THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 4 March 1908, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

SPEECH AT DARGAAMLLE.

REVENUE AND ROADS

Press Association. . DAROAVILLE, Alarch 3. ~™ S i 11S s Peecli -at Dargaville tomght the i rentier gave tho revenue results for the 11 months ending February 29th, and stated that his forecast made m December last, that- the total revenue would show a- marked increase, would be fully realised. The total receipts had been £7,899.315, as against £7,341,326 for the same peroeo an yea U au increase of £557,9oJ. file principal increases were in Customs £102,121, stamps £125,480, ™ tax £91,718, income tax £46,4J6, railways £158,395, and territorial revenue £38,654. Referring to the reading of tho backblocks, Sir Joseph AVard said that between April, 1901, and Alarch, 1907, £1,927,834 had been expended on roads, and the amount provided for making roads this year was £5,281,315, which spoke for itself ; and then there was the proposal to ask Parliament to set- aside £200,0U0 per annum for five years for reading the backblocks. The Premier corrected a mis-state-ment that had been made, that the Dunedin railway station had cost £150.000. and lie said that this was due to the inclusion of some four or five railway sidings. The total expenditure on the buildings was £35,000.

Concluding his address, Sir Joseph said that if the time came when tjie present Government went out of power, no limiting of pigeon-holes would revcil proof of any improper or dishonest act on the part of any member of the present Administration.

A unanimous vote of tharnks and conlidcuco was n a seed,