The Premier At Dunedin.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7831, 25 May 1905, Page 2

The Premier At Dunedin.

itiii '■" i' REPLY TO,MR MASSEY

(Per Press Association.) DU'NEDIN, May 24. ■ The Premier addressed a. meeting of Dunedin electors iliis evening. The , stage was cleared for the accommodation of those who could not find room in the ordinary sealing places. The Premier rend a cablegram conveying the Empire's greetings from Lord Meath. Dealing with Mr Massey's recent speech in Dunedin, Mr Sodidon complained oC the unfuir booming l the Opposition received from , the Press, but after the booming would 'come the burst, and that in November next. He, said emphatically that he did not. intend to accept the High CommiseionersKip.' Mr Mas- -} sey had cast a slur on the Press by saying a section of it had bteni.corrupted by Government support. The Premier quoted the amounts paid to Opposition and other papers, showing that the (distribution had been fair. He criticised Mr Bedford's charges that the Government practised unsound linance. He had stated that the Government was manufacturing surplus Iby appropriating money derived from the sale of Crown lands. Instead of the supplies being swollen by money derived as indicated, the Crown .Lands Department owed the colony over £500,000 for cost of administration, surveys, and other work!. The Premier then presented the budget of the colony, amounting to a surplus) 0 f £761,036, made up as follows :—Receipts : Revenue £7,282,870, sinking, fund nc-. cretions £68,200, other receipts £1127,; total £7,347,197. Expenditure : Permanent appropriations £2,670,972, annual appropriations £3,964,930 ; total, £6,685,902 ; excess trf receipts over expenditure, £711,295 ; balance 31st March, 1904, £6-19,741 ; transferred to public works fund, £600,000; balance from last year, £49,741 ; balance at 31st March, 1905, £761,036. H c denied that loan money hud been transferrod in large sums to the Public Works. The Press did not know ol £M- bu « it was a facfcjjfcat £600,000 had been transferred jfjhn the Consolidated Fund to tho Kiblic, Works Fund. Regarding the Public Works Fund he might say that on tho 31sl March there was £894,607 to it! credit, more money than at ahv previous time before. Tho present Government had done more than am other m bringing, capital and laboui together. Ho criticised the Opposition for decrying New Zealand. Th. Opposition Press never told the peo pie when New Ecaland 3} and 3 pe cent., stock were 5s higher than Nev bouth Wales, but they never failed U loudly cry out when they happenee *° ™ lower, which perhaps occurrci after the paying of interest, nor wcr, they told of tho great success of th Aew Zealand loan, when oho millioi was asked;, and two and a half prof fered. Phe criticism of spoils to th. y.ctors could at test only' have re erence to the appointment of a fev temporary clerks. The Govornmen had .been charged with charging th, stth UCCO K nt WUh »«o«nt- g W hi2 t* ta ' e *** cnar B<"i to revenue There was nothing in the charge. H, th*™*** 1 «'as perfectly i ß h charts P er "t assets should b to account. He ius m's4„ h ° < * BU * c ?«"the t Lan?cC mission Regarding the takimr o Justly unfair to take the freehoh from one and give it to man/ H deprecated the agitation sefupb •ho Opposition on the lands settle ment question, which tended to ,m set trown tenants. The Uovern ment ho maintained, should faith »»">- keep to its contracts. The „ vernmenf had been desirous of ge" tmg urban and suburban lauds' foi cd it The Government claimed! ha it had decreased direct taxation h\ over o million. Regarding old ag, pensions, ho did not know that the, could do better than increase th, payment to recipients. There wen not sufficient nurses in the colonv nor sufficient opportunity for train ing them, but, the nurses' trninim homes would mean the providing o an additional 100 or 150 nurses p e i annum. The Government would a once take steps to prevent a reiwti tion of the Christchurch scandal lhe Shops and Offices Act as a' pscscnt was an abortion, and wouli bo amended. It would maintain however, tho hours of closing. I," mak'ng certa n exceptions In conclusion, the Premier announced the Covernmcnt's intentions fo the future. He also contrasted th, t.overnmcnt's policy with th ( ,t of th, Opposition, as announced bv Mi Massey, which would, however, le*a ( them to nothing. Hearty cheers were given at th. conclusion. A vote of thanks H n< onfidencc in Mr Seddon and the Go vornment wus passed. The cheerinj was resumed when Mr Seddon re turned thanks.