The Premier Banquetted.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 247, 22 April 1895, Page 2

The Premier Banquetted.

The Hon. R. J. Seddon was ban- I quetted at Marton on Saturday even- * ing last, about fifty representatives < from all over the Kangitikei electorate J being present. The usual loyal toast 1 to the Queen having been honored, * the Chairman, Mr J. J. Maedonald, proposed the toast of the evening, " Our Guest," and in doing so expressed his pleasure at seeing the ' Premier in Marton. In replying to the toast of his health, ' the Premier said it was with the greatest pleasure he accepted fche invitation to visit Marton and be present at the banquet. At the festive board they were able to throw aside hard politics. Marfcon was an important political centre and at one time they in Wellington looked forward to election contests there with interest. He went on to speak about party Government, which he strongly defended, saying it was one of the safeguards of freedom of the British people to have parties. By an elective executive Government that some people spoke about a Cabinet would be constituted in which one Minister would not concur with measures introduced by another. He respected those in opposition to his party and if the country said he would have to retire to the obscurity of opposition he would not be the one to complain at party Government. The greatest reforms which had taken place were due to party Government. A cry was at one time raised in this district that no one's property was safe, and that the freehold was to be abolished. What has become of this '? Could anyone say that any freehold in this district had been disturbed since then ? These statements had been rashly made and he would ask them not to believe such rumours again. With referenco to the Lands for Settlement Act, there was no necessity to bring it into force in a district like Rangitikei. The Government were aiming at bringing other parts of the colony into the same condition. In Hawkea Bay the colony had made railways through large runs of valuable land, where even the cattle and sheep were out of date. It was such land as this they wished to settle. There was a safeguard in the Act. A niau was allowed to retain 1000 acres of first-class land, to be selected by himself. His idea was in the case of small settlements to leave a large piece of land in the vicinity where small settlers could obtain employment. With reference to the statement that the Liberal party were dealing unfairly with the country as compared with the towns he pointed out that they had received consideration. There were 4000 farmers in New Zealand who did not pay Land Tax, but paid Property Tax, and they now had the benefit of the non-payment of the Property Tax. The abolition of the Property Tax was the finest thing that had happened to the colony, and his Government would not allow it to be reinstated. From a financial point the Land and Income Tax was successful, they having a surplus of £20,000 for last year over estimates. It was their duty to make country districts prosperous and then the industrial population would also be prosperous. Town and country must work together and not in antagonism. There was an improvement in the markets of the world and the result must be beneficial to producers. Ho supposed some of the Conservative press would say this banquet was on a par with the historical quotation "Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die." What the people are doing is equal to saying, " Eat, drink, and tight for the people." So long as he held bis position he trusted to retain the confidence of the people in this district. There were a few here who were wavering and he thought the time not far distant when they would not fiacl a Conservative in Marfcon. A change was taking place. The old Conservative party was a thing of the past, and after next general election they would be as "scarce as. the extinct moa, and a new party would spring up from its ashes. So long as they held power the Liberals would only advance as fast as it was safe, and they were not prepared to go beyond what public opinion demanded. He denied they bad frightened away capital. la the past capital had been obtaining excessive interest, and it was wrong to say that it should have everything. They must keep a sound finance and he contended the credit of New Zealand stood higher today than it ever did before. During his speech Mr Seddon was frequently applauded. The " Parliament of New Zealand " was proposed by Mr Floyd, viceChairman. In responding Mr J. Stevens, M.H.R., thanked them for the compli* ment and regretted not having gone bebefore his constituents to give an account of his stewardship. He would do so after next session. He referred in complimentary terms to Sir M. O'Rorke as Speaker of the House, to whom much of the purity of the New Zealand Parliament was due. Members did not go to Parliament for gain, they did it for the honor. The " Borough of Mar tori " was proposed by Mr Arkwright and responded to by the Mayor, Mr Macdonald. " Commercial and farming interests," proposed by Mr Seddon and responded to by Mr A. Simpson and Mr Beach. The toast of " The Natives of New Zealand," proposed by Mr D. Fraser, was responded to by Mr W. Hunia in an interesting and amusing speech. " The Press," proposed by Mr J. Johnston and responded to by Messrs S. Andrew (Advocate), J. Coombe (Feildixg Star), and R. R. Leys (Mercury). " The Ladies," proposed by Captain J. Johnston, Mr Bills responding. The vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs W. A. Floyd and A. Y. Mcßeth. During the evening songs were given by the Hon. It. J. Seddon, and Messrs T. R. Taylor, Bristow 0 and A. Cruickshank. The gathering dispersed after singing " Auld Lang Syne."