Government Lines of Policy.

Manawatu Herald, 10 May 1900, Page 2

Government Lines of Policy.

The Hon. J. G. Ward who, with Mrs Ward, met with an enthusiastic reception, speaking at the concert at Masterton yesterday evening, said he very much regretted the absence of the Premier. He took it. as an evidence of the absence of party spirit, as far as the Premier was concerned, that for the moment he was laid aside, all classes of community had expressed the most marked sympathy with him and his family. He believed that the trip which the Premier was about to take for a few weeks would.sp restore his health' as to enable hinrjto jeturn as strong and vigorous as of yore to resume the work which he had for so many years aptly- performed with credit to himself and lasting benefit to the country. (Cheers.) The Premier had wonderful . recuperative powers, and he knew the public at large, whether they agreed with him politically or not, sincerely hoped to see Mr Seddon baclcin his old place when the work of the session* began. After congratulating the Wairarapa district on its recent progress during recent years— which, he said, was largely due to the energy and industry of the people— Mr Ward remarked that the progress was but a reflection of the splendid progress being made jby the colony as a whole. This Was shown by the fact that there was a surplus of half a million in the pnblic acoounts of the year. Referring to the policy of the Government, 4he hon gentlemen particularly mentioned the railways, and said it was the duty bf Government to return to the people £s •nuch as possible out of the earnings ■>f the Railway Department. In the course of a few weeks concessions would be announced whiclj would show that the Government intended to utilise the railways for the benefit |of the people as a whole. The Qbi vernment intended it's policy tb'b£ in the direction of progress. It 'would acquire further estates, which would be cut up and offered to the people for settlement. He held the opinion that any land acquired by the State should be paid for tp. its full value. He emphasised the advantage of the land settlement policy, of which they i had always had an able advocate in ! the HonJ. McKenzie who, he regretted was prevented by illness from being j with them that night. They would^Jie said, be pleased to know ; tbatjthe „ healtfi of the Minister for Lamfe was improving, and he sincerely trusted that it would not be, Jong/before Mr McKenzie's voice would again be heard 4n the interests of the struggling settlers of the colony. The Government would continue its endeavour to obtain cheap money for the people, and it would be its 'aim to enable the settlene to find markets for their produce, and generally to give them such facilities as would enable them to compete with those nearer to the emporiums of the world. The policy of the Government would further be in, the direction, of cheapening the cost of sending produce from the interior to the seaboard and to enable the^people tp travel at a reasonable price over our railways. He defended the land and income-^fe and stated that very many people who were formally opposed to it now^i^ft| that it should be continue^ Ipwgqß--''' ing that tkey .were happier- iittder tnw" system of taxation than they bad been before. The hon. gentleman, in conclusion, said the country had never been so prosperous:, as at the present time. - The requirements of the labour market had never been so great and industries were being pushed forward from end to end of the colony. In the railway workshops they were unable to keep pace with the demands for increased rolling stock.— N.Z. Times.