SPEECH BY PREMIER

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 556, 28 October 1902, Page 2

SPEECH BY PREMIER

COLONY NEVER IN .SOUNDER POSITION.

lIE DEPRECATES PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF TROOPERS.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, last night. Mi’ Setldon addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting in the Drill Hall to-night, tiie Mayor presiding. 'Hie first part of the speech was devoted mainly to tiie work of the Imperial Conference. Mr Scddon touched on the various questions initiated by New Zealand, and stated that on his arrival in Wellington he would Jay t.tie oinctal report ot rite proceedings befote the Governor. He emphatically | reiterated his intention of remaining in I the coiony. Regarding colonial polities, he inli- | mated that the Government intended I to vigorously pursue the policy tney had become identified with, emphasising. more particularly land settlement, and the development of the tourist traffic. He deprecated any preferential treatment of returned troopers in regard to land settlement, as such seemed to him a -species of class legislation. On the question of finance, the Premier practically endorsed the statement, of the position contained in .Sit .Joseph Ward’s recent speech, and asserted that the colony had never been in a stronger or sounder financial position. He contradicted Ihe rumors to the effect that he had attempted to float a loan in London during his visit and failed. The Government, g? said, would continue the present policy of labor legislation, which was .being adopted by the older countries of the world. Referring to the coming elections he said that the Government were before the country, and would accept the verdict of the people cheerfully, feeling assured that their services would be recognised in the way they merited. The Premier concluded his speech amid enthusiastic applause and cheering.

A motion thanking the Premier for bis address, and expressing every confidence in him and his administration, and the hope, that lie would long be spared to guide the destinies of the colony, was carried unanimously. In the course of bis speech Mr Seddon referred to the reported success of the Hon. A. ,J. Cadman’s mission to England, and hoped that the iron and steel industry would be established in New Zealand, and that we would he aWe to manufacture our own guns and armaments, in addition to ammunition. Continuing, lie said that the Government were at present considering tile establishment of a New Zealand, Fiji, Noumea steam service, for the promotion of trade with the isi’anu". M? Ili " 1 seen the French. Consul, and suggested that the Frencn vovernmenb should pay y, portion of the suosidy, ■