HARD HITTING.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 189, 9 February 1895, Page 2

HARD HITTING.

Although we are politically opposed to the Premier and his Government, yet we find many admirable qualities iv the Hon. Mr Seddon. Chief among them is his hard hitting when he thiuks it necessary. The Trades Council, composed no doubt of sincere well meaning, but somewhat narrow minded men, went a little too far when tl:ey sent a deputation to the Premier, to ask hiva to put a pro tec tivo tariff on machinery in order that thirty-three boiier-ujakers now unemployed might be ensured work. C«ol, to tax the whole colony for the benefit of a handful of men. Mr tteddon in his reply said : " New Zealand was more of an agricultural than ruaau fucturing colony and if there was a glut in the market of certain artisans, then tho latter must loon out for some other sort of employment as it would not be fair that the Government should have to provide for them, lie denied that the depression in that class of trade under notice was due to free duty on machinery. The Government could not, he eaid, be expected to legislate only for one claes. They hud the colony to look to. As to putting a clause re wages into Government contiacts, he said there would be a difficulty in the way and thought it would not be fair. All Government could ask for was that the work should bo carried out efficiently and in the terms of the specification. Aa to boy labor he reminded the deputa tioa that they must not ask for too much. A gpod deal of labor legislation had been passed the last few years, and if it was to go on there ! might lie a^reaction detrimental to the interests of the men themselves. He was prepared to hear the demands of men, and if compatible with the interests of the colony the Government would cousider the matter. The co operative works, he said, euch as carpentering, etc., had been so sue cesaful that the Government were thinking of trying the system m connectiou with b.-iJge buildiog. On questions of tariff he could only refer the deputation to tho Tariff Commis ) siou nosy fining." This is very much 1 to the pome.