LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 254, 26 October 1899, Page 5

LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, October 11

A public meeting under the auspices ot the Liberal and Labour Federation League of -Xew Zealand was held at the Theatre Royal last night. There was a fairly large, attendance. Mr H. Beauchamp presided. Amongst those who occupied seats on the platform were several members of the Legislature. the chairman read the platform of the party as follows: — Land settlement, continuation and extension of the progressive land policy. Further acquisition of estates for close settlement. To sec that justice is done to the Native race, so that Native lands are settled on terms beneficial to both races. To maintain the principle of the Land Income Tax, and secure equality of sacrifice as between those directly and indirectly taxed. Promotion of legislation that will ensure the carrying on of industries to the advantage of the employers ami employed. To assist in securing the necessary development of gum gold, coal and other mineral resources of the colony. The fostering of dairying, agricultural, and pastoral interests and pursuits. To pass such laws as shall promote the social, moral, and political wellbeing of the people, protect the young, and provide for the necessities of the deserving aged. To place primary, secondary, technical, and University education within reach of all. and stimulate national aspirations and ideals. Electoral Representation by an absolute majority of the electors. Local Government: To urge the Legislature to give greater powers to local authorities, and to provide for them an assured and improved linaee.

Public Works: The continued opening up of the country by the construction of roads, railways, and other reproductive works,

General extension of the functions of the State in such directions as will conduce to the prosperity and contentment of the people of the colony.

Mr Seddon, who on rising was loudly cheered, expressed his appreciation of the attendance that evening, considering the many counter attractions. He made a kindly reference to .Messrs McKcn/.ie, Ward, and Thompson, wlmsc absence during the. session had been greatly felt by the Government. Under Ihe circumstances of the absence of those gentlemen, he might have expected some generosity from the Opposition, but none had been shown, except by Captain Ibissell, whom he applauded for his fair play. He (Mr Seddon) had no intention of leaving New Zealand to its fate. It was his duty to be here, and here he1 would be. There was only one thing that would prevent his lighling the battles of the people, and that was failing health. He loved New Zealand and its people, ami why .should he want to go Home as Agent-General, as had been staled. II would be base ingratitude on bis pari lo leave the colony for his own personal ends, and he. would not do it. The wish was father to the thought by his opponents, who would be glad to get. rid of him, bnl he. was afraid they would be disappointed. All sorts of things were prognosticated regarding the coming (dictions, but he. said. wait, till Hie numbers went up. (Laughter.) He dealt at sonic length -with the methods adopted by the opponents of the Government, and said that in the matter of raising a scandal and using personalities, it was questionable whether their equals could be found in America. Exception might be taken to him (Mr Seddon) being on that platform that night, instead of in his place in the House, but had not Captain Russell been at Patea and Mr Roileston at, Hawera lately. The fact that Captain Russell had to assist Mr Geo. Hutchison should give the Liberals heart. He quoted from the speeches of Mr Roileston and others, who admitted only recently that there had been an improvement in the condition of the colony. This, Mr Seddon claimed, was due. to the progressive policy of the Government, and in the face of this, he asked, why there should be any change in the party holding the reins of Government. There was now in the House a majority of 15. This did not look like a change. On the last no-confid-ence division the Government had a majority of five, and 'lie reminded his hearers that the Stouf-Vogel Government carried on for three years with a majority of two. He would sooner have a working majority of five good men and true than have associated with him men who could not be relied on -when the people's interests were at stake. Mr Seddon dwelt at some length on the land question, insisting tlhni. in close settlement lay the source of 7.CV.- Zealand's prosperity, progress, and increased population. He advocated Hie adjustment of rents io settlers in certain cases, and strongly supported the system of lease in perpetuity as against the catch cry of freehold. He lauded the cheap money policy of the present Government. New Zealand, he said, should have closer connection with Australia, America, and the East, for what, New Zealand was suffering from was its isolated position. A line of fast steamers which could run between Wellington and Sydney in three days -was badly required. Australians were kindly inclined towards New Zealand. He, was not going to be drawn into the question of federation that night. There, could be no harm in staying our hand for a. time, but he would sa.y there should be a fast steamship line between New Zealand and Australia. Referring fo the 'Frisco service, he said the, following cablegram, dated October 7. 1899. had been received by Mr Witheford, of Auckland, from Mr Spreckels, of San Francisco:—"We offer three weeks' sailings' present route, commence not. later than December 31. 1900. Wc will tocept lump sum of £30,000 annually fyom Australian colonies and New Zealand under five years' contract. Three steamers, exclusively American, on account of requirements of postal jaw; otherwise we cannot obtain American subsidy." This was in conjfpotlon with a proposal to run three iiPOQ ton steamers securing a service jiVOry 21 days, and the delivery of jjialls from London in 26 days' seven hours, and from New Zealand to London In 27-J days, With a faster 'Frisoo service, thousands of people w-fpUd eeme to New Zealand, aud the ,;§J9ay. would In every, .way benefit by

it. When proposals were made in the House the other day to improve the service between New Zealand and | Australia, they were blocked, and it ! was for the people to say whether | they should be governed by a • progressive poli:'\- 01 . i,y a go-as-you-please Conservative policy, which was ■ going to damn the country. There should also be regular direct communication with the Cape. Something had already been done in this direction, and following upon certain shipments. which had been arranged, he had to- ' day received a. cable asking him to arrange for a shipment of 500 tons of New Zealand wheat to the. Cape. On the question of Legislative Council reform, Mr Seddon pointed out that : Captain Russell had in one of his speeches in 1890 advocated its reform, j and suggested an elective Chamber, and yet he had only the other day : moved a no-confidence motion in the I Government on the. same question. j The way to reform the Legislative I Council was to reform it out, of existence. There was no necessity for that ' Chamber. An elective Upper House ! would cause a deadlock with the Lower Chamber, both being on the j same footing, lie warned the people against an elective Legislative Council, and pointed to its non-success in j Victoria. He would say. however, that, as at present constituted, our 'Legislative Council was a credit to } the colony, and stood in as high estiI niation as that Chamber had ever done. Referring to the Transvaal trouble, he said New Zealand had demonstrated to the world that it was with the .Mother Country either in adversity or prosperity. If it should so happen that the blood of some of our men should flow in the defence of the Empire, we would know that it was in defence of freedom and to assist those of our people, who were wronged in the Trassvaal. In conclusion, he said if tin: people wanted progressive legislation, they must lie true to themselves, and true jo the party that had succoured them, lie hoped the electors would do their duly as tree men in December next.

Messrs Wilson. Morrison, Fisher :tnd Hogg, M. 11. I.As also spoke.

The following' resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting wishes success lo the Liberal and Labour Federation League of New Zealand in ils coming election, and has full confidence in the present Administration."