Mr Reeves at Wanganui.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 231, 30 March 1895, Page 2

Mr Reeves at Wanganui.

(Per Press Association). Wanganui, March 29. The Hon Mr Reeves delivered a political address in the drill hall to-night. The wretched weather prevented the attendance being as large as it otherwise would havo been, although ifc was Jarge and representative. Prior to beginning the address, Mr Reeve 3 was presented with an address on behalf of the John Ballance Assembly of the Knights of Labor. The speaker, after returning thanks, dealt severely with Captain Russell's speech, referring first to his remarks re the excessive Customs tariff. The tariff, Mr Reeves said, had been imposed by Captain Russell's friends, and the present Government had no hand in it. He denied that the Tariff Commission was set up for the purpose of wringing more money from the people. As a matter of fact its object was to obtain information with a view of an equitable readjustment. Referring to tbe railways, the Minister contended that the Government had only carried out the wishes of the people as evidenced at the last two elections, and quoted as an instance of " badness " of political rule the fact that 20,000 school children had been given valuable object lessons in the features of their country during the last few weeks, while it was within his own knowledge that the traffic, aB regards produce and sheep, was on the increase. He contended that it was better for the Department to be under tbe control of a common-sense and conscientious man from outside rather than under experts who might not be in touch witb the people. In an address at Stratford on Thursday evening, the Minister contended that the country should support Government in insisting on rating on unimproved values, as they were determined to press matters next session.