THE PREMIERES TRIP.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 52, 11 February 1902, Page 5

THE PREMIERES TRIP.

Addressing'the Liberals of the Wai-

rarapa the other day, the Premier referred to his approaching departure for England for the purpose of represent ing the colony at the Coronation. Candidly, said the right hon. gentleman,'lie would much have preferred' that some one else had the responsibility, hut he would do his best, as he did on a previous occasion. The New Zealand Times, he proceeded, recently publisher! a leader in which it stated that his ifoing Home would necessitate an early

short session. One of the reasons it gave for that statement was that a change of policy might be made in his absence. How, asked Mr Seddon, could there be a change of policy unless they had a change of Government and a change of members? Hid they think the large majority of members would stand a change of policy ? They had done too well under the present policy. Besides, they were not free agents. A member of Parliament must He true to his trust. There was no desire for a change of policy. Another suggestion was that the Premier would hesitate about leaving Sir Joseph Ward behind, and that it would be necessray to have the finances fixed up, and the ordinary business session held after the Premier returned. He might tell them at once that there would be no short session ; that there was no necess’ty for it. The finances were all right, the policy was all right, and he was satisfied that he could go away for a few months without anything serious happening. He had every cjnfidence that all would be well—that during his absence things would go on just as well as if he was there. As to what would go on in the colony he should go away with the utmost confidence, relying upon his colleagues and the supporters of the Government to do their nutv. If they did that all would be well.