THE PREMIER AT DARGAVILLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9039, 4 March 1908, Page 5

THE PREMIER AT DARGAVILLE.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*. DARGAVILLE, March 3. During his speech at Dargaville to r night the Prime Minister gave the revenue results for the 11 months, ending February 29th, and stated that his forecast made in December last that the total revenue would show a marked increase would be fully realised. The total receipts had been £7,899,315, as against £7,344,320 for the same period last year, an increase of £577,989. The principal increases were in Customs £102.121, stamps £125,480, land tax £91,718, income tax £46,596, railways £158,395, territorial revenue £38,654. Referring to the reading of the back-blocks, Sir Joseph Ward said that between April, 1901, and March 1907, £1,927,834 had been expended on roads, and the amount provided for roads this year was £528,318, which spoke for itself. Then there was the proposal to ask Parliament to set aside £200,000 per annum for five years fr»r roading the backblocks. Concluding his address Sir Joseph Ward said that if the time came when the present Government went out of power no huntiner in the pigeon holes would reveal proof of any improper or dishonest act on the part of any member of the present administration. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed.