THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1903, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

RBOBPriON AT STRATFORD, BANQUET AVBTKATHHOSX. UNFAIR LAND VALUIB (Special to Daily Nbws.) Stratbicobk, March 19. The Premier arrived at Wanganui late on Wednesday night, and proceeded early on Thursday morning by rail to S'ratford, where he had ait enthusiastic reception. He was en-] tertained at lunch, and after being interviewed by a number of deputa-: (ions immediately proceeded by coach to S'rathmore, where he is now being entertainad at a banquet in the Town Hall. There was a large gathering of settlers from all parts of thedistriot and they accorded the Premier a hearty reception. j Mr Seddon, in the course of his speech, di alt ch'efly with local matters' He expressed himself as amazed at the great progress of settlement and the development of the country between. Stratford, Toko, and Stratbmore. He' incidentally remarked that some people,' espec'ally in tho got it into their i heads that his was a Government of prejudice, chiefly because it became i neo sstry, with thi advancement of material progress to purchase large estates f>r tbe ben fit of the majority. But if the ra-jo-i'y were bonefi>d how oould it be called a qu scion of prejudice or party ? Spanking of land values, Mr S'ddon Slid •ha'; in many of t s e older settled , E districts, tho land was assessed at from thirty to fifty per cent unitr its true selling value, which was grossly unfair, because in the fewer dis'rics tho l»nd was fully valued. Why such dispirity existed he was »t present unabli to discover; but he wcu'd hire i: alter .'.d. Hawkes' Bay was one of the most! shockiog example 3, and hud t here: would have to be pulled up to its true' value without fear or favour, which would be fair to all. I The Premier proceeds to-morrow to Whangamomona to be p -esent at tbe complimentary banquet which is being { tendered the* e on that evening to Mr j W. Byraes, M.H R. He is accompanied by Messrs Major, Jennings i and Omeara M's.H.R. The route of his return to Wellington has not yet been decided.