The Minister for Publid Works.

Manawatu Herald, 11 April 1893, Page 2

The Minister for Publid Works.

The Hou R. J. Seddon addressed '& crowded drid entHnsiriatic. meetine iri tke ToAta, UttU,. Hokitika, .ofi Tuesday. Mr Seddon claimed that the policy of . the Government had brought conteutment and prosperity to the colony,, and confidence abroad. The Government of Sir H. Atkinson said there must be more borrowing, but they had given this a denial. The three years of the pledge of abstetitioii given by the former Government had now passed away, and two years additional, and they had no indention of asking for borrowed money. Wheil itt opposition they reduced the public expenditure by £5O;000 and they had reduced it by ajiothef £40,000. Mr Seddon I*6' viewed the. legislative work done by theMinistry, arid said the Bill relating to Womanhood Suffrage would be re-introduced next session, and I the Government would not alter the position they had taken up. Referring to. Mr Rollestpn's speeches at Harwell and Auckland, Mr Seddon said the only specific charges they contained against the Government were in reference to land and education. The present land laws were as liberal as any one could desire, giving a choice of tenures ; but the only liberal land measure with which Mr Rolleston _ was associated waa done away with by the party which he now led. Mr Rolleston's party when in power strove to raise the school age to six years, than which no more vital blow could be aimed at the system. Whilst they took 4s off the capitation, they substituted the working average for the strict average and abolished the training schools. As showing" whether the Government had neglected education >he might say that in 1888-89 this cost £345,000, whilst now it was £383,000. When the Land and Income Tax was introduced, the Opposition said it was unworkable, and then they said that it would never realise the amount anticipated. As a matter of fact the Government estimate was £250,000, whilst the amount realised was £265,000. Some complaint had been made that the Income .Tax pressed heavily on the mining companies, but thereturns did not. bear out this view. The actual surplus was £154,000 and he believed that when all the accounts were in. it would reach "£200,000, The summary of their financial results for the two yeais was a reduction of the floating debt by £100,000 net. The Land Fund deficit was £74,00.0, the paid duty on native leases £Coo|>,_ ther land; for settlement £30,000, tliei/roads fand bridges £30,000, the public works £200,000— total £400*000, and this had been done without borrowing, and whilst their products w,ere bringing very low prices. ..They could not but give. the highest praise to Mr Ballance for accomplishing such splendid results. As to the disposal of the surplus, a large, sum.,. would be required for educational purposes. The Government should also favbur« ably consider a proposal to increase the exemption for .improvements. Money would also be required for public works, especially in view' of the fact that they had ; determined on no more borrowing. Some made a talk about taking off duties a free breakfast table," bujf; he" qclpsidered it more advisable t6 ~finil~ tyork for a man than to save -him sixpence a week through the Customs.'- A revision of the tariff, was necessary in some few instances, but it would unsettle commerce, and it wasundesirable to bring it before a, moribund < Parliament With reference |o the Midland Railway, he ; said ■ the present position was that the company's funds were exhausted. They had, spenjb £I,^oo, 000, of , which : jqniy, £600,00^ Jiad gone in construction, and the : i*kt in financing and other, - , expenditure. The shares of the Company^ the original value of, which, wete, £10, had shrunk. to £5, and the debentures on £75,000, made a first' charge^ on railway receipts, were at a discount of 20 per cent. The Company had made certain ipropiasitidns, ' butr; toting in the best interests of ;the country, he -said he could only return the answer he had dotfe. He dwelt at some length on the attitude of the Government in respect of the Railway Commissioners. H.e hoped that scon strikes would be at anend, and both sides be compelled to - obey the decision of a properly cbnstitiited Court of Arbitration. ,TJde nativa land laws required immediate attention. They could not longer continue to allow the growth of « native landocracy, who would be' able* ' to shear 100,000 sheep, as one chief had done, and yet not be liable to local taxation. Mr Seddon (Soneluded with: a statement thai .he intended contesting, his present constituency at next election, and. had not the slightest thought of going elsewhere — an announcement which was received with enthusiastic applause. , , v