THE PREMIER’S ADDRESS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 May 1901, Page 2

THE PREMIER’S ADDRESS.

Disclosure of the Colony’s Finances.

The Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon delivered an important political address in the Town Hull Hokitika, last night to a very large audience, many people being unable to find admittance. Residents from all parts of the district wore- present, including a number who came by train from Grcymouth and Ivumara. The Premier was listened to with great attention and was frequently greeted with hearty bursts of applause. The Mayor. Mr F. L. Michel, who presided, briefly introduced the speaker, who met with a' splendid reception.

Mr Seddon after expressing pleasure at meeting them again said: —

“ Since I last addressed you many and important changes have occurred, some pleasurable, and some tinged with sadness and deep sorrow. Our good and gracious Queen of imperishable memory has passed away, but the good works done by her will last for ever. There can be no doubt that her son will prove a worthy King, and follow in her footsteps, and rule for its good the British Empire, and on the lines stated when he ascended the throne. Wo can with confidence trust to our King and he may rely upon his liege and loyal subjects. THE ROYAL VISIT. Shortly their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York will visit our colony. We were the first to invite them, and we must feel deeply indebted, seeing that to leave home and sever the ties of endearment for a time was a great compliment to pay to the colony. I feel assured they will receive a loyal and cordial welcome, and I hope for the credit of the colony there will be no toadying but that they will receive an enthusiastic and manly welcome. Already I believe the question has been raised that no one will be permitted to enter their presence unless attired in evening dress. On the West Coast the interpretation of evening dress by many of our housewives would be such that it would not permit them to enter their royal presence. Looking back at the good old days I can speak personally and say that I enjoyed a social evening and a dance much better in my moleskins and Crimean shirt and nugget boots than ever I have done in Windsor uniform or dress suit. Our sons in South Africa are of the bull dog, and out of the clawhammer breed, and it is not clawhammer coats or dross suit wearers who uphold the British Empire. EIGHT YEARS PREMIER.

It has been pleasant to me as it must have been to my districts to receive the congratulations from all! parts of the colony on holding office for so long a period. Eight weeks was the time given us when first called upon to form an administration, lam glad to say now that the bitterness then and for some time existing, has passed away and better feeling and general confidence exist, and it is in the best interests of this fair land of ours that this desirable condition of affairs shall continue. Our policy has been “the land for the people, fair taxation, industrial peace,” and the result has been that Now Zealand now holds the first place among the colonies of the British Empire RANK OF NEW ZEALAND. One of the boldest acts ever done by the Government was that ot coming m the rescue of the Bank of New Zealand. Many unkind and bitter things were said, but the results have justified the’ course then taken. Last year the Bank’s not profits amounted to £300,000, and, although the shareholders may bo some time before they get interest upon the old and new capital, still their capital is saved. I would suggest that after paying the interest on guaranteed stock, and the amount due to the Realisation Board, and in payment of the interest on preferred shares, they should this year out of the net profits wipe out the Colonial Bank goodwill, debentures conversion account, the Colonial Bank premises, contingent deficits of the Assets Company and reduction of value in premises, furniture, etc. When this has been done they will have a clean balance sheet. - CAPITAL DRIVEN FROM THE COUNTRY. Wo have not hoard that cry of late years. Like many another charge raised for a given purpose it has been buried in oblivion.

The local loan is a great success. There were 126 tenderers, 25 separate tenders were from Melbourne and 101 from the Colony. Ninety tenders were for under £SOOO and the remainder averaged one shilling and sixpence. In making the interest payable in London, Australia and the Colony, a new departure has been taken, which in my opinion will bo followed by other Colonies. A 4 per cent ban in Now Zealand, with only the cost of advertisement to pay for is more profitable than a 3 per cent loan in London. lam only surprised that people do not invest more, and if it was better understood that a man could draw his interest as easily as going to a bank to draw interest on his deposits there would be, I venture to say, more investors to their own profit and the benefit of the Colony.

thk year's revenue and expenditure.

Seeing the financial year closed on the 31st March you not unnaturally anticipate that this evening the results for the year will bo placed before you. This I will endeavour to do, and in such a way that all will understand.

The receipts brought to credit 6,012 267 The expenditure has been ... 5,479,703

Surplus or credit balance £532,554 Wo are therefore on the year’s operations over half a million to the good. (Cheers). So that nothing shall bo kept bade I may state that there was £105,352 brought forward from last year’s surplus, after paying over £600,000 to the Public Works Fund. Deducting from the credit balance of five hundred and sixty-four pounds, the one hundred and five thousand three hundred and fifty-two pounds, the amount remaining would be four hundred’and twenty-seven thousand two hundred and twelve pounds. (Applause). To meet our hard-to-plcasc critics deduct also the £52,800 accretion to sinking fund and there still remains £374,412, which even the wishers for a deficit must admit as surplus. Their contentions arc fallacious. The amount deducted would remain to credit and there would still be in the Treasury an additional £158,152, and boldly ami without reservation I announce there is a credit balance for the year of £532,564 available for distribution by Parliament. If it was a mining or other company over half a million is there to be paid away in dividends tomorrow. (Applause). When it is taken into consideration that remissions by' tariff, railway reduction and charges, and penny' stamp and postal reductions amounted to £250,000 wo can congratulate ourselves on a record financial year’s results. (Applause), The following ar’e the details of the revenue: — • BALANCE SHEET YEAIi, 1900. Actual Revenue £5,852,705 Sinking Fund Accretions ... 52,800 Miscellaneous Recoveries... 1,410 Brought forward last year... 105,352 £6,012,267 Actual expenditure 5,479,703 Credit balance ... £532,504

Ttie conservative press in the year 1891 when the Liberal Party came into office claimed we inherited a surplus of £147,773. I admit this was so, but apply the same rule to the surplus of that year, that our opponents apply now to ours and there was no surplus at all but a deficit. I however, in fairness to the lato Sir Harry Atkinson, say he was correct in manner of ascertaining bis surplus, ar d. on leaving office ho did so leaving a surplus of over one hundred and forty-seven thousand pounds. Equally on the same basis I claim for the management of the present Government. This year we have a surplus of over five hundred and thirtytwo thousand pounds. (Applause). Following table gives the relative position, of 1890-1900. — March, 1891. Revenue ... £4,446,773 Expenditure 4,335,000 Excess ... £111,773 Forward previous year 31,000 Accretion Sinking Funds 288,000 Deficit ... ... £180,227 March, 1901. Revenue ... £6,012,267 Expenditure 5,579,703 Excess ... 532.564 Forward previous year 105,352 Surplus ... £427,214 Accretions Sinking Funds 02,800' Surplus £374,412 Government have been charged with extravagance, because in ten years the expenditure has increased by over one million a year. The detractors of our administration keep back the increased revenues, the improved services are not mentioned, the increased conveniences necessitated by increased population, the money required for Old Age Pensions and Defence. Nothing is said about these. It is true that the expenditure has increased by one million one hundred and sixty-three thousand per annum, hut the revenues have increased by one million six hundred and sixty-five thousand pounds. (Applause), Following are the details of increased expenditure and also increased revenue :

£1,678,234 £636,332 INCREASE Cfr NEW DEPARTMENTS. Education and charitable aid... £149,764 Defence and police 160,000 Col. Secs, and Printing Dept.... 61,888 Old Age Pensions 197,000 Labour Dept 8,000 Agricultural Dept 70,000 Health Dept, & Com. & Indu.... 5,000. Land valuation 20,000 Advance to Settlers 3,000 £1,297,224 It has been stated that the half-million contained in the £600,000 of last year’s surplus had not been transferred to the Public Works Fund. This statement is pure fiction. The following amounts were paid : 1901. Jan. 18 ... ... £IOO,OOO- - 30 60,000 Feb. 4 100,000 „ 7 50,000 „ 19 50,000 „ 28 ... 60,000 Mar. 6 100,000 £500,000 WORKING RAILWAYS.

It will be remembered that the people resumed control of the railways in 1895, and the safety convenience of the public, and demands made have all been met in a manner which has given general satisfaction. We hear very little now of the railways being again handed over to the Railway Commissioners. We have granted concessions in the way of children's trains, we have given reduced passenger fares and have carried lime for farmers for nothing ; we have reduced the carriage of fertilisers and since we have taken the railways over we must have made concessions amounting to at least £300,000. In 1891 the railways paid a percentage on cost of £2 18s lid. Last year the‘Commissioners had charge they paid a percentage of £2l4s 6d. This year the percentage on cost is £3 9s sd. As we have stated we intend to make reductions so as to keep the profits to about three per cent on the railways; there will therefore, bo further remissons.

The actual profits last year were £599,389 as against £571,533 for the previous year. Curing one year we have had the management of the railways we gave remissions amounting to £165.000. The following table gives the details as to revenue and expenditure for the years 1891-93 and also 1895 (when taken over from Commissioners) and 1900.

GOVERNMENT RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. Year Expenditure. Earnings. '9O-91 £700,703 *9O-91 £1,121,701 Per ceutage on cost —£218 s lid. Y ear Expenditure. Earnings. 1900-01 £1,127,847 1900-01 £1,727,326 Per centage on cost —£3 9s sd. Year Inc. Exp. Inc. Revenue. 1900-01 £427,144 1900-01 £605,535 Government Railways when taken over from Commissioners:— Year Expenditure. Earnings. 1895 £732,160 1895 £1,160,851 Per centage on cost—£2 14s sd. Year Expenditure. Earnings. 1900-01 £1,127,847 1900-01 £1,727,236 Per centage on cost—£3 9s sd. Inc. Exp. Inc. Revenue, 1900-01 £395,687 £576,385 POST AND TELEGRAPH. It is with very great pleasure that I refer to this well managed branch of the public service, and I am pleased to state that notwithstanding remissions made the results of the year are of a most satisfactory character. The total number of messages all codes increased 94 per cent; the number of offices have increased by 80 per cent and the telephone exchange connections by 215 ]icr cent. The following table will give the revenue and expenditure of the department in 1890 as compared with the year 1200: 1890-91—Expenditure, £262,596; revenue, £335,329. 1900-01 —Expenditure, £416,363 ; revenue, £503,181. 1900-01. £153,767 ; increased revenue, £167,852. STATE OWNED CARLES.

Those present will be pleased to know that the Pacific cable is now practically an accomplished fact, and it was recently reported that commencement had been made with the laying of the cable. The sooner this is done the better it will be for the colonies and the Empire ; an all redlino was badly wanted, and the construction of this cable will break down a monopoly which was inimical to the trade, to commerce, and to the well-being of the people. “When in Australia recently I stated that New Zealand would be prepared to favourably consider the construction of a cable between Australia and New Zealand. This statement I regret to say was ridiculed by some of the newspapers in New Zealand. Regarding the necessity for the cable this is demonstrated by the fact that that during the whole time I

was in Australia I do not suppose New Zealand news took up an inch of space in the leading journal simply owing to the fact that they would not pay the high rates existing. Now about £200,000 I

understand would go a long Way inlaying a cable. In fact Ido not know but that

£200,000 of the surplus might bo applied to this purpose, so it is much nearer the range of practical politics than some people imagine. It is of sufficient im- ' portance to lay before Parliament at the coming session. If it is wise and prudent to have the State owned Pacific Cable, to have the Post and Telegraph Department controlled by the people, surely the same should and does apply to a State-owned cable between Australia and New Zealand, IMPERIAL AND COLONIAL INTERESTS. Year by year, almost imperceptibly and involuntarily, we are being drawn closer to the Mother Country. In years gone by when the Imperial Council was mooted or that the colonies should be consulted in respect to Imperial affairs or vice versa the idea was treated with derision. No one now gainsays that great food resulted from the conference of 'renders in 1897, The time is ripe now for another conference, more especially in respect to affairs in South Africa and the East. In respect to the settlement of the people in South Africa, the advice and eo-operation of Colonial Ministers wonld bo of advantage to the Imperial authori ties. In respect to trade, commerce and 1 industry, etc., a Royal Commission should be set up and on that Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand should he At the present time there is a serious and dangerous war proceeding, a war of commerce and industries, and I am bound to confess that in this battle we are being worsted. The seriousness of the situation has not yet been sufficiently recognised in the Mother country and unless some change takes pla.ee disaster must overtake the Empire, with importation of manufactured goods into the Colonies from Germany, America and other countries. We prefer to obtain our goods from Great Britain and to keep our trade and commerce within themselves, but the British manufacturer must give us what we want, and when it is wanted. There seems to bo a lack of enterprise on the part of the British manufacturer. Time after time we have been forced to obtain against our will goods from other‘countries. British territory and population are increasing far more in relative proportion than their output of the British manufactured articles. Great Britain is lagging behind in commerce, industry and technical education. There can be no doubt that at the root of the success of German and American manufactures is the educational, scientific and industrial question, and they are far ahead of Great Britain in these respects. It is about time those entrusted with the affairs of the nation should realise that the “open door” policy should apply to those under the British flag. After the way the door has been slammed in our faces, we should at least put up a selfpreserving fence, COLONIAL INDUSTRIES. The time is not far distant when I hope we shall manufacture our own iron and steel not only for exportation. We have got the coal, the lime, and the necessary fluxes, and these within short distances of each other and there can be no difficulty in obtaining the necessary capital. We may have to reader some little assistance and if so it would be money well and wisely expended. ROLLING STOCK AND LOCOMOTIVES. Those present will have noticed that the increased traffic on our railways has been so great that despite our best efforts we have had to import a large amount of rolling stock. After the present orders are completed it is the intention of Government to manufacture the whole of its rolling stock in the colony. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Taking a lesson from what has occurred in the ftlother Country we as a young nation must see that our youths are educated commercially, industrially, and scientifically. Last session we passed a Technical Education Act, and our national system of education is not perfect unless there is attached to our schools a workroom where practical instruction can be given, not only in large centres, but also in country districts, •in connection with ' dairying especially.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT,

It is with pleasure that I look back and note the largo number of people who have been placed on the land of the colony since the present Government came into office. There has been no departure from, the policy first laid down. We recognise that the iand belongs to the people—no one can deny that,—and so long as there is land available belonging to the Crown every man who is able and willing should have the opportunity of going upon it. It is owing to this Lands for Settlement policy, that a large measnre of the present prosperity obtain 7. When this legislation was passed all sorts of fears were expressed; it was considered that in the administration of the law grave abuses would arise. Time has proved that these fears were unfounded, and tc-day it is a most popular measure, and at the last general election there was not a single candidate who advocated its appeal. The reverse is the case. The demand for land for settlement is growing greater day by day. There are many places where the Government has been asked to construct bridges and form railways. By the construction of these works and expenditure of public money it will undoubtedly increase the value of properties, and if they are subsequently taken over by the Government under the ‘ Lands for Settlement Act,” the people of the colony are penalized by having to pay the improved price given by the expenditure of their own money. To meet this case it would be impossible to amend the Act in the direction pf confirming that where land was acquired under the Act the betterment principle should apply to land purchased within five years of the construction of ihe railway or public work which bad affected the value of the said lands. The following table shows the operations under the ,‘Lands for Settlement Act” for the year:

Land accjuir-’d up to the 31st March, 1901—Total, 388,493 acres; total cost £1,806,971. Reading liabilities, £30,000. —Grand total, £1.896,971. Land acquired during year 1900—For workmen’s homes, 902 acres; for ordinary settlement, 82,975 acres; cost to the colony, exclusive of reading and survey, £356,850; number of farms (approx), 177 number of workmen’s homes (approx), . 170. Land new under negotiation for purchase or acquisition or otherwise—For ordinary settlement, 144,000 acres; for workmen’t homes, 750 acres, • MAIN TRUNK LINES OF RAILWAYS. The lines) laid down last session will he adhered to and the Government looks forward to the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway within the time specilied hy the Minister of Public Works. There can be no doubt that not only the North Island but the whole of the colony is suffering from the want of that connection, and the probabilities are the Stratford connection will be ultimately made, shortly after the central route has been completed. - The line between the junction at Kawakawa and Strattord will promote population and settlement. Tlie work on the North Island Main Trunk railway is being

pushed on expeditiously, and genera satisfaction now prevails. In respect t the other Main Trunk lines of railwa_ the one from Blenheim to Awaterc these works will be pushed on expedi tiously. It is not advisable to go in fo: a largo borrowing policy but ic may bi taken for granted that the basis of. ox peuditure, laid down last year will b( continued and may probably be extended Wc must in the interests of producer; give facilities for getting their product to market; we must in the interest of om tourists traffic see that proper and quids means of travel aro given. EXTENSION OF MARKETS FOE PRODUCE. One of the drawbacks in respect to the South African trade has bean the want of steamers. Tenders were called, but ir the meantime before the Governmenl accepted them the Shaw Savill, the New Zealand Shipping and Tyser Lines came to an arrangement and decided to put on steamers without asking Government aid, They submitted their freight rates to the Government and they were considered toe high. It is almost impossible with the competition from Australia and the lower freights ruling that our producers can reasonably compete. However this will rectify itself or be dealt with later on by Parliament. The Government may probably be taken to task in suggesting the proposal should be submitted to Parliament for the erection of cool stores at the loading ports in South Africa, but the existing condition of things would warrant this being done. There is bound to be a tremendous trade with South Africa and the Colonies and New Zealand should not be behind. There is also a market for our produce in Chili. There was a splendid opening for a steamer to go direct from this colony with our products as there would be back freight in saltpetre and at a price which would enable it lobe used as a fertiliser. SOCIAL LEGISLATION. The Government policy has always been to maintain industrial peace and in that direction they shall continue to legislate. They found now that Now South Wales, America and the Mother Country are sending commissions and representatives to the Colony to inquire into its legislation with the viey of adopting it. The half-holiday has proved of great benefit to the people, and is much appreciated. Disaster was prophesied when their labour laws were first introduced, but to-day it was found that they are on right lines. The strike in the iron trade has proved a great disaster to Great Britain during the last few years ; the unfortunate strike in the coal trade has crippled this industry. Such strikes as these cannot happen here. However, the Colony will have to go a little further with its legislation. The law must protect both employer and employed and should any employer unlawfully interfere with a man and put him on the roads simply because he was a labour Unionise the employer should have to understand that he must observe the laws. The Government should continue to perfect the labour laws so as to give effect to the wishes of the people of this Colony. LOCAL OJVEBNMENT RILL. Next session Government hope to pass an amended Bill. They are now sending out copies of the Bill to local authorities throughout the Colony and advising them to hold a conference and send delegates to Wellington during session time. J shall be glad to consult with the delegates and indeavour to get a Bill passed in accordance with the generally expressed wish of those having its administration,

THE GOLD MINING INDUSTRY.

This industry still continues to improved. Last year the export amounted to 392,992 ozs valued at £1,511,501, showing an increase over last year in ounces of 329, but a decrease in value - of £14,843.

When in London three years ago I stated that in the course of throe years the export of gold from N. Z. would bo a million and a half. Although taken to task for this statement, my prognostications have come true.

There is now a slump in 1 the dredging industry—that is what might bo expected —greater engine power and larger pontoons will bo required for working the deep and heavy washes of the West Coast Everything will come out all right in the end, but in the meantime the people will have to pay for their experience. The gold is there and the dredging industry has come to stay. More prospecting is required, and in this matter the Government are quite prepared to render every reasonable assistance. RAILWAY TO ROSS. The West Coast is supplying the whole of the colony with timber, a good deal of which now comes from South Westland. He was quite prepared next session to submit to Parliament a Railway Authorisation Bill to carry the Hokitika line as far as Ross. It would also attract hundreds of tourists to see the Franz Joseph Gacier, and other beauty spots, as well as open up vast timber resources.

In conclusion he thanked them for their hearty and cordial welcome. So long as they confided in him and health permitted, he trusted to remain' their representative; He will do his best to leave behind him a record that would demand the respect of the people of the Colony.

The Hon. gentleman resumed his seat amids't prolonged applause. Mr Gumming referred to the great services of the Premier to' the country, and eulogised him for the interest he had always taken. The Seddon Government liad deserved well of Westland and ho believed Mr Seddon would be the Premier of N.Z. as long as he desired to hold the reins of Government. He moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Seddon.

Mr Ohesnoy said it was a pleasure to him to second the resolution. The Premier had fought well for his constituency and the colony at large. Ho had been their member for very many years and we must ever remember the many great services ho has rendered. The resolution was carried unanimously and with loud and long continued applause. The Premier returned thanks for the compliment and referred to the many of his old colleagues and friends who had gradually left him by death and otherwise. So long as progress was being made he would sacrifice his time, health and strength in the interests of his constituents and the colony generally. He came to the West Coast more as a friend than as the Premier. He wished them all well and hoped the West Coast would prosper. He would render any service in his power for their welfare. He proposed a vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor, which was carried with applause.

Incr. Eev. Incr. Eev. Eailways £605,635 £427,144 Post and Telegraph 167,858 153,767 Stamp Dept. 199,263 4,640 Customs ... ... 518,352 ■ 157 Land Dept. 76,228 39,336 Taxing Dept. 111,044 11,929