THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1433, 18 April 1905, Page 2

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

HON. HALL-JONES’ VIEWS.

Before leaving Gisborne on Sunday evening, the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, was interviewed by a Times representative in regard to the political outlook. Questioned in referene to the chances of the Liberal party r f «, election, the Minister replied :—“ I bel that, as in past years, you will find that a large majority of the people of this colony will endorse the policy of the present Government. One has only to draw a comparison between the position of the colony now and at the time when our predecessors were in office in order to judge whose policy has proved most beneficial to the colony* At the present time we have good prices for all our products, and all classes, commercial, industrial, and pastoral are doing well. I am satisfied that recognising the many benefits conferred upon the people during the office of the present Administration, that a very large majority have no wish to hand over the conduct of affairs in New Zealand to men who are utterly inexperienced in that work. There can be no question that the opening up of new markets, the subsidising of shipping companies, the grading of produce, cheap money to settlers, and the settlement of the land have been the great factors in bringing about the present prosperity of the colony. All these things the present Administration have striven to obtain, and I feel sure the general body of electors will desire to see a continuance of the same. The people will have an opportunity in a few months* time of saying whether they wish that prosperity to be continued.”