The Premier at Nelson

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 97, 31 January 1885, Page 2

The Premier at Nelson

I.FES UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.! Nelson, This Day. There was a crowded and enthusiastic meeting last night, when the Premier delivered a statesmanlike address, ignoring questions of party politics. He spoke at some length concerning Press criticisms, and after alluding to way the present Government was existing, referred to some measures they had assisted to pass. The bulk of his speech was devoted to three dangers besetting Democracy, viz., the absprbtion of power by a few hands. In connection with the first danger he spoke of confederation. ' The South Pacific colonies should band together for general purposes; He did not object to European Powers colonising, but he did to the formation of depots. Under second danger he spoke of local government, referring to the danger of a central government absorbing the whole powers. He said without local government there was no true liberty, but the question was a large one. He spoke freely on the means he considered would avert these dangers, which might lead to anarchy. He spoke of education in a similar strain to that at the Dunedin meeting/* He referred to the prevention of acquiring of large estates;' and mopping up of land by a, few, and advocated technical education in teaching \ thrift,. temperance, and the establishment small industries. . The, .speaker was very eloquent 'at times' 'and' was repeatedly . cheered. A vote of thanks was carried.