SPEECH BY PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1659, 27 January 1906, Page 2

SPEECH BY PREMIER.

IMPERIAL CONFEREFCE AND OTHER BUBJE3TS. POSTPONEMENT AGREED TO, (Her Press Association.) Pahiatu, last night. On the oocasion of a sooial tendered to Mr Ross, member for Pahiatua, to-night, at which Messrs Hornsby and Hal l , M.’bH.R., were present, the Premier referred to the subject of the Imperial Conference, whioh was to have been held this year. At the last Conference of Prime Ministers it was decidol that the Conferences should be bold not later than four years and not less than three years. A memorandum was received from Mr LytteltoD, late Secretary of State for the Colonies, asking for the views of the Premiers on this matter, and the reply of Mr Deakin, Federal Prime Minister, and himself were to the effeot that they were I quite willing to attood the Conference, but stating that it was desirablo to hold the Conference early in the year. Mr Lyttelton then suggested that in view of the dissolution of the Imperial Parliament the Confsrenee would be postponed. The flection of a new Government at Home had since rondered the postponement of toe Conference necessary. Mr Seddon received o communication from Mr Deakin in December to the effect that there was no objection to a postponement, and accordingly et a mteting of the Cabinet in Wellington yesterday it wes decided that New Zealand also bad no objection to a postponement of the Conference. Although this decision was not in accord with the decision of the previous Conference, it was in the interests of the colonies and Mother Country. The outcome of these Conferences would, he believed, bs the formation of an Imperial Council, which woull bo in touch with the people, and add to the strength of the Empire. Many difficulties and dangers would be removed by the formation of such a council. A KNOCK TO EMPLOYERS.

Referring to the proposed Labour and Industrial Parliament, be said Government had decided to abandon it, and he ' adversely criticised the action of the Employe's’ Association regarding it. He deeply regretted that these Associations refused to meet the Labour unions, but the associations had weakened their case, and the moral rff-ci would be that tbepotph would have a rnuoh higher opinion of the labor unions, whose case would be strengthened. Ho deplored the attitude certain labor representatives bad taken up in asking that their expenses be paid by Government, but this attitude was no indication of the feeliDg of workers generally.

MONOPOLIES,

Referring to trade monopolies, the Piemier said these were working silently, secietly, and surreptitiously against the interests of the producers of the colony. This was a matter that would engage the attention of Parliament. SHIPPING RINGS.

There was also danger from shipping I rings. The people of the colony were under the power of two or three companies, and when a new company entered into competition with these companies it was either driven out or absorbed by them. Freights from New Zealand were 33 per cent more than from Australia. Rather than allow the country to be under the power of monopolies, the State would have to own steamers and take its own freights. (Applause.) Ho felt sure that the farmers would support the Govern, ment in seeing that justice was done to the oolony’s produce at Home. He concluded amidst applause.