MINISTERIAL SPEECH

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 20 June 1905, Page 2

MINISTERIAL SPEECH

THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WINTON.

'(Per Press Association.) Winton, last night. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded meeting at Winton to night. He received au exceedingly hearty welcome from an appreciative audience, and a vote of thanks aud confidence.

After quoting figures indicating the pro* pross of the colony, tho Minister pointed out that tho land and income tax bad decreased from £4 la per head in 1900 to £3 12s 5d last year, and although the Customs taxaton had increased 12s Id per head since 1896 97, that was for luxuries. He paid a tribute to Mr Reeves as High Commissioner.

Ho said an arrangement had been made • whereby tho whole cost of mortgagees’ accident indemnity will bo borne by the Advances to Settlers Department, and mortgagees will not be called upon.to pay premiums thereon falling due on 31st> March last. Tho Shops and Offices Act should b© amended during the coming session, and reasonable closing hours fixed. Ho promised to deal later with some railway matters oi interest tn the public and the ratiway service. It had been decided to carry ground lime free, the same as unground. He declared the State had a duty to perform in providing a superannuation'•» sohomo for tho Civii Servicei, ttud ;be ( thought a scheme could bo devised icclud ing Civil Service, public bodies, and cmployers too if they wished. There wa3 evory chance of tho representations in regard 'o tho reduction in butter freights being successful. Ho did not favor abolition of the Upper House or the election by people. If there . was any change the Legislative Council should be elected by tho House of Representatives. ' •. Sir Joseph took no exception ta the formation of an independent Labor party, but thought tbo conditions of the woikersdid not warrant it. Harbor legislation, he 6aid, was already advancod.

He urged reciprocity in trade with Australis, Canada and other Countries where sound business arrangements could bo made.

In regard to railway construction ho sounded a note of warning in regard to the pressure for new lines and binding members to insist upon each vote being expended within a year. Lines now ia course of construction would receive a very largo sum tbis session, and tbe nojtth main trunk should bo regarded as the one line of greatest national importance. Tho Midland and Otago Central should also bo carried to a point of completion, and then O bo: lines could bo more vigorously proceeded with. The Orepuki Waiau lino “ would also receive consideration.

A largo programme, involving the expendituro of £500,000, was foreshadowed in regard to roadiog, and larger provision would also bo mado for oxtonding telephone communication between interior towns. As tho result of an interview with the Federal Postmaster-General ho hoped tho time was not far distant when wireless communication would be established with Australia. Ho would submit a scheme to Cabinet.

Matters to be dealt with this session would inoludo—

Development of motive power from rivers Classification of Civil Service Increase of teachers’ salaries Settlement of native lands Encouragement of soientifio prospecting for gold Tree plauting and irrigation Superannuation scheme for teachers and civil servants Oponing up of fresh markets.

His opinion was that unsettled native lands should bo acquired at a fair value, and the money iuvusted for tho natives. This would prodiioo a larger income foe them, aud promots settlement and production.

As to the Vancouver service, he was sorry that our proposal to give J 620.000 if steamers from Vancouver called at New Zealand instead of Brisbane had not yet been accepted. "