THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8022, 8 January 1906, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT GREYMOITTH. Gbkymoutu. January 7. At Greymnntli on Friday, the Premier was tendered a banquet at the Opera House by the citizens of Grey and Grey county. The lull was crowded, and mauy could not he accommodated. The Premier's reception was most cnthusinstie. The gathering wis the most representative ever held in the town. People came from all over the district to be j present.

The Premior was cheered on rising to respond to the toast of his health. He made an excellent spoech lasting two hours. Ho referred to tho movement some yeirs ago for federation with the Australian Commonwealth. He held that Now Zealand should work out hor own destiny. What was wanted was reciprocity, and that would eventuate before very long, for tho good of both colonics, If time permitted before next session, he would visit Australia. Ho read a cable message which had been reoeived by him that day from the Premior of Western Australia, asking him to pay that State a visit. Sir Joseph Ward intonded going to the Postal Conference, and his (Mr Seddon's) presence would be required in the colony for some months. He referred to the happy and contented condition of tho people of tho colony, and instanced the large number of estate that were dealt with, showing that provision had been made for those who required land. The Government had a sottlcd policy in tho cutting up of large estates for closci settlement. Not oven the most bitter opponent of » Government would attempt to alter t t. The loador of tho Opposition hj; stated during tho election that bafore taking large estates the matter should be decided by Parliament. This ho differed from entirely. It was for Parliament to settle tho policy and tho Government to carry it out. If the owner of an estato had to run the gauntlet of Parliament very few estates would be sold. Tho gold export had increased this year to two millions, and bore out a statement he made in 18!)7 that such would be the case. If full justice was done to the gold industry it would next year reach three millions. The timber, coal and (lax industries were flourishing on the Coast and gold had been neglected. The Government intended mapping out the Coast and bringing scientific knowledge to bear. The knowledge of the old miners should be tabulated and the Government geologist should work scientifically. Coal mnst play an important part in the commerce of the world. President Booseveldt had said the stars and stripes would dominate I the commerce of the Pacific. As Britishers their minds were made np that no flag but the British flag would dominate the commerce of the Pacific. America would have to come_t2J! poWi under He referred to Point Elizabeth as a harbour created by nature. In days gone by it was not roquircd and the undertaking was too great. Now requirements demanded it, and it would be the harbour of the Pacific, and steamers of all nations would call for coal. Ho referred to the islands of the Picific, and hold that the British flag should float over all of thorn, as they were part of New Zealand, and necessary to the defence of tho colony, The importation of Newcastle coal could be met by giving cheaper freights on New Zealand stoamers. Tho same applied to Oregon timber. The Premier touched on several local mattcrß, and concluded his speech amidst great cnthusiam, cheers being given as he resumed his scat.