THE PREMIER'S MOVEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 295, 13 December 1901, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S MOVEMENTS.

ARRIVAL AT BLENHEIM FROM ! CHEVIOT. • ——— i PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. } Blenheim, December 12. \ The. Premier arrived at Seddon (19 miles from Blenheim) overlaid from Cheviot at 4.30 to-day, and was enthusiastically welcomed by a large number of settlers, members ot th« Borough Council and the i* of ocal Bodies, who who had jouin tyed out by rail. I The Premier gave a short speech, in which he said the gathering marked the progress that had bean made since bis last visit ten years ago. Th°n, as now, he recognised that the plac* had ft future that would b» attained by an influx of population. Referring to tbe country through which be had p«s°ed during the past 'wo days, Mr Seddon said he thought the general cry along the line war for rain. The conclusion he had come to was that the great requirement was population. He described the terrible effect of the earthquake at C'.ieviot, which had caused the destruction of (settlers' homes and wreck and ruin on all dies. These who had not been on the spot could have but a slight id°a of the effect 1 .

An address wa6 pressnted on behalf of the settlors of Awatere, and it not°d that Mr Seddon was the firs': Prime Minister t* pvs through Kaikonra gincs Sir F. Weld's visit. The address congratulated the Premier on hig long term of office, to wh : ch be replied that after ten years the people of New Zjaiand had not conn to the conclusion that a change of Government wis decirable. Mr Ssddon a'so spok" of the cacc?ss of the land s«ttlem»nt policy.

The mrty arrived at Bl«nh<im at 6.40. The Premier is addressing « crowded meeting at the Town Hall to-night.