SIR JOSEPH WARD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1929, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD

SPEECH AT AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 4. Before a- crowded audience off nearly 4000 in the Town Hall, Sir Joseph n'ard delivered a policy speech tonight. The Mayor, .Mr Baildon, presided, and on the platform were the Hons-. H. Atmore, A. J. Stallworthy,• ,W. B. Taverner, and J. B. Donald. Sir Joseph Ward was loudly cheered ion entering, and he received an attentive hearing throughout, with only a ■lew friendly interjections. Referring to his pre-election addresses in the same hall, lie said that all the items off the United Party’s policy then detailed had either been carried out or were actively in process of fulfilment. He had promised to acquire landed estates for sub-division and closer settlement., and already the Governments had purchased eight properties, occupied by eight settlers, and had converted them to occupation by over oO settlers. He proposed next session to seek an increase in the financial authority, which was now limited to £1,000,000, for further operations off the same kind. . . The unemployed, he said, at the end

of May, numbered about 2000 more than a year previous, but the Government had taken the situation in hand, through public works and •' increased subsidies-- to local bodies lor suitable relief works. It was doing its level best to overcome tho trouble. He looked Ifonvard to the time- when all the floating unemployed in the country would be absorbed.

Ho also hoped much from the pi n to place nioro men and their families' on small holdings under the policy already begun. Next session legislation would bo introduced to provide a new system of acquiring portions of properties which were larger than the owners required. " A fair valuation would be obtained through special tribunals,, including representatives of the land owner and the Layd Hoard, with a Supremo Court Judge as Chairman. This would ensure that no injustice was. done. The Government was an earnest believe that this plan of closer settlement would enable numbers of breadwinners now unemployed to make a steady living from the land. Referring to his promise to obtain money at 4J per cent, in Tjondon, Sir Joseph Ward said that he had obtained £7,000,000 at this rate. Though he had to face a conversion proposition at the same time, none of this money had been touched. He appealed to the public not to make excessive demands for new public works. He estimated that if he gave effect to all the schemes brought before the Government since November it would require borrowing at the rate of £23,000.000 a year, not counting the now capital for State Advances. Deputations had urged thill all sorts of works he carried out at a pace which the country could not possibly stand. Last year New Zealand had borrowed only 07,000,000. He would ask the applicants to take a reasonable view of the matter and he patient. “If anyone can blow up £7,000,000 to do the work of £23,000,000.” he added, “ 1 say to him 1 Como and join the Cabinet.’ ” The Government had fulfilled its pledges to abolish the C.O.D. parcels system, and to investigate railway construction. It intended to bring before Parliament important propositions regarding the working of the railways, the sub-divi-sion of estates, and the provision of cheap money. At the present time money was being loaned in Christchurch at six per cent, a lower rate than when the promise was made. There was plenty of cheap money in the country awaiting investment and it was clear that the Government’s policy was having a salutary effect. Sir Joseph Ward defended the proposed Melbourne-Bluff mail service, which, he said, would not interfere with the Auckland and Wellington services in the smallest degree, and would do a great deal of good to the whole country.

Sir Joseph Ward was heartily applauded for his announcement that he would provide a sum of CoOO for a preliminary survey of a scheme for the erection of a bridge across the Waitemata Harbour. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers and musical honours.