MINISTERIAL SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 406, 3 May 1902, Page 4

MINISTERIAL SPEECH.

lON. C. 11. MILLS AT BLENHEIM

(Per Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, last night

The lion. C. H. Mills (Minister o! Customs), addressed a well-attended gathering of his constituents in Mr •Ewart’s Hall here this evening. The Mayor (Mr R. McCallum), presided. In introducing Mr Mills, I-lis Worship said that the people of Blenheim were pleased that the Premier would attend the Coronation of the King. The Ministry would he known in history as the “ Empire-building Ministry.”

No colonial Ministry had achieved so much in the direction of extending the

Empire’s borders as that of New Zealand, and they were pleased that their

member had had the opportunity of taking an active part in that important work. He read a telegram from the Acting-Premier, regretting his inability to be present. Mr Mills, who was well received,

said that he had now had the honor of representing different portions or Marlborough for thirteen years, and he announced his intention of again offering his services to the Wairau electors at the next election. (Applause). Referring to the Pr emier, Mr Mills said that Mr Seddon was the hardest worked man in the colony, and he would be found holding his own in the important discussions affecting the

whole of the Empire that were about to take place at Home. By the part it had taken in connection witli the despatch of contingents, Marlborough had maintained its reputation of being one of the most loyal provinces. He regretted that Captain Russell could not continue as* leader of the Opposition. One and all extended their warm sympathy to him in his recent l bereavement.

The present Government had been accused of spending more loan money than any other had done, but Mr Mills quoted figures to show that their average annua, expenditure was less than that of either the Hall or the Atkinson administration. Although ehe national debt had been "increased during the present regime, the bulk of the amounts representing tnat increase were direct,y interest-earrting.

It had been shown that the Customs revenue was shrinking, but the facts were the revenue from that source was £1,642,595. In 1902, it was £2,201,116, which exceeded the estimate by £91,116. The beer duty for last year, £90,243, exceeded the estimate by £4243. These results were notwithstanding remissions approximating £700,000 since 1895. The Customs was the financial pulse, which the results showed was sound. The cost of collecting New Zealand Customs in 1901 was £1 7s lid per cent., as against £2 2s 6d in New South Wales, £3 3s 2d in Victoria, £3 14s 5d in Queensland, and £4 3s in South Australia. Compared with the previous year, the items on which the revenue had increased in 1901 wero largely represented by Customs. The revenue for last month was £178,130, being an increase of £16,656 over that of the corresponding month of last year. As Minister in charge of the Valuation Department, he denied the statement that the Department has unduly raised values. The valuers had been advised to exercise the greatest caution, so as to strive to work on a uniform system- What they always kept in view and strove for were bedrock values. Some local bodies had been dissatisfied at the amount they had had to pay for their new rolls, and he admitted that the cost was at first somewhat heavy. The subsequent cost was, however, much less, and local bodies were now beginning to realise that the system was a good one. There were many ways in which those bodies could greatly assist the Department. lip was pleased to say that all the evil prophecies regarding Goyprf)ment advances to settlers had provej false. Up to 31st March £3,073,685 had been advanced to 9862 settlers. The net profit for the last financial year amounted to £23,023, whiefi, with -[£0,027 at credit on the 31st March, 1901, and interest thereon, made a total sum now at credit of the assurance fund of L 43,872. lie held that a safer financial institution never existed. Where it was possible, the fees charged to borrowers would be reduced. The Old Age Pensions Department was also never objected to now, and the wonderful results, notwithstanding the enormous concessions, had fully justified the retrqnsfpr of the raiUyqys to jibe Government, (Appiaqse.j ' Sir Joseph Ward, who, as they all knew, was a most progressive man, was doing his best to run the lines in the best interests of the people. For the four weeks ending 31st

March, the railway revenue was £140,254 greater than that of the corresponding quarter of last year, while the expenditure was only £117,810 greater. The next increase of revenue qVer-th'Oexpendi-ture for fhe last jpprioii''was' £22,488, which was a splendid result. (Applause.) The total expenditure to 81st January, 1902, on the Blenhelm-Seddon end of the trunk line was £68,420, and £48,678 on the Waipara-Cheviot end. He was assured by the Minister of Public Works that the line to Seddon would be completed at the earliest possible date. A contract had that day been let for erection of station buildings at Seddon. He held that the great trunk railways should be finished first, and urged the Marlpofough Land and Railway League to persevere in their efforts, (the estates suitable for: closer settlement along the proposed line should be acquired. Another effort was to be made to acquire the Flaxbourne estate. The acquisition of Marljjptoqgh estates and the 1 completion of the trunk line was as much a national qupstigq as the completion of the North Island Trunk line. (Applause.) The Minister of Public Works, who always strove to as far as

possible meet all reasonable demands, had

said that he would be pleased when the lino to Waipara was completed. (Applause.) Mr Mills deplored the fact that since ho last met them the late Minister of Lands, Sir John McKenzie, had

passed away. His name would long live in the memory of the New Zealanders for the good work that he had done in the interest of settlement. The last Minister’s successor (Mr Duncan) was earnest in bjs desire to farther settle-

njenli j IXO estates had been settled undei the Land for Settlement Act by 2109 tenants up to 31st March, and 17 more had either been, or were about to be, acquired under the Crown Tenants Rebate Act and the Lands for Settlement Consolidation Act, 1900. Rebates to ihe amount of JEBQQO bail been made in 1902 to delving tenants iqr tlie prqiupt payment of rent. Referring to the Blue Star Line, Mr Mills said thaf thtprincipal put dotvn a good sum as evidence of his bona fides, and the contract had been completed: If suffi dent, cargo did not offer at the end of June, the vessels may call at two ports in Australia, en route tp Afry--lie hoped the farmers would fully avail themselves of the opportunity that was about to be offered them of shipping direct to the Sputh African mapkefc. H 0 quoted' figures to show the' Government desired to promote the farming industry by granting railway concessions, and the many departments of Agriculture. He combatted tlie statement that the country was being starved to fatten tlie towns, and showed how the Government had specially studied the farmers’ interests in tlie matter of Customs duties. It was very gratifying to learn that the Bank of New Zealand had had such a good year. Tlie way it had recovered itself was a further’ proof of the colony's prosperity. A State coal mine woiildi lie thought, prove to be in the best ini terests of the colony. The starting of tlie Tourist Department was a step in the right direction, and lie imped to see its operations greatly extended. The Government would follow the course of past years. They would borrow on safe lines to prosecute public works steadily. Much greater development was necessary for the coum try, and more population was wanted. The following resolution was carried “ That this meeting tenders the Hon. C. H. Mills a hearty vote of thanks for his very able and interesting address, assured him of the continued confidence of the people of this district in him as our member, and also in the present Ministry.”