The Premier at Auckland.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7978, 15 November 1905, Page 2

The Premier at Auckland.

An Important Speech, AFCMLAXD, X ov . 11. 'J'he Premier addressed an audience ol about live thousand Auckland electors in Hie Drill Hall to-night, fhe Mayor presiding. -Mr Seddon dwelt on the prosperous condition ot the colony, ami at some length combated , the assertions of unfairness 'to Auckland in llhj dis'ribtitioii of Public Works money. The North Island Trunk Railway, he said, would be completed within three years. The Covernm*nl .'hud undertaken lo renew the guarantee respecting the export of apples, and also intended to assist fruitgrowers to get the blight out of their trees, and remove the ditlicull ies 'attending the industry. Any increase in taxation would Ire in tbu direction of the graduated land tax. lie promised thai" the reluction on Customs taxation should include, amongst .(Teller items, th! cheap calicoes and clothing worn by the working classes, besides a substantial reduction ion tobacco, and the freeing of the 'breakfast table. The condition of the colony was shown by the fact that the Goveromenl ,nqw wanted fro'ru 51 500 to 1000 pick and shovel, well for rail- I way works and could not get them. Provision was being made for the erection of 800 (workers' ,homes in the vicinity 0 f Auckland. He hoped the crowning effort of his life would lie the esta'blishmeiit of a system of Annuities, under which the working classes could /invest ,any £5 they had to spare towards 'the purchaso of annuities, the Government to .subsidise such deposits.

Another reform he hoped to accomplish was -an enactment giving' the wife the right Ito -half who faui|i)y home, .so that t'ho lnwljand could not sell or mortgage iq without her consent. The Government .submitted -themselves to the colony with confidence, knowing that they had 'done their duty faithfully, and had nothing t4 feai'j. , A ' vote of) thanks to Mr SoßUon and .confidence in his administration was carried unanimously.