THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1893. The Premier at Auckland

Feilding Star, 15 June 1893, Page 2

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1893. The Premier at Auckland

♦ The reply given by Mr Secldon to the fussy individuals who compose the Auckland Liberal Association has excited] the admiration of the Premier's staunchest opponents. Mr Seddon ' told the Association that it was merely a debating society, and that ■ while there could be no objection to such bodies discussing all kinds of wild theories and impractical proposals, they must not expect that those who are entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country will be influenced or guided by the decisions they come to. The Post says : — " This is sound common sense, but it is not latter-day Liberalism. We are extremely glad to find Mr Sedl-oX thus putting his foot down and asserting his position. There has been a good deal too much truckling in the past to Knights of Labour, Trades "Councils, Liberal Associations, and similarly irresponsible i bodies." The Wellington Press says : ■ "A manly outspokenness for which lie " deserves all credit appears to have i characterised Mr Seddon 's reply to the i Liberal Association at Auckland. ! Generally speaking the object of ' • programmes ' is to advocate the interests of petty self-seeking sections of ) the people in the towns at the ex- • pense of the Country. Mr Seddon seems to have got tired of this sort of • thing, hence his refreshingly outspoken statements in Auckland. At r the same time it should be kept in mind, as a simple matter of fairness, that the Premier's championship of common sense and of the country is a new tiling for his party ; it may be ' natural to him personally, but, in so far as it has been or still is a distinct factor in the colony's politics, it belongs to the Opposition. Neverthewe are glad to see that the Premier, now that he is leader, iias the independence and the boldness to take a leaf out of the Opposition book." Our readers will no doubt remember the dressing Mr Seddon gave the unemployed in Christchurch not many months ago when they tried his * patience with their unreasonable de- \ mauds, and what he lias done in * Auckland shows that as Premier Mr Seddon is even better than when he \ was Minister for Public Works to ' deal with over assertive people. 1 While the party which Mr Seddon '< \ represents is certain to sutler by the « alienation of the "small fry" whom he has undoubtedly offended, they will J gain by winning to their ranks many \ who belong to the more prudent pori tion of the community.

; Apropos of State guarantee as regards the New Zealand Government Life i Assurance, the Wanganui Herald says : — ; The absolute safety of a policy bearing ! the guarantee of the State is an inestimable ' boon to assurers, who have so often in , the past seen their premiums, and 1 bonuses, and policies swallowed up in the vortex caused by the foundering of a large Life Insurance Company, whose policy holders were left to bewail their abortive attempts to provide for either their own old age, or the support of their widows and orphans should death deprive them of their thoughtful and provident bread-winners. The State guarantee precludes any such liasco, and makes a policy absolutely reliable.

We are glad to be able to announce that Mr E. Goodbehere intends to take the initial steps towards the formation of a Permanent Building Society in Feilding at an early date, and a meeting of those desirous to assist in this laudable object will be held at an early date.