THE PREMIER'S VIEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 345, 20 February 1902, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S VIEWS.

Tlie Premier, in tiic course of his remarks at the Hokitika banquet, referring to coal export, said he was prepared to lay down that New Zealand coal should only he carried by British-owned ships, and taken only to British ports. He should use every effort to demonstrate the solidarity and self-contained character of the Empire. He advocated the Government cutting main and by-tracks for prospecting purposes. Referring to Mr Bogue’s report on the Midland railway, he said the length of the tunnel would be reduced from six to three

miles. This great gain demonstrated the wisdom of the Government’s aci' tion in receiving high expert advice. The appropriation for the works was only partly spent. The works would he started again and vigorously prosecuted. He spoke at length on his Island policy, and the need for looking forward, anticipating that great development would take place. It would be better to draw the supplies of the rture from colonies within themselves rather than from islands in the possession of a foreign Power. The Untish- Japanese Treaty of Alliance would supply an open-door for the colonies in the Far East. Without, it there was a fear that a foreign nation would anticipate Britain in her China police, and have acquired a seaboard and the upper hand in the Chinese situation. This contingency would he detrimental to the colonies. He was not jealous of the rivalry of Australia in his Island policy. His one desire was to see every neighboring British tsaony prepared to extend the territory of the Empire to the fullest extent. Referring to his action in regard to the war,' he felt he had only done his duty and did not claim to have done any more than he should have done. He strongly repudiated the calumnies passed on our troops at the front, and (hoped that the end of the war was not far off. The latest particulars gave an account of a concentrated effort to terminate the struggle. Probable his last official act before leaviii"- "the colony would be tlie send-off of °the Ninth Contingent. He would be satisfied to conclude h : .s political career as member for Westland. Acknowledging the address ot the County Council, the Premier said he would be pleased to take an address from the people of Westland to present to the King at the time 01 the Coronation. __