THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 272, 9 April 1898, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

The Premier arrived in Hamilton by the aftrenoon train on Thursday. Ho was met at the station by His Worship the Mayor (Mr Wm. Dey), and a number of his supporters, who escorted him to the Commercial Hotel, where lie put up during the visit. DEPUTATIONS. During the afternoon the lion, gentleman received several deputations which were introduced by Mr F. VV. Lang, member for Waipa. A numher ot Raglan settlers and others waited on the Premier with reference to a deviation in the Raglan Road. Mr R W. Oyer, who acted as speaker, explained the position. He was not, he said, a Raglan resident, but knew the road very wel . The present road over the mountain was very bad in winter, and ill fact almost impassable for wheeled traffic. This was the means of locking up a large portion of the country. The proposed road had been surveyed by Mr Vickerman, who roughly estimated the cost at £I2OO. It would shorten the Raplan journey by four or five miles, besides giving a much easier grade. The grade of the mountain route v»'a3 in places one in five, and the propose.! deviation would be one in 20. Mr Dyer produced a plan of the country, and said the length of the road would be about seven miles. In rep'y, Mr Seddon said he had practically no department as Premier, but he would refyr the matter to the Minister for Lands, who had charge of this class of work. There would, he hoped, be a little money left next session, and the Government in proposing the allocations would endeavour to meet the wishes of the ratepayers in every district. Where private properties are concerned and where the road would be a benefit to them, it was a question as to whether those benefited should not through the local bodie3 bear a proportionate share of the cost. He advise I the local bodies interested to take action, a* they had a much better chance of getting a subsidised road authorised by Parliament than by asking for a vote for the work itself. In this case it was simply a cise of shortening the road ; in many places they had uo roads at all, aud they, of course, had a preferential claim. He again advised the local bodies to make a move in the direction suggested. Mr Daw said very little of the newroad would run through private property. It was all Government land and reserves. Several other speakers followed, and the deputation thanked the Premier and withdrew. Mr Lang introduced another deputation re the establishment of the sugarbeet industry. Mr Dey called upon Mr Graham, who explaiued matters, and said they did not think it right that the Premier should visit the Waikato without having this matter brought under his notice. The Premier said this was one of the subjects that he had specially reserved for Hamilton, and he would give his views upon the question at the public meeting that evening. Mr Keeley drew attention to the necessity of a post-office in Cambridge West. They had had one until about nine years ago, when it was takou away. He pointed out the convenience a postoffice would bo to the inhabitants of Cambridge West and the surrounding districts. Messrs Lang and L'oud both spoke urging the necessity for the tatablishment of a po3t'office. The Premier promised to look into the matter upon his return to Wellington, and in the meantime he advised Mr Keeley to make a formal application. Several other deputations waited on the Premier, but they were all of a semiprivate nature.

PUBLIC MEETING. The Right Hon. Dr. Seddon, Premier of the colony, delivered an address in the Volunteer Hall on Tuesday evening. The building was packed with supporters, who represented every part of the Waikato, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Dey) presided. The lion, gentleman spoke for three hours, and as his speech was in many respects similar to those delivered at Huntly and Auckland, we shall content ourselves with dwelling only| on those inbjcets which have not already been reported in the press. The Chaiimau briefly introduced the speaker, who on rising was received with prolonged applause. VISIT TO HAMILTON.

The Premier touched fivst upon his visit to Hamilton. It was, he said, almost unnecessary for the chairman to introduce him at all, as he had' become almost a Hamiltonian. He had been here several times, and each time there seemed to be a warmer feeling growing towards him, as hi 3 feeling was growing towards them. It would strike them, as it oid him, strange to hear him introduced as the Right Hou. Dr. Seddon. (Laughter). Although these honours had been conferred upon him, there was no change whatever as far as he was concerned. He was just the same as when he was amoDg those hardy pioneers mining on the West Coast ot New Zealand many years ago He should never forget and always look back with pleasure to those times, and though circumstances had changed and his position was the highest that could be conferred upon any resident of this colony, he looked upon it that he was simply wearing the honours, and it was his duty and hoped it would be their pleasure to serve and acknowledge them as a recognition from their beloved Queen aud the authorities of tho mother country, at the late celebration, an event of historical importance and unprecedented in the history of the country. (Applause). THE COLONY. The speaker then referred to the ignorance of people in Engluud and America regarding the coiulitiou of affairs in New Zealand, while in America it seemed to him that to be a New Zealander you must be a coloured genth man, and it astounded him to see the ignorance displayed regarding the colony. But there was no mistaking the feeling in regard to New Zealanders, and as its representative what gave him the greatest pleasure was the knowledge that he was connecting the kindred of those in his country with those in the Mother Country itself. The kind enquiries made and real love shown impressed him with the idea that they were not doing enough in the colonies to impress upon their children the necessity of looking back upon the Mother Country as the superior spot on God's earth (applause). He had no hesitation in saying that New Zealand was the moat favoured colony of CottDtry. From the enqufiWs nude in respect to it he was sure that there was a general feeling towards it, and towards them which the colony itself could scarcely conceive. Analysed, it amounted to this in the beautiful words expressed by the lute Sir Henry Parkcs : "The crimson thread of kindred that bound us for ever to the Mother Land. (Applause). HIS OPPONENTS. His address would be political as it would be impossible for him to sever the connection he had with the po'itics of thi3 country. He felt on this occasion that he was addressing a large majority of those Mho differed with him, and the party of which he was the head politically. He was satisfied alho that personally he had their confidence and respect. (Applause). That was as he should say in the political world it should be. There had been for all time dif-

lerenees of opinion, but whist one differs from another there was no necesnty for personal feeling to lie engendered. He could respect his opponents and personally i;o as far as ouo man would go for another to assise them. It was a grcit pity that in this colony personal abuse should have been created,engendered and itied at the present time. To thosa opposed to t! cm he said that this feeling was the ground ot " personal attacks and the taking away of public men's reputv t'on, because of their political convictions. He thought it was a great pity that this should have been the case in Hamilton. Where was it going to end. Ho found in the Mother Country the wannest freliug* of friendship between lenders of the different parties. He found that this cordiality existed whether each one was plac d io his po-i----tion or not, and ho never heard one single public man have anything to vay against the personal honour of those they differed with (Applause). There they never heard of persons being persecuted and punished or deprived of opportunities because of their political convictions. It seemed to him inconpreheusible. In one instance they were told by a member of Parliament that the Prime Minister is not at all particular in the selection of his company. As far as company was concerned he might say that before he entered political life he was as careful of his company as was Mr John Duthic or any other member of his party. (Applause). To show how it was necessary that they should have no personal difficulties he might say that for the member for Waipa, Mr Lang, he had the greatest respect and hoped that the feeling was reciprocated. And he (the speaker) was sure that Vr Lang would tell them that notwithstanding all they had lead and heard, that he has never seen, nor under any circumstances could he say that he (the speaker) was a person who kept bad company. (Applause). He regretted that when Mr Lung entered public life he entered as an independent member, and was sorry to say that from his point of view he has lost this independence (cries of hear, hear, and no, no), but hoped he was not beyond redemption. THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

The Premier dwelt at some length on the Wellington election. He said anyone would think to hear the fuss made that the Opposition had turned out the whole Minis-try. Like children, small things pleased them (laughter and applause), and it was not taking much to please them on this occasion. Sir Robert Stout would do the Government more injury in a day, and frame more methods to work up the Opposition than Mr Duthie would do in three months. He had no hesitation in saying that as far as his opponents were concerned he always was well aware where John Duthie was, but to know where Sir R Stout was was as difficult as to find the. pea under the thimble. He contended that when., the polling was taken into consideration the Liberals of Wellington had more than held their position, the difficulty in the selection of candidates had only left them a fortnight. The raids of the police upon the hotelkeepers and the raising of the valuations in Wellington 25 per cent., all militated against the Government candidate. It did not matter what happened in the country, even to having dry weather in Hamilton, it was all put down to tka Government. (Laughter and applause). There was a division in the Parliamentary ranks and theie were actions taken at that election which he was sure hid never occurred before. In the first place the Opposition managed to pack the rolls to the extent of 4000. Then they had 5000 written p'edges. He had seen the pledges himself. This showed that money was a power, and unfortunately for himself and his people they had no means, and money he was sorry to soy suscees. Capt. Russell, the leader of the had a baneful iufkienco and oftimes gave Opposition, had said at Mr Buchanan's banquet, "they must have organisation." What was the use of listening to Opposition members and saying they are not a bad set of fellows, what was the use of that unless they put their hands in their pickets, If they want to win the next election they must put their hands in their pockets. So by spending large sums of money was the support of the men, women and children of this colony to be bought. He was quoting from the columns of a Conservative paper. (Applause) If this meant organisation and men were to be returned to Parliament by expenditure, it was degrading to political life, and he would uever be a party to that. If he had to depend on such a rotten foundation, he would throw it up and retire into private life. Referring to the reflections that had been cist upon him by Capt. Russell and others, the speaker said he was able to bear them all, and appeared to thrive upon them ; but there were those who took a friendly interest in him—he alluded to those who were dear to him, and it was painful to them to hear the descriptions given of their own relative. They should never strike below the belt. (Applause). There were under currents set going at election time which not only took away the character of himself, but others. His idea was, carry out your battles, fight as bitterly as you like, but fight fair and on recognised lines, and no harm will come of it. (Applause). EUSHY PARK. Coming to the Bushy Park episode, he said he would Avipe away the charges that had been made against them. It was stated that the Government was a party to that land being purchased by the sons of a Minister. The estate was not in the hands of the Government at all. It fell into the hands of the Bauk of New Zealand, like many of the estates in this district, which were keeping the place back at the present time. The owner could not pay the Bank. The Realisation lioard had advertised it, and could not get a single offer. The Land Purchase Board said it was unfitted for close settlement, as it was saddled with a large mansion, with very little water on the land, and the Government being advised not to buy it for this purpose, did not do so. They then put it in the market for 12 months, and the first offer they received was that of the two Mc Keuzies, and he did not see why the sous of a minister could not make an offer for property as well as any one else ; they should not be debarred from the same opportunities as other people. The offer was made, and referred to Mr Foster, and anyone who knows him will recognise that ho is one of the keenest business men you could meet. He said the offer was not quite good enough, and they might get a little more. He (the speaker) told Mr Foster he was prepared to leave the matter entirely in his hands. Mr Foster signified the terms upon which the sale would be made, and in the speaker's opinion the Government had much the best of the bargain. Mr Fraser, who is one of the leading members of the Opposition, had said in Parliament that the transaction from beginning to end was an upright one, and as far as he (the speaker) was concerned the charge was unwarranted and should be withdrawn. (" Hear, hear," and applause). The Opposition were satisfied that there was no foundation to the charge, and the Conservative Press might follow the example shown by Mr Fraser. POMAHAKA. Referring to the Pomahaka business, he said some of the' settlers complained and wanted a reduction in the rent. The Government stood firm, and those who have remained were doing very well, and the Government had an offer from a buyer that if they would clear out the remaining settlers upon it he would give them more than they gave, in addition to what they had spent on it. So where did the Conservative press come in. CHEVIOT ESTATE. When the Government took over the Cheviot Estate there were 73. persons

upon it, and now there arc nearly 2000. (Applause). Then lime was the wiving tussock, now you had the golden waving corn, the beautiful chimes of a place of worship, and schodbells, farms, stores, a prosperous township, a hap; y and content: <| somirunity, and it was reeognUcd by even hi-s bitterest opponents tint this was on- nl the greatest sucoi.sse.-j ever achieved in settlement in the eo'ony. (Applause). After paying up their rents there was a profit on the whole transaction for th • year of about £SOOO. Ho srneercly wished they had a few more Cheviot Estates, and he would like to g't one near Hamil'on. GERMAN SYNDICATE. The speaker then referred to his position on what l>as been termed the German Syndicate, as mentioned in the Huntiy speech. He said five members of the Opposition had at different times held positiens on compares, and yet the Conservative Picas defended them, and was willing to defend them again if the occasion arose. TUB LIBERAL POVKKNMENT. When the Liberal Government took office they were given a week to remain there, then it was extended to a month ; but it had been extended to seven years, and, what was mote, they were going to stay there for another seven years. (Applause). It all depended on the people of the colony : they were their servants. The Conservative party held the reins of power for over twenty years, and a change was fair play, and he gave them another seven years before they could get into office. JCBILEE EXPENSES. The Premier next touched upon the question of his Home expenses, as reported in the Huntiy speech, and said that the action of the Opposition in the matter was exceedingly mean and contemptible. He was as careful, and perhaps more so of the taxpayers' money, than he had been of his own. (Applause). At the time of his visit to Australia they were paying double the freights they were now. That crusade meant no less than a quarter of a million pounds sterling to the settlers of this colony which was formerly going to the shipowners, and yet the Opposition drew attention to the £2ll expenses in connection with the visit. KOBISGX'S LEASE. They had all heard of Mr Robison's lease, which had occupied the attention of the Conservative press a few months ago. A handle had been made of this, and it had been made to show that the Government had been a party to favouring a relative of the Agent-Genera!. He was glad that this mitter had been brought to light and not hidden away, as it gave him an opportunity of replying to the charge. The whole thing had been done by the Waste Lands Board in Auckland, and Mr Robison got the lease. The land was known as pastoral run No. 61, 51.300 acres, on the western bank of the Waikato River in the district, of Atiamari. It was poor pumice laud, which at the most could cany a sheep to six or seven acres. Iu 1892 these lands were submitted to auction, but there was not a single offer for them. In 1893 two runs were disposed of, and the reinainiog five have never been taken up since. Tlu-y had any amount of the same country, and anyone could take it up who liked. Two persons had been running sheep and cattle on this section, and Mr Robison applied to have the land submitted as a run. The Board sent posters throughout the whole Waikato district and advertised ttie run for sale in the Press. Only two persons went to the sale, and the run was knocked down to Mr Robison at £225 per annum. That was the whole history of the transaction, yet the Government had been guilty cf maladministration and favouritism. In view of these facts, the Conservative Press should apologise to the Government or for ever hold their peace.

CLOCKING BUSINESS. They were told that Mr J. Hutclieson had let the cat out of the bag in Wellington regarding the work that had been done, or not done, last session. Mr Lang was present in the hall, and if he (the speaker) was not speaking the truth, let him correct it at once. If Mr Lang had looked at the Order Paper he would have seen that never before had such an amount cf work been placed upon P. His Financial Statement was ready three days after his arrival in the colony. He had had everything sent to him aud ar-

(Continued on fourth page).

ranged it on the voyage, and within ft fow days, with the aid of the other ! Ministers, it had come before the House, showing the colony to he in a better position than it ever was since they had been a Ministry. The Conservative Press could not alter f;;cts, and the facts were against them. The Opposition was responsible for the blocking of business, and he read an extract of a speech made by the Leader of the Opposition, and they could not require a better authority than that in which he said that " there had been battle after battle, and stonewall after stonewall, all as a protest against the autocracy of one man." The autocrat was their humble servant. How then could they blame the Government for blocking business. To be termed afl autocrat was even better than to be termed the " Chief Devil of Socialism." His shoulders were broad and he could carry all the blame they could give him.

TOLICY OF THK GOVERNMENT. The Opposition contended that the policy of the present Government was inimical to the welfare of the colony. Take for instance the Tost-office Savings Bank, where the poor and the working classes deposited their little savings. In 1891 there was deposited during the year £203,295, and in 1892 the amount deposited was £491,174, an increase of £187,976. From the 31st December, 1890, to 1893, the accounts remaining there showed an increase of £'287,000. Then there had been an unmistakcable increase in the population of the country, and the increase of the wealth of the colony since they took office was eleven million pounds, and this year, notwithstanding all protests, there was a surplus of £400,000, or nearly half a million including sinkiDg funds and debentures. In the face of this they were told a change was wanted and the present Government was not entitled to their confidence. If the politics of the colony were to be carried on for the good of the colony the press muse take a different attitude to that which they were assuming at the present time. (Applause). He never descended to personalities, but he could name men not a 100 miles from Hamilton who had attempted to bribe a Government officer by placing a large sum of money to his credit. Should he go into details ? No he thought it would perhaps be better not to do so. Another charge was that the labour legislation did not improve the condition of the toilers. He however quoted figures to show that the manufactories and manufactures had increased in a marvellous degree. Referring to the

KAURI QUM INDUSTRY, which he had not yet touched upon, he was sorry to say that the criticism in respect to the report and the services rendered by the Commissioners were not generally favourable throughout the colony. He was confident they h.d dischirged their duties in an efficient marner. They recommended an export duty of £3 per ton upon gum. New Zealand was the only country which produced this gum, aud there were 1500 Austrians on the fields. They were not permanent settlers and sent large sums out of the colony, to the detriment of the settlers and the British diggers on the fields. He admitted that the settlers were suffering because they were poor and dug for gum to purchase the necessaries of life. He was not prepared to say that it would be wise to place an export duty on gum, as lie recognised it would be against all economical law to place a duty on any product. It was urged that thoie were special circumstances in regard to gum, and in deference to the opinions expressed by those who met in Auckland he had decided to hold over the matter and consider it well before coming to a final conclusion. He thought there should be reserves, ami those who held land on lease or freehold should have the preference for digging gum. These should be called settlers' gum reserves, and this would be an inducement to Austrians and others to become permanent settlers. They would then have settlement and the gum industry joiuiug baud in hand. There was this feature that the local bodies made roads and the gum being carted over them made them practically impassable during the winter and verv bad during the summer. The gum industry, or those engaged in it, should contribute something towards the maintenance of the roads. It was not just that they should destroy the roads and nothing come to the State at all, except indirect reveuuea. Speaking of

OUR DEFENCES, the Premier said the volunteering movement in the Auckland province had attained a high standard aud the general feeling in its favour was more pronouueed than it was in other parts of the colony. For a sound system of defence they must depend upon the volunteers. Finances wou'd not allow of a paid force being saddled upon the taxpayers. The idea of terminating the drfences of the colony at the four centres was a huge mistake ; they must commence their defences with the boys at school, and to them they must eventually look for their defence. He „was proud to say the martial spirit was implanted in the colonial youth. At Home they were forming one or two companies of New Zealand bom men, and ultimately there would be an all New Zealand brigade. He would like to see the volunteering spirit evidenced by every one in the colony. If he had followed the advice of one of the commanders of the forces in this colony ho would have disbanded nearly the whole of tha volunteer companies in the city of Auckland. There the volunteering spirit was never healthier than at present, and the trouble was for the Government to find guns enough. The question of defence had had the earnest consideration of the Government, and in respect to the Mother Conntiy he thought there would be no European complications, although there might be between Spain aud America. Things certainly looked dark, but he hoped war with its attendant terrors would not break out. If any thing should come of it, he could assure them the colony was better prepared for it than ever it was before, and if ever that time should come he was confident the New Zealanders would prove that they came from a stock that has never jet been known to succumb to an enemy. FARMING AND SETTLEMENT. In Waikato it would be better for all concerned if they had established a series of State farms on which tliey could employ labour which otherwise could not find an out'et. The State could do a great deal more for the benefit of settlers than they could do individually. Every farmer should know the land and its characteristics and what it would best produce, and in this respect the State could render enormous assistance. The Government had done a great deal for the dairy industry, with the result that our dairy produce in the Slothcr Country is bringing almost np to what is paid for best Danish cheese and butter. For the success of close settlement and small ' farming they had to look to the dairy industry. Jt had been the making of the cclony. 'Jhe New Plymouth district had made wonderful progress on account of dairying, and it should work wonders for this district. The State was quite prepared to help them and whatever term might be applied to it, socialistic or otherwise, it was its boundeu duty to carry it out. He referred to the Tokomariro district, where a few years ago the farmers were in a deplorable condit'on, the fields growing nothing but sorrel. He always considered that sorrel and mortgages went hand in hand. The Government started lime works and reduced the freights, so that lime was carried at less than cost price. What was the result ?—ln place of the fields being covered with weeds they now saw the land yielding sixty bushels to the acre. Their cheap money and cheap freight schemes had been the salvation of the farmers. It was the life-blood of

industries such as dairying and mining He could claim that the cheap money, by reducing the rates of interest, had resulted in a profit to this colony to the extent of one million pounds. This had fiooc to the settlers of New Zealand instead of into the pockets of the money lenders. rjMMI'ROVKI) VALUES. The speaker strongly favoured tha rating on unimproved values, and would like to sec it introduced even into boroughs. (Applause). If this tame it would be. a revolution throughout the colony. It was wrong to penalise the jjood colonist and hard-working setthr. Referring to the RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION, the speaker said that notwithstanding the enormous concessions that had been granted inside two and a-half years, amounting to £IOO,OOO, yet the revenue was increasing, the rolling stock and lines were in a better condition than when the Government took them over from tho Commissioners, and there was a piofit for last year of £90,C()0. (Applause). The structure) of his speech was something like the lady's letter, for they had to wait until the end for the tit bit. What they were all interested in was jieetkoot :srr;.VR. Tests had been made and the results were most satisfactory, and as far as the Waikato land was concerned it whipped anything in the known world for growing sachariuo matter. (Applause). Proposals were made for starting the industry, but it was considered by the majority of members that the amount of money required was excessive, and as they had not promised to support it it was uscles3 to proo: ed further. While in America he had had an interview with the sugar king, Claus Spreckles. They had gene into the matter and the revelations were of a startling character regarding the progress that had been made in California owing to the beetroot sugar industry. Land had been increased at least four-fold in value. He had mentioned it in the financial statement and urged Parliament to go into the question. He again submitted proposals by Bill. He considered, however, that the time was not ripe for it. He found he had not enough support in the House to carry the Bill, Mr Lang had done his duty in the matter, but he was not prepared to go on with it. There was considerable opposition to it. Here, of course, the matter was a burning (hear, hear) but you could not get legislation for one part of the colony unless the other parts of the colony took an interest in it—more especially when it meant taking funds from the public chest. Tin y must get other parts of the colouy in the same frame of mind. The matter was being taken up in the Wairarapa, Timaru, Oamaru, South Canterbury and North Otago districts, and if they could get the members and the Press in the South Island to assist them in the Waikato, a public feeling would be created, and the Government in accordance with the wishes of the people would proceed with the matter. The question was one of national importance and there should be no party feeling shown. He could not get the support of the Opposition, and was therefore not going to run any risks He would ask Parliament to do anything reasonable, but these were simply legislative proposals for the benefit of the Waikato, and the Government were also greatly interested in the matter, as it was just the thing to make payable the large estates in the district which they have guaranteed to the Bank of New Zealand. While in Auckland he had inteiviewed experts who had shown him that on an expenditure of £760,380, the yearly profit would be £209,050, or a return of the capital in four years, with 3-J- per cent, added. If this was so, why was there such trouble in getting it taken up, and why did the companies require such concessions from the Government. The thing was too good. However, the State was prepared to do its duty, but it could only be moved by the people, and what the people asked of them they were ever ready and willing to do. (Applause).

TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The speaker said a mau to farm successfully must farm scientifically. Our farmers' sous and daughters should have an opportunity of attending technical classes so as to fit them for their profession in life. He referred to the want of technical schools as far as mining was concerned. The Thames School of Mines was the only institution of its kind in the colony, with the excrption of the Otago University, and after carrying ou the mining industry for 20 years it was strange to say that when the late mining boom broke out they were unable to man the mines and had to grant temporary certificates. What had caused the world to say " Made in Germany ?" What made the German the highest class artisan in the world ? technical education. (Applause). He had brought in a Bill setting aside £'25,000 for building a school, and doubling the capitation grant. For this the Government received the credit of both parties and the Bill went to committee. Here Sir Robt. Stout raised the question of sectarianism, and said it would give a chance to the denominational schools to obtain a grant. He stated that he would not have the Bill disgraced by inserting anythingaboubrcligion. (Hear, hear). He would not have that question raised in it. Wherever children were taught the State had a right to have the schools inspected, otherwise it was wasting the time of the youths of this colony. It was the duty of the State to see that every child was properly educated, and there should be technical and manual instruction to enable the children to hold their own in the industrial and commercial world. He denied emphatically that he had any intention of securing subsidies to denominational schools. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The speaker dwelt at great length upon the old age pensions, but his remarks were very similar to those already published in his Huntiy and Auckland speeches. He considered that the State should make some provision for the aged, who should receive their pension after a life-long fight, just the same as a soldier claims his, and the greatest care should be taken to prevent the workhouee ever making its appearance in beautiful New Zealand.

At the conclusion of his speech the hon. gentleman was greeted with long and continued applause. Mr Dyer proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Premier for his eloquent address and confidence in the present Government. 'J his was seconded by Mr Win. Jones and carried unanimously. Mr Gi'tsham asked permission to put a question to the Premier regarding the Old Age Pensions scheme. The Premier said that as it related to this scheme he would allow it. Mr Grcshann then asked : " When the Old Age Pensions Scheme came before Parliament, did our member vote for or against it ?" Mr Seddon said he did not know, and if he did know he would not tell. This reply was received with great enthusiam, and the applause was loud and prolonged. The customary compliment to the chairman closed the meeting.