THE GOVERNMENT POLICY SPEECH BY MR FERGUS. Dunedin, June 5.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 375, 8 June 1889, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY SPEECH BY MR FERGUS. Dunedin, June 5.

Referring to charibablo aid, Mr Fergus cited figures to show the increasing cost. In 1881 there was paid out of the Colonial Exchequer £73,885 for hospitals and charilablo aid; in 1882, £75,712; in 1883, 92,000 ; in 1884, £98,000 ; in 1885, £115,000 ; for nine months of 1886, £117,000. Under the new system there was no realreliei from the tax, as the burden was simply shifted from the colony to the local body. The Government paid £93,143, and the local bodies were called on to pay £46,636 in 1887, and in 1888 the Government paid £82,559, and the local bodies £55,991.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. With regard to the Legislative Council, he said its actual strength at the present time was thirty, and it could not be allowed to remain as in the past. They must bring it more in accord with public sentiment. He was opposod to the elective franchise as being calculated to produce friction.

THE REPRESENTATION BILL. Regarding the Lower House, he said some people werß of opinion that the reduction of members would be upset, but there was veiy little fear of that. He was sure the number was amply sufficient to manage the affairs of the country. There might be less talk, bub would be rnoi'e real work. The idea of tho Government was to pub members of the Bouse on a nobler and broader franchise. They intended to propose the Hare system or a modification thereof. Tho opinions of the people as a whole should bo fully represented, and every minority had a right of representation. With this object, and in order that men who are nob mere works-grabbers, bub men of independent colonial repute, should be found in the House, and in order that there should be less log-rolling, the Government contemplated introducing this measure. If carried, they would have a better class of Parliamont, a superior debate, and in the long run ib would bo altogether better for the colony.

EDUCATION. On the subject of education ho said he had long been of the opinion that inspectors should bo under the control of the Minister. There was a want of uniformity in the examinations, and of uniformity in the ap pointment and qualih'cations and salaries. These must be put on a fair basis. Teachers with equal qualifications and equal duties should have equal salaries. The present methods of administration tended to restrict the field of promotion to teachers serving in the immediate district. Every year showed the system to greater advantage. There were now 123,000 children out of a population of 600,000 on the school rolls, tho average attendance being 90,000. They should be exceedingly proud thereof.

VOLUNTEERING. Re volunteering, Mr Fergus said fcha^ when he assumed office the volunteer expenditure had grown to the enormous sum of £56,000 per annum. Thi3 year the expenditure had only been £25,000. Notwithstanding a heavy reduction in the capitation there had been a substantial increase in the number of volunteers in the large centres of tho colony. He hoped to be able to make some slight increase in the capitation to volunteers for the next year.

CHAKITABLE AID. In the course of his address at Queenstown, the Hon. Mr Fergus, referring to charitable aid, said: Theypioposed bringing in a measure to simplify the administration of charitable aid in allowing the hospital districts to exist much the same as at present, with this difference, that the management of hospitals should be given to local bodies, who may transfer the same to trustees. If the local body do not wish to undertake the burden they can decline to do so. Local institutions would be supported partly by rates and partly by subscriptions, the Government subsidising the lattor liberally. They intend to give a liberal subsidy to the hospitals absolutely necessary, and it would rest entirely whether these institutions shall be maintained with the people themselves. With legard to charitable aid they proposed to relieve the local bodies fiom the maintenance of iuveterate paupers and incorrigible drunkards. They propose to put men who will not support their families in institutions where they will havo to do something tor their own support, leaving the subsidised local body to deal with the casual poor within their bounds.

BANKRUPTCY ACT. In amending the Bankruptcy Act they propose to embody the principles recommended by the Chambers of Commerce and relieve the Supreme Court by empowering R.M.s to deal with small estates and distribute assets.

EDUCATION. The Hon. Mr Fergus explains thafc his views on education are those of a private member. The Government had decided not to touch the Act this session.