The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 29, 1902. THE PREMTER’S RECEPTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 377, 29 March 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 29, 1902. THE PREMTER’S RECEPTION.

Those who comprised the committee for the reception of the Right Hon. the Premier are deserving of the hearty congratulations of -the community on the very successful way in which the arrangements were carried out. Tne uncertainty as to what time the Tutanakae would arrive made matters in a degree awkward, and there were some who returned to their homes in the belief that the steamer was not likely to. arrive before daylight. The uncertainty made the complete success the better appreciated. Mr Seddon was delighted with the way he was entertained, the gathering being far superior to any stiff assemblage of men only, eat-ing, drinking, and making speeches. As' it was young and old and people of both sexes, were able to take part in the reception of the Premier, and at the same time have good evening’s enjoyment. Apart from the patriotic fervor of the Premier’s speech, the main feature of interest was in regard to the settlement of native lands. The decision of the Government in that matter will have a very important effect on the future of this district, as it pjust also have on the whole colony. There may be some who object to tne principle of setting up native landlords, even though the administration is carried on through the Government, out no one would bemad enough to sta.e that any iorm of settlement is no„ better than the present-disgraceful condition of things, by whjph thousands Ov acres oi beautiful land is allowed 1 > remain idle. If the Seddon Government successfully solve the native lain problem they will have done a great work lor the < olony. It is very satisfactory to note that the Government have already taken steps to have the lands roaded, or at any rate that a decisio/i to that effect has been arrived at.-