THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8010, 22 December 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

AT NEW PLYMOUTH. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. There was a large crowd at the Now Plymouth railway station on Thursday night to moot the express train, on iVliieh was the Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of ,the colony. His appearance on the carriage platform was the signal for an outburst of cheering, and when ho stopped from the train there were many friends and wellwishers to shake luin by thfe hand.'

Messrs Smith and Jennings, M.'sll.K., Mr R. Cock (Mayor of Now Plymouth), several membors of the Borough Council, the Town Clerk and Mr D. Berry were among those present, Mr Seddon was rather surprised to . l«aru that ho was expected to 1 " aDDBESS THE multitudes,"

but assented with ready grace. Arrangements had to be modified, as on account of the late arrival of the train and the wretched weather, the Premier spoke on the railway platform instead of from tho Hotel Commonwealth baloony. The Premier, on mounting a scat on the platform, was greetod with an outburst of cheering. He opened by stating that he had. been requested to say a few words on passing through, and it gavo him very groat pleasure to .comply with the wishes expressed, and (to take this early opportunity of

tbankiko the elbctobs of New Plymouth for the hearty and cordial manner in which they did their duty on the 6th December—(applause) —in returning again to support and help the" legislation of the country •' my old friend, Mr Smith." "Whon 1 1 was here," continued tho Premior, "doubts were expressed as to the result. I replied that I had no doubt. I repliod that I knew the hoarts of the people were in the right place, and that whon {they, vibratod and determined to no the right and just thing thon you couldn't stop them.—(Applause.) My predictions proved correct, for once again you have returned a Government supporter pledged to support our progressive legislation." It was a

GRAND AND OLOBIOUS VICTOBY, showing that those who did their duty tu the people and were faithful to tlsoir iutorosts, had nothing to fear at the hands of the people. The result of the elections proved that tho peoplo could bo trusted to be true to themsolves, and to the higher aspirations of those who. were determined to make this country the most glorious spot, of this great empire.—(Applause.) With

THE OBEAT MAJOBITT which the Government now had, Parliament must'not forget to do what was expocted by the peoplo, and not what some people prophesied would be done. It would make the Government all the more careful. They had a clearly defined policy, as laid down before tho elections, and would be true to that policy and true to tho people, with the result that great good would accrue to the country. The return of tho Government with such a majority had made him

PERSONALLY MOBli than ever before in the history of his public career, aud the people oould rely on justice boing done. Now that the elections were over the policy for which they fought must not be departed from. The country had decreed that the Government must go on with its pboobessive rotlCr

and progressive administration, to (lie settlement and improvement of the condition of every man, woman and child in New Zealand, (Prolonged applause.) Thero must, above all, be efficiency. Thero had been efficiency in th« past. They could not stand still, for to stand still was to roeode. He would like to say that there would be nothing extreme—for going to extremes lheaut dislocation—but ho would go on with social reforms So that tho colony should remain in

TUB VAN OF JBOGBBSS, so thai |the people would continue to look up to and respect Parliament, and ho hopod this Parliament would give l furthor object lossons to tho civilised world in tho advancement of the community. Thoy would prove that Ncwj Zoalanders were true to the bestteuets that permeate tho human breast, that prompted them to extond the helping hand to all. Thore woro no million, aires iu the colony, no great vices, no abject poverty. It was never intended by tho all-wise Creator that all the wealth and good things should bo in the hands of a few, but that it should bo distributed for tho happiness and onjoyment of all. In New Zealand there was a happy diffusion of theso good things, and he would never countenance their being appropriated by ,ono section of the community. From one end of tho Colony to tho other there was

THE GBEATEST SATISFACTION EXPBESSBD at tho results of tho election, and he believed that even those who had conscientiously voted against the Government woro pleased that thero was no ohango. (Applause and laughter,) He had had some misgivings as to the 'results in two electorates, and in only one had ho been disappointed. This was unprecedented in tho history of self-governing colonies. Tho Government had not lost a single seat.

' THE MAOBIS, 1 splendid copyists, had also returned , four Government supporters, ono of t whom, Mr Ngata, replaced his old j friend and supporter, Mr Wi Pere, Mr Ngata was an L.L.B. aud M.A., and his election should be a distinct t benefit to both racos. He urged that t all tho hard thoughts engendered during . the eleetions should now be forgotten, ' and the electors assist their members • elected, as they expected their representatives to help them, supporters and ■' non-supporters alike. By bringing 1 efficiency, intelligence, consistency and ■ co-operation to bear tho next three years would be the brightest the colony had known—a poriod full of bright ■ passages. ix conclusionhe wished all a Happy Christmas and a Happy New|Year, amidst cheers and , cries of " Same to you." Mr 1?, M, Smith said ho wanted to givf his leader a tip. OPESISa UP THE BACKBLOCKS would alono bring Taranaki full prosperity. Mr Seddon said his policy included favorablo treatment to country settlers He thanked them for their magnificent reception, ami promised to come again. " But tho captain said ho will miss tho tido if I don't liurry up, so Ida ora, kia ora ! " Renewed cheers were given for Mr Seddon, which continued until his carriage was no longer visible.