Mr Reeves Before His Constituents.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 191, 12 February 1895, Page 2

Mr Reeves Before His Constituents.

[Per Tress Association.] Christchurch, February 11. Mr Reeves addressed a meeting of his constituents at the Theatre Royal this evening. The building was densely crowded, and the Mayor occupied the chair. Mr Reeves was well received and commenced by briefly alluding to the attack made upon him by the local Conservative press. He explained the various reforms effected by the Liberal party during the past four years, claimed that they had materially improved the condition of the people. Speaking of the Press Association report of an interview between the Premier and the Trades Councils, Mr Reeves said it was imperfect and misleading. Mr Seddon was in sympathy with all reasonable aspirations of the labor party. He explained the k , character of the proposed reciprocal treaty with South Australia and defended its provisions. He would always favour reciprocity, but as a protectionist he was opposed to intercolonial freetrade. The arrangements with South Australia if Ratified by Parliament would make it impossible for the neighboring colonies as a whole to erect a customs barrier against New Zealand. He declared the legislation in connection with the Bank of New Zealand saved the colony from a great commercial disaster and was approved of by every patriot, who understood the gravity of the position. The first works of next session should be the revision of the tariff, and he was hopeful that with the cordial assistance of the country, Government would be able to remove certain anomilies and give additional measure of encouragement to local industries. Local Government would also engage their attention, and certain labor proposals, which were rejected by the Legislative Council, would be revived. The licensing question would also come up for consideration and the bill of last session would be amended, and he hoped, improved. The Government would further extend the village settlement system, efforts in that direction would have his warm support. Mr Reeves said the defeat of the Midland Railway Bill was due to the opposition of Sir Robert Stout and followers. No doubt a number of impatient Liberals were anxiousto take up the position won by the pioneers of the party, but he thought the great bulk of the electors would remain loyal to the men who had borne the heat and burden of the day. A vote of thanks and confi^ dence was accorded to the Minister.