THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 139, 14 June 1893, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND.

SPEECH BY THE HON. R. J. . SEDDON.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

A CROWDED HOUSE.

VOTE OP CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

The large assemblage -which filled the City Hall yesterday evening was certainly an anmistakeablo proof of the interest which the public in Auckland feel in the present Government and in its leader, the- Hon. R. •J. Soddon. Though nob a surprise, it must certainly have been a gratification to the Premier to see such a large audience before him when he came on to the platform, and jtrnust have been a further gratification to witness as he proceeded with his speech the CiitefKl attention all present paid to everything he said. The body of the Hall presented One aea- of masculine faces, while in tho circle a large number of ladies lonb variety td the' scene* The number of the gentle sex present was indeed larger than tiri ' almost any pr6vious occasion of the same kind. This was undoubtedly i\3 it ought) to be considering how much the ladies of New Zealand have reason to expec'b in the coming session from the party now in power. As the time for the opening of the meeting apDroachod, embryonic cheer 3 arose from different parts of the house. At eight o'clock these cheers became more vigorous; and at) two minutes past tno hour when the lights vvenb up, and the Premier, preceded by th'o Mayor, came on to the crowded platform a storm of applause arose from the vast assemblage. A comparative silence followed ; bub only a comparative one. The murmur of voices reminded one of the busy hum of a hive; For all were expressing their opinions to their neighbours on the prepossessing appearance of our new Premier. Very clearly, Mr Soddon made a good impression on the occasion of his firsb appeafanco before an Auckland audience even before he opened his lips. During the Mayor's introductory remarks a desire was evinced by more than one impatient spirit in the assemblage that Mr Crowtkor should nob extend his speech unnecessarily. There was little fear of this, however, for Mr Crowthar has a deep fund of that) moub useful and not too abundant article, common sense; He quite understood what was required of him, and was brief, saying no fnore than was necessary to introduce Mr Seddon to his Auckland audience. The Mayor having resumed hia seat Mr Seddon rose, and was met by the heartiest of welcomes an audience could give in the shape of ioud applause. As he went on to speak, hi* strong expressions of opinion were delivered in a tone that quite convinced his hearers that they were listening to_ a genuine and sincere man, who was speaking not merely with a desire to please, bud to express his convictions. Amongst those on the platform were Messrs Thos. Thompson, F. Lawry, W. Kelly, Jackson Palmer, J. M. Shera, R. Thompson, M.H.R.'s, Horn?. W. Swanson, W. McCullough and «'. Jennings, Messrs Kent (Mayor of Newmarket), W. Beehan (chairman Auckland Liberal Association), J. J. Holland. G. L. Foacocke, W. J. Napier, A. Clements, R. J. Duncan, J. Patterson, Seymour George, J. C. Firth, W. J. Courtney, W Berry, T. W. Leys, H. Brett, H. Wilding, H. N. Pollard, T. Gee, J. T. Julian, P. Cheal, Grey, Rev. T. F. Robertson, and representatives of various labour organisations.

THE CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS,

B\& Worship the Mayor (Mr VV. Crowbhor) presided. Mr Seddon on entering was received with loud cheers, tho audience etanding. ' < . The chairman, in introducing the lion, the Premier, said thab whatever differences ,of opinion they might have had as to attendances at recent political meetings, there was no doubt as to this ono. He was cortain the Hori, the Premier would not waofce tha time of the audience. Ib was certain ,thab all circumstances considered, they had in Mr Seddon one of the oldest continuing Bitting members that they had at present in Parliament He was one of those who had risen from the ranks to the highesb position New Zealand could confer on him. (Applause.) It was only those who had had tho expenonca that knew whab tha work necessitated in rising to that position really was. There was no doubt that the Hon. Mr Seddon was one of those gentlemen that could command, a fair hearing. Mr Seddon on thab occasion appeared for the first time on an Auckland platform. Ho had great pleasure in asking the honorable the Promier to address them. (Loud applause.)

MR SEDDON'S ADDRESS,

The Hon. Mr Seddon, who wii3 received with loud applause and ringing cheers, said that ho had never Bailed out of America (laughter), nor had he ever boon before the must (laughter), and ho was nob bo ancient as hia friend tho Mayor would make out. (Laughter.) Bub, appearing as he did before the meeting thab evening, he was, labouring under a difficulty, ihoy had had the leader of the Opposition, bir Robert Stout and the niomber for Rangitikei before them recently. Now, he did nob profess to bo a public speaker. He would try to make himself understood, and he hoped before leaving fcho meeting thab night they would understand' him, and understand very plainly. ("Hear, hear.") The first thing that should ba established, ho thought, botwoeri an audience and a speaker was that there should be confidence on the one part and sincerity on the other, (" Hear hear.") He would as far as lay in his power put the position of the country fairly before them, and ho would tell them what 1)8 considered, in his opinion, was m their interest and in tho best interests of Now Zealand. ("Hear, hear.") Some twelve months ri K o ho had promised to dellverj political address in Auckland. He had been invited to come hero shortly at bertha leader ot the Opposition, and he had been asked to reply to thab honourable gen tieman's speech. He assured them that had ho come up on thab occasion, and replied fo tie speeches of the leader of the Opposition and the member for Rangitikei, he would have hiadd quite a different speech to The one he would make that evening as 4cm S the colony. The Government had been attacked, ami it would have his chiof, his Premier,

JOHN" ISALLANCE.

He (the speaker) was sure this was a SI in !fcHolf-be taken uanor flco for fi .,v bhat evening also ho had a fluty w y iUrfiiroftiop Those statesmon who Ilii-I^od honesty and faitly. -more S those who had passed away vho li«d" not beon f v 3a^l d lftri S the ii.-.blid—tho people of Isew Ze?latid-tad-'not had an opportunity ot jad«iD«

them fairly. Information tainted, and information incorrect had been placed before them on thab platform. He would take them back to 1879, when they had the Grey Govornmenb. He would tell them

that that was the Liberal Government then, and whab waa given to the people by Sir Harry Atkinson and the Conservative party —all that -had been placed before them —was absolutely incorrect, and had dono a great injustice to those statesmen who had passed away. (Cheers.) But there had also been an injustice done to Sir George Grey. Ho lived, and should be from that platform, thab night, proved to bo

INNOCENT OF THE CHARGE

lain againsb him that, as an Administration, he had led the colony to financial disaster. (Loud cheers.) Whenever they heard the Conservatives speak with regard to the Liberal party, they would hear them say thab the result of the Liberal policy was financial disaster. That they were only some three years in office with the rosulb thab they left a largo deficit behind them, and that, had it not been for the activiby of their successors, they would actually have been defaulters. They had been told time after time not to trusb the Liberal Government or Liberal party because it would lead them into the same disasters as the Grey Government had led the colony in 1879. Well, w,hat were the charges levelled in the financial statement by Sir Harry Atkinson in the second sossion of 1879. In that financial statement Sir Harry said thab the Government lad found in the Treasurer's report certain Estimates. They were not Estimates, and he (Mr Seddon) would ask them to mark well what he was about to quote from " Hansard," for the information of the people present and for the information of the press. As Prime Minister of New Zealand he meant to be just, and ho meant to be truthful. (Cheers.) He hoped that during his ppeech he would not say a single word which would hurt the feelings of any single individual in the colony. In No. 33 " Hansard " there would be found, on page 304, a statement by Sir Harry Atkinson that he hud found certain Estimates in,the Treasury. He (the speaker) would say ab once thab it was manifestly unfair to hold up as Estimates what was simply a rough draft, which happened to be in the Treasury when that Government camo into power. The other clay, he, as Primo Ministor, had directed the heads of the Dopartmentß to furnish to the Treasurer whab they considered would be the requirements for tho year. The officers, of course, sent into ttaeTreaaurer what intheiropiiiion they considered necessary. The Minister in office then took Chat rough draft, and if tho eervico demanded and the financial position of the colony demanded that reductions should bo made, lac does his duty and naturally cuts down hia estimate, or in other words, ho cuts his coat according to the cloth lie is possessed of. To tsike tho rough draft of the Estimates found in the Treasury was unfair, and no ono knew better than the members of the Government, experienced gentlemen all of them. (Cheers.) Simply to take the private estimates on which to form n financial statement wasunfair. (Cheers.) They found things tho same in "Hansard," same page. Sir Harry Atkinson says :—" In the financial year 1876-77 we received from laud sales, £870,819 ; pastoral renta, £125,036 ; total, £1,005,855. Iv the year 1877-78 land sales, £1.440.824 ; pastoral rents, £145,738 ; total, £1,586,562. Last year, land sales, £737,694 ; pastoral rents, £132,035 ; total, £869,729; and the estimated revenue for this year (1879) is: For land sales, £248,000; pastoral rents, £132,000; total, £880,000. Ib will be seen (Sir Harry continued) thab tho land sales last year (1878) only reached £737,694, having fallen short of the estimate by £384,304; and that this year they are estimated to produce only £248,000. Here, then, we find the cause of our deficit—bho falling off in the Crown lands sales. If, _ last year, they had reached bho estimate and could bo roliod upon this year to yield £1,150,000 (this amount being about tho average receipts for the last bwo preceding years), we should have this year a small surplus, instead of an estimated deficit of £951,002."

NOT A FINANCIAL CRISIS,

They saw that Sir Harry Atkinson had fairly said that had the land sales coma up to expectations there would nob have been a deficiency, but, instead, a small surplus. That, surely, wa3 not a state fit to be designated a financial crisis. The land sales during tbo previous year showed a deficiency of £131,000, bub in that case Sir Harry had estimated the deficiency at £900,000. He would ask then, how could Sir Geortro Grey'a, or any other Government, be held responsible for that? Did tho people of Australia hold Sir G. R. Dibbs responsible for tho present state of affairs in that colony ? Did the electors oE Victoria hold Mr Patterson responsible, or were tho Premiers of South Australia or Queensland held icaponsiblo for the financial crisis experienced in those countries ? (Cheers.) Then, he asked, if the Liberal party of New Zealand should be be held responsible for tho financial distress that was caused hero owing to things which had occurred in Glasgow in 1878. Had the land of Now Zealand that would otherwise havo boon sold to meet the demands of the colony been carted away from Now Zealand ? (Cheers.) What nonbense it was' to say it was lost, when the land, tho capital valuo, still remained. (Cheers.) Id was the public estate. It had not been sold, ib was still there ; and yet, because land sales had fallen off, they wore told that there was widespread distress, and that had it nob been for a change of Government, New Zealand would havo boen ruined. Well, he would cay nothing about tho statesman who had passed away. So far as he was concerned, Sir Harry Atkinson had fairly told the people that there would have been a surplus had nob the land sale 3 fallen off. He also said that £2,200,000 of the loan had been anticipated by Sir George Grey's Government. He (Mr Seddon) would civo the figures, and as he wished to be careful, would quote- them. Sir Harry Atkinson said " that tho late Government had in various ways anticipated tho new loan to the extent of £2,220,104, including £140,000 for contingent defence, and £200,000 for purchase .of native lands, but exclusive of the cost oi raising the loan ; and thai in addition to this large sum, which is payable on the 30th Juno next, thero will be liabilities outstanding at that date of a farther sum of £957,177 for land purchase, and tua,aio for contracts entered into before the present Government took office." Mr Seddon a=ked the audience to maik carefully that this bad to be met. Hence the absolute necessity of floating a loan immediately upon the London market ; for if that were not done the payments would accrue, and there would bo no money to meet them when the time came. He would give them facts. That £900,000, that £200,000 were, to quote the words-forcible, if not elegant -of the late Mr James Macaudrew, simply

" HOTCH-rOTOII FLAPDOODLE FINANCE.''

As Minister of Public Works abtho fcimo, Mr Macandrew said there was no foundation for those items. (Cheers.) And co said their Auckland boy the late Mr John Sheehan. (Cheers.) He stated that those liabilities had not been incurred, bub ho (the speaker) could tell them there had boon very great difficulty in obtaining the exact fijutos in order that ho could toll them how things actually stood lie would eayab once that there was no S thai time any liability co show for that £900 000. He would say as wards the otWritemof expenditure that it was f«l- ---? cioun He would eivo figures furnished by Government officers, who had so r, terest in either one Government or the other Horo was the amount ot ascerfid liabs!tie ß -*1,210.,000 5 they were.

reduced to £987,177. Here then came the payments. If there was a liability which was reduced from £1,210,000 to £987,177 then we muab say (the payments on the date mentioned, the 30th June, within a reasonable time thereafter the vouchers musb come iv for payment, and inußt be paid by the colony) —if that was the case there was no liability. (Choer3.) Now here WBre the absolute payments, and the dates : — In the year 1879-80 the total amount paid was £68,000; 1880-81, £55,000 ; 1881-82, £37,000 ; 18S2-S3, £29,000 ; 1883-84, £'.44,000; 1884-85, £70,000; orfrom September 1879, when the financial statement was made, until the time when the Continuous Ministry went out of office in 18&4, the total amount paid by them on what waa stated to be a liability of £987,000 was £287,789. (Cheers.) Yea ; and should he go further ?—and he was right in doing so. ("Hear.") Should he tell them that from 1879 to the time be left Wellington the amount paid by the colony on what was stated to be a liability of £900,000 in September, 1879, was only £612,000. Thero was, therefore, the payments made by the Hall Govornment, bho Whitaker Government, the Stoub-Vogel Government, by the Atkinson Government again, and what had they paid? If there were these liabilities at that time, there ought to be £300,000 odd still outstanding. (Cheers.) Let him toll them that there was nothing of the kind—they were bogus liabilities. (Cheers.) He would tell them what occurred after this : Having determined upon sifting this matter to the bottom to see how matters stood, he found that the land purchase schedule, which had always occurred in the public works statement—thab after 1879 or 1880 this schedulo disappeared from the public works records of the colony. (Cheers and " Give it to them.") Lot public men be fairly and honestly judged. They had been told at that time—they had been told since —that the late Mr Ballance (as charged against him by the Conservative press) had been responsible for this. The truth was that Mr Ballance left office as Treasurer in 1878, and that, when he then left everything was Bafe and sound. (Cheers.) Thus, of course, the great responsibility of this financial disaster fell upon tho shoulders of Sir George Grey. Ho (Mr Sod don) never believed such a state of things had auy existence. Ho was a supporter of the Liberal party at this time. The Mayor had told them thab he was tho only one of thab party who had sat in the Housocontinuously trom 1879, and he felt it to be his duty to remove a stigma upon statesmen who had passed away, and to do justice to Sir, George Grey, who was not responsible for the liabilities attributed to him. (Loud cheers.) He was doing his duty to the people, too, in making thiß explanation ; because it wua impossible for them to judgo ao between their public men if these errors were allowed to remain unchallenged. When he had referred to this in the South the other day, one of the papers simply said he had befouled the memory of Sir Harry Atkinson. But tho writer, when penning thab statement, never thought thab the memory of Sheohan, of Macandrew, and of Ballance had been befouled (cheers), and that thoy had charged Sir Goorge Grey with having led the colony to financial disaster. Probably he would be told there was little money in tho Treasury ; he admitted ib. And wisely so, for this reason, and it had never been made public as it should have been. It was thab the Bank of New South Wales had agreed to advance the Government any money thab ib required for carrying on the govornment of New Zealand, and as regarded telegraphing Home for the floating of a loan, and to meeb any amounts due, it was as easy for Sir George Grey and the Liberal Government to telograph Home and make financial arrangements thero, as ib was for Sir Harry Atkinson and the Conservative Government to do so. There had been power taken to borrow a sum of five million?, but Sir George Grey never borrowed a penny of that five millions. (Cheers.) The Atkinson Governmonb, however, immediately borrowed £3,000,000, and as the reason for doing so, they said it was necessary, because the amount had been anticipated by the liabilities of which he (Mr Seddon) had told them, and which wore, to a large extent, manufactured for tho purpose. (Cheers.) Ho would now take the period from 1379, to tho second session of 1884, and he found that the Continuous Party borrowed by way of loan £7,392,661. Tho dofonca to this waa, " Well, we must admit Sir Harry Atkinson isauod the loan, and got the money, bub it waa Sir George Grey that took tho power to borrow five millions." He (the speaker) could noD see the force of thab reasoning. Those who issued the loan and those who spent the money were surely responsible. (" Hear.") Well, they came back again from the second session of 1887 to 1890, and further loans wore raised of £1,553,212. There was then, in addition to that cum, debentures issued ; and, taking the period from 1879 to 1890, the Continuous Party raised, by way of loan and debentures, nine million pounds sterling. (Whew!) The amounb, in addition to this, by way of land revenue raised during tho period 1879 84 amounted to the largo sum of £1,800,000. Well, he asked, ufter thin borrowing, after this landing the colony into a large public debt, what was the result?—

THE EXODUS,

Their people woro leaving the colony in treat numbers, families were being broken up, peoplo had lost confidence in themselves, property was of no value, and yob there was a large expenditure and a large liability was being incurred. This statement of his had been challenged, and it had been said that it was not the case, but ho could show thorn from figures that 11,000 persona had iefb the colony during the poriod bo referred to. These figures would be found to be absolutely correcb if examined, and ho would give them to the press, because they would be of great aesistanco to all concerned. Referring to these tables he found that in October, November, December, 1877, 1,161 persons came into tho colony, over and above those who quitted it. On the other hand, in 1888 the loss to the colony was 9,175 souls, in 1890 1,782, and in 1091, 216 souls. In addition to this number there wero many who left the colony bub did not take their tickets till they went, on board the steamers. The census officers estimated the number of these at 4,500, which, added to the numbers he had already pub before them, gave a total oxodus of 14,200. What did Che lato Government pay to this state of attains? Ho would quote- Sir H. Atkinson's remarks, and he must say thab ho regarded them as the most hearties.? utterances that had ever fallen from the lips of a public man. His words wore : " Well, let them go, they will come back again and b, rin K others with them and in the meantime will perve to advertise the colony." (A voico: "Don't traduce the dead.") He was not traducing tho dead. He waß merely quoting the words of the dead. (Prolonged cheore.) Those words woro a matter ot hiatory. "Leavo them alone, they will eomo back again. They will serve as advertising agents for the colony." He would ask his audionca how ib would bo if all statesmen were to deal in that way with such important matters. If Bufferma fathers and mothers wore to sacrifice themselves that their sons might be educated, tau K ht a trade and rise to a higher position, and if these sons wero to be forced to leave the country he could not understand that any statesman should say "let them go, they will come back again." Many in Ins audience had.vno doubt, left their country, driven from it by unjust laws. Many had left happy h°mos wh6r? , w°uld irladlv have remained with their relatives and friend,. How would they like ■ that state of things in Now Zealand? And there was really no neceeaiby that l&Qb. ft

State of things should Have existed in a young country like this aba time when we were celebrating our Jubilee. Yet whab he had depicted was only what was knownby every, on© to have been the case during 1889, '90 and '91. Fathers and mothers were gathered on tho wharves saying " good-bye" to their sons who had been forced to leave the country because there was no employment for them here. The young men, the young farmers to whom theirfathers looked to succeed them on the land and carry on the cultivation of their farms; or to assist them, had literally been driven from the country by the unjust treatment of the Government. (Cheers.) Yes, and the same thing was allowed to continue, when the difficulty should have been grappled with, and dealb with in the interests of all. After we had spent largo sums on education, and in finding room for the extension of sebtlement, it was found thab the colony had lost 14,000 souls in less than three years. If thab sbate of affairs had been allowed to conbine, ib would have been a grave reflection on bho people of New Zealand.

A comparison'

• At the general election Sir Harry Atkinson had said, first, that it was impossible to dispense with borrowing ; second, that no further economy could be practised in the Government of tho country ; and third, that the property tax could nob be repealed, and that sufficient rovenuo could nob be derived from a land and income tax. These were the issues which the Continuous Party submitted ab tho lasb general election. The Liberal Party submitted this programme : Thab further economies could bo made in the public service without destroying or impairing its efficiency ; sufficient revenue could be derived from a land and income tax; that the property tax should be a thing of the past.; and thab land should be, in as great a degreo as possible, thrown open and made accessible to the people of the country. They decided to deal with tho balance of the Crown lands in the hands of tho Government; and they further resolved that the monopoly in land ownership should be coped with in some form, and that vigorous action should be taken with regard to the native lands. (Loud cheers.) They maintained, further, that there should be no further borrowing, but a self-reliant policy. (Loud cheers.) They' declared that there should bo protection given to labour, and encouragement given to capital. (Cheers.) At the elections of 1890 the Liberals gained the day with a large majority. Whab then oocured ? Tho Continuous Party attempted to check-mate tho wislaes of the people by flooding the Legislative Council wifch partisans of their own. The present Government had adopted a self-reliant policy. They had oomo into power with the intention of protecting labour and encouraging capital. So far they had carried out their purpose. They had

STOOD TO THEIR GUNS,

and they now knew thab the matter had been rectified. They had been told that the policy tho Government had inaugurated had been the means of driving capital out of tho colony. ("Yos" and "No.") Then they were told that they were depreciating the value of property. ('.< Hear, hoar.") Well, some three or four years ago when lie visited Auckland property had greatly depreciated. Houses were even being let to poople without rent, simply on condition thab they live in the houses and take care of them. (" Hear, hear.") Many people were absolutely penniless. Whab was bhe position in Auckland thab day 1 (Cheers.) Whab was the position throughout the colony? Did tho land and income tax give the Government a revenue they required ? He claimed the credib for the Government for the increase in the revenue. Did they reduce the expenditure ? Yes, since they had been in office they had reduced it by very nearly £50,000, and with the ..assistance of the "skinflint" they had reduced ib by another £50,000. Almost everything they had contended for had been achieved. (Applause.) They found now thab the people of Now Zealand had been leaving them, bub there waa now a slighb surplus of population in their favour. They were now, it was true, some people leaving bhe colony, bub they were going away for a holiday, and well they deserved ifc. (Applauao.) Many of their people had lofb them a short timo ago in tho steerage, going away to Australia hoarbleas and penniioss in search of work, bub now they saw them going away in the saloon (cheers), and they wero coming back to tell of the scones of penury they had seen across the k<mi, and to say thab New Zealand and the New Zealauders were

THE FINEST COUNTRY AND THE FINEST PEOPLE under tho sun. (Applause.) There was another " tell-tale"—that waa the financial position of the colony. The balance on the 31st March, 1892, was £165,573; the revenue in oxcess of expenditure was £164,703 ; the total being £330,276. There waa a net profit of some £95,000. For the financial year 1892-95 there was a net surplus of some £283,779, after taking into calculation yjublic works und other expenditure, or in all a gross surplus of £512,286. (Applause.) Tho work in finance that the present Government had accomplished during threo years must speak 'for itself. And this had been done without further borrowing. (Applause.) Without further borrowing they found New Zealand in the van in finance as far as the other colonies were concerned. (Applause.) When the Government made known their policy they had been told by the Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony that they were going to drive capital out of the country, and it had been said by these bodies that tho Government's action was having this eflect. He (Mr Seddon) differed from the Chambers of Commorco then, and he differed from then now. What did the Chambers of Commerce themselves say now? He would take the Wellington Chamber cf Commerce as an example. At the last meeting of that Chamber, the President, Mr Gale, had referred to

THE TKADIi OF THE COLONY

for the last year, and had stated that the exports lor the colony for the year reached a fjrand total of £9,500,000. The President of the body went on to explain that, with theso figures, thore must be taken into account the difference in the price of wool sent away from tho colony in the previous year. Basing his calculations on those of the provioua financial year, they would find that the grand total of New Zealand's exports for tho last year would bo nearly £10,000,000 sterling — the highest year's exports in the history of New Zealand. (Applause.) He would mention a familiar name—an old and respected friend of his—Mi- Adam Porter. (Cheers.) This is what he (i\Jr Porter) said, aa President of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce:—"The total valuo of the exports of the colony for the year was £9,536,999, as against £9,5(56,397 for^ 1891, showing a slight reduction of about 0,000, while the imports have been £6,042,010, ft" against £6,503,849, showing an increase isi imports of £-138,167. The tolling oil in our exports has beon mainly caused by tho redaction in our exports of frozen mutton, tho amount shipped tor the year 1892 being some twelve and a-half million pounds less than for 1891." lie would now jud^re the policy of the Government by the tall-tale of commerce, and by those who had fchfl guidance of their commerce. He would say it was absolutely free from any leaning in the favour of tho Government or in favour of thoir policy.

PEOGHESSIVE TAX.

Ho would now come to tho question of the progressive land tax. They wore told that this would be the means of depreciating the value of property, and that this depreciation aud loafs in. value would teU

ngainßb them. Their progressive land tax had the effect of giving the Governmont the revenue ib wanked, and had also had the effect of causing owners of those lands to make necessary improvements, so as to escape taxation. (Cheers.) Ib was absolutely necessary that that should be done. Ib had not been confiscation. Those best able had been called upon to pay ("quite right"), and he (the speaker) felb satisfied that lihere were many in that audience who would like to avail themselves of the opportunity of paying under thab tax. (Cheers.) Why, the late Government—the Atkinson Government—from 1887 to 1890 had raised under the Customs alone over half a million of iba revenue. He had made that statement bsfore and had been challenged to prove it. He would give the exact figures. There were £253,000 in the first and £248,000 in bhe following year. In addition to thab there was a sixteenth of a penny pub on the property tax which brought in another £60,000 a year. So that there was an increase of taxation by tho Atkinson Government of over £500,000, and in I the property tax of £122,000, making a total of £622,000. That was the increased taxation. Thab had been disputed buo he had an authority which ho waa sure would never be questioned. He would quote now from a speech delivered in Auckland by a wellknown and highly-respected citizen —Mr Edward Withy : ''Yes, that is whero we shall find it. The balance has been made to look better by an increase of taxation, that is, by an addition to the burdens of tho people. We all sought a reduction but wo haven't gob it. The ordinary revenue up to March 31st>, 1888, was £3,337,729, and to the 3166. March, 1890, ib was £3,734,205, showing an increase of £396,479 in taxation. For the purpose of dealing with this, I shall deduct the primage duty, which, it was understood, was not to be permanent, but only a temporary impost. The primage amounts to £55,827, and deducting that, we have an additional ordinary taxation of £340,652. We have le3B population and more taxation." Now they would see thab Mr Withy only took bhe increase of taxation for the two years. Let them tako tho increase in tho property tax when the Continuous Government held office from 1887 to 1890. They had placed upon the people additional taxation to the amount of £622,000. V\ ell, that would have, and did have, a far more detrimental effect upon the people and upon tho progress of tho country than the land and income tax. He could give them a case in point. Soino thirty persons owned iimongsb them something like 50,003 acres of land, worth £5,000,000. Take a .lfd in tho pound upon that amount, and they found that tho land paid rana £40,000. Taking the land to be valued at £5,000,000, and allowing for a return of 5 per cent —a very low return, indeed—they had lefb to themselves £256,000 per annum. Ho thought himself that the person who complained under such circumstances waa simply unreasonable. He thought that such a person was very much in the position of the gentleman who was travelling through a churchyard in Scotland with a friend and an old guide. He wan troubled with gout, and in going around and among bho tombstones he suddenly struck his foot against the kerbing of a path. As a natural consequence lie used a very strong term in roference to the foot, whereupon the old man acting aa guide said, "Hold your tongue, man ! There are many folk about here who would be glad to have it," (Laughter.) Those thirty fortunate individuals who had that £256,000 and had to pay the progressive land tax would find many"people in this country willing to have ib.

LAND MONOPLY

The naxt question was land monopoly, and it was one with which they were familiar. He wanted to pub figures before them to point out the different position of afl'airs as far as land holdings in the colony wove concerned. Ho thought that tho time had arrived when this important question should be grappled with. Take the returns. Ho got his figures from tho blue books of the colony. There were 33 public companies in Now Zealand, who were shown to hold 2,073,78S acres, at a value j of £4,020,320. Of these there were seven companies wboowned 1,389,664 acres, valued at £2,811,639. Thore were 232 persons who owned between 10,000 and 50,000 acres of tho value of £11,744,683; there wore SO persons who owned over 50,000 acres each, ; valued at £5,712,915; there wore 37 persons who owned between 100,000 and and 200,000 acres, at n value of £4,958,563 ; thore were 11 persona who owned 200,000 acres, valued at £4,535,562. Landed property to tho value of i' 9,000,000 sterling., woa owned by forty-eight persons. Tl)9y would see from these figuroa that 2,028 persons held land in New Zealand that was valued at £82,406,851. (Cries of "Shamql" "It's worse than Ireland!") An interjection had been made that) the condition of New Zealand as there truthfully described in the blue book was worce than Ireland. Yes, if they had per square milo upon the land of Now Zealand the population there was at present in Great Britain, they would find themselves much worse than either England, Scotland, or Ireland. It was owing to their present small population not requiring tho land that they did not feel tho baneful effects of these large holdings — this land monopoly. Why, one^ man who never came near New Zealand yet from tho land of this colony drew £85,000 per year. (Cries of "Oh I" and " Wnrm him.") He might mention that fivo properties comprising 180,000 acres had upon them 110 souls and 173,000 sheep. (Laughter.) Well, now, he had simply given those -figures to let them know the truo state of affairs.

XOTHINCJ REVOLUTIONARY.

Ho waa not prepared to ga in for anything revolutionary. (Cheers.) Thoy must always respect the rights of others ("heav hoar"), but whilst they did thab, and whilst those others pained the great advantages which had been jjiven them by the public expenditure; and whilst tho masses, ul; the same time, wero being reduced, it was not fair for the masses to bo taxed, whilst the others who pained by these works were not touched. (Cheers.) Honce, thoy had introduced the system of taxation, which had proved so successful, and ho might say that tho people wero paying the taxes cheerfully. He would say to those land holders " Do your duty as New Zoalsuidorp, and rest assured that the Government and tho people want to act- fairly by you, bub you also must act fairly by them." (Cheers.) They did not wish to

DISTURB OK DESTROY CONFIDKNCE,

He had often heard it said " When a man is poor the best thing ho can do is to pet rich i>,9 soon as possible." (Laughter.) Any respectable man would not begrudge or envy tho good fortune of a fellow colonist, but if the man who earned lonst got the most, ihon he had good reason to complain. (Cheers.) Such had been the case in the past until there had been a Government of the people by tho people, and for tho people, to ulter hhao unfortunate state of affairs. (Cheers.) The Government; met tlie difficulty by askLug that Legislation should be made whoroby tho Government could socuro land for settlement purposos. (Cheers.) They had gone honestly about the work. In the congested districts of tho South, for this did not apply here, with the exception of Hawke's Bay, settlements had beon formed. Prior to this, it had tended to send people away. Last session tho Government had obtained the right to purchase land for settlement from owners who were willing to poll. (Cheers.) They had been told that if the Government wished to purchase, the land would bo there for them. Some land li?d been oiiychaeed alra.id«. b«* *^3

price asked for much of if) «faa sucll that it would be unfair to the people of this country to pay it. (Cheers.) Ho hoped that in these congested districts the land-holders would come forward and voluntarily allow the Government to buy land for settlement purposes. (Cheers.) If that did nob occur, the result wa3 almost inevitable that the same law as thati passed by the Imperial Government two years ago, called tho "Chaplin's Small Holdings Bill," would become law hero. Under that Act, County Councils had the righb to take 50 acres for settlement purposes from any land-holder whether ho liked ib or not. (Cheers.) That Bill was passed by a Conservative Government when in power. Nothing was eaid against it then. It was so fair as to commend itself to the people. But when it was mentioned here in Now Zealand they were told that they were going in for confiscation, revolution, and that they were

THE SEVEN DEVILS OF SOCIALISM,

bub they were nothing of tho kiud. (Cheers and laughter.) He hoped they did nob see in his person any resemblance to his Satanic Majesty. (Laughter.) He also hoped thero would bo no necessity for passing a compulsory Bill, bub that the case would be men by the Legislation already passed. But ho would tell thorn that in the interest of tho country the Government considered thero was an absolute necessity for land for settlement purposes. They would not sco their population driven away to other colonies or to the snow clad plains of Manitoba. (Cheers.) The Government would then say, " We want land for settlement. Wa will pay a fair price for it, bub we must have it." (Cheers.) Under the Public Works Act, if they wanted lan.* for roads or railways, thoy had the power to take ib. All they had to do was to give the usual notice, post a proclamation, submit the price to arbitration, and then tako tho land at the figure decided upon. Ho had not yeb heard a landholder complain thab he had been unfairly treated. (Cheers.) Ho looked upon land settlement as infinitely superior and of more importance than either a road or a railway. (Cheers.)

AN EXTREME CASE

To prove this he would take an extremo case as an illustration. Suppose a numbe:1 of castaways landed on an island and found there one man who lived the Robinson Crusoe life of a recluse, and produced all he wanted. There is plenty of land. Tho men say, " We must have the uso of some of your land, orotherwise wocannotlivo. Wo will pay you for it when we aro taken off." The man refuses to let them have the land, claiming it ail by right of being there first. Tho result must be that the castaways would say, " Givo us tho land, or otherwisewe niuat cause your death earlier than it might under other circumstances occur." He still refuses, and they would say that in the intorosts of all fchoy musb take steps so that they might live. That brought him to tho moat important question, namely,

NATIVE LANDS.

In tho North Island they were almost in the same position, owing to tho largo areas of land hold by the natives, as they were in tho South, from what he had already depicted. (Cheers.) For the hotter information he had brought from Wellington a large map. Mr Seddon then pointed out on the map which was hung at one wing of tho platform, the small portions of land occupied by the natives, and tho large areas held by them, but which were not utilised. Ho laid stress upon the fneb that these large araas v?ere absolutely unuseci, lying desolate and waste. Ho said that in many instances the land was simply held by natives, closed against settlement, with even the titles not decided. Now when land was locked in' thab way, tho Government bad come to the conscientious conclusion thab in the best interests of the people they

MOST HAVE THE LAND

for settlement. The next question was how was that to be done ? First they must deal fairly with the Maori race, (Cheers.) The people in the North owed a great deal to the native race, bocause had it not been for their land being locked up it would have passe'l into the hands of European landholders. (Cheers.) Ho would not bo worthy of being called a politician, nor worthy to hold his present position, il they did anything unjust to tho native race of New Zealand. It was manifest that had it not been for the native raco there would have been the same monoplyin the North as they had in the South. Now they were told that there were not more than 42,000 natives in tho colony, and they held 10,000,000 acres of land. But that waa nob all suited for settlement. There was about 3,000,000 acres of native laude fib for agricultural purposes. If they took from the 10,000,000'acros held by the Maoris the mountain ranges, scoria, pumice, lakes, and rivers, there remained about 3,000,000 acres fit for agriculture.

HAD TO BE TACKLED,

The position had to bo dealt with, and the Government believed the native reserves might have been dealt with on similar lines to thosa adopted in reference to the native reserves on the West Coast under the legislation of last session, | which had given satisfaction to both I j Maoris and Europeans. Maori rights were satisfied, and tho Europeans had obtained leases that belonged to them. All improvements made by Europeans had gone fco them, and all improvements made previously had gone to the Maoris. (Cheer 3.) Thonas to tho land held under native custom, it was found that in the past this had occurred. Whenever the natives went to Court, to got their titles to land ascertained, the result had been, in nine cases out of ten, aftor the trial there had come the re-hearing, and further re-hearing, and when it) came to payment being made to the natives the land was gone and the money was in tho pockets of the lawyers. (Loud and prolonged i laughter.) Well he had no doubt this was owing to complications for which the lawyers wero not responsible. (Kenowed laughter.) This had been the history of tho past. The Question was whether that should continue, and his answer was " No." Ho should say a fair value of the land should bo ascertained, in the same munnsr as values wero obtained of land required for settlements. Ho would ascertain what land was absolutely wanted, then, by an impartial tribunal ascertain its value, and say to tho natives, "Wo require that land." The natives should have ■ thg option to sell to the Government; if they wero not prepared to let the Government have land absolutely required they should be told, " You have not ascertained your own titles, you do not know to whom the land belongs; in the meantime it shall be held in trust for settlement. If you will quarrel, quarrel ovqv the proceeds." (Applause) He thought the natives, being fairly represented, ( whould at one; grasp what) was in their interest, and this once accomplished, the nafcive land difficulty would be ended forever. They were asked why they had not done more iv tins respect ? He answered that they had done more than any other Government had done in the fame time. The Into Government, during the three years of office, acquired only 78,000 acres. Tho present Government acquired during thrso years 385.0C0 acres. (Cheer? ) They had proceeded upon commercial linos aud the figures ho had quoted. ACCKLA:■■;.' ■.* ..MS, In Auckland they iuis complaining of what waa going on as ic-fi.irded land settlement. He asked them to remember that, Jiret of all, tho Government had to adjust the taxation of the country ; they had to make economies which wero doemed necessary, and then deal with Crown lands—all last session. After taxafcioii \va» adulated., labour logisbiioi?. ai> I

tended to, and after thoy had dealt with land monopoly, thoy came to tho quostioa of native lands, and ho undertook that it would havo immediate attention. Ho thought ho might say satisfactory arrangements ' would bo inado next sossiou for settlement of the difficulty. (Cheors.) As to land settlement in the Auckland district, he considered ib was due to the people in this part of tho colony—and ib was due to tho Government —thab thoy should know whab was going on. This was tho position of affairs in the Aucklaad district on tho 31st of March, 1893:—Tho number of selectors was 674; areaselocted, 143,594; capital value, £67,360. For tho previous year, 1892, there were 327 bqloc* tors; area, 105,119 acres; value a little leas than ho had previously stated. They had this year aft increase of 347 selectors, and an increased value of £16,928. To show that tho present Govcrnmonti had nob bean behind in preparing land for sottlomonb, he showed that tha area of land surveyed and unsurveyed in January, 1891, was 325,008 acres ; in Jan«. ary, 1892. 246.287 acres; and in January, 1893, 354,749 acres. Although 143,594 acres were disposed of last year, there wore at present undor land boards 30,000 acroa more land open for selection than in 1891, when the preaont Ministry took oflice. Noxt he took tho land acquired from natives in the Auckland district. They had the Papumoa and Otawa blocks, in Tanranga county, which was ready to bo thrown opoo. for settlement. Ib had been boughb, and all that was required to ba done now vvai thab the necessary proclamation should issue. There were rilso the Roborua lands and the Oxford Forosb block—this was all ready, and he hoped ere ho returned to Wellington ili would be made public by the Ministor for Lands thab it was open for settlement by tho people of this part of the colony. (Cheers,)

WELL-MERITED PRAISE,

Mr Seddon said he took this opportunity to recognise tho services rendered by ons of tho Crown lands officers. He thought this was only duo where ho found public servants so successfully performing their duty to tho colony, and to the district in which they were located, and he took this opportunity of saying thac tho Government! wore more than satisfied with the Commissioner of Crown Lands hove (Mr Mueller), and with the manner in which he has dona his duty in tho Auckland district.

TilK EDUCATION' QUESTION

Leaving that/ question ho would liko to say a few" words on fcho attack which the leader of the Opposition hacTmade upon the Government, Speaking of Stato oduca<; tion, that gentleman had said that the Government could not claim to have a surplus because there could be nologithnate surplm where there was a doficiency in the school accommodation of fcho colony. He (the speaker) had replied, and said that due provision had been made. If they took tug building vote of tho present Government^ and compared if with tho vote for that purpose of the last years of the Atkinson Government, they wore some thousands ahead. (Applause.) Mr Seddon then said ho would carry the fight into the enemy's country, and, surveying the position of Jit Ilolleefeon and his followers, inquire who it was that in ISSQ proposed a reduction of £60,000 in the education vote. Was it not' the Hon. Goorge Fisher? Of thoaa who voted in favour of this proposal, some fifteen or sixteen were now supporters of Mr Rolloston. They had proposed to effect a reduction ol £30.000 by increasing the school age. If such an idea were put in practice, tha country school system could not live; and its introduction would to a very large ex* tone be detrimental to the city schools, also. Tho poor man's children left tho school at) an average ago of eleven. If tho school age wore increased, these children would, of course, be rieprivod of much of their edu"ca< tion, and they could ill spare, such a deprivation. (Cheors.) To the children of the better classes the alteration would not very much matter ; bub to the children of the poor, and to those attending coun' try schools, it would be most detrimental. Who was is that did away with the genera! averago and introduced a reduction in ths capitation grant? The general average was in favour of country schools, where the scholars had bo attend from long distances and were often prevented from doing so by wet weather. In his opinion the change from tho general to the strict average had not been wise. Tho strict average had had a detrimental eiloct on Education in New Zealand. (Cheers.) In addition to reduc< ing tho capitation allowance by 4s per head the Atkinson Government had abolished the training colleges. £24,000 had been cut from the education vote. When his hearers saw the public works statement oi the present Government, they would then recognise that due provision had beon made, not for a lavish expenditure, but to* all necesaary requirements.

SIAGDALA ASYLUM,

Speaking of the vote to the Magdals Asylum, Me Seddon said ho did not believe any man present would take exception to the course the Government had followed it ho knew tha exact facts of the caao, (Cheers.) When the management of thud institution had been inquired into, it was found that it was open feo all sects, and was nob in any way limited to the Roman Catholic body. H.e had been through the asylum, and had eeon tho inmates of it, and ho knew that' onethird of them did not belong to the Roman Catholic faith. If it had not been for thad institution, whoro would these poor poop a have been? in tho hospital or gaol. (Cheers.) They had there found young women, who, had ib not been for tho institution, would have been outcasts of society. Something; happens— he waa speaking ta mothers and sisters—was it to be for one false step, one mistake, and the absence ot I timely help rvA wise counsel, that 8 poor I soul waa to be condemned to. a life of misery '! In Auckland, in Christchurch, and Dunedin there were refuges for these unfortunates. Tho Salvation Army had conveyed help to many ot them and rescued them from a ' lte of disgrace. And because the Government gave a voto to this good work, were they to be accused of pandering to any particular sect in the colony. (Cheers.) It was tho absolute necessitiesol tho case which induced the Government to grant that vote. Bub the Government were not going to let ifc rest there. They had determined further that a general vote should be put on the Estimates m tne future for refuge work. (" Hear, hear. , THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. Mr Seddon then touched on the question of the Railway Commissioners. Anera wore (ho said), some people who were always complaining—they were satisnea with" nothing. There wan nothing Mian could ba done to please them, home 01 these pecplo whom ho had met wore jusd about as right as was that proverbial jc« who was going home in his native Miv caldy one night, and having taken ratneL more than was good for him he wandereo into a graveyard, and not being sure ot ms steps, fell into an open grave, where wont to sleep. In tho early morning tne stage coach? went by, and tho horn «a» blown. Scotty awoke, and not being™* clear in his head and rinding himself in an open grave and hearing the coach- ion going, he jumped out. Tho coach-no n was again blown, and Scotty, whoimaßmtJ himself in a very ditlerent situation, &&* round him, and .seeing himself the only 0110 of the dead who had arisen, wotauned, "Wed. weol; this looks verra bod »r Kirkcaldy." (Loud laughter.) That Sandy was labouring under the idea that he alone on the right side. Well, some of those people who wore always grumbling wero

target on the page

to say what should be done—to aay whether there should be reduction or not The Commissioners showed a surplus loot year of £30,000 over tho estimates, but they came to the Government with a demand for ;.'20,000 out of unauthorised expenditure, and .gave them not tho slightest-, explanation as to what ifc was wanted for. Of courso tho Commissioners got tho authority because, had it been refused, they might have stopped some service, and when tho outcry was made might have thrown tho responsibility upon the Government. Ho naked should any Government bo in the position that a public servant could demand £20,000, and they were bound to grant it, for there was no other alternative. (Cheers.) Well, they were told that the position "ho had taken up in this respect, if carried out, would turn tha peoplo against tho Government. (Cries of " TSo.") He answered at once that he had no personal feeling in tho matter at all, but was the post of Commissioners .to devolve upon three persons who would be in the public service and yet nofe responsible to anybody although they dealt with i

three quarter of a million every year? All the Government wanted was that a Minister should sit on the Board of Railway Commissioners =o as to be able to understand matters and if possible to explain them to the House.' If the people were afraid to trust the Government with that power, then they had better advertise and get3orae one to govern them. Bo had too much respect for the people of this country not to think that they would bo in favour of colonial works beiug governed anc } managed on colonial lines, and not simply as a machine to extract money from the peopi6, (Cheers.) But for this demand made by the Railway Commissioners, the unauthorised expenditure thif year would have been £45,000 less Shan last year. In facb that waa what it really was. But for Ohis demand frem the Commissioners for £20,000, it would have been unde? £30,000, tho lowest on record, (Cheers. 1 In the good old days of

BOBROW'IKG AND SQUAKDEkING the unauthorised expenditure amounted to j £80,000, £90,000 and £100,000 per year, He ! leftitto those present (so consider that matter, j The Government' had nc wish to hamper 11 he Commissioners in any way, but they did | Ray that' ths Government should be rej t-ponsible directly to the people for the adininibfcrabioiiß of the Railways, (Cheers.) The tsru: of the Commissioners oxpired j :>ext January, and he had faith thai i there would still be a Liberal Government in power ac that date (cheers). If they wore to say this was to be a question i between parties, thov could put iis three | Commissioners ot the right colour (laughter.) j Tlior: the Conoervativo papers would say 1 that the Railways should be \'3sted in tho Government and controlled b;' the Fariia ment,. It n:usfc be romemljed that tho Act gave tho power to appoint ths Comtnis--ioners for five years, whereas the representatives of the people wore only elected ; for three years, and rightly so. If the Railway? were- run on the lines he had indicated tie felt sure it sveuici prove to the advantage oi the peopio of the country. (Cheers.; FESULE FRANCHISE.

j He had one more.subject bo refer to if they were not wearied. (Cries of "Goon ; it's early yeb," and " It's not twelve. ') This question more particularly affected the ladies. (Cheers.) He referred to tho electoral laws. He need scarcely tell then! that the good Government of a country depended upon its electoral laws. The Fomale Franchise would have been law now but for tho action of the Legislative Council, which insisted upon giving women what wore termed electoral rights, and were culled from a provision made by Disraeli. They might re3t assured that when Disraeli did that, he thought it would bo in tho interests of the conservative parly at Home. But the suggestion >vas aw insult to tho intelligence of the women. First of all they had to sign their names before a registrar, ho keeping one part of the document and she taking tho other. If sho wanted to voLo she m.ust then co to >i Postmaster and sign tha right in his presence. Ho objected to that process, as in' his opinion it did away with the secrecy of the ballot. (Cheers.) If cho women were to have the vote, they were en titled to have it without these interdictions. (Cheers.) The women were as much to bo trusted as were the men. Then tho Council agreed to allow the electoral rights only in the country districts. Ladies in town, they were told, might go to the polling booth to be hustled and justled by the men, but if ho know the men of New Zealand there would be a passage left for the ladies just as it was in the corridors before him. There would be no hustling and no jostling. It was an unmerited stigma upen the ladies of the country, upon the farmers' wives to say that, because the .polling booth was a little distance away, they would not go to record their votes. They would see fanners' wives in their spring caita, unaccompanied by husbands or sonr, driving to market, many miles away with their produce, atid he felt sure they would do so to record their votes at the polling' booth. The Government had otlered to compromise on this point, but the Upper Hou?e had declined to meot them, and upon that; body rested tho responsibility of having tho measure thrown out. The Government would give the House and the Council another opportunity of considering the questiosi, and the responsibility must vest with thoso who wouid not see done that which was re-1 quired by the representatives of the people. | Thoothor day he had a deputation of ladies in reference to this matter, and, he was sorry that he did not feel justilied in making them a direct, promise. Bub ho had to consult his colleagues in the matter, befnro committing1 tho Government to a definite statement, lie premised that their representations should have fair consideration, and that in all probability tho measure would be brought in at an early period iv the session.

TIIK LABOUR QUESTION,

He had intended to deal with the labour quostion, but the time ("Goon.") Ho had told them at tho outset that they had decided to protect labour, (Cheers.) It was said that no legislation was necessary in thie respect, but after careful investiga-' tion thoy found that the contrary was true. Warn en and children were working execat'ivoly long hours, and legislation was necessary in tho interests of the workers and for the sako of their health. He now naked whether tho legislation to which elfect had been given had not been fair '! It had, ho submitted, been in the interests of tho paoplo, and thoy had derived ;rreat benefit from it. There was yet one question of great importance that required to bo dealt with, that ot

ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION,

with a view to prevont strikes in Now Zsaland. They had come to the conclusion that tho employer and the employed should be corr.pollcd to come to an impartial court to .settle f.heir dispute!!. (Cheers.) Ho held that person.'.', en either side, who took part in these strikes were wrong- doers. Why should others bo injured? Why should trade bo paralysed ? Why should the business of the' public bo taken away simply because there was a dispute between employers and employed. Their lastfc dispute in Auckland cost over £5,000, to say nothing whatever of tho misery otherwise ontuiled. He was not going to refer to the groat maritime strike in this colony, but he would say : Why should the coal minors of the6 West Coftab paralyse trade in Auckland because of a dispute with mine owners in regard to hewing rates ? Why should parsons who were no parties to the dispute b*: injured? In the event; of .such a difipuie arising, employer and employed should bo called before tho court;, and" the first thing done would be to direct that tho workers must so on us before ab the old rules. The employers should bo bound to pay theeo rates pending a settlement, and the award of cho Court should bo binding upon both parties. There might be one or moro, labour disputes going on, bat thoro would bo no stoppage of trade. The time was now opportune; everything was going on smooth!}', and the Government proposed to grapple with this important question, and bring in compulsory arbitration and conciliation. (Loud cheers.) * !

IN CONCIiUSIOK,

he thought he had goue through all tho different points in the policy of the Government. Ue would conclude by saying that thov^should very shortly submit measures to v" siploto tho policy that had been so well initiated. They hoped, with the assistance and confidence of the people, that these measures would become tho law of the land ; thab the result might bo in the intere.3tß—nob of a few, bnt in the interests of the many, and that happiness and contentment would reign supreme in the finest

country in the world—New, Zealand. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) SO QUESTIONS. The Premier, wken the Mayor stated thai; no questions ccuid be put to the Premier, said he muat decline to answer questions, a« ha thought that a Minister of the colony should not be required to answer questions, lie was not on the tame footing ac a candidate for Parliament.

THANKS TO THE FP.EMIEK.

Mr W, 3. Napier then rose and moved " Thafc this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to the Honorable the Premier for his able address, and begs to record its undimiiiished confidence in the Government of which he ia the head.'1 Mr Napier wenb on to speak tc the resolution, but ho was greeted with such uproar and criea of "sit down," from the j uudience in the body of the ball, that ho could not obtain further hearing and was compelled to resume his seat. Mr Worth (President of th& Trades and Labour Council) seconded the motion, wtneb. was carried unanimously, amidst) loud and prolonged cheers. Mr J. M. Sbera then moved that the resolution of regret at the death of the le.fce Hon. J. Bailance (Premier) be passed, and sent tc the widow of Me Ballancii. Mr T. j Goe seconded tho resolution, which was agreed to, The meeting then concluded, a vote ot thanks boin^ accorded to tha Chairman on the motion of the Premier. This, brought (o a close tho largest political meeting yet bed in Auckland! In response to a call by the Hon. W. Jennings the audience pave three ringing cheora for Mr Secldon and Sir Ge:jrge Grey. Just before tho meeting opened Mr Soddon said he was gratified at the reception accorded him, and he hoped when he again vieitcd Auckland to find the people ac prosperous and happy.