POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1674, 2 April 1886, Page 4

POLITICAL NEWS.

THE HON. THE PREMIER AT DUNEDItf.

(united press association.),, ; ; ; ... Invercargill, Thursday. In response to invitation by citizens the Hon Robert Stont addressed a meeting of citiaens on the political situation m the theatre, which was crowded. The Mayor was m tho chair. Having spoken m defence of a Land Act as against the Property Tax, Mr Stout went on to combat the idea that the Government should start a State Bank, aud issue paper currency. It was absurd to imagino that they could make the colony prosperous by means of a printing press and a bale of paper, As well think of a merchant making himself rich by signing promisgory notes, which \yere a species of paper money. Speaking of the policy of tho Government, Mr Stout said that depression certainly existed, but they had seen a great deal worse time». In proof he stated that the Property tax returns showed an increase of six millions . during the last three years. True, ' that prices of produce were lower than had ever been before, and that farmers had gone too freely to money lenders : but the case was not hopeless, and he hoped they had got a lesson that they would remember fofaittune. The depression could not be cured by any Government. They must be thrifty and diligent, and tho depression would fade away. Referring to the Public Works Policy of the Government, he said the Government held the expenditure at one and a half millions of money per annum, which was considerably less than the previous Government had expended, and they would do better still if they got rid of the responsibility for public buildings, roads, and bridges, which were unfairly swallowing up the Public Works fnnd. There was a misapprehension as to the effect of Captain Russell's amendment reducing the expenditure by half a mil lion. It did not mean the cessation of works m the .year just expired, but prevented the Governmont from going on with contracts at this season. But for Captain Russell, the Government would now have been finding work for the uneuaplrn'ed on contracts instead of on the relief system m vogue. Looking to the future, they must he careful not to borrow enormous sums. No matter what the depression might be, he should not go m for an extensive scheme. In fact, he thonght the time had nearly arrived when the colony must begin to edge off m borrowing. He contended that the cost of roads and bridges and public buildings should come out of tho re venu's, but it was difficult to get Parliament to see it, and until the electors 6ay " We will not look to Government for such works, 1 ' it would be impossible to reduce the public works ex penditnre. Mr Stout answered a large number of questions at the eloieof his speech, when the thanks of the meeting were accorded him for his prompt response to the invitation, and it was further resolved that the views he had expressed commended themselves to those present, axxA were such as to entitle the Government of which he is Prein'er to the continuance of public confidence. The motion was made by Mr Joyce and carried almost unanimously. The meeting was very, orderly and cordial.