SPEECH BY THE ACTING-PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 4 May 1907, Page 2

SPEECH BY THE ACTING-PREMIER.

THE YEAR'S ACCOUNTS.

Per Press Association,

Tiniiiru, May ;i. The Hon. W. Ilall-Jones received a eimlial ivcq.tion «t the Theatre Koyitl I'Hiigh;. in his ail-aivss lie dealt as some IcngUi with the limince of the year.

Ordinary Revenue accounts were ! shown as follows:—lievcuue £8,300,- : 075, .Sinking Kund accretions £110,000; other receipts £13,881. Expenditure— Permanent charges £.1,0:18,120; annual ' aprourintious .€4,730,80(1; excess of reeeipts over expenditure £704,030; .balance from last year's surplus ( £788.705) £13,705; leaves mi excess id 3lst March last of £717,825. The railway revenue last year showed nu increase over the previous year of £282,078. Pasengers carried showed a large increase, ana the increase in wage* to railway employees since 1805 was given as 075,000. The. Minister, in dealing with Customs, referred to the ienii,«ions, £2,500.057. Since 1805. Postal rates and telegraph rates had been reduced by £275,000, mill railway dares and freights by £750,000. The cxpcmmuie on old age pensions last year was £313,82(1. Dealing with land, the Minister said the saving to the people by tile Advances to Settlers' oflice, through the fixing of a reasonbale rates of interest, ran into millions of pounds. The l'ubiie Works Fund had received £2,410,378, and expanded £2,030,078, and they had £415.800 balance to start the year with. The Minister made feeling reference to losses through death sustained by Parliament and the public service. , in speaking of his term as Premier, fie contended that the course he had taken was the only honorable course that could be taken. He made reference to the conferences now sitting at Home, and referred to the length of prosperity the colony was enjoying. Speaking on the band Bill, lie generally favored the leasehold system. He laid stress upon the three principal points of the Bill—endowments, limitation of area, and concessions. _ He referred to the Legislative Council appointments as very satfactory. Kegtirding the proposal to harness water power, he was not in fafor of undertaking the work unless the Government raised special moneys, and profits were in sight within two years. A vote of thanks, and continued confidence in the Government and Mr HallJones was carried.