A POLICY SPEECH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3788, 13 February 1908, Page 4

A POLICY SPEECH.

The Premier at Auckland.

The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) addressed a public meeting on political matters at Auckland on Friday evening. - Referring to the work of last session, he claimed that the Government did work which should stand favourably in comparison with that of any other session- The legislation passed last session had provided the basis upon which a great superstructure in the interests of men, women and children could be built up. A great revolution such as was now being worked could not in reason be expected to develop to completion in a year or two, but he was persuaded, as the result of investigation, that we had at least in this country got our great native problem on sound lines, and that a permanent and lasting good to botlr the European and native races would be produced by the careful and vigorous carryings out of that policy. The position of the population question was not satisfactory. The increase from every source this year was 8000 less than the increase of last year. He was Strongly against bringing a large numbers of immigrants from the Old Country, but we ought to continue our present system of assisting in a moderate way to bring suitable men and women to the Dominion.

He proposed next session to ask Parliament to provide a system of superannuation of employees of municipalities, counties, and other local bodies, and also a system of purchase of annuities by the general public. As to the reading of the backblocks, he proposed, in addition to the setting of a large sum for ordinary reading purposes, to provide a special sum of .£20,000 a year for five years, and to have a map prepared in advance, showing the roads for which this money was to be spent yearly. With regard to Chinese, he did not think, in view of the legislation of last session, that any more would come. In vegetable gardening the Chinese had practically excluded the Europeans. He suggested a State market garden in each of the four centres wheie the services, perhaps, of prisoners could be utilised.

lyast session be had promised to look into the working of the oldage pensions system in the recess, and when Parliament met again he would lay before it proposals which would improve the working of the system. Defining the position of the Government party, Sir Joseph Ward said its party was neither revolutionary socialism nor hidebound individualism. They believed in the prudent use of the power of the State to give equal opportunity to all and make the people as a whole, and not any class, healthier and happier., This could not be done by visionary methods or violent rapid changes, but by courageous and careful extension of State action along prudent and progressive lines. A vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward and unabated confidence in himself ard the Government concluded the meeting.