SPEECH AT WARKWORTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 75, 29 March 1894, Page 5

SPEECH AT WARKWORTH.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION,

While at Warkworth the Hod. R. J. Seddon, acceding to a very pressing request from the residents, nave a public address in the Masonic Hall on Monday evening. The hon. gentleman had only completed a rough ride of thirty odd miles from Kaukapakapa a few hours previously, and was under the impression that no speech could possibly be given. However, settlers had poured in from every portion of the district, and rather than disappoint such a large gathering, tho Premier, foregoing the muchneeded repose, gave an admirable address A very short notice, indeed, of the Premier's intended visit had been circulated throughout the locality, yet the attendance was surprising, many settlers having travellod over twenty miles to be present. It was an important; event in the history of Work worth, and the residents were evidently determined to show their appreciation of tho Prime Minister's thoughtful visit. The capacious hall was tightly packed with humanity, many of whom had to be content with standing room. Tho recently-enfranchised sex was largely represented, and the ladies took quite as deep an interest in the proceedings aB the male auditors. The meeting wa3 an immense success, and all present were dolighted with too plain, outspoken utterances of the Premier in .outlining the policy of the Goverment, the manifesto lions of approval and concurrence being' very frequent and prolonged. Unanimity reigned supreme, and as the hon. speaker said, they met as friends, and certainly parted on a much better understanding. Mr Jamos Harrison, representing the riding on tho Rodney County Council, was voted to the chair, and in opening the proceedings said a word of explanation was necessary before calling upon the Premier. He had received a notification intimating that Mr Seddon would arrive on Monday and bo willing to receive deputation. It was then suggested that Mr Soddon should be asked to give a speech, and he (the Chairman) was exceedingly pleased to be presiding there that evening. He would now introduce the hon. visitor. PREFATORY REMARKS. The Hon. R. ,T. Seddon, who was received with loud and continued cheering, expressed great pieaaura at meeting the residents of Warkworth. lie couid assure them that whfln changing tho route from fJeiensvilU) bo Auckland he had no idea he would be there addressing them. It was a groat pleasure at ail times to moot his fellow colonists. (Applause.) When he changed the route he had simply intended to givo tho heads of local bodies an opportunity to confer with him on matters concerning the district. Oa receiving a telegram asking him to give an address he had replied in the affirmative, adding a proviso, if timo permitted. He had no idea that with so short a notice such an audience could be gathered together at Warkworth. AN' OFT-EXrKKSSED WISH. During his peregrin?tioos the settlers seemed to be u.^nhnous in respect to one wish. They had all earnestly hoped that rain, hail, thunder and lightning would prevail while he was ,on the roads. (Laughter.) Their wishos had not been gratified, however, but he could appreciate the difficulties of the settlers withqut actually experiencing their hardships. (Applause.) There was no need for an apology for appearing that evening, as it was his duty as head of the Government to explain the policy of that Government on every possible occasion. He would not have been worthy of the position he held if he had refuser! to accede to the request. (Applause.) He would thorefore touch briefly on the most important matters which he believed affected their interests and the welfare of the country. There were some people whom no one could please, and any Government trying to please everybody would soon come to grief. What his Government tried to do was to pleaßO the great majority and deal fairly with the minority. If people would only be charitable they would realise the fact that others were entitled to their own opinion, and give them credit for the best motives, although they might differ. They would know that night the policy he was at present giving eMect to and that it was IN THE INTERESTS OF THE GREAT MASSES of the people of New Zealand. Ho.would prove conclusively that the government of former years wa,fl mis government, that the wrongs and ovils of the old worid had been fast approaching-r-indeed, had approached, and th&fi the distinctions of class, which w&s the cureo of the older world, had been making their presence felt in this young country. (Hear, hear; and j loud applause.) Ac the change in IS9O tne country had been in a deplorablo state, the result of tho regime of the old Continuous party. In ISB7 the excess of departures ovor arrivals had been no less than 14,000; this amount of the population had j been driven away. When the change had i corao the tide had not been long in turning. While the flower of the land had been leaving in large numbers those in power had said, "Let them go. They will coma back bye and byo and bring others with them." Waa that tone the stand for a Prime Minister to aa6umo? (No, no.) Were the heart-breakiuiis and the partings between husband* and wives, mothers and i sons, sisters and brothers to bo calmly and cynically looked on. It wa3 callous and brutal in the extreme. At sucha crisis statesmanship should come to tho front, and do its utmost to remedy such a de-; plorable state t of affairs. (Applause.) BE REMEDY ADVOCATED. At that period, the Opposition of which ho had been a humble member, had insisted that some change in tho incidence of taxation, that would give relief to th» toiling settlers, was absolutely necessary. (Applause.) The Opposition had come into power, and the change had taken place. What had beon the results ? The influx or j population had vastly outstripped; the j outflow, the land had improved in valuo, j i and tho people of New Zealand wero in , favour of'the present Government and In ! ftivour of r.fio Liberal policy. (Loud-ap-plause.) Following the change in the incidence of taxation, tho Property Tax had been replaced by the Land and Income Tax. Tho Properly Tax had been a tax on thrift and the more a settler improved his land tho heavier had been his burden a. Writers in the Opposition press, and the opponents of the Government had predicted that disaster and ruin would aoor. overtake tho colony, but tho result had been very different. The Government had . liberated 4,400 of tho yeomon oi the, : country—the small settlers—from taxation altogether. (Applause.) They had relieved tho stnaU, struggling settlers, and placed the taxation on the shouluors, of those best able to bear it. (Hear hear ) They were able to pay it, and had'paid it" cheerfully, and had actually twitted the Government, saying, that us idea of bursting up the large estates had not come to pass in a single instance. 1 his statement coming from the lips of tho leading ODpositionists showed that they had been well able in the past to pay and to relieve the settlers struggling for subsistence. The Government had also been cold that this system of taxation would drive away capital and lower tho credit of the colony. In reply he would say the credit of New Zealand NEVER STOOD HIGHER than it did that day in the London market. (Applause.) Only on Saturday, Mr Seddon remarked, he had received a cablegram i from the Agent-General stating that the j credit of New Zealand had been put to the

tost with very satisfactory results, Their 3J debentures had brought 98£, or 2 ; per cent, higher than any of the other colohiea now upon the London market. (Applause.) New Zealand occupied a higher position in the financial world than any other British colony, and if the Government desired to borrow on the English market they could get three times the amount required. But they were not going to borrow. (Loud applause.) It was the very fact that the Government was proceeding on a self-re-: liant policy, depending on the people of tho country, that made the money so easy of access- Then again ib had been prognosticated that the country would gallop to a deficit. Well, all he could say was that year after year had shown a sub--stantial surplus, and he believed that this year—he was now telling thorn a secret — the surplus.would not be lees than ifc was last year. (Applause.) DISTORTIONS AND FABRICATIONS. And what had been epread about regarding himself and those associated with him? Quite recently he had been called a land nationaliser, and tho people had been t<3ld that he was going in for land nationalisation. Ha had been branded as a communist;, Anarchist, in fact spmopf the terms were scarcely fit to be repeated 'to polite ears. He bad even read of himself as being the head and front of the seven devils of Socialism. \ Laughter.) Well, hard words broke no bones, and he had not yet been reduced to a skeleton. (Laughter and applause.) Those in the right could treat with contempt • the abuse heaped upon them by designing people. (Applause.) He had survived, and he was perfectly satisfied that there waa no odour of sulphur about his person, and he could .further assure them that he had no connection with his Satanic majesty. (Laughter and cheers.) He hoped to so live in this life that there would be no acquaintance in the next. (Applause.) They had survived because tho men and women of the.land had said they were going in the righb direction, honestly administering the affairs of the country so that all might live in happiness and contentment. (Hear, hear ; and applause) Was it socialism to say that the public estate wrfa open to every poor man in the country? (No.) He reiterated that every man had "a right to take up a piece of land in the colony. Tho land of New Zealand wa« never intended for a select few, and he had r-aid thy b every man should havo an opportunity of taking up the land, and on a tenure that tho poorest 9hould havo a chance. (Applause,) What hud been said of bia Government that they were goin^ to destroy the freebold tonure ; in facts to abolish it altogether. A GREATER OR GSGSSKR SLANDER had never been uttered, and ho was astonished at the crfecb it had on people who should havo known batter. They could only judge a work as thoy couid judge a person. There was the Land Act with •■hree' systems for settling :—U)' Freehold, (2) occupation, license with right to mako a freehold after 14 years, only charging 5 per cent, on the capital value of the land ; and (3) lease in perpetuity for 099 years, only, charging 4 per cent. Anybody could avail himself of either of those three privileges. That was a. comploto reply to the assertions that the Government was striking a blow at the freehold tonure. Tho Government had recognised that in the lease in perpe: tufty the improvements on the land belonged to tho person making them, nnd he could sell his itnprovmortfcs as though the property were freehold. (Applause.) j LAND SETTLEMENT RILL. It had gone through the country, and the slander was doing its work, said Mr Seddon, that by this Bill of last session no man's land was safo, that the Government had the> power, if they willed it, to ta'&e~'°the land, farmstead and * improvotflent?, and hand them over to some one else. They could deprive a man of the home it had taken him a lifetime to acquire. These statements were made to create distrust in the minds of the people regarding the Government. The persons making them had carefully kept back the real facts. They were circulated by large landowners and banking estate companies, who knew that by this Bill great estates would be a thing of the past. The Bill wa9 to enable the Government to take land at fair valuation when it was wanted for settlement so that the young men—the flower of the country— should not be driven to foreign parts to seek homes while the land of New Zealand remained in a state of nature. (Loud applause.) In the South Island large tracts of land were still covered with tus3ock and scrub, supporting a few miserable shepherds and their children, while hundreds wero seeking for land and could obtain none. Theaa great areas had, by the construction of railways throueh them—by the expenditure of tho ratepayer's money—been mostly enhanced in value. It had been increased in vulue from £1 to £10 per acre, and the owners, dog-in-tho-manger like,^ rcfu?ed to cultivate the land or allow anybody else to make a living on it. The opponents of the Government had carefully iiept back the fact that 1,000 acrea would bo retained to the owner, and that all improvements, the studding and farmsteads, could not bo touched. (Applause,) The price was fixed by an assessor appointed by the Government, and an assessor appointed by the owner, with the judge of the Supreme Court na umpire.

WHAT COCLD BE FAIRER ? (Applause.) How could thia Bill affect tiio sraall settlers with a few hundred acrc3 ? That was the class of sattlera the GovernU'lout was by every means possible endeavouring to fester. (Loud applause.) Yet this Bill waa being turned against them (the Government) and vilely e'ancered. He would like to send them a few copies of the Bill rejected by tho Legislative Council, and its perusal would convince them that ib waa in the interests o? the people. (Adlause.) His Government wero no time servers, and the moment, ho found hie policy was attaint '-ho interest* of the people he was prep^rsd to take a back seat and allow somebody else to take his placo. (Applause.) He waa not prepared, however, to allow the people to Oe deludel! and wrong themselves. It was hia duty to clear up these matters. These skndera did not go aboub openly, but the poison was poured secretly into the ears of farmers, and oftentimes farmers' wives. FJence under the Land for Settlement Bill no farmer, no owner, ...

COULD BE INTERFERED WITH j if he had loss thau I,ooo.acres of first-class land. Ev6n for that matter it would have no effect in a small settled d is-j trice where the farm consisted of 2,000 j or 3,000 acres, (Applause.) Ib wa3 intended for such districts as Napier, Otago, , and Canterbury, where largo estates re-1 mained in a state of nature and prevented settlement. By this Biil he believed the Government was going in the interests of j true settlement* and striking a blow at, what was a eerious problem in thia country j and the curee of the older world.. (Hear, J hear; applause.) Many of tho independent! spirits who had helped to make New Zealand what it waa were men who had been driven from the land of their birth on this account. (Hear, hear.) The root of all these evils was the large landed proprietorships and the over - crowded state of the cities, and the people of the colony should be the last to object to the policy of the Government in this reepect. (Loud applause). The Government would brine forward the Bill next session ias the people had endorsed this policy by returning the Government in such overwhelming force. The Biil would probably become law, and they could rest.assured that it absolutely precluded confiscation. (Loud applause.) LOCAL RATING. With regard to local rating, Mr Seddon

believed the only method of dealing with absentees and owners of sections who would nob improve would be to asses 3 for local rating purposes on the unimproved value. (Hear, hear.) What -was a safe i system for general taxation was also a safe method for local purposes, and it would work out satisfactorily with the local bodies, because they would get the same revenue, while those who improved would nob be taxed for their thriftiness. Ib would also make the neiehbour who did nothing with his land contribute to the value which has been enhanced by the improvements of others. He thought that next session a, Bill would be introduced in this direction. (Applause.) NATIVE LANDS AND RATES. His tour, Mr Seddon remarked, was more particularly directed to the native difficulty. For years large areas of country had been held by. the Maoris, unimproved, and in many instances with the title nob ascertained. He desired to take the natives into the confidence of the Government, and tell them that the time had now arrived when they could no longer be allowed to remain in a negative position. (Applause). There were millions of acroa of the best land in the colony owned by the natives, and still in a state of nature. Many of the latter were living in a state of absolute poverty, although rich in land. They do nothing with the land, neither would they allow Europeans to work on it. The Government wore determined that.the time had now arrived to deal fairiy though firmly with the native race, thab all surplus land should be thrown open for settlement and people placed thereon. (Applause.) The question was surrounded by grave difficulties. The Government should nob forget that the Maoris belonged to a noble race. (Hear, hear.) The Maoris, when they were stronger than the Europeans, had been friendly, and ifc would net be right bo deal hardly with them 'now. Tho honourable gentleman then explained tho provisions of the Native Land Purchase and Acquieitidh Act, which created a very favourable impression on the audience. This measure would keep natives from ever becoming burdens on the Charitable Aid Boards of the colony. The land would be obtained under tha land laws of' the colony, and it would ba open to Europeans on the same terms and conditions us those giving a titlo. ■On selling the land v title would be given under the Land Transfer Act. He thought thab by this means the native difficulty would be sotfclod once and for all. They would do nothing to embitter the native race against the Government or Europeans ; bub they would deal with them in a way that was really in their own interests and the \ interests of the colony, und which the world would say was a kind and humane ■method to deal with a noble race. (Applause. ) •'".■ LOCAL MATTERS. The Premier said the Government desired bo " improve the condition of the poorer colonistH and ho had briefly shown what would, elovato their status. Tho Government did not intend to drug down everybody to the level of tboso who were now having a hard struggle to make a living. They would elevato bub not drag down. (Hear, hear, and applause.) He now came to the- quest ion of roads and bridges north of Auckland. Ho had now a general knowledge of tho nqrth of Auckland aud its roads, or what ab one time had been roads, or ab some future time might be roads. (Laughter and applause.) He had found many settlers suruggling with, adversity, and ib spoke volumes' lor the ondnrance and self-reliance of the settlers north of Auckland thab they should have lived and prospored as they had. A general wish had been expressed that he should pay a visit in the winter.- (Hear, hear* and laughter.) The local bodies were doing, the best they could, but they had not sufficient means tv do what was required in the country. It meant that the Government would have to deal with the question, nofc by patchwork, bub by a complete system. They would have fco place the local bodies in a position to do whab was required in the maintenance of roads or else relieve them of some portion of the functions they were now performing. (Loud applause.) He might tell diem that in his opinion there was TOO MUCH GOVERNING in the country (hear, hear) and the costs o* administering were too oxcesdvo and unnecessary. The Government were bound to deal with the question, but lie waa nob in a position to say if tho subject would be brought up nexb Bession. Alter travelling as ho had done through the nortli of Auckland, seeing the class of settlers bheland thabshould be thrown open for settlement, and the climate and its suitability, he could assure them thab his visit would not be against thoir interests. (Hear, hear and applause.) There was a serious difficulty in the way. Take tho fruitgrowing industry, which to be successful would have to be dealt with scientifically. He thought a, number of men should band together and form a fruib colony as was done with very satisfactory results in America, providing apparatus for fruit drying and preserving. In the past there had been no assistance by the Government as in the dairying industry. He was of opinion thab the Governmontshouid appoint an inspector who would give information on tho subject of treo selsctions, and other points of interest to fruit growers. (Applauss). By fostering this class of eeitlers the Government would promote permanent settlement In regard to the railway freights they wero such as to leave no margin for the producer, lc had been clearly demonstrated to him that id cost more to take a caae of fruib from He'ensville to Auckland than it does to briug a case from i SyJtujy to Auckland. Tlieso wero only ' nari'i matters of detail, and would be con--1 sidared by some to be beneath the dignity lof a Prime Minister. Ifi was only by payi ing attention to detail* that they would ! find r,he goneral prosperity of tho colony. i (Appiause)< QUESTION OP PARTY. |Mr Staid on was of opinion that there j (should be two putties—Government and | Oppoacion. He was the head of the GoI vernment supported by tha largest majority ' that ever followed a Government in Now j Zealand. (Applause.) They would get | that support so long as they did that which waa in tho interests of the people und the country. He waa prepared fco submit to j public opinion, if a great majority of the i people expressed at the ballot-box for Government or Opposition ha would be satisfied. (Applause.) But he thought it unI fair that the Government should be i traduced in so despicable aMnancer as bad j occurred north of Auckland. He was i prepared to meet them openly and be J judged fairiy by his works. He had spoken freely and openly as Prime Minister of bhe colony. (Applause) If they believed the Government was carrying on a good fight, j let them assist it to leave the country in a ' better position than it was thab day. And 'let them be able to say, "As I left tho I country, 1 left it better than I found it." Mr Seddon resumed hia eeab amidst, prolongsd and enthusiastic cheering and applause. THANKS. The Chairman said he was highly satisfied by the able and lucid address. There was one pleasing duty to perform, and thab was to pass a vote of thanks to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. ■ M r A. Campbell ssid he had great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks for thff very excellent address delivered by the Premier. ■hi:: astonished him to see such a forge attendance at a meeting jrrangad on the spurof a moment. He could assure Mr Seddon that if a few hours more notice had been given, no building in Warkworth could have accommodated tho audience. That

was first time a Prime Minister had visited the district, and he was only oxpressing the sentiment?? of all when he said the courteous, thoughtful act was very much appreciated. They were also indebted for the opportunity given to the local bodies to state their wants. Mr T. C. Sainsbury seconded the motion, which was carried with unanimous acclamation, three ringing cheere being gnren for tho Han. J. 11. Seddon. It was a scene of : creat enthusiasm. CONCLUDING WORDS. The Premier in returning thanks referred specially to the ladies, whom, he said, lenb a brightness to the proceedings. The ladies would brighten and onnoble the country and its politics, and he stood at the head of the Government that gave the franchise to them and, hud been returned by a great majority by their aid. The women of the world were grateful to the women of !N ew Zealand for the manner' in which they had acted. Mr Seddon regretted that time precluded his entering moro fully on other subjects, an:i lie . spoke briefly on the Joan conversions. The Loan Conversion Act, enabling them to moke this large annual saving in the interest, had been passed by Sir Harry Atkinson, to whom he gave every credit for this excellent measure. (Hear, hear.) The latter Premier had availed himself ot the Act without any opposition being raised, but bho moment the present Government pub it into force, their opponents at once started a cry of " increased indebtedness." The Government was neither going to borrow or increase taxation. (Loud applause.) He had no hesitancy in speakinjr. and it had been a pleasure to have met the people of VVarkworth. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by tho Premier, did not as is usual terminate the meeting, as nearly all crowded up to shako hands with Mr Seddon. Loud 'cheers were given for the 'Premier and tho Government, and it waa some time before Warkworth subsided into its customary state of quiet and repose. •' ~-.:.