REPLY TO THE PREMIER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 53, 11 June 1910, Page 5

REPLY TO THE PREMIER

MR. ALLEN AT lIOKITIKA. By Telegraph—l'ress Association. Hokitika, Lust Night. Mr. Allen addressed n crowded house in the Princess Theatre, despite the boisterous weather. He replied specifically to Sir .Joseph Ward's statements. Replying to the statement that the Opposition papers received more than the «iovernmenl papers for advertising, he said the statement was only < irtially true. The return included Wellington Post, which was more OovernnientJ than Opposition, lie refuted Sir Joseph Ward's statement that the Opposition was afraid to vote fur the graduated land tax. The Opposition hml to be thanked for.the measure mentioned. Extravagance' in administration was instanced by Sir .Joseph Ward saying last veur that .LAiO.miO co.ild be saved and that, departments <:r.;ld lie redu.ed from HO to 1!). Moneys -.-hargeable to consolidated funds had Vcu paid out of .public works, but h.'-l .--'nice been rectified, thank.s to *he Opposition. Referring to the revenue, he said it hud increased m three departments onlv. Railways alone increasing ,W £:W9,00l). The'net increase in revenue was €237,000, and the net increase in expenditure £205,000. lie referred to Do Opposition's help in improving the old nge pensions, workers' homes, lauds for settlement, finance and education ami-defence measures. He said the Opposition were accused of having no police, hut the truth was that the Government had adopted the Opposition ideas. He instanced National Annuities, Sinking Funds. Land Bill, Workers' Homes and other measures. He said superannuation schemes were unsound. This was proved bv Parliament fiaving to vote £2.1,0(10 towards the railways, and £SOOO towards the police. He condemned the adjournment of Parliament to permit Sir Joseph Ward to go Home. By lavish expenditure, railway construction cost had increased by '.€2012 per mile. He pointed out that the State Guaranteed Advances Act was unfavorable to local bodies, who now paid 4% per cent, He said the Government had no policy. Thev had backed down on the Land Bill. Superannuation, Sinking Funds, the Knvvett case, 9d capitation to school committees, library vote, and foe prophesied a back down on the railway regulations. The meeting was most enthusiastic, and ; . vote of thanks was carried amid cheers.