PUBLIC ADDRESS AT THE THAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 5

PUBLIC ADDRESS AT THE THAMES.

THAMES, Dec. S

The Premier addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting last evening. Long- before eight o'clock the Acacl- | cray of Music was packed, many being unable to gain admission. Mr W. Scott, Mayor of Thames, presided. The Premier's appearance was the signal for an outburst oil cheering. The Mayor introduced the Premier, who said he Icnew the Thames people, :ilthough he had not seen them before:, because lie had visited the schools, and he could judge the parents; When he last visited the Thames he promised to do his best for mining, ami he had kept that pledge. He could face the audience without blushing as Minister for Public Works and Mines. PROGRESSIVIO LEGI.SLATION. lie was termed one of 'seven devils oE socialism/ They were told that disaster would overtake 1 he country if progressive legislation was indulged in, but facts showed that the capital value of the colony had increased by £11,000,000. Population had also increased 80,000. There was no crime that politicians could be accused of but had been hurled against the Government. Charge after charge was refuted, until the Opposition in their extremity said they had nothing against the Government policy. Of the various measures that the Opposition once objected to, they now said, 'we won't repeal them; we will give them a fair trial.' The Opposition condemned measures before they were tried. The Opposition should apologise for trying to keep back progress. CHEAP MONEY. Did cheap money mean disaster? It did to the fat man who never toiled, but sat quietly taking ten per cent., and while that was paid what cared he how it was earned. When the State lent money at 5 per cent, they said rates of interest would have had to come down any way. lie contended that cheap money *iad promoted building; it diverted money that was let out at interest into industries. Formerly men were pa\'ing interest that meant ruin; now ihey had a chance. SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION. Then there was the so-called socialistic legislation. No country was well governed unless every class was equally assisted. If they promoted settlement on the land it assisted all in the colony; if they improved the position of the toiler, it was better for employers. There was nothing to fear from an educated democracy. Employers had no reason to complain of what had been done to improve the conditions of the toilers. He was not there simply to tickle their ears with a plausible speech. He would give figures and facts that could not be challenged. They should judge the present administration by its works. The Government was in a stronger position now than ever before, because all round might be seen BENEFICIAL RESULTS OF Till-] ■ LEGISLATION INTRODUCED. In the Auckland district since 1891, the increase of land in cultivation totalled 475,370 acres. Horses in the same period increased 21,173; cattle, 73,073; sheep, 3;5i,171. The population from .1891 to IS'JS showed an increase in the Auckland (rovince of L'."iO,OOO. Granfr that the Government would be held responsible for a decrease, they might fairly claim credit for tin increase. The capital value of properties in 1801 was £21,----380,640, and in IS9B reached £24,775,----4 SB, an increase of over £ 3,000,000. If this was the 'disaster' that followed their legislation, it was of a kind they could appreciate. Imports in 1897 showed an increase of £;)4G,5G4, as compared with. 1891, and exports in 1897 showed an increase of £355,904 compared with 3891, when the Government took office, making a combined increase of over .£900,000. In the face of such facts he challenged the Opposition to prove that the country was not benefited by progressive legislation. THE LABOUI! POLICY. The Opposition also said that the labour policy of the Government was detrimental, yet in 1897 and 1898 there were 5,601 factories registered in the colony, employing 39,672 hands, showing an increase over the previous year of 424 factories and 2,754 employees. During five years the number of employees increased by 1 3,8121. That was the result of a policy which the Opposition said would'bring widespread disaster. Did giving employment and improving the rate of wages mean disaster. It was not to the mass of the people, but to the selfish few who wanted the country for themselves. MINERS AS SETTLERS. He often wished they had some means by which miners could settle on land and be independent if the. industry was depressed, as he considered that wherever land was adjacent to the goldfields it should be thrown open, so that the miners might have a little land of their own. Just across the Thames and Piako River the Government had acquired 70,000 acres of land, mostly swamp, which, with the drainage scheme now under consideration, would carry a good population. There were 200,000 acres .in the Hauralri mining district: which the Government had acquired. They could not give the freehold of auriferous land, which would, however, under the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, be open for .settlement, with the provision that mining was not, interfered with. The Government would be only too pleased to put miners on that land. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. They had also acquired 250,000 acres of land from Kihikihi to M'okau, also in the Auckland district, and eight; survey parties were busy cutting up land -for settlement. Altogether, the Government had acquired in the Auckland district over half a million acres of land. PUBLIC WORKS IN AUCKLAND. The next question was, Had the Government done full justice m the

way of expenditure to the Auckland district. It wasrdiflicult for Ministers to please everybody, of course, but still in IS9B the total grants for roads and bridges throughout the colony was £277,543. Of this £70,285 was spent in the construction of 333 miles of road, improving- 205 miles and maintaining 1272 miles iv the Auckland district. Wellington got £63,140. The bulk of the labour was co-operative, 370 men being employed in the Auckland district. Then, look at the massive machinery erected by the ThamesHauraki Company, unequalled south of the Equator. NATIVE LAND PURCHASES. The native lands purchased In the Auckland district since ISO 1 totalled 2,224,G1G acres, of the value of £461,001. Negotiations were proceeding for 1,000,000 acres more, of. which 750,000 acres would be acquired, the balance being retained by non-sellers. AID TO MINING. When the Government was asked to assist the mining industry they gave £ 25,000, and there was something to show for it. He believed it would give new life to the goldfields. When cyanide roya-lties oppressed mining the Government bought the patent. That would really cost (he colony nothing in time, but in the meantime it meant much to struggling companies. Gold exports for eleven months ending November. I.S9S, totalled £050,02:5, an increase of £17,444 over the ret urn in the same period of 1897, whereas the total export.in 1890 was £7~:VIW. in round numbers an increase for ISOS of £200,000. Take the Mining Department, with an expenditure of £82,700, at a cost in salaries of £."i(I.S4. and if the Thames School of Mines, the cost of which was local, were exempted, it was all done'for about .EISOOO :i year. There was a great, future for that; department. They could not, stand still, and, they had at. the head one who was a practical miner, whose heart was in the industry. It was the duty of whatever Government was in power to give information as to the latest inventions lor gold extraction, and the newest, machinery should be promptly introduced. Different ores required separate treatment. It was the duty of the State to have the best, scientific knowledge at command of those engaged in the mining industry. Amongst the measures passed during the present Government's term of oflicc was the promoters and ' Directors 'Liability Act, which provided for dealing with those floating 'wild cats.' Perhaps they knew 'wild eats' at the Thames. A man stuck in four pegs, and went to Auckland to float, that. It did well for a time, but it came home, for at last, the 'wild cat' was run clown. There was always an uncertainty in mining, but the law now said there must, be some bona tides. The necessity for the Companies Act Amendment. Act was shown by n recent, case, where a shareholder was refused access to a company's books. The judge ruled that he had that right, and if people invested money surely that was fair. THE CONTRACTORS' AND WORKMEN'S LIEN ACT secured payment for those who put material or work in a building. Care was also taken that no man's wages up-to £2 per week should be attached. The Government also imposed a royalty of a half-penny per ton upon coal, to go to the miners" sick and accident fund. Last year the Imperial Parliament copied that.Act, but made j it two pence. He. hoped to have it made law that if a man was killed his widow would get, something from the industry. Those employed in .such industries would know that if disaster came there was some provision for their dear ones. ACCIDENT INSURANCE BILL. He hoped the Government Accident ! Insurance Hill would, in fairness to employers, pass at the same time, so that at the lowest possible premium they could insure employees. This, no doubt, would be called Socialistic, but he considered both measures in the interest of humanity. THE MINING ACT. The Mining Act of last session was a consolidating and amending measure. Great credit was duo to the. Goldfields Committee from both sides of the House. The Act was simplified,; defects removed, especially in connection with licenses, amalgamation, protection, forfeiture, and other matters, removing existing anomalies, and .thus j giving additional encouragement. Rents were of minor importance, but they should see to the manning of ground within reasonable limits. Where reasonable sums had been expended the existing law was being extended. TilE MUNICI PAL KRANTIILSE. He was proud of the Municipal Franchise Act as a measure, calculated to benefit the, community. Under it all who lived in a house and paid £10 a year for a room would have votes after the next general election. The man elected mayor could in some.'cases be returned to Parliament.. Owing to insanitary conditions thousands were sent to their graves, and it was time something was clone. Now tenants could return men who would improve such conditions. THE COLONY MUST GO FORWARD. It was at) present too isolated, owing to monopolies. They wanted magnificent steamers like those, going to Australia from other countries. People would not come on to this colony in lesser vessels. The class of boat connecting Auckland with San Francisco should be 4000 or 5000 ton vessels, running seventeen, knots. Then people would come to see the wonder country of the world. We wanted increased population and capital to develop the country. He meant to go on with a progressive policy and bring the colony in closer touch with the Mother Country and with America. THE AUCKLAND EXHIBITION. Mr Seddon referred in glowing terms to the Auckland Exhibition, but said it was not sufficiently advertised. OLD AGE PENSIONS. ' He also spoke at length re old age pensions, and contended they would stimulate thrift and tend to make good colonists, because those, who broke the. law had no pension. He. considered all their past legislation had been in the interests of humanity and fonthc good of God's creatures in the future. Mr Seddon was frequently applauded. THANKS AND CONFIDENCE. Mr Poulgrain moved and Mr Radford seconded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was passed unanimously, and the Premier acknowledged the compliment, briefly. THE PREMIER BANQUETED. Mr Seddon was subsequently banqueted at the Pacific; Hotel by prominent ci t-izeris, and*, left, for JPaeroa.- by, train at ;CJghfc o'clock this, .morning. .