the Colonial Treasurer at Auckland.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 141, 11 December 1894, Page 3

the Colonial Treasurer at Auckland.

v (Per Press Association). Auckland, December 10. The Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, addressed a public meeting oi citizens in the City Hall. There was a crowded audience. Mr Ward, in coming forward, was cordially received. After thanking the audience for the cordial reception, he congratulated them on the opening of the Rotorua railway. He had come to speak at Auckland because the ministerial policy was misunderstood and required explanation. The chief point of attack was that the Government had increased the burdens of the people and increased the colonial indebtedness his opponents ignoring the purposes for which the monies were provided. He then explained the advances to settlers scheme in an elaborate series of figures and showed that there would be a large saving in the interest to settlers and a consequent benefit to the Colony. Mr Ward then explained the scope of the Lands for Settlement, Lands Improvement and Native Land Purchase Acts. The Bank of New Zealand guarantee had averted a national disaster, and if it had. cost the Colony the whole two millions to prevent such disastrous results as overtook Victoria it would have been cheap if it had cost three times that amount; but it had not cost the Colony LI. He then dealt with the operation of consols and Saving Banks, and held his scheme of finance was prudent. He reviewed the increase of the public debt and explained the causes referring to railways. He said freight for producers must be lowered. He concluded by outlining the work of next Bession— local government, adjustment of tariff, revision of licensing laws, old age pensions, and sat down amid cheers. A resolution expressing confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. This Day. The Premier's address at Hamilton was on similar lines to Mr Ward's.