THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2135, 10 March 1908, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

THE. DOMINION’S FINANCES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 9. The Premier attended a demonstration at Papakura, promoted by tho Onoliunga branch of the Liberal-La-bor Federation, on Saturday, 'n the evening ho delivered an address in the public hall. Referring to financial matters ho said New Zealand was not heavily taxed, although opponents of the Government declared to the contrary. Tho average wealth per head, man, woman, and chilld, was £347, the highest in the world. It was a fallacy that the indebtedness per head, was of the heaviest. There was a lot to be grateful about when one considered the advance made by New Zealand with a population of under one million. The debt pier head was a useless method of reasoning, for the Government owned large areas of land, which, together with advances to settlors, came out of borrowed moneys. Not a shilling had been lost out of money advanced to settlers, amo anting in all to some six mil:lions j> «TH'r were they to bo told tntrtnffis was tho position of their indebtedness? During tho last 10 or 12 years the only tax placed on the people was tho graduated land tax. This only dealt with those who possessed over £40,000 worth of property. Against this the reductions in railway rates amounted to £850,000; the Customs tariff had been reduced postal and telegraph charges £275,000; sheep tax £20,000. Tlie. total reduction of charges in public services was one and a half millions. During his recent travels he was astonished by the vastness of our resources. There was no doubt but that if the future, with scientific application, the north would carry a large population. The country was not yet fully roaded or bridged; neither had it sufficient railways. Under -the circumstances it would be moral cowardice not to approach the situation, or to deny those out- in the country the facilities., enjoyed by those in towns. In doing this it was necessary to be prudent over borrowed money and its expenditure. Notwithstanding wild and unfair er'ticism the Government was pledged to country and. town as a whole to make the conditions so that the poorest son or daughter would be on conditions equal to the richest son or daughter in the country in getting about or on the land. (Applause). A vote of thanks to the Premier, coupled with confidence in . the Government, was carried unanimously. RETURN TO WELLINGTON. Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 9. The Premier, accompanied by Lady Ward and private secretary, left for Wellington on Sunday by tho Rarawa. The Premier intends to return to Auckland about a week hence to visit the King Country.