1894. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. R. J. SEDDON. 11th October, 1894.

Mk. Speaker,— It is again my pleasure to lay before you the Public Works Statement. Exception has been taken to the delay in bringing it down, but this was quite unavoidable, seeing that the ways and means available could not be ascertained until the recent legislation in reference to improving Crown lands and purchasing Native lands was effected. It will, no doubt, be contended that the policy measures dealing with finance should have been brought forward and passed at an earlier period of the session. Against this, I may fairly urge that questions of great moment required the attention of the Legislature. These questions were of such an exceptional character that they could not brook delay, but, when they were dealt with, no time was lost in promoting the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, which was only passed by the Legislative Council on the 3rd instant, and now awaits the assent o£ His Excellency. I hope, however, the delay will not have made the Statement less attractive. ROADING CROWN LANDS AND PURCHASING NATIVE LANDS. The Colonial Treasurer, in the Budget, indicated a new departure with respect to the improvement of lands and the roading of the same, and the purchase and roading of Native lands. Details in connection with the proposed expenditure under these heads will be found in the estimates of expenditure under the head of " Lands Improvement Account" and "Native Lands Purchase Account." The necessity for the increased expenditure in connection with improving and roading the lands of the Crown, and for the purchase of Native lands and roading the same, will be conceded-by every true colonist. If this necessity is not met it will be impossible to keep pace with the demands of those who desire to settle upon our lands, and the sons of our farmers will leave our shores and seek homes elsewhere. Others also, who for years have found intermittent employment in our towns, and who now seek to settle in the country, and with that object are engaged on the co-operative works, would also become disheartened and return to the towns, there to eke out a miserable existence, and, in many cases, ultimately become a burden on the ratepayers. The Government believe it to be their duty to meet the urgent demands for land for small settlements, and that in so doing they are acting in the true interests of colonisation. By settling the people on the lands permanent prosperity will also be assured, and the loss of population effectually prevented.

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