THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 135, 10 June 1896, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON.

THE TREASURER'S POSITION

(By TELEGBAPH.— PRESS ASSOCUTIOX.}

Wellikgton, this day. Thk Hon. R. J- Seddon addressed a crowded meeting ab the Skating Rink last night, the building being packed to the doors. The Mayor occupied the chair. Amongst those on the platform were the Hons. McKenzie, Hall-Jones, and Walker.

The Premier's address was on similar lines to bis recant utterances ab Hastings, Invercargill, and Cbristchurcb, He denied tbe statements of the Leader of fihe Opposition that Ministers were afraid to meet the electors in tbe large centres. The National Association, which they had heard so much about, consisted of a select few who desired to injure the many. Party lines were now well defined, and ib was simply a question whether the people of the country should rule or whether this select few should do so. He replied at vory great length to tho recent speeches of Captain Russell, and said the Leader of the Opposition had practically adopted the policy of" the Government. The voice of the people was evidently making itself felb. As to the future policy of the Government he declared they would stand firm by the lines they had already laid down. He quoted extensively from statistics to show how Wellington had progressed since the present Government took office. Wellington was destined to be the first place in New Zealand, bub it had been kept back by the same curse thab had retarded the progress of Canterbury, and was now keeping back Bawke'a Bay. Land monopoly was that curse. He quoted figures in support of this contention, and be warned the country that unless the question was now settled it would soon become so great a power that thoy could nob cope with ib, and tho country would be in a worse position than when the Liberal policy was started in 1891 by the late Mr Ballance. Captain Russell's change of front in this matter was nob sincere. Ib was simply intended to carry the Opposition over the next general election, and if his party got into power, they would sweep away tbe land legislation of the present Government. Answering the charges that the credit of the colony had suffered under the present administration, he declared New Zealand's credit never stood higher in the London market than it did to-day, thanks to the Liberal Government.

Aftor referring to the alleged seizure ot tho sinking funds MrSeddon said he would like to refer to anothor matter, but he feit fettered becauso tbe matter was yet before a Court of law, and it would be most improper for. him to say anythinp about: it. Ho only wished 6ome of those journals which pot themselves in the front rank in the colony had acted in this matter as he intended doing. Ib was a question of British fair play, and it was mo.t unjust to attempt to prejudice one eide or tho other. One or two points in connection with the matter, however, he could refer to, as they did not affect the case before the law courts. In the first place people had read thab the directors of the Bank ot New Zealand wore parties to a corrupt transaction in regard to the Bank agreement. In the light of recent events those who had made such charges should withdraw them, and apologise, for it had been proved that tho directors attacked bad in no shape or form, done what had been charged against tbem. Then, with regard to anothor transaction and phase of the matter, the country had not yet been told that at the time that transaction was entered upon Mr Ward was on tbe ocean on his return to New Zealand, and conld □ot possibly have been a party to the transaction. Comparison of dates would prove that Mr Ward was free from blame in the matter. A most deliberate, dastardly, and unmanly attempt had been made to ruin the man privately, and be declared it was the first time such a thing had happened in the history of the colony. He hoped tbe colony would keep clear of those tactics. They could surely be political opponents, but still bo personal friends. Tho way in which his colleague had been treated would stand for all time to the discredit of his detractors. Some years ago a similar attempt-, was made in the House in connection with the private affairs of members, and the press rose unanimously against the attempt. How ditierent was tbe treatment accorded his colleague ab the present time- He (Mr Seddon) was in a position to say that iv respect to the banking legislation Mr Ward's financial position positively never entered into the position at all. He could also say thab in the session of 1894 the Bank o£ New Zealand offered to take over Mr Ward's business and account), bub Mr Ward refused the offer. When tho amalgamation of the Colonial and New Zealand banks was proposed Mr Ward was a member of the Ministry that stopped that amalgamation, ln his keen business competition, tho Southland Company and Nelson Brothers admitted they had lost £40,000 in trying to gain the trade of Southland, and losses occurred to both sides. It was mosb unfortunate that this incident should have occurred, but let them nob be unfair. Their sympathies should really go with those who bad been absolutely mined in this matter.

Mr Seddon went on to defend his acceptance of a seat on the Board of the so-called German Mining Syndicate, and added that, in reality, the syndicate was an English Company. Referring to tho new tariff, he stated that the increase in revenue for the last financial year, aa compared with the previous year, amounted to £79,000. Under tbe head of Customs, of that term, £40,000 was upon items thab had scarcely ever been touched under the old tariff. Remissions on tea duty represented the sum of £26,000, and upon barbed wire of £9,000. However, ib would nob be until next year thab the real effect of the new tariff would be seen. Referring to tbe necessity for the passing of a Chinese Restriction Acb he said he had received a report from the police which disclosed a mosb undesirable state of affairs in the Chinese quarters in Wellington, and ib behoved the people to watch what was going on around them and take restrictive measures. He bad been informed a good deal of sweating existed in Wellington, and nexb session the Governmenb intended to deal with the practice of taking home work, which led to sweating. The Government intended to bring in a Bill next session providing for a scheme of old age pensions. At the close of Mr Seddon _ speech, which occupied nearly three hours, Mr W. R. Haselden, solicitor, moved, *' Thab this meeting hereby thanks the Hon. the Premier for bis eplendid address, and records its continued confidence in his Administration." This wbb seconded by Mrs Taeker, and the Chairman declared the motion to be carried, almost unanimously. The meeting broke up with cheers tor Mr Seddon.