THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 7 June 1912, Page 5

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

A PRESESSIONAL ADDRESS, . " By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Th« Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Railways, delivered a pre-seasional ad* dress to the electors of Auckland Bast i to-night. About 600 were present. Hie Minister, who was receired with cheers, said that one fact that marked the earnestness of the Government was the appointment of three commissions to inquire into subjects which practically affected the prosperity and •lability of the country. It was sxpected that the Cost of Living Commission would solve a problem that had perplexed the greatest economists, but no praatical solution would be attained except by a collation of reliable facts, and the Government was determined that New Zea- j land's quota of information would be beyond all dispute. "I am convinced," said Mr. Myers, in reference to the Civil Service Commission, "that it is in the in- 1 terests of the State that the whole public service shall be kept entirely free from party politics. The service belong# to the taxpayer and not to the party for the time being in office. Four things v are necessary to be maintained: The right of every child, no matter how poor or uninfluential her parents may be, to enter the public service; promotion by merit after entry; freedom from party political influence; and a fair salary for equivalent service and proper service for a fair salary. If these principles are adhered to, our public service will be a credit to the Dominion. If . after the commission has reported Parliament finds there are any defects, measures can at once be taken to remedy them." Reviewing the operations of the State Guaranteed Advances the Minister referred to the remarks made by Mr. Massey at the Auckland Farmers' Union dinner, in the course of ■Milch Mr. Massey said that the cost of State loans had increased from 3 1 /,, per cent, including sinking fund, under the old Act, to 514 per cent. The payment of 3%per cent, under the old system did not include sinking funds. The State had to continue the payment of interest on money borrowed for loans to local bodies, and would have to repav a debt amounting to over £4.000,000. The present rate of interest was £4 17s fid for a 3% per cent, loan, and £5 Is for a 3% per cent, loan, including sinking funds. The present: system was not restricted to £200,000 per annum, and dur-" ing a period of a little over two years l , since it commenced the Department had lent, or agreed to lend to local authorities a total of £2,324,920. Mr. Massey evidently wished to convey the idea that local bodies were being- charged an extravagant rate of interest by the Gov- » ernment, but on a debt of £17,000.000 owing to local bodies—apart from that owing to the Government—they were paying an average rate of intent, not • including sinkine fund, of £4 17s. Th& fafft that the Government was unable to meet the demands of local bodies was • surely a sufficient index of the popularity of the system. j A vote of confidence as member and ■ Minister was carried, and one that the Ministry possessed the confidence of & majority of the electors in the Dominion. •