SPEECH BY PREMIER

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1642, 8 January 1906, Page 2

SPEECH BY PREMIER

TRIP TO AUSTRALIA. THE BRITISH FLAG. (Per Press Association.) Greyinouth, Saturday. The Premier was tendered a banquet at the Opora House by the citizens of Grey and Grey County. The hall wa3 crowded, and the reception was most enthusiastic. The Premier made a speech, lasting two hours. He referred to the some years ago for federation with the Australian Commonwealth, but held that New Zealand shoull work out its own destiny. What wae wanted was reciprocity, and that would come before very long for the good of both countries. He said if time permitted, before next session, he would make a trip to Australia, and read a cablegram reoeived by him that day from tho Premier of West Australia, asking him to pay them a visit. He rofered to the happy and contented condition of the peopl) of tho colony, and said the Government had a roltioi pol cy in the cutting up of largo estates for closer settlement, and not oven the most bitter opponent of tho Government would attempt to alter that. The Leader of the Opposition bad s'ated during the e'ection that before taking largo estates the matter should be decided by Pa'liament. From this he differed enthely. It was for Parliament to sett'o the policy and for tho Government to ea r ry it out. The gold export had increased this year to two millions, and boro out his statement made in 1897 that such woull be the case if full justice was done to the gold industry. It I would next year reach three millions, The timber, coal, and flax industries were flourishing on the coast, and gold had been neglected. The Government intended mapping out tbo coast, and bringing scientific knowledge to bear. President Roosevelt had said tbo Stars and Stripes would dominate the commerce of the Pacific. As Britishers', their minds were made up that no flag but the British flag shoull dominate tbo commerce of the Pacific, and America would have to come to a port under tho British flag to obtain coal. He referred to Port Elizibeth as a harbor croadoi by nature, and now re* quirementj demanded it, and it would bo tbo ba- bor of tho Puoific, at which steamers cf all nations would oall for coil. The importation of Newcastle coal could be mot by giving cheaper freights on stoamore. Tho samo app’ied to Oregon timbor. Tho Premier wa3 cheered as be resumed his scat.