent would be paid for the first three years, but after that' : rental would be paid,in the usual manner, thus enabling a man to go upon a; small piece of land rent free, and afterwards the' rent of those three years to be added to the. rent being paid. Workmen of six months' standing would be treated -in this way: The revenue on timber from this land would be paid into a special fund. Under restrictions preventing speculation the land would be leased to workmen for 66 years, and they would thus be encouraged to settle in the vicinity of the land, instead of : drifting back to tho towns, and would'thus become New Zealanders'attached to the soil in the true sense of the word. , The Financial Position. . He then, referred , to a statement made by Mr. George Winder, a candidate for Wellington East m tho Liberal interest, who recently resigned the chairmanship of the Central Wellington branch of the Liboral Federation, to. the effect that whilst supporting'the general policy of the Government, which was honestly trying to do justice to every person in the land, he wished to warn tho country that New Zealand was face to face with a great crisis. He (Mr. Winder) disclaimed the'role of an alarmist, but it was to the alert business man impossible to be, blind to the fact that financial stringency stared New Zealand in the face. The elections (said Mr. Winder) were to take, place early because the Government expected news of great portent in regard to the London money market in December. There was nothing .did more harm to New Zealand, said the Prime Minister—and he was not only alluding to Mr. Winder— than the.cry of "stinking fish" set up_ by people who onght to know better, especially when the finanoial position of the country was strong and impregnable. The statements made by Mr. Winder and the meaning which might be attached to them had no justification at all; so' far as the Government were concerned, at any rate. All their financial arrangements had been made for months to come, and they were not in tho slightest degree dependent upon the state of the London money market. The Government" was not loaning on its bankers, and the Government was never in a stronger position than they were to-day. Then the reference to the date of tho elections made by Mr. Winder—that had nothing at all to do with the money

market. As-a matter of fact, tho elections wore fixed for a'date* somewliat similar to the usual time after the rising of Parliament, and in doing so all that had been looked to was that the day should not conflict with the shows at Palmerston, Chrisichurch, Oamaru, and Dunediri,'arid .should not bring tho'second ballot too'dose to Christmas. He said he had many times' posed as a prophet in matters financial,' and a successful prophet at that, and lie was going to prophesy again. This timo he.formulated tho opinion that the existing stringency--;in tho money marketwould be over by ' December next, and lie based that upon, the .belief that tho productiveness of tho .Dominion ; in the direction of butter, sheep, arid other produco' would have brought to the market -such a large output that an enormous amount of tho'indebtedness to the banks would, have been paid. In addition' to that, • lie '.personally knew of very large sums, pf; money which were coming to New -Zealand the .near future for investment. In this connection it was only fair to the Government to point out that while the Advances to Settlers and Advances to Workers Departments'.'had. lent to settlors over three millions of money, yet while monetary institutions throughout-the colony had been taking'advantage of the stringency of the money market to.squeeze high rates of interest out of necessitous settlers, ■ the - splendid Government 1 Departments he had alluded to had. never'raised the rates of interest one sixpence. " " '■ -'S *' ' .

The Seoond Ballot,

After referring "gag" clause of the Second.Ballot Act/ he dealt with the question of proportional representation. He said in Queensland the system' was a failure because only ; five - per dent, -"of the ■ people . going to the, polls • used the preferential voto,: : - and the only way to make that system perfect was to compel every man to use' his ' contingent vote, and that was an impossibility.- He asked what proportional representation meant? The principal advocates of it suggested that three or four . electorates, should" be mads ono, and he wanted to know who would have the real advantage, and he answered men in the public eye who were well known, but . the man of modorate means or the poor man could no more go over an electorate like that than he .could jump over the moon. He had come to the. conclusion that the only way to let the . people say which man was the popular choice was to have an election between two men, and the second ballot gave that. In a country where the second ballot had been in use for forty years it had been found that more people went to - poll on the second occasion than on' the first, and lie felt sure that the supporters of a candidate would support him on the second occasion as on the first. Personally, he apprehended no difficulty in the working of the second ballot in New, Zealand. . ; : Defenoe. In connection with the question of defence he pointed out that there was a development going'in'the, Old World that tlipy could not "shut their ; eyes to —the race for tho supremacy in commerce. In. our; small way we should do our part as effectually as. we could. . First' of all we had . carried out a system of preferential trade to the Old World which had not gone as far as it should go, but it showed swe were .earnest in our desire to do our share, and, for Fne reason thatjKthe real protection to our. products was. to ,be obtained from the British Navv we had given £100,000 a year towards it. He, was. certain that'the heart of New Zealand was in favour of that grant, .but we had to guard against, any insidious system of militarism in; this country in' shape, of' compulsory military training tne.throats of the people 6f:the v DominioV We'.'should'be practical, and recognise that''there was 'need for internal defence.' "' The existing voluntary system was not as good as.it might be, and it was our duty to see that it was affective, and, that our young men were trained to be effective soldiers,- to reduce r the age of volunteers to sixteen,;pnd to- our school cadots "passed corps. It was upon .those' 'lines ithey work, and upon 'those was worldngjfie referred brieflly to the necessity to keep New Zealand .for the wljite race. The people wore, determined to :.keep out the Asiatic races; to-keep the.white race, of the colony pure; and the only way to ensure that was to make suro that; the Dominion was Btrong in defence;, that, the .'men of the Dominion were .trained, for and that nothing likely to Strengthen the.position of. the colony was. neglected."' . • . On the motion of Mr. E. H. Crabb, a vote of thanks ,to the .Prime. Minister and confidence in the Government was carried with enthusiasrii.