SPEECH BY PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1404, 15 March 1905, Page 2

SPEECH BY PREMIER.

HALF A MHiLION SURPLUS*

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS.

'(Per Press 'Association.) ' Auckland, last night. The Premier addressed a orowded meeting in the Drill Hall to-night, the Mayor (Hon. E. Mitohelson). being in the ohrir. He announced that'the consolidated revenue for the eleven complete months of the financial year was £6,305,000, as against £6,156,000 in the previous year. There would be a normal surplus .of about half a millioD. " He quoted figures to show that during his term of offioe the Government expended £1,639,000 on railways and roads in the North Island, as against £1,370,000 in the South Island. The expenditure under these heads ttJis year would be increased by half a million. He admitted Crown tenants had been unduly harassed by -raDgers and land boards, and stated his opinion that \whare the interest of a tenant equalled needed that of the Crown,*'the tenant should be allowed'to farm as he pleased. He intended next session to submit a proposal to give the whole of the royalties on timber and flax to the looal bodies >in whoso districts they were raised; alst? a scheme for the consolidation of local bodies.

The Government proposed to advance capital for the establishment of fruit canning factories. The new Government geologist would be provided with all the equipment he asked for.

He would propose a further teachers’ salaries, and a vote to provide a university building for Auckland. Parliament would be also asked to increase the old age pension from 7s to 10s per week. A vote of thanks and' carried. .' '•