POLITICAL SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 978, 26 August 1903, Page 1

POLITICAL SPEECH.

BY THE PREMIER.

NEW SCHOLARSHIPS,

Per Press Association. Wellington, last night. A new Post Office was opened at Car* terton by Sir Joseph Ward yesterday. It cost £2982. In the evening the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward were the guests of the people at a conversazione. Mr Seddon spoke at some length, devoting a good deal of time to the criticism of the action of tbo Opposition, whom he accused of sniping tactics, and being dragged about first by one member and then another who wanted to have a shot at the Government. He thought it was time someone spoke out plainly, for the Opposition was burking the business of the country. It had been said there was no well defined line between the parties, but give on increase in the absentee and graduated land taxes, and they would soon find a dividing line. Speaking at Carterton, the Premier said the Government propose to bring in legislation to make high schools fall into line with the desires of the Government. Some of them refused to accept the Government scheme to admit pupils on a £6 capitation. Amendments, too, mast be made in those districts which, like Wellington, had shown no foresight in providing for higher education, and had no funds now. He was inclined to increase the proposed 24 scholarships to 26, two for each district. Besides £3O for scholarships there should be £2O in addition to maintain youths away from home. They would be distributed among urban, suburban, and rural districts, because in the past only urban children had benefited. By the scheme outlined he expected to bring the brightest brains to the front.