The Premier at Hokitika.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 221, 21 March 1896, Page 2

The Premier at Hokitika.

(Per Press Association.) Hokitika, March 20. The Premier addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents at the Theatre Royal, Hokitika, last night. A large number of ladies were present. The Mayor presided. The Premier's speech was mainly on the lines of his Nelson speech. At its conclusion he gave the meeting the policy which the Government would pursue next session : — Workmen's villages, and the adoption of the land for Settlement Act for this purpose ; limitation of boy and girl labor ; legislation aftecting the timber industry so as to preserve the forests, and have timber in proper season ; development of mining, construction of waterraces, prospecting, importation of improved machinery and gold saving process ; security of tenure, abolition distraint for rent, all creditors to be on the same footing \ legialation fixing the maximum rate of interest j audit of public companies accounts, so as to protect the investments of the people ; State fire insurance ; labor legislation to be completed, boy labor limited, living wage ; conditions and public tenders, private insurance by employers and private companies ; private friendly societies to be declared illegal, and an undue interference with the liberty of the subject ; purity of race, Asiatics exclusion, no Japanese 3 legislation for the conservation of a public health ; protection of girls of tender age ; repeal of the CD. Act ; Betterments Act ; Local Government Bill ; amendments of the liquor law, to bring clubs under supervision, and ' give an opportunity for having national Prohibition decided at the poll, which had been well thought out. Mr Seddon thought it would enable them to make next session a short one, and next session would be a little earlier 1 than usual. i A vote of confidence in the Premier ■ and Government was carried by ac- ■ elamation.