THE PREMIER’S VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1487, 22 June 1905, Page 3

THE PREMIER’S VISIT.

FUTURE PROSPECTS OF LIBERAL PARTY. The Right Eon. tho Premier was a through pussengsr by tho Toluno for Auckland yaaterdav morning, and availed himself of the opportunity to spend a couple of hours ashore, being on all sides aceorded a most enthusiastic reception. The Premier was welcomed by Eis Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Capta'n Tucker (County Chairman), Mr T. J. Dickson (President of the Liberal Association), and Mr J. A. Harding. Travelling fast and working hard does not soem to have made a great difference in the Premier, who looked in the host of health and spirits. Interviewed by a Times representative, the Premier expressed himself as greatly surprised to aeo the many improvements which had taken place in the town since his last visit ; the erection of new buildings, and the general appearance of tho place betokened increased prosperity and confidence. “ What Gisborne wants, and what will send it along rnoro than anything else,” remarked Mr Scddon, “is the settlement of the native lands. At .Napier last evening I announced a vigorous native land policy, which was exceedingly well received, It is the application of the land for Battlement principle to the surplus native lands. Wo should allow a liberol margin for the natives for their use and occupation and the balance should be acquired and Bottled under the same conditions as other lands. ,Tho proceeds could bo put aside fur the natives and, provision also made for landless natives.” Referring to the Land Commission—the members of which had that morning arrived in Gisborne —Mr Scddon said that

the advisability of holding ft sitting hero had been brought under his notice by Mr Carroll,and rather than this district should be passed by the time oi tho Commission bad beon extended tan days. The Commission would nevertheless be able to get through its labors and report to the House fourteen days after the opening of Parliament. Until the Commission reported to

the Houao be did not care to give an opinion on the matter under review, nor iu any way anticipate the report. “ What are tbo prospects of the Liberal Patty at the nest election ?” asked our representative. .< As far as I can gather,” remarked Mr Soddon, " and making full allowance for unconscious bias, i say emphatically that there is no sign of a desire for a change ot Government. The general majority of the electors are well satisfied with the present administration. There will, of course, bo changos in tho personnel of the lariiament, as almost every election results m about twenty now members being returned. These changes will, however, make no alteration in tho relative strength oi the parties. "I am the only member ot the House who has sat continuously since 1379. Mr DeLausour was in tho >dp u ' i ° when X started my political life. We noth belonged to the same political party, Mr DeLautour being president.” Askod in regard to this year’s vote tor tho Gisborne-Motu railway, the Premier stated that a deputation headed by tbo Mayor and County Chairman had waited upon him that morning in reference to the matter. He had told them that when hope was dead in the human breast that dissatisfaction onsued ; that their request that they only required £IOO,OOO this year was, as things ware going, on tho modest side. Ho could not make them any promise beyond Eaying that there wou.d be an increased railway expenditure nna uhat each district would receive its soars, me ultimate goal ot their railway was to connect with the system of tbo North Island, and they required to look to that end tor assistance. . „ Spoalting of tho coming soseion tho mealier said, “ From all Opposition barcnni t-r ono would infer that the sosaion is h-r- !l 5 to be a stormy one; from the lift wing that it is to be enthusiastic. My own view 13 that it will be like the last sessions of other Parliaments, a bit brisk at the start and alterwards members will talk to their constituents, There will not be much done and the elections will take place in November next, if not soonor.” _ . Referring to the Press Association report of his Napier speech Mr Ssddon stated that the report was a most unfair one. It did uot givo any information of several matters of colonial importance on which he bad spoken. ” The report did not deal with the questions of defence and other Imperial maltsrs, of tho extension of our trade to the islands, India and Japan and the saving to the colony of over eight millions by way of interest since the Loan to Settlers’ Act had come into force. These are now questions of great importance Tho repors contained no reference to the vote of thanks and confidence carried, but sirnnly wound up by saying that a presentation of a charter bad been made to the Liberal and Labor Federation. This seems to me to be very unfair journalism. Tho meeting at Napier was throughout a very enthusiastic one, winding up with a vete of thanks and confidence and cneers sufficient to take the roof off. Of all my meetings it was the moss enthusiastic, concluded Mr Seddon, “ and tho manner in which X was reported was grossly nnInformed nnr renreser.ta-

lity make a trip aloDg the East Coast. There was a largo gathering at the wharf as tho Woihi loft for She Talune w.th tho Premier on hoard. As the boat drew off throe cheers were oallod for Mr Soddou and most enthusiastically responded to.tno Premier replying, “ I thank you ; ltia ora, kia ora to y.cu all.” .