TUB PREMIER AT WINTON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1280, 8 November 1911, Page 8

TUB PREMIER AT WINTON.

DUPUNDS 1115 POLICY. LAND AMU FINANCE. TilK GAMING I.AW A NDTiIl I ', (^JI'.STION. lIIj Tclcci'siph — I'ross Atwlnl.lon I Winton, N'iivciiili't 7. Sir JiiM'ph Ward opened his i.:iuipiiii;n at. Winton, tin 1 ei'iilni nf hi-; (Oil I'd»U-, to-night. ll,v special I rain from liivcicargill, a very largo number of citizen: came mil t<i U'inlon with llie Prime Minister, who was accompanied by I,lidy Ward. On arrival lit llie railway s;l*iti'i:i llio parly was welcomed by I lie kcal baud and a very large, nwinlilajie r,l eheerili'! people. Such a large crnv.d had gathered in Wiliton lo hear Hie Pl iini: Minister's address that. Hie hall originally engaged was not nearly large enough to ac.cotnmodale tliem, and an adjoin nmc.'it wa-; made Ui a larger hall, where fully laOl) people soon packed in. Sir Joseph Ward was loudly cheered as, with lii'-> party, he mailo his way through the crowded hall to the platform. The Mayor of Winton, Mr. J. P. Sl'William presided, a.nd at tho conclusion of his introductory remarks, threo rousing cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward. The Premier lie.gan by a neat refereneo to his long association with the electorate, explained why he was not ablo to spend as much time in if as he would like, and said thai he left himself wilh the utmost confidence in tho hands of his friends, and would greatly appree.iato their generous help, lie then made feeling reference to tho bereavement sustained by the leader of the Opjwsition. (Applause.) lie regretted that for tho last thirty years Iho stock-in-trade of the Opposition had been gross misrepresentation, and, in many instances, personal abuse of their opponents. The mode had been especially to attack each of the Prime Ministers, and to do all in their power to depreciate the holder of that oiiice. This the New Zealand public, with their sense of fair play, had always resented, and they had shown their disapproval of such methods by keeping the Conservative party in the cold shades of opposition. i'hey had had a scries of inquiries costiug thy country many thousands of ]>ouniis, for tho purpose of investigating charges made at various times, H.nd in no single instance was one of the charges found to app.y to any member of the Government, in confirmation of the baselessness of innuendoes about Tamluanyisiu and corrupti&n, he quoted from what: tlio Hon. G. i'owids said when retiring from the Ministry quite recently. There was also the confirmation of the late Sir. T. E. Taylor, and, again, that of Mr. Isitt in the House of Representatives— both Independent members—that the charges of Tammany and corruption were baseless. Even the Opposition lino been impressed with the futility of their past attitude ,and they now, in desperation, declared that they were not against the legislation, but the administration of it. Home of them even claimed credit tor some of the legislation tlicy so desper- ' ately oppo.-sed. lie took as examples the Advances to Settlers, the Old Age Pensions, the Land for Settlement, and the Advances to Workers Acts. How "id they help to pass these measures? He gave a detailed list showing how they voted for these, including the following:—Land foi Settlements: Allen f2 times voted against, only. 5 times for, and 15 times did_ not vota; Slassoy, 37 times against, 8 times I for, and C times did not vote. Old Ago Pensions Bill: Allen, 79 times against, S times for, and 13 times did not vote; Slassoy, 87 times against, 9 times for, and 4 times did not vote. . Advances to Settlers Bill-: Allen, 33 times against, 7 times for, and 7 times did not vole; Slat.-e.y, X> times against, 7 times for, and G times did not vote. Advances to Workers. As to the Advances to Workers Act, tlio Leader of the Opposition said he was responsible for this. That was not correct. Anyone who looked up the records would find that the Government stated in the Governor's Speech that they proposed to submit legislation for advances to workers. After that intention of the Government therein clearly stated, tho Leader of tho Opposition moved an amendment to include workers to the extent of on an Advances to Settlers Bill. The result, if lie had accepted it, would have been that tlio settlers would have got less, and llto total amount without tfuis deduction was not sufficient to meet tho farmers' requirements. The late Sir. Tlatman and the Hon. Mr. Buddo were the first two to suggest it before tho Governor's Speech was introduced. and the Leader of the Opposition did so after the Government announced its intention in thi. Governor's Speech of doing so. Tho fact remains that he introduced the legislation, and under it the workers had received ,£1,503,0D5, and he. took authority last session to increase tho amount to .£750,(100 a year for advances to workers. The increase in the public indebtedness since he had been Prime Minister was .515,887,082. Of that amount .E15,-I'2!),11-1 was reproductive directly or indirectly, _ and .i 3,4. r >7.96fi was non-reproductive. Sir Joseph Ward proceded to deal with tho public debt on tho lines of his last Budget. Progress of tho Country. He was aceuscd by men who had voted for loans of borrowing too much since lie had been Prime Minister. In that period tho population had increased by 121,030; tho area of laud in cultivation by 2,700,000 acres; tho number of stock proportionately; open lines of railway bv illti miles, and receipts upon these railways by <£I,UM~S; shipping by -175.000 tons; export of wool by .£8,y57,077; frozen meat, .£1,15G,3-15; butter, .£103,418; cheese, ,£t)!lS,!)0S; provisions, tallow, and timber, ,£1,461,163. The total increase in exports for the same period was JC-1,283,724. The output of coal increased by 611,597 tons; deposits in banks, including Savings Hanks, by X10,!)B1),000; and capital value of laud and improvements by .£7,500,000. All this went to show the progress of the country, and critics would saj that the Government had had nothing at all to do with it. His answer was that in thai time 33,000 people had been put on tho land, JC-1,529,000 borrowed b> the Govern inent for advances to those settlers, and .£160,000 expended in the purchase of land for closer settlement. Kot one of these magnificent results could have been achieved without the active progressive policy pursued by tho Government. Dealing with what, he termed Opposition bellowing, Sir Joseph Ward twitted the Oppositionists with inconsistency of action and utterances in that they cried for a reduction of borrowing, yet kept tapping .at tlio door of the Ministej for Public Works, asking for new railways, roads, etc., in their districts. He characterised them- as hypocritical economists. When asked for an explanation of their conduct they coolly ana without shame said, "W'lieu there is plunder money wo want our share of it for our constituents." (Applause.) The Land Question. Sir Joseph SVard then went on to deal with social and humanitarian legislation of his party, speaking of the political trend of thought, and explaining the uational provident fund and other humanitarian schemes, lie then went on lo deal with what he termed the unfounded statement that the Government had no land policy. The Government policy is as contained in the Land Act, 1908, and the Land for Settlement Act, IPOG, and tho amendment of 1910. Those Acts he explained. By way of comparison lie gave a list of all the tenures in force on SI arch 31 last and the number of Crown tenants, tho areas held and tho yearly rental. It would seem that lands had been selected on eight different tenures under existing Acts, while four tenures that wcro now repealed as regarded new selections were availed of in past years. Every inducement had therefore been given to" applicants to take up Crown lands on tenures that suited their respective requirements. Thero could bo no question that under tho tenures lie had indicated land could bo obtained under tho leasehold or under tho optional system. Every facility for acquiring the freehold- was given, and even where llie land was hold under ronewablo lease Hie right lo pay olf 90 per cont._ wa.s given. All ordinary Crown land might Ix 3 acquired in foe simple unless it was pastoral land, or formed part of the national endowment. If town, suburban, or village lqnd, it might be purchased at auction for cash. If village settlement land it might bo purchased on application for cash, except iu tho case ot village homestead allotments, which wore available for selection tinder renewable lease only. II rural land, it might either bo purchased on application for cash or selected on occupation with right of pur-.

i'liiiah IVliit'll (r;ivo Iho selector tho ' ';;'il I" in <|nii(• the freehold between 'Imi ti'iitli nnil IWf!ily-finil years of his li i'ii-n. If I|i»> liiml Utiil been selected iinili'i' leam in perpetuity between 1882 awl lUD7, Hie sco Might (icriuirc -the I'-" »-iiii li.v paying fl"! viiino of (lie '•"ill 'if I li'' ilnl<vnl' his application, to |Miri')in"', nnil I'vfji if Iho ];irid was held iiiitier ri'iii'Ujililo leam although lie inighl ii'.l piircli.i -0 Iho freehold he liiighl pay lij) to !I0 per rent, of Iho i ,; iJ>il iil viilim of his land at any tinio, iiiml ho wiih freed liuin all Iho covenants iiii'l fnidilinns of |iis lenso. (except the I'liinlilion a-; l/i payni.nl of rent on (he unpaid balance), mid I ho condition as l/i on Iho land after ho liad paid XI jut cent, of tho capital value. Prr>[/ress of Settlement. Il'-iilin;; ii'xl. with tho charge that fhn 'lovi rnini'ot had kept hack, or had iinl I I he Crown lands for sekeli'tfi, hi- lool: Iho i"siill<; of the past foil yap, including the, years ninco ho becalm; I'miiio Minister, showing (-elections of '.'rov,li lands as follow;— No. of Area, Y'»r. w.Y'ifors. ikt'-s. iwm-2 i,nn san.nm IMI2-.'S 1,(1112 425,1)21 IUKi-i I 531,07!) IMt-5 I,MI V 12.112 iW).vc 1,530 KM,340 Since formation of Ward Ministry:— 13M5-7 1,0 U 51 2,853 l'Mi-8 1 ,JS9 HI 7,% I HMB-!) i,y;:i .Villi 1 Ml-10 1,712 037,520 1010-11 i,m 403,150 Totals ... 10,715 4,211,.5G5 Theso figures showed that during tho past ten ve.'irs nearly Jivo million acres of Crown lands had been taken tip by °, vcr selcct/irs. Tho average, for (ho five years that ho had boon Prime Minister was 520,(10 acres per Annum, whilst during tho live ytars previous tho average was acres, yet they would find the Opposition declaring that under his Administration land settlement was not going on so fast a.s it did previously. This was ono of those deliberate misstatement!) contrary to fact that one was_ accustomed to hear from critics. He reminded his hearers that under his Administration of five years .'i.'i,ooo people had been placed upon 2,002,252 aerosol land —that was a greater pojiulation, exclusive of the towns, than that contained in the whole provincial district of Southland had been put upon (he land by the Government within that period, a record of which anyone in the world might be justly proud, but the miserable fault-finding Opposition in this country would not give credit Jo any man for the gocd ho docs. (Applause.) About one-thirteenth part of tiie whole of New Zealand had been settled during the past docade. It would, therefore, be seen that the existing land laws of the Dominion were much more helpful than was admitted, and that the Liberal provisions under which tho lands of the Crown were opened were elastic enough to. suit al. requirements and enable all classes of selectors to profitably work their lands under satisfactory conditions, both to themselves and to the State. He then with the proposal made fcy sonic persons to allow holders of lease-ill-perpetuity lauds to convert them into freeholds by paying up tho ten per cent., which was tho difference between the occupation with right of purchase leases and those leased under lease-in-perpetuity tenure. This ten per cent, added to the capital value which would have to be paid by the lease-in-perpetuity holder would only amount on the total leases held at <£101,615. Illustrated thus: Original capital value of ali leasos-in-perpetu-ity, <£1,519,325; plus one per cent, added as above Mentioned, total, i 11,711,170. This did not include the Ceyiot Estate. He then gave the results which would accrue to the State provided the present provision of the Land Act, 1908, were given effect to, or allowed to take their course, lu 1911 the area of ordinary Crown lands held on lease-in-perpetuity tenure, inclusive of Cheviot Estate, was 1,075,103 acres. The capital value at date of selection was .C1,C(i5,2:?5. Tho estimated amount tenants would have to find at present values was •£6,699,534,' total increase .£5,034,30!). Similarly for land for settlements area held at March 31, 1911, GG4,C7S acres; capital value at date of seloetion, c C3.b73.520; estimated amount which these lands are worth at present values, <54,538,495; total increaso ■£G61,675. The Government had also been accused in the press of not giving wouldbe settlers the opportunity of acquiring the Crown lands. Tho answer was given in the following facts:—Area opened since March 31, 1911, or will be opened before December 31, 1911—Ordinary Crown lands 314,200 acres, national endowment 70,831 acres, lands for settlement 17,215 acres, total 438,309 acres. The Optional System. He then dealt with tho question why all Crown lands woto not opened under tho optional system. First, the optional system could not apply to lands which Parliament had thought (it to place within the national endowment. Second, it could not apply to lands which were situated within a proclaimed mining district, and which tho Mines Department would only agreo to open on renewablo lease, for the reason that when areas which had been so leased were resumed for mining purposes the compensation payable by the State was not excessive. Third, the optional system did not apply to small grazing runs or pastoral runs. Fourth, the optional system could by law apply to land for settlement areas. The difference between tho Opposition and the Government was that the Opposition wanted to soli the above estates at cost price, plus one per cent., which meant giving away land for nothing to tho i value .of over five and a half million' sterling. They also wanted to sell nino million acres of national endowment land, which were set aside for education and old ago pension purposes, anil they said they would buy areas cither in or near towns, lie preferred to hold tho nine inillion acres. (Applause.) State Guaranteed Advances. The State Guaranteed Advances Act had fully justified itself, and had further been the means ol' assisting thousands of deserving people (o provide themselves with comfortable homes. It was ditlicult to estimate the benefits derived bv tho Dominion directly and indirectly through the working of this most bencliecnt Act. The amount authorised to date was .013,201,555, and the total sum actually paid over to applicants up to tho end of last month amounted to Jjll,GlS,ooo. This amount was advanced to 31,713 settlers. The repayments to date totalled A'f.Olj,SGS, the acluul balance ot principal owing by 17,05S mortgagors on mortgage of property being <£fi„S3i,S7O. The total amount they had borrowed lip to date for the purpose of carrying on this luigo scheme of advances was £7,01)4,935. Tho repayments made from time to tinio had enabled them to advance in round figures .£5,000,000 more to (he Peltiers than thev had borrowed money for. To 09,052 workel's amounts totalling .£1,930,195 had been authorised, and up to tho end of last month tile actual advanco accepted by GIS7 'workers amounted to .£1,003,095. Of this sum <C13G,520 had aliwulv been repaid, and there was in addition' an internal sinking fund standing to the credit of theso Departments—the Advances to Settlers and the Advances lu Workers—of ,E195,909. Advances to settlers were nowbeing made at the rata of over .£2,400.000 per annum, and to workers at the rate of over .£525,000 per annum. This borrowing which had done such invaluable service to settlers was made .one of (lie charges of oxtr.ivaga.nee (hat were being levelled against him. In (he toel'h of such vile misrepresentations he proposed to continue to find cheap qonev for tho settlers and the workers, to help (hem to make homes for themselves, and to assist them in the tilling of (lie lands that tiioy were cultivating. lie appealed lo (he settlers, to the workers throughout (his country, to the men who knew Iho actual position, whether they would by their votes at the coming election continue tho scheme of cheap money for which lie mainly was responsible, or whether tlioj would allo'n their opponents endeavour to kill the scheme from the beginning, and to throw (ho settlors and tho workers back into the arms of the largo companion and of investing firms at the old high usurious rates of interest that prevented them formerly from making a living for themselves anid their families (Applause.) Mokau, Dealing shortly with Hie Atoka li transactions, ho said, inter alia, that tho finding ot tho Committee on important points showed that the staloment of tho Leader of the Opposition was, by tho

unanimous doeisi'jn of Ike found to be disproved, ami on tha' niiUbo wore three leading tin-iuli'-n <i 1 tho Opposition, who tfi/pj.<iri<"l 11; •*>t'r port. The Litjuor Law. Dealing with the licensing lan:, he <•*» pressed his individual opinion, and iiht that of the members of Ihe Ijoviriii/n'iit' or tho party, lie hud, since hih I'tiir/j, received a number of letters .'filing il ho was prepared lo support n barn majorily, and to put additional luxation un Uie lands of the people lo make up for tho necessary extra taxation should the pi<>ple dcelaro for prohibition, lie had considered the matter carefully, and, to tho of his ability, and his opinion was that tho advanced law as now amended should have a fair trial, and should any iresh proportions as to voting bo considered desirable, it should be on tho lines of 55 per cent, for Dominion, anil t hrec-iil tils lor local option, lie had already said in tho House that in tho event Of national prohibition being carried the Minister for Finance would havo to look round carefully to see how ho would make up tho revenue. 110 did not think it should all be put upon land, and certainly not upon the small landowners. J lie country as a whole would require to contribute. It would lie tinio enougn to consider the question in detail stiould the occasion ariso. (Applause.) Death Duties, Gross misrepresentations wore mado concerning tho alteration in the death duties. What the Government had dono was entirely m lavonr of tliose with small means. I'Ho old law introduced by tho Conservatives was entirely in favour of tlio mail Ol large means. What the Government had done was to reduce the duty on small estates, and increaso it on largo ones. He quoted figures to show that under the old Act the duties were entirely against the small estate. For having dono what any rational person would say was t.ie proper thing to ensure reduction in tnc death duties on small estates, and to have a graduated scale upon largo estates, and to make provision to the extent ot gifts up to JHUOO in any ono year, the Government was condemned, and Air. Hamilton was made the. instrument of levelling charges against him upon information furnished to him that he was sure that if he understood tho position correctly he would not use. (Applause,) The Public Scrvicc. The Opposition were crying out in difierc-nt tortious of the country that me mcrea-ses of salaries to the railway employtes and to the Public Service had been ho.d over until the election year. Again he felt impelled to direct attention to the narrow-minded' view that caused such a grossly maeurate statement to be made. As a matter of fact since he had been Prime Minister the llaihvay Department's increases of salary for the five years amounted to .£163,022, an average of .£152,700 per annum, while for the year just ended the total increases amounted to .£138,169, and lor _ the previous year .£124,070. He could say this conscientiously that no Government in this country had ever luen as thoughtful or as careful atcut 'the Public Service as was his Government. The increases were large, since he had been in office, but they were justified by the increased business to the State Departments. Finance. It would be gratifying to thorn to know that the increase of the ordinary revenue for the six months of this year ended September 30 amounted ,to .0574,542. (Applause.) After contradicting statements in regard to alleged increased taxation he went on to deal with the cry about unsatisfactory administration, showing the net financial result of the working of the different Departments, nine of which had bwn established entirely by the Liberal Government. Tho success of those Departments was, he thought, the most practical answer to-' those who, by mere generalisation, declared that it was tho Administration that they found fault with, while they professed to support the legislation, most of which they opposed at the time of its introduction. He defended his methods of dealing with Treasury bills, and also the fiveniiUion loan. Sir Joseph Ward then categorically remarked what tho Government was doing in tho way of keeping the progress aud development of the country, and fostering tho well-being of the ptople, and went on to deal with the criticism being mado use of by 3lr. Hamilton, who opposed him for tho Awarua seal.