Sir Joseph Ward.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43343, 27 June 1908, Page 3

Sir Joseph Ward.

ADDRESS AT GREYTOWN.

THE WORKS OF THE COUNTRY. b i NATIVE LAND QUESTION.

3 GREYTOWN, June 24. f Sir Joseph Ward gave his .final preE sessional address at Greytown last night. ; The Mayor (chairman) asked fora patient • hearing on the first time of his addressing

a Greytown audience. The Premier said he felt under an obligation to the Mayor for the manner of introducing him. He did not advocate wild criticisms, but dealt fairly with all.

He quoted the pioneers’ difficulties and the grit shown by them in their troubles. As to the fall in wool they had sustained |' no country could depend on one product. The Government aided the people through respective departments. Tins country was not like others. We had a good

country which was prosperous. £767,000

was voted for carrying on the works of the country. At the end of the year we had £1,567,000 for works during the past year. What he now said were facts uncontrovertible: Some people believed the taxation was enormous, but that was not so. The tax on land over £40,000 was to cut up large estates. This Bill was supported by the whole Opposition ¥ Parliament. (Hear, hear.) We haa T given hack large sums to the public in railway and post and telegraph. The sheep tax, £1,555,000. to extend the reductions made, the Government have never said to the fanner you must give up your farm, yet the idea has been mooted to that effect. The Government never has been in favour of land nationalisation. He had received letters to nationalize all sorts of factories. would require over one million sterling. He never would be a party to annex private land without remuneration. No Government would repeal the Land Act for acquiring land in a proper manner. Country residents had received great benefits under the Act by increased population in such districts. Regarding socialism he said wrong impressions were made to his Government. They were opposed to such revolution, and people said the Government were trying to force this opinion on them. £9.000,000 sterling had been saved by .the Advance to Settlement Act. The farmer and the country had gained the benefit. Was the | Government life Office a detrimental _I

social act ? Was there anyone who would j repeal the statue ? How many would re- • peal the old age pensions ? There were * none. His Government was for helping the people along. The various departments were to help the people. The

social laws were supported by his Government, but for smashing up the people his Government would not do such. He referred to Bishop Julius’s recent addresses, and the “ Dominion ” said the remarks applied to the Premier. He remarked he was not subject to paper criticisms, and did not believe the Bishop’s remarks were personal. The Premier said what he was to prove was the sound position of the Dominion, He had listened to the Bishop’s discourse, and they contained no adverse oritisism. To finance the Dominion it was to the Motherland we had to look, and we must do our part to help ourselves. He had urged the necessity of paying a greater sum for the maintenance of the navy, and addressing children advocated no jingoism. The remarks of the * ‘ Dominion ’ ’ were not eallled for, We were a portion of the British domiuion and were valuable. Consternation would arise if a Foreign flag was erected in our midst. He pointed out the Post’s remarks on conscription, and said he was opposed to such. We have established preference between ourselves and the Ola Country. He made comparisons of the imports from the Old Country and foreign. He also quoted exports similarly. His reference to this question was to show the great advances made in the Dominion in 52 years. He showed we were only onefortieth part of Britain and were the most favourable country. He quoted statistics of the Post Office showing the immense increase. The reduction in postage, postcards, etc., was of great importance in this department, Refeiring to Greytown he saia it had grown steady and substantial and gratifying to ithe settlers in the district. Here the Postal business had greatly increased. Referring te the Carrington estate he would divide the number of sections available for farmers shortly. Touching native lands he said we were bound to treat them in a fair manner. The ißoyal Commission must find out the land Required by the natives and the balance put on the market. One million acres had already been advised on by the Commission, and more were following. He showed the large area now settled by the Government. Regarding labour laws some persons thought they should not be on' the Statue Book. These he defended. The laws were necessary but required amending. He discoursed on roads and railway facilities for country people. Regarding these matters finance must be considered. The grading of produce was important, enabling farmers to sell goods without leaving home. He alluded to the collapse in the flax mills, but the moment this took place the Government abolished the grading charges. Referring to the public debt £64,000,000, it was nothing compared to one railway company in Canada. He deprecated taking 5 per cent, for private railways to assist the Government.