THE PREMIER AT WINTON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 260, 27 October 1908, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT WINTON.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Winton, Last Nignt. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded audience of his constituents at Winton to-night, and immediately plunged into a sheaf of statistics whicli he qu.oted to show the prosperity of the Dominion during the Just tcii years. Referring to tiie Opposition criticism ■ of public expenditure, lie asked wnut items would tliey cut down and on what Hems would they cease borrowing, for the Opposition had no policy and eouid not build itself into power by a bundle of negatives. The Government had never claimed political perfection in administration, legislative or constructive works, but desired to give every class equal opportunity to improve its position by hard industry, application to work and steadfastness of purpose. The Prime Minister replied to Mr. James Allen's criticism, saying that Mr Allen knocked at the Treasury aoor for all sorts of 'public works in his district, and was a. self-confessed agitator for an increase of borrowing. Ho went on to sbow that by improvements in railways, roads, and other public works liie Liberal Government bad done more in 17 years than had been done in the country since the initiation ol the pub--1 lie works scheme. The only increased ' tax was the graduated land tax for I over £40,000. lie pointed out the I great concessions that had been given ' by way of remissions of Customs duties, f etc. Sir Joseph Ward made a strenu-

ous defence of the increase in valuations, and went on to explain that in | the past three years the Government had had no difficulty in carrying out all loan conversion operations, satisfactory arrangements having been made for a considerable period ahead. Sir Joseph said they could not have a better indication of the financial position than that afforded by a sludy of, the Post and Telegraph and hallway Departments. Touching on the arbit ration and conciliation system, he sai<l ho did not believe there were many who would be willing to go back to the old system of strife and chaos, brought about by strikes. The conciliation and Arbitration Bill had been put on the Statute Book in the hope that it would prove in the interest of the people most intimately concerned. Concluding, he urged the cultivation of a national spirit among young New Zealandcrs, and terminated an enthusiastic meeting by receiving a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.