THE PREMIER AT HOKITIKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2762, 12 January 1895, Page 4

THE PREMIER AT HOKITIKA.

Hokitika, January 9. The Hon. R. J. Seddon addressed a public meeting at the Princess Theatre this evening. His Worship the Mayor was in the chair, and on the platform were Messrs Guinness, James Holmes, Chesney, Kennedy, Hodgson, and others. Mr Seddon said he would have been pleased to have also addressed his constituents in the other parts of the district, but public duties called him back to Wellington, preventing his doing what he earnestly intended. He would first of all refer to matters of a somewhat personal nature. ATTACKS ON THE OPPOSITION.

The course adopted by those opposed to the Government was to abuse himself and his colleagues. Knowing that the people of the country were with the Government, they descended to low personal abuse. They had been told by the Press that his veracity was not such as could commend itself. It seemed that this was never discovered until he had acquired the first position in the colony. In the first place, reference was made to a statement he made at Feilding. That statement he had made previously to his constituents and elsewhere. It was that his late chief wished him to lead the party until it should decide otherwise. He did not lay much stress upon it, but it was his duty to those nearest and dearest to him to refute the calumny. It would be strange to them to learn that Sir R. Stout had suggested that he (Mr Seddon) should speak to his late chief (Mr Ballance) on financial matters. Sir Robert had even admitted this speaking to Mr Ballance was rendered necessary owing to the latter’s critical state of health. It was then Mr Ballance expressed himself as just stated, and from that time till Mr Ballance’s death nothing was said by him that could show he had altered his mind. Drs Mirbach and O’Oarroll had both written to him confirming his statement, and telling him he could make their < corroboration public if he so desired. But it was the party who was to decide this question, and it was no man’s power to bequeath his position. He had taken the advice of his lamented chief, and the Liberal party, with one solitary exception, elected him its leader. He held his position at the request of the Governor, by the wish of his colleagues, by the almost unanimous vote of the Liberal party, and finally by the vote of the people of New Zealand. He now held it as a sacred right, and he considered the insults levelled at him an insult to the people of the colony. He now came to another phase of the question. The leader of the Opposition, at a banquet, had made certain remarks. It would have been better for the leader of the Opposition to have retained the dignity that was his prior to this. This example would probably be followed by others; but he hoped the Government and its supporters would not follow so bad an example. In fact, Captain Russell was not the leader of the Opposition. They did not seem to have a leader. The Opposition, at the present time, seemed to be in the position of the Duke of York’s army, more officers than men. He would now refer to other Opposition sources. The editor of the Post was the correspondent of other Opposition papers iu other towns. He would write an article and next day telegraph it with this prefix: “The Post Similar things were done by the Opposition papers iu other towns. A number of the largest papers in the colony were held by wealthy men, and these misrepresented the Government wherever possible, and it was his duty and that of his colleagues to meet the people on the platform wherever possible and refute these accusations. They had, no heard a great deal about the twilit- *t- Arms. Colonel Fraser was at present, perk*. » f tl “ be,t men in the colony. With reference to One appointment he could say that, U there was any violation of the law, coul “ claim £SO penalty for every day he held office. As a matter of fact Colonel Fraser was not appointed till December, 1894, aud he vacated his seat in the House iu November, 1893. As a matter of fact the Government had merely refused to fill the vacancy till the conditions of tho Disqualification Act were overcome. They were then accused of evasion, and when the Government was challenged he accepted the challenge. Some thirteen members disagreed with the Government on this question once before. The old Sargeant-at- Arms’ place was filled by the chief messenger. Once he was told, and he believed it true, the Sergeant-st-Arms actually sold his position. The attack came from four lawyers. What, was their position f Mr Bell said they could receive fees to any amount and yet not be disqualified. They had heard a lot about the spoils to the victors. He had been elected unopposed, and so every appoiutment he gave to any of his constituents be gave to a supporter. He could give them instances from the other side. Mr Gibbs, a member for a Nelson seat, was given a Resident Magistracy, and the father of his friend, Mr Arthur Guinness, retrenched. But the travelling expenses given to Mr Gibbs were equal to the salary taken from Mr Guinness. Then the case of Mr Moss, a former member, who was contesting Parnell. He was given the Rasidentship at Raratonga. They could opt giye fijm a salary, but they voted him £SOO a year an travelling expenses. A former leader of the Opposition, who was really ex-leader of the Opposition, was cno day sitting in the House aud the next day translated to a position worth £WOO a year. Then there were the appointment* to the Upper House. Members were appointed to the Council by the continuous Ministry, live of whom would never have gained seats in the House again. These gentlemen were given position* worth £l5O a year for.lifo. This was Spoils to the Vanquished.

SAMOA. He now came to what was called their foreign policy, the administration of Samoa. He contended that it was as much to their interest to see to the efficient Administration of these islands as of the Chatham*, or even of Westland. If a ;?mUar policy had been pursued in regard to New Caledonia, that island would never have been the damping ground for French criminals, for the same policy being pursued they would never have acquired an influence m Raratonga, aud this would never have been acquired but for the fear that it would have been taken by a foreign Power. .Now, as to Samoa, they had sound reason to believe that America did not want to be troubled with Situoa, that the British were indifferent, and the Germans entertained a similar feeling. Under these circums aucaa they offered to do for the Samoans what they had so successfully done for the Maoris. He held that the Germans throughout the colonies would approve of the course advocated, aud he could say that it was the duty of the British to defer to the wishes of their sons and daughters in these islands, aud give control of Samoa to New Zealand. He was asked why they were so anxious about it. Samoa was about 1100 miles north of Auckland, and had only 40,000 people in the nine islands, and it was absurd that this small group should require the charge of three Great Powers with the employment of

ships and guns slaughtering the poor savages. It would only require a few armed constabulary to stop the fighting. He then referred to the remarks of Lord Rosebery, Premier of the United Kingdom, at the Guildhall, but who subseqently withdrew those remarks. They must carefully watch what was being done in reference to these islands. As an integral portion of the Empire, they could not but regret the insult offered to New Zealand and the whole of these colonies. The offer was made in the interests of the islands and of the colonies, and would be iu the interests of those who came after them.

LAST SESSION. He would next refer to the business of last session, this being a post-sessional address. First, they had amended the Standing Orders. He totally objected to the closure —in fact, he had been called a stouewaller in other days but this amendment did not go so far. It was a compliment to the ladies that the first House to which they had sent members had amended the Standing Orders. It was a talkative House, but perhaps the ladies were responsible for this. Last session they had passed the Lands for settlement Act, They were confronted with the existence of large blocks of unoccupied land, whilst their sons and their daughters were unable to get lands to go upon. Parliament had now given them power to take this laud, and money to pay for it. The necessity for this was shown by the following return: — Thirty-three public companies in, New Zealand hold 2,073,738 acres, valued at £4,020,320; of these seven companies hold 1,389,664 acres,valued at £2,811,629; 232 persons owned between 10,000 and 60.000 acres, valued at £11,744,683; thirty persons owned over 60,000 acres each, valued at over £5,712,915; thirty seven persons owned between 100,000 and 200,000 each, valued at £4,952,668; eleven persons each owned 200,000 acres, valued at £4,835,562. Forty-eight persons, then, - owned land valued at £9,000,000, and'2o2B persons owned laud valued £32,406,851. From the land one man drew per annum £BS 000. There were five properties, of 180,’986 acres, which carried 110 souls aud 173,000 sheep. This land was now practically iu their hands to purchase, and they could then place poor people on the land at an average charge of 5 per cent, on tho cost. He read a statement showing the progress made in land settlement. It sLowe i an increase of 31.9,839 acres taken up ror three years, as compared with what had. been done by their predecessors. He also read a statement of the increase in the dairy industry, and agricultural <and pastoral pursuits, and claimed a: fair share of credit for what had been in developing the country. To facilitate it they had appointed experts and assisted by all the: means in their power to develops those industries. Since coming into office they had acquired land from the Natives, up to March 31st, 1894, 774,000 acres, and the estimated area acquired since April to date was 300,000, or a total of 1.074.000 acres, equal to about one-i eighth of the entire Native estate when the present Government took office, as against 87,000 acres acquired by the Atkinson Government. The Native laud legislation of the Government had received the warmest encomiums from both sides of the House. It prevented Native troubles, and only prejudicially affected some who were not held iu repute —the Pakeha-Maoris. He referred to his trip through the Uriwera country, aud, in connection with this, said a paragraph had appeared in the Post stating that some strange stories could be told respecting this trip. He named the gentlemen who accompanied him on that occasion gentlemen of repute and character —aud indignantly condemned such a paragraph as this appearing, which was a disgrace to the paper. All through the trip he had been able to form the highest opinion of the character and morality of the Maoris. He did not believe in such a scandalous statement being allowed to go forth unchallenged. Last session the Parliament had decided that the railway control should revert to the State, aud the system of irresponsible managers be done away with. He always had opposed the system of irresponsible control, and was glad it had been done away with. He maintained that the Commissioners’ tariff had strangled industries. They would not even carry road metal at back freight to enable roads to be made, and so had prevented produce’ being taken to the stations to be carried on the railways. The Government had then been charged with disorganising the railway service by redaction*. They had not done this. But they had reduced the salaries when too high, and brongfit then* moro in keeping with those in other d§par^mc n ts. They had been told that they had done wrong in appointing Mr Ronayne as Railway General Manager instead of Mr McKerrow. He could only say that Mr Ronayne was not only a very able administrator but had been connected with railways all his life. Mr McKerrow was also a very able administrator, but hia experience had been in the Lands and Survey Departments. He was obly sent to the railways to learn the business. They had appointed Mr McKerrow to a focltjou to which he was entirely suited, t had b«a» fhey had done wrong iu not appointing him tp lfi v e Band Purchase Board. Well, they intended to go, and should, as soon as the law permitted. The necessity for labor legislation had beep fpreed upon the world for years, ije referred Q-P length to the miserable condition formerly existing amPßgst the men, woman, and children Jn tfi.e coalpits in England, and claimed that the physical condition of the people should always be carefully looked after. Then there was the Undesirable Immigrants BUI, jt had been said that he never said a word in fayop of that Bill, introduced by his colleague the Minister for Labor. He did so now, before his constituents. As head of the Government, he took full responsibility for that Bill. Tfiut measure had been partly anticipated by former legislation. His constituents had for years advocated the exclusion of the .Chinese, and he supported them. Then there were the Asiatic hawkers, who were a nuisance and a danger to the country, a:>d of whom complaint? JN fluently been made to him- Then was the proposal of General Booth to make the colony a dumping ground of the slums of London, and finally the proposal to fill the country with tho outcast Je>7? driven from Russia. Ha said it was right that all of these should be prevented from coining. There were, no doubt, one or two objectionable clauses which ho had overlooked, and probably his colleague tho Minister for Labor had overlooked also. One was that no man should bo allowed to land unless he had £2O in hia pocket. All he could say was that if this law had been in force when he first landed in Victoria he would have been sent back. Many of those before him would never have been allowed to land iu this country. The clause was simply taken out of an American Act with others and not properly scrutinised. But he might toll them that the Bill, with some slight modifications, would again be brought

forward and passed by the present Parliament. Referring to the position of labor in other countries, he contended that here we were comparatively well off and prosperous, and no one need regret the labor legislation. Amongst the most important measures passed in the House last session was the Bank of New Zealand Guarantee Act. When they met the Parliament they knew nothing of the cloud which was impending, and he could assure them they had an anxious time. It was a time of great gravity. They must face national disaster or prevent it, and they chose the latter. They were well supported by the Parliament, and their action received the general approval of the country. They had averted a national disaster, and the country would not be asked to pay one penny. The bank was iu able hands, and the management would bring its business into a flourishing condition. He was’ sorry for those who would have to pay the call, but the authorities of the bank had requested the necessary authority, and they could not refuse it. Had similar action been taken in Australia, the terrible disaster which overtook them would have been obviated.

FINANCIAL. The financial position of the colony was as follows As to the public debt, under the Atkinson Administration the increase of the gross debt was £2,494,093; of the net debt £2,375,711. The present Administration, from March 31st, 1891, to March 31st, 1894, increased the gross debt £996,065, and the net debt £1,631,183, The gross debt was made up as follows: —Government loans to local bodies debentures, £377,800; Native land purchase debentures, £99,700 ; naval and military settlers and volunteers debentures, £26,046 ; land for settlement debentures, £38,966; Cheviot debentures, £250,000; total, £792,512. -The increase caused by the conversion was £619,215 ; sinking fund debentures, £847;100 ; gross total, £2;158,827. Deduct debentures redeemed out of the sinking fund; or paid off, £1,162,762 ; net total, £996,065. The public debt per head in December, 1890, was £62 gross, £5915s net. ; ln December, 1894, it was £6B 12s gross, £67 12s net. The decrease in the gross' debt'was £5 per head. By the loan conversions in 1887- 90, during the 'Atkinson administration, £2,894,800, there was a saving of interest of £33;132. In 1891-94, during the present Administration, £7,059,497, there was a saving of interest of £52,145. The debentures redeemed' or converted during the present administration amounted to £6,498,200. As W the oolonjf’s securities, New Zealand Four Per Gents, fose from 105 f iu September, "IBS{3, to 109 f in September, 1894, an increase of 3$ per cent. The interest payable on ioana in 1889.90 was £1,897,602,. in. 1890.91 £1,858,253, in 1891-92 £1,892,929, in 1892 93 £1,821,129. The interest last year was less by £76,600 than that. payable 1889-90, £37,000 less than in 1890-91, aud £76,800 less than in 189. T-92. The revenue appropriated for public works in 1891-92 was £30,000, in 1892-93 £200,000, in 1893-94 £26o,ooo—total, £480,000. He asked them to compare the position of the colony with wnat it was under the Atkinson regime, and they would then know what should be said to their traducers. PUBLIC works. The expenditure on public works was a matter of the highest importance. It had been said that they were spending money with the view of purchasing political support. Last year they spent £330,000 on public works fund No. 1, the lowest sum expended since the Public Works Policy was initiated. When opening the Rotorua railway he had referred to a number of lines which he considered should be completed. He did not say that they should go in for a loan for these, or that they-should do them all at once, but be indicated such as it was necessary should be completed as soon as possible. This had been twisted into a proposal for a big borrowing, log-rolling scheme. He was very sorry for them, for they, would be grievously disappointed. The Government had no such intention. It wasvery strange that a paragraph in the Public Public Works Statement was. identical with the sentences referred to at Rotorua. But nobody seemed to have noticed it then. He could only tell them that the Government were not going in for a borrowing policy, but would go on as they did iu the past. At the same time he might say it would be in their interests to purchase- the Manawatu railway. * If it were not soon done, they would have to pay another 5 per cent on the cost of construction. Besides this, he firmly believed that all. the railways iu. the country should be controlled by Parliament. Whilst on this subject he referred to an article which appeared iu the Wellington Post in May, which strongly advocated this big borrowing policy, and contrasted it with subsequent articles since tfie Rotorq* speech, '

NEXT SESSION. The legislation contemplated for next session was that which had the sanction of the country at the recent elections. They had appointed a Committee of experts from both sides oi the House to consider the tariff and on their report a Bill would be drafted for next session. The tariff was a matter which conld not be interfered with lightly, and they had hesitated about taking any action without careful consideration. A great deal had been said about a free breakfast table, but he asked them if it would not be better to $ peek’s work and pay duty on tea and sqgar tq tafig the duty off and let them get only tfiree day's work a week 'I Then there was the ’Licensing Bill. They drafted a Bill last session, and it was on the floor of the House, but it dj4 pot get ypry far. He could say it would again he intrqdqoedj and he would agree to gome alterations, but he woqld not; consent to making it a Government question. He had been accused of insincerity in this matter, but so he had iu respect of the female franchise, and yet the ladies had their votes. He had always fepiiygc} the votes of the temperance bodies, becaqee fie was always In favor of the liquor traffic being regelated fiy tfie voice of tfie people. Local government reform wa* a l*° a question that must be dealt with next session- The difficulty was that the different requirements of the various places were so varied. He believed the old Provincial system, without legislative functions, was tho best, it had hoop a to him that he had done nothing in tfie matter I 1? tfi® past, but he would endeavour to remove tfie reprgach next session.

!thk Midland railway. One question he must deal with before concluding was that of the Midland Railway Company. They had received a request for extension of tin?o, a»d they had also given notice that they desired to submit certain questions to arbitration, and they had appointed Sir Bruce Lockhart Burnside, Q.C., as their arbitrator, aud asked the Government to appoint theirs. The Government appointment must be made on or before the beginning of April, The notice for arbitration was very vague, being to settle “ certain disputes, differences, and questions.” When the Bill was before' Parliament last session he urged the House to pass it to avoid complications, but it was rejected,

and, as he' feared, it now seemed most likely that the country would be involved in costly litigation, and the lawyers would gain all the benefit. At the same time, he could assure them that the Government had strictly performed their part of the contract in every way. _ The company had asked for an extension of time, but as he read the contract only one extension was permitted. What was the good of extending* say, for four years, when the company had already plainly: told them they could not find the money to complete the contract 1 Be very much regretted that at present it -Was not possible to lift the reservation. CONCHUBION. In conclusion he referred to the charges of excessive borrowing levelled against the Government in respect to their financial proposals last session, shewing that these only consisted of their Oonsols Bill and Improvement of Grown Lands and Native Lands Acquisition. He expressed the determination of the Government to break down the excessive charges for interest, which were so unduly burdening the people. The timber and mining industries were also -referred to, and the assistance of the Government in advancing these industries detailed at length. Mr Seddon concluded a four hours’ speech amidst prolonged applause. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Ministry was carried unanimously.