THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 144, 20 June 1899, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Monday.

The Premier addressed a crowded meeting- at the Opera House to-night, under the auspices of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand. On the platform were the Hons. Walker, Thompson, and Hall-Jones. The Mayor presided, and introduced the Premier, remarking that he was suffering- from a severe cold. The Premier, on rising to speak, was received with cheers. Prefacing his speech with some humorous remarks, he proceeded amidst frequent interruptions to accuse the Opposition of swallowing every leek offered by the Liberals of the colony. He stigmatised the policy of Captain Eussell as a "sweet-by-and-by policy." He ridiculed the claim of the Opposition to having initiated the labour and land legislation bow in operation, and traced their inception to Sir George Grey, Mr Macandrew and Mr Ballance. Contrasting the present social conditions of the colony with those under the administration of his predecessors in office, he accused the latter of offering the unemployed shelter sheds and 2s 6d to 3s 6d a day wages. He challenged the Opposition leader to test the issue on the land and income versus property tax, and denounced as an insult to the men of the colony the epithet 'waifs and strays' applied to the unemployed by Captain Russell. He defended the Marine Department regarding the scandal, accusing the Opposition of deliberate misrepresentation. Could anyone say his colleague had been guilty of connivance at fraud? (Cries of "Yes" and No. ) Captain Allman admitted that he had in a weak moment accepted the fraudulent examination papers of Jones. One fact which had not appeared m the press was that Allman refused a bribe When he refused that he was told "Well, we will tell Pirani what you'have done. He has got his knife into the Government, and he will bring it before Parliament. He dm not approve of referring the charges against the Marine Department to a Parliamentary Committee, having had experience of cases where the iacts were made to support the finding, and therefore he preferred to submit the matter to a tribunal independent Of Parliament. Quoting flares as to the increase of population and trade and the erection of public buildings in Wellington, he asked who could deny this was due to the present Liberal and progressive Government? Enumerating various measures passed by the present Government, he claim ed it had set an example for other countries to follow. Proceeding to indicate the future policy of the pertv, Acquisition of Land for Workmen's' Village Local Government R 1 rdeilmf with boroughs and counties), Ssn™°<m Unimproved Value (<ra«Son"to be decided by bare majority), Slaughtering and Inspectorirf^J Master and Apprentices, Eight, Hours Bill Factories Act Amendment, Pubic Contact. Act (to apply to Government and all local bodies winch shall fix a minimum wage, and maximum numbers of hours of work)-(cheers) —reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life, where possible, without disturbing the finances of the country, fixing legal rate of interest at 8 or 10 per cent.., registration of votes, and vouno- persons' protection. Referring to the New South Wales Civil Service Board he declared it was responsible to no'one, and simply exercised patronage in another form. He challenged the press or platform speakers to state that the Liberal legislation had reacted injuriously on th e industries of the colony, and quoted figures showing an expansion in pastoral, agricultural, and maimfacturin«- industries under the present Administration, together with increased wa^es and Savings Bank deposits, and improved hours. He stated there was internal dissension in the party, and combination was necessary. He declared the only policy of the Opposition was to get on the Treasury Benches, but when such men as Mr John McKenzie and himself gm on those benches they took some shifting. He concluded amid cheers. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, with a few dissentients, amidst cheers.

The Premier, in returning1 thanks, said it had been stated that he was to be drawn to-nig-ht, but he was too old in politics for that. The Premier spoke upwards of three hours, amidst some noisy interruptions and goodhumoured 'badinage, the principal offender being ultimately removed by the police.