THE PREMIER AT HUNTLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 270, 5 April 1898, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT HUNTLY.

THE NATIVE MEETIN O

[BY TELEGRAI'K -SPECIAL REPORTER]. Hontly, Last Night. Tui'; Premier aucl party arrived at Huntly about noon to-day. On arriving at the station the Premier was met by the assembled school children of Kiir.ih'a and Huntly, and they sang a verse of '' God Save the Queen." Mr J. P. Bailey, J.P., chairman of the Huntly Road Board, then presented an address on behalf of the people of Huntly, and the Premier briefly replied. Among those present were the Hons. Jennings, McCullagh and Major Harris ; Messrs VY. *t\ Lawry and Crovvther, M.H.K.'s ; Dt Fitchett, Crown L.iuds Department; Mr Sheridan, Native Lands Purchase Department; Inspector Hickson aud others. After lunch the Premier was taken across the river in a large war canoe, manned by fifty men, and an address of welcome was presented by the natives. Among the native speakers wore Mahutu, Te Rawhiti and Taingakawa, who welcomed the Premier.

In reply the Premier made a lengthy address, extending over an hour. He thanked the natives for the kind welcome extended to him and his colleagues. The meeting, he considered, would mark an epoch in the history of both races. There had been clouds which ob scurcd the races, but these would today be removed. They had met for the purpose of arriving at a more satisfactory state of affairs, than had existed in the past. No doubt, there was great anxiety on the part of the parents and chiefs to have everything settled, so that when the young people took the place of the older ones, they might fully enjoy the. advantages God intended fcr his people. He desired to save the native race and the question arose how could this be done. This was an occasion for opening both the hearts and minds of the two races. He reminded them of the Treaty of Waitangi, and said all the troubles that have arisen were owing to deviation from that treaty. The cause of the trouble had always been land, and whilst admitting that Parliament had not exercised the wisdom it might have done, the natives themselves were not blameless in the matter. They had asked for a Council to be established. The Government were prepared to grant this as a safeguard, and it was to this Board that they had to look for help and support, success aud ultimate prosperity. About five million acres only of native land were left, and if they proceeded on the present lines the time was not far distant when the race of which they were the remnant would be absolutely exterminated. The land to them was life, yet they had actually taken away their lives by getting rid of their land. The land had been left them by their forefathers, but where had it gone. They blamed the Europeans and the Government for buying their land, but did they not run after the native agents and land grabbers. He advised them to keep away from strong drink and horse racing and be up and doing, and not lead lives of idleness. The Government proposal for the solution of the present question was the establishmentofa Board orCouncilon which both races wouldbs represented. The representatives of the native races should be elected in the same manner as the member of Parliament. The whole land should be vested in this Council, which should set apart sufficient land for the natives and their descendants, which would be unalienable. There would be no more sales and no Maori could part with any laud, except by willing it to another. The hunt would be sub-divided and each family would have enough to live on. They could then grotv food for their children and their sheep and cattle. The land that was not required for cultivation would be set apart for lease to those natives who were landless, at a price fixed by the Board and Parliament. It was necessary that they should get some assistance from the Government in making roads and bridges. Parliament did this for the Pakeha, and he was prepared to ask them to do it for the Maori. The Government would find the money for paying off old mortgage liens. The Government did not intend to force this proposal upon the natives, but if they did not submit voluntarily they would have to go on as they were, and that meant that before long they would disappear from the face of the earth. If they refused it would mean landless natives and dissemination and they would be dependent upon the charity of the pakeha. Mr Carroll then shortly addressed the natives, after which printed pamphlets embodying the proposals re the establishment of the Boards were circulated among the natives. The Premier and bis party accepted an invitation to dine at Wulii with the Maoris.

THE EUROPEAN MEETING, The Premier addressed a crowded house here this evening. Amongst the audhnce was a large number of ladies, while several also occupied prominent places on the platform. The Right Hon. gentleman was briefly introduced by the chnirman, Mr J. P. Bailey, and on com ing forward was received with demonstrations of applause. HIS TITLES. Mr Seddon was rather struck with the Chairman introducing him as Dr. Seddon; he knew that he was sincere, but in other places and under other circumstances he was introduced as the Right Hon. and learned Dr. Seddon, but he was just the same as when he addressed miners years ago on the West Coast (applause), but honours had been conferred on him, and he supposed he must wear them. In his introductory remarks he thanked the Reception Committee, who had made such excellent ar rangements. Pie specially thanked Mr Edwards, and said the way things were carried out reflected the greatest credit on Europeans and Maoris alike. THE LIBERAL PARTY. He referred to the adverse criticism of the Great Liberal Party, of which he was tiie humble leader, and condemned the action taken by the Opposition Press in gravely misrepresenting pubic men. He contended that the country had prospered under the present Government. The Liberal Party was content to be judged by works, ani any change would land the country in the position it was when he took office. VISIT HOME. He referred to his visit to the Old Country and the treatment he received from the Conservative Press on his return. Regarding his expenses, be said after representing the colony and upholding its dignity he thought it mean and contemptible to mention the question of expenses as they did. Comparison with the expenses of previous Premiers who visited the Mother Country, certainly made his own look extremely moderate, averaging as they did £SOOO, besides special allowances, while his was £I7OO, without special allowances. GERMAN .SYNDICATE. On the question of his position on the German Syndicate, he said there was nothing to conflict with his position as Premier. One of his colleagues was Mr Horton, of the Herald, and if there were any conflicting the Herald would certainly be the first to attack him. He claimed that a man could act justly in both positions. He was the best judge as to whether they clashed. STONEWALLING. He charged the Opposition with stop* ping the business of the country by stonewalling before last Christmas. He said their policy was of the " breeches pockets " description, and he cautioned the youug men and women against selling their birthrights for a mess of pofc«

tago by returning Conservative members I to the House. OPPOSITION PREPARED. The Opposition were quite prepared, they said, to carry on the Liberal policy unaltered. Why, then, did they criticise it so severely ? Could they carry on the land for settlement policy ? No ! If the Government goes out, so doc 3 the policy. If the people wished to go back, on their emancipation of 1890, to 3s 6d per day, then put the Opposition into power, for once they were in power it would not be long in coming. They should trust those whom they knew well to piss legislation for the good of the country. (Applause). MINING. Referring to mining, ho snid he found that the total output ot coal from Huutly was a million tons. For the year 1806, 61,900 tons were won. This was an increase of 6341 tons over the previous year. It was pleasing to him to find this improvement, because when he last visited Hutitly the condition of the miners was very bad indeed. He now found the prospects bright, and there was continuous employment for those engaged in the industry. He claimed that the Government had given great assistance, and no one was more pleased than himself and the Minister for Railways at the improved outlook, and he hoped the increase uext year would be not 6000 tons but 60,000. (Applause). He elaimed during their term of oilicc the mining industry as a whole had prospered, as hive all other industries. It required careful nurturing and the remits spoke for themselves. It was flattering to find the same mining laws adopted in other colonies and in the Old Country. He, as Minister of Mines, was the first in the British Empire to place a royalty upon coal to be devoted to the widows and orphans fund. He would not rest until he had placed upon the Statute Book the Workman's Compensation Act as in force in England. (Applause). SETTLEMENT. The Liberal party had conferred great benefits upon the settlers of the colony. By the cheap money scheme they had emancipated thousands of them. In this respect alone the Liberal policy had been the greatest boon ever conferred upon the country. He asked them not to forget their emancipation by the repeal of the Property Tax and the establishment of the cheap money scheme. (Applause). DAIRY FARMING. What had they done regarding dairy farming ? The State could well assist, and they intended to do their utmost in bringing the farming products of the colony to the front, and he looked forward to the time when New Zealand would wipe Denmark out of the London market. He assured them they had the sympathy of their kinsmen in the Old Country as against the foreign country.

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. Railway management had come in for a good deal of criticism, but he contrasted the condition at the present time with that existing under the Commissioners' regime. The amouut expended on locomotives last year was £59,853 and on waggons £64,824. Next year the expenditure on the same would be £66,500 and £66,400. £200,000 had been voted for opening up railways and giving extra facilities, and he denied the statement made by Mr Duthie in Wellington, that auy of this £-200,000 had been touched. As compared with previous conditions the rolling stock was in better condition than when they took it over. (Applause). Did they have school excursions and penny per mile fares ? Notwithstanding the enormous concessions granted and the great expenditure, the revenue from the railways this year would be £90,000 more than last. (Applause). NATIVE AFFAIRS. The Premier spoke at some length upon the native question, but his remarks were on the same lines as the speech at Wahi, already reported. He had never read any adverse criticism in the Conservative press of the Liberal party's native policy. It was about the one thing upon which their opinions coincided. OLD AGE TENSIONS. Referring to the Old Age Pensions, the speaker said everyone should set aside political partisanship and help to pass this measure. In Germany and Denmark schemes were compulsory and most satisfactory. The compulsory condition was the stumbliug block in the Mother Country, bat the colony had shown them how to do many things and would show them how to do thb. It was the duty of the State to sec that no one wanted, and old persona should end their days in peace and comfort. Members of the Legislative Council had been exceedingly careless in dealing with this measure, forgetting that they themselves were in receipt of money from the Government, for which they gave little or no value.

At the conclusion of his remarks the Premier sat down amidst loud and continued applause. Mr Ollivier proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Seddon tor his address, and confidence in the present Government. This was seconded by Mr R. G. Hall, and carried with unanimous enthusiasm. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.