SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 17 December 1907, Page 3

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

'INFANT 'LIFE (PROTECTION. STATE NEWS AGENCY- ■ S NEW ELECTORAL SYSTEM PROPOSED. : '■ Press Association. : WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. The Right Hon. Sir J. Ward was entertained 'by the Liberal and Labor Federation this evening. There was a large gathering, including several members of 'Parliament; The Premier was presented with an illuminated address in appreciation of the work Uio"tiail done in-tbe past session. In the, .-course, of nhis_ reply Sir Joseph referred to the difficult position occupied, by members who .came, in nnder .the aegis of the late -Mr. Seddon, and he thanked them for their assistance in carrying out the business of the country. In regard to infant life /protection, the Government (was going to recogniso the,efforts of good women in’ tha fount centres occupied in looking'after people who could not ■afford.to pay for nurses, and instructing mothers in the proper feeding of infants. ’The (Government TjjQyld give ..practical assistance by domapng £IOO to each of the centres. The Government hoped in conjunction with the Commonwealth Parliament to establish ia 'State. cable agency to supply newspapers in the United Kingdom if it It a daily record of our industrial, social, and political progress, as New Zealand' had been too much neglected for the past 40 years in that respect. The Premier fonphadowed a change in the electoral system, to ensure that the majority would be fairly represented, and that where there was duplication of-Candida ten in any one party the minority representative would not slip in. The Premier spoke hopefully on the financial position of •the Dominion on the Hines of .recent speeches in other parts of New Zealand.