SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 277, 22 November 1899, Page 2

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

RECORD MEETING AT TAURANGA

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

TAURANGA, this day.

1 The Premier addressed a record meeting here last evening, the Theatre Royal being crowded, and many being unable to obtain, admission". The Mayor (Mr G. A. Ward) presided. The Premier said that he had been invited for the last Jive years to visit Tauranga by all classes, by members Of the Opposition, and by their member. He could ussure them that wherever ho spoke he helped the Opposition. That, would account for his being there that evening. (Laughter.) It was from Parliament that reforms ■must come. The Avell-being of the people of to-day and of future generations in a great measure depended upon those returned .to Parliament. There were some gentlemen who thought lightly of tho position, and to go to Parliament was to them a pleasure trip. OPPOSITION MISREPRESENTATION. At the present time it here were eighty' Oppositionist candidates and sixty Opposition papers abusing him (the Premier), and misrepresenting every action of the Government. They had to admit the wisdom of the Liberal Government's policy, and could not dare to repeal their measures. Although accused of wrong- doing, and although on their trial, Ministers were denied the right of the Opposition press of addressing- the people from the public platform. British fair play admitted that those charged with any offence should have an opportunity of replying. Their accusers knew that there was no truth whatever in the charges that had been levelled, and that was the real reason why they were afraid of the exposure which followed when the facts were put before the people. SUNDRY CHARGES The Premier defended the Government in connection with the Marine. Wrigg and police charges. As regards the Marine Commission, the latest phase of the question was the outspoken remarks of 'the Wellington magistrate. Mr Haselden. Giving judgment in the case Jones against Yon Schoen, the Magistrate said that Ca-ptain Yon Schoen had concocted a fraud, and that Captain Jones had participated therein; that, owing to the certificate being cancelled, then Captain Jones demanded his money back. The Magistrate had looked up the report of the Commissioners, and the Government had met and disproved the charges. THE HON. J. G. WARD. The Premier defended Mr Ward,who, he said, had been a victim of one of the most outrageous attacks privately for the purpose Of injuring the Liberal party politicall. To-day it was admitted that Mr Ward had been wrong-ly judged, and his actions had proved him to be an honourable and upright man, and Mr Ward would be reinstated in the Ministry. MR HERRIES AND THE ALIENS' BILL. Mr Seddon then referred to the determined opposition shown to the Asiatics Restriction Bill, and the maintenance of the pui'ity of the race. His audience was greatly surprised when he quoted from Hansard an amendment moved by Mr Herries to the effect that the Act should not ap-. ply to any tourist visiting New Zeaand who was not suffering from tuberculous or leprosy, and that amendment had been passed. The

Premier said that people suffering from even small pox would be allowed to come .to the colony. He also quoted from Hansard to show Captain Bussell had sorry; time ago advocated Chinese coming to the colony, and had made the assertion that people who could live on rice, would be the dominant race as against those who ate meat, aud that some Chinese were necessary in large centres to perform menial occupations. LAND SETTLEMENT. He referred to the Land for Settlements Act, and showed that the present Government had bought 35,000 acres in the Auckland provincial district, that they had spent £102,000 on land purchase -under those acts, and that the rental received now gave equal to five per cent, on the purchase money. He defended the action of the Assets Realisation Board, and showed that the Board had realised on real estate, to the value of half n million, and were unloading as fast as was possible without making too great a sacrifice. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. As regards the dairying industry there had. since 180.1 been an increase in the value of butter exported of £ 200,000. MINING. . i Referring to the mining industry he quoted from returns to show that when the Conservative party were in power they spent only £1300 in three years for the development of this industry. On the other hand the present Government had during the lastthree years spent ,£60,000 under that heading. HAILWAY CONCESSIONS. The Liberal Government had granted railway concessions to the extent of a quarter of a million sterling. Last year alone the amount was £50,000. Notwithstanding these large concessions our railway revenue was still increasing, and there was an increase of £80,000 for the past seven months over that of the corresponding period of last year. Still further reductions were required in freights. FREIGHTS AND PRODUCE. The question of freights oii produce sent to the Mother Country was also of groat moment to the producers of the colony. At the present time, he said, there were orders for thousands of tons of produce for South Africa, and .yet there were no steamers to take, it there. Tho exports sent from the colony to the Cape had cabled several times pointing out the Opportunities that were offering. If ho (the Premier) had not been blocked in fixing up a direct trade by steamer it would have been worth thousands to the farmers of New Zealand. GOOD TIMES. He showed that capital had not left the colony, and that notwithstanding the predictions 'to the contrary the credit, of the colony stood higher today than ever before. A AVY-RNING. He warned the people agaiUAt the Opposition pro^ramime. in respect to taxation, Captain Russell I having stated that there should be no exemptions. IN CONCLUSION. Mr Seddon concluded his address by defending the Old Age Pensions Act, and referring .to the wending, of ..the New Zealand contingent to flic Transvaal. At the close Of the address he was given quite an Ovation. Cheers wore given for him. A vote of thanks and confidence was met by an amendment of thanks only. A few hands only were held up for the amendment, and there was a forest of hands for the motion of thanks and confidence, which was carried amidst cheers. During his visit here Air Seddon was presented by recipients of old age pensions with an address expressing their deep gratitude to the Liberal Government, for passing the Old Age Pensions Act.

OPOTIKI, Tuesday

The Premier was to have attended a banquet and addressed a meeting here yesterday, but owing to bad weather could not land from the Tutanekai. He speaks aft Whakatane on Thursday, and if he can land Will address a meeting at Opotiki on Friday. A heavy storm prevails all along the coast.