The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 23, 1902. “POVERTY” BAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 397, 23 April 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 23, 1902. “POVERTY” BAY.

Wc hope that the Premier has been misunderstood in regard to the remarks made by the President ol the Chamber of Commerce last night, Mr Matthews stated that he had authority for saying that the Premier had referred to the name “ Poverty ” Bay by way of sarcasm because the testimonial fund had not been contributed to in this district. This information will certainly come as a great surprise to the friends of the Premier, as well as to the people generally. The name “ Poverty,” as applied to this district, has often been made sport of, and there are many people who agree with Mr Scddon that a change of name is desirable. But if the Premier, when alluding to the subject, was speaking sarcastically because the testimonial fund had not been liberally contributed to in this district, his remarks were positively insulting. The district lias never been behindhand in

contributing to any fund that the people believed to be for the general good, and it seemed quite possible to show appreciation of the work done by the Premier without putting up a sum of liard cash as was done by some of the more affluent. It is quite true that there are hundreds of working men who have the sinceres.t regard for the Premier, yet who cannot well afford to give even a moiety from their daily wage. It is a pity that the information as to the Premier’s idea had not been made public before he left. Then an explanation might have been very promptly asked for. If that were not satisfactory i\lr Seddon would have been assur.ed that there would have been no “ poverty ” in the terms that would have been used by way of conr'.demnation.