POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8650, 27 November 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

THE PREMIER IN CHRISTCHURCH,

LARGE PUBLIC MEETING.

One of the largest public meetings ever held in Christchurch took place in Tattersail's on Saturday evening, when the Premier addressed the citizens of Christchurch. The spacious building was crammed from end to end, and there must have been at least 5000 persons present, including a large number of ladies. A platform had been erected near the rostrum, and this was decorated with flowers. The chair was.occupied by Mr J. Lee Scott, and on the platform, besides several ladies, were the Hon. W. P. Reeves, the Mayor of Sydenham, Messrs Taylor, Hoban, Sandford, Joyce, Collins, Russell, J. T. Matson, &c. It took some little time and some trouble to get all the people In. The Premier, who was escorted from his hotel by a brass band, was loudly and continuously cheered on coming on to che platform, and this welcome was mixed with expressions of not quite so friendly a character. Several very handsome bouquets were presented on the Premier reaching the platform. . . The Chairman, who was almost totally inaudible, was understood to tender thanks to the owners of Tattersall's for the use of the building and to introduce the Premier.

"The Hon. R. J. Seddon, who was received with loud and prolonged cheering, mingled with groans,- said that a few nights ago he had spoken at Lyttelton. (Groans.) He was well received there— (groans and cheers)—and it was asked why did he not speak in Christchurch. Well, he was there. (Groans and cheers.) At Lyttelton it was simply a preliminary skirmish ; that night it was a battle indeed. (Cheers,) The reception gave him courage to fight their battle. (Cheers.) In 1879 when SIR GEORGE GREY Got a reception in Christchurch—(cheers) —he was fighting the battle of Christchurch. (Interruption.) Sir George Grey was fighting the battle of the land for the people. (Cheers.) He won one of the Christchurch seats, but by trickery they deposed him. (Interruption.) They knew what had occurred since then. Had the policy Sir George Grey enunciated been carried into effect Christchurch and Canterbury would have been the most prosperous and thickly populated part of New Zealand. (Applause.) Their sons and their daughters would not have been driven from them to seek homes in the North Island and elsewhere. They had now another great battle before them, and men and women required to be true to themselves and their country, and true Liberalism must win the day. (Hear, hear.) They bad their very gates surrounded by A SELFISH FEW", desirous of doing wrong to the many. (Cheers and groans.) He said theenemy was at the gates (" No, no," and "Yes, yes") and inside the walls they had treason. They had with them those who came prepared to open the portals and let the enemy

tome Into tho country. The eoemy must be kept out, and those who had fought with him (the speaker) were prepared again to do battle for the people, believing that what they did was right for the country. It was the duty of the leader of the party to go among them and fight for them, and it had been loft to Christchurch to do him the greatest honour. (Applause.) He said that might was against right, that wealth was at work, and he would prove it. Let them go back to 1837. What did the Press of the colony—of Christchurch—do? It led them into DESOLATION AND I>OVERTY. (Hooting, groans, and cheers.) At the end of the three years their population was driven away, and who had stood nobly by the people of that provincial district? (A Voice—"Not you.") Thts Lyttelton Tvmes. (Cheers and groans.) They should feel proud to have such a paper in their midst. (Cheers'.) It had ever remained true to the people. ("No, no," and cheers.) Ha said that the policy of the then Opposition in 1890, which was so nobly supported by the Lyttelton Times, had almost proved they wore correct. No borrowing, no squander! tiff, readjustment of taxation, and that people must be put upon the laud. (Cheers.) There was the fact, and they could not get behind it. They had purchased 500,000 acres from the Natives; there was the purchase of the Cheviot estate—(cheers)—and the Govern- [ ment were prepared to buy out Moore, of Glenmark. They had put 6492 PEOPLE ON THE LAND Since they had been in office. (Interruption.) When the independence of the State of Pennsylvania was declared the people said, ''The earth belongs to the Lord, and what belong to tho Lord belongs to his saints. We are his saints, and therefore we are going to take the land." The Government had by their reform legislation endeavoured to put people upoivthe land 1 * of the colony, and through the Lands for Settlement Bill of last session they were determined the people should have an opportunity to obtain laDd. The only true solution of the difficulty of flndiug employment for the people was to place them on the land. That was what the Government were doing, and they wanted the people to assist them. (Interruption took place for several minutes, and the Premier had to appeal for order for the sake of the ladies present.) In 1879 there was a great struggle to see who would be in power when the leases in Canterbury fell due. The Conservative party came into power, aod his advice to the people was not to fall into the same condition as they were in on that occasion. (The noise and interruption became so great that the speaker was unable to proceed. Mr J. T. Matson came foiward and appealed for order. He trusted that the people would behave themselves under that sacred corrugated iron. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr Seddon then proceeded to deal with the LAND FOR SETTLEMENT BILL, denying that it meant confiscation, and said Mr Holies ton had not moved the amendments of which Sir Robert Stout had given notice, because he relied on the Legislative Council to throw out the Bill. He then went on to refer to the land laws,but the noise among the audience in the front ! end of the building was resumed. Mr | Seddon said that he desired to speak in their interests, and because a few misbehaved it was a, shame that the many should suffer. If the place was not comfortable they might adjourn somewhere else. (Cries of " Go on.) He went on to say that the perpetual lease system was brought in by the Conservative party, but when Sir Harry Atkinson again got into power in 1887 the liberal legislation of the Hon. W. Rolleston was repealed. His (the speaker's) Government had passed the present law, and by the help of the people it would remain. (Cheers). It was said the Government had got into power on THE BACKS OF THE TOILERS. It was true, and he gloried in the fact, for the toilers were the majority of tha people in New Zealand, and majorities must rule. (Applause). He touched briefly upon the co-operative works system and labour legislation. He then went on to refer to the warning to farmers published in the daily papers, and advised the toilers and farmers to BEWARE OF THE CONSERVATIVES. (Groans and cheers). They taxed the poor and allowed the rich farmers to go free. The property tax was a tax on the poor struggling settler. Under the present land tax 4000 small farmers had been exempted. "Let tho-e farmers beware. If the Conservatives— Rolleston and Company —got Into power they would put on the property tax and make those 4000 farmers pay again. (Cheers and dissent.) He advised the farmers to beware of the Railway Commissioners, and then went on to refer to the increases in the debt of the colony under the Atkinson and the present Governments. If the Conservatives got into power they would go in for borrowing and squandering — (cheers and dissent)—to increase the value of their property, and make the people pay the interest and sinking fund. MISCELLANEOUS. He then went on to deal with the credit of the colony, the investments in Savings' Banks, Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt Bill, and tax on Chinese. He had been told that he was afraid to come to Christchurch.but whatcould now be said? A good general went where he found his soldiers needed assistance and encouragement, and so on hit way to Wellington he had reserved for Christchurch what he considered was to be the policy of the Government for all New Zealand. (Cheers.) THE FOTURE POLICY OV THE GOVERNMENT. He would now come to the future, and he would place himself and his colleagues, in doing so, in the position of managers, for the time being, for the people of New Zealand. (Applause.) At this stage of the Premier's address the Hon. Mr Ward, who had just arrived by the express, came on to the platform, and was heartily cheered. Hon. R, J. Seddon continued—They would see that he was reinforced by the arrival of another of his colleagues. As he was saying, he would suppose that he and the.otner members of the Government were Directors for the time being of the affairs of this great nation. That being so it was their duty to put before those they iwere managing, for what they intended to do iv their Interests. Now, beginning in the north of Auckland, there were roads wanted to encourage the growth and;expansion of the gum industry. There was also the fruit industry, which needed development, and which would be greatly assisted by the opening up of tjhe country. As soon as that was done there would be a large increase of settlement in that part of New Zealand. Coming next to the Waikato district, there were acres upon acres of rich land, the, purchase of which from the Natives they were just on the point of completing. When this was done and this land available, they would be able to take the settlers out of the towns, and put them on the laud without borrowing. What did this mean? Why> increased prosperity to that part of the colony, and to New Zealand as a whole. Then there was a road wanted to be made so as to enable the cattle from New Plymouth to bo! fattened. In the New Plymouth district there were; numbers of acres of land for people to profitably occupy when roads were made. This would ! enable them to encourage the dairy industry, which he believed was going to expand to an enormous degree in I thU part of the colony. Going through j the country now there was a great improvement noticeable since some three years sjgo. Now they found townships | springing up everywhere, with extensive ! creameries and dairy factories in various ! parts. What was the result of this? why, that the farmers, instead of getting,-'as they did three years ago, only 6a per lb for their butter, were now getting b*d, iOd, and Is per lb for It. (Applause.) The Government claimed credit for doing this. They had brought | out experts to teach their farmers to make I butter and cheese which was able to compete with the best in the markets of the world. (Applause.) Their opponents would i tell them them that th6*e were Socialis- ! tic experiments, hut they were experiments by which the farmers and the whole of the country generally profited. In the Wangauui district, they had just completed the acquiring of the Native lands sanctioned by legislation, and it was amply proved that this had been a benefit, as there had been a great increase in the population. During tho last three ye»rs the population had increased there to a greater degree than in any other part. It was the occupation of the Native lauds, the making of roads, and the putting the people on tbe land that had made the Welliugton-Wanganui district so prosperous. He now came to tha West Coast. What wero they going to do there? Well, the first thing to give the West Coast would be thanks for returning him unopposed. Iv 'hat they bad done him a great honour. Twere had always been a kindly feeliug between Canterbury and the We,st Coast. The West Coast had been the making of Canterbury in th« years gone by, ana if the good feeling which then

existed was kept up it would h* *k« v for both sides of the range No^h 6 beU «* tell them what the GtoverniSSt feW* to do for tho West Coast, Sv to take steps to encourage the aoldffl 8d industry, and also the coal anatiSSS 1 ? 8 dustrles. At present they Zealand with coal and timber Ini ?i? w would give them the gold Kft So they would see tho West &■.» lt ' well provided for. They did LV^? 1 W,M > and L hoped they never woulW" did not seem to him any reason why &? terbury should complain at what wl. > for the West Coast, because thS a market for their beef 5d in^n W *_ the money to pay forjt. «oVK r_S.*°. d Canterbury. (A VoicV""ffl&f o Midland Railway ?') He wat com? 6 the that matter he might tell bTtriena B _° to the railway, the sooner they* communication by means of M»_ » with the West Coast the better H^ 00 thought that thesooner the embargo whin had been placed on 5,000,000 o! KS'S and by the railway was removed and \hl land set free for settlement, the beUcJ it what had been done by tho Le_l*l.i«.2. * tbls direction, ho that there was no £ J 2 for him to dwell on it. They w«S hJS in honour to the Company t JcaSr out A 4 contract; they might object to it once made it was the duty of bath .i/i Ut loyally to maintain it. The amount B lv£ for freeing the land was, he said, leSnn* able for the colony to pay. and it J.. !? n ' equitable for the Company. He hlidS. day was not far distant when the K£_? tion of West and from Canterbury %$& was effected in 1868, would be done awai with, and Westland once more ioln»Af» her mother-Canterbury-by means of. steel lino of communication. The omIZJ on the land by tho line now happft moved had been tho reason of the lilt page of settlement of Urn land in Ca_B» bury. The only true solution of K. difficulty, which would mako Canterhnr. prosperous and give her a contented peop c, was by affording facilities for th* acquiring of land, and so provide for th! natural expansion. That was, that $* sous and daughters of Canterbury shonM ba able to acquire land in Canterbury sm not be driven away to the North leisnl The Government had made a oomraenc*! ment in the purchase of the Chp*to* Estate. The number of disappointed VZ sons who were uuable to obtain section. in Cheviot told its own tale. Nfo stateZ raau, no Government finding 1000 vmfo wanting laud would be true to the paoDls if they did not make a desperate effort to place them ou it. (Applause.) TheGovera ment were quite prepared to pay a reaion. able amouut for suitable land, but they had a perfect right to demand tait owners should sell it at a fair valua tion. If any dispute arose, then lot It ha settled by arbitration. This was the law of other countries, and it ought to be the law here. If Ie had been in operation hers Canterbury would be one of the xntal prosperous parts of New Zealand, He now came to Nelson, that beautiful spot, the garden of New Zealand. When nj was there a few dayß back thoy were hoWing their show of fruit, &c. There w&i fruit ar. that show which, he was assured by experts, was equal to anything grotrt in any part of tho world. One of the experts, a Frenchman, informed himthst if the fruits he saw there were ia P«rji they would have brought twice the ptl« that they would fetch in Nehon to-day. Therefore he took it that it was tho duty of the Government to encourage the fmij industry as much as was in their power. There had. as they know, been very little settlement ia Nelson and district for soma years owing to the embargo of five millions of acres of land by tho MldUnft railway. Remove that and then then could be no doubt that with tho natural advantages sho possessed Nelson would become prosperous. Now he came, Hill going south, to Timaru district, This was a district surrounded by lar&e estates. Tho owners of these estate* wanted so much for their land tost It would only be impoverishing the people U the Government were to buy lt to put them on it. He wanted most emphatically to warn the people not to pay more for tk» land than it could produce. The Government in tho district to which ho wat referring by offering a fair value for the land could not buy any. Tho prlos fixed by the owners was, ho might say, coaBiderably in excess of tho value put on 'it by them when they had to pay the lend tax. Then they valued It at £a per sere, but when they were asked to sell It to the Government) they wanted £8, and in some cases £10 pet acre. Oamaru was in something nimmt condition as to tho land for saleatTlio»r& and lt was keeping back the prosperity of the district, causing it to remain dormant, As to Otago, the people there wanted the Otago Central carried out. Theyweteaia eager for that as the people in Canterbury were for the Midland Railway. There ww a large extent of country on the Maclitoto Plains which was exceedingly good land, and if the means of communloaUoa were improved lt meant that all the surplus population of Dunedin, and indeed Otago, would soon be found settled on the Slalus. The Government would do tbelf eat to settle the people on the laud then as they had done in other parts of the colony. ' The Colonial Treasurer might ask "What about Southland?" Well, there were one or two uncompleted railway works which would be brought to I payable point. There was Crown lana m some bush country to which little hfta been done to enable a large number oj persona who were desirous of settling W get on to the land. They would haw fa make roads, and when they had roft*M the districts and provided the means f communication, they would And huadrea* of settlers taking up land in Southland. He was now giving them information oi what the Government intended to do torn the North Cape to the Bluff. What the Government proposed to do was to pus ins people on the land on the principle « assisting the tenant. They were going to make an earnest endeavour to pw>«« chenp money for the people of Now n* land. There were Companies in New mlancl who borrowed money on dswouHies at Si per cent., and lent it out in New Zealand at 8 and 10 per cent. TheGovftWment thought it was much better thatuiw profit should go Into the pockets of JM struggling settler than Into those oI \JW shareholders In theae Companies. Money was now lent to Boards and local boais* by the Government at 5 per cent. Ihe mmrlty was on rates on land. If the people wers in a position to give the. land as fteeorUJ to the State, why should they not tfTJ them the same aid as they now gave> to the local bodies.. The people would raug prefer having the money lent to than! oj the Government direct than by Jpa» Companies as middlemen. They wwM probably be told by their opponents tt»» this was a policy only to tide over tM elections. The Liberal party, he Mtertg without fear of contradiction, hadiwjg. proposed a policy or part of a they had not loyally endeavoured to carry out: At the general elec ion of 18WWJJ had made several promise*, not one w which but had been given effect to, eW»r in whole or In part. It was *™JM some had only Wn partially can led «JJ as yet, but the firm *«*«»% ,°LgJ Government was to carry everything*wj had promised to do to a «JX their confidence and support he. feli«uj of their being able to do so. It. m*™ fault of the Government If all «%£? undertaken to do had nob been ««»£*«' Sor was it any fault of the !»*« »«1 sentatives, who were a credit to. uj colony. Looking back on the Wff»% promised by them three years ago he »» In it the legislation of '«: Mela « i i o ffii l men desirous of the well-being of « fellows. He would, not long* tr-eg ou their kindneas. (A Voice- -wi«*» about the Volunteer* D THE VOLXJNTEEBB. . . He would ask hi* friend who hsd_ jtt| spoken what Government was in P»*J when the capitation grant to the Volunteers I The answer' *£ $ Conservatives. The capitation no wgrante was an imprjvemenc on that, «nd|y would be in a position to carry o» wWj m putting in «J« lc wa f* ver y (Cries of "Oh, oh.') Ho waa £ proud of the Volunteer *m Qh New Zealand (Renewed cries of oh.") He could only billtyof the Government ™ *°J^ m p. for them as they would tion.) Now they knew that no to ought to interrupt. There must »v clpllne. He had told them Colonial Treasurer last year n»« SQ largest surplus that WMjp the for years. Now it was only Volunteers that they <? houfd share surplus. (A Voioa-" wh»t*ww»vy Fox% "The report of Co ;ojiJ ßh though there were some £"&&&*«**! which he did not agree, B*_ e VgL Volaaa very good idea of the «•» fiJ'Govertteers. It was the intention of » ie^ ftt i on » ment to carry out the In that report to the extent lint session. He «»!«"« _!5 y to ,a«r«W Government were not Pf c P fl B re ?,. in9 t»»ce, the country corps. The Idea. l " ort!| » of disbanding the Aahburtou j a few miles from CbrlstchurcJ / case of attack b> a foe m Chijj JJ fto . Ashburton corpi o° ul^J,c hu rch m» B reserve. When the Gbrlstct vi>■ were called upon to recede, U»-u Jje | oe burton men would be called up.•/ A o pp i.a»e would be driven Into thei sea. e f o r and laughter. T«eJ had sOUB

v»r*ni-Henry rifle?. (A Voice-" Second jf n<T") Thi* wou? °\ he thought, give an •mn*tus to the movement. The Volun- \ JZ. were I with their shooting -Vh the SnldT*. when elsewhere th»y _!«• armed wiih the Martini-Henry rifle. /V voice—" What about the second-hand *««•»■»•") If his friend came from a second&nd sh. o p he couH not help it. The r Trernment of New Zealand did not deal «ecocd-fiand onus. The rifles purchased *,re first cla>« arms. <" No, no.") They TJ been passed by the Inspector nr. Home, f *\"o no.") How did they know they ' * r e"'2or. ftr«t-c!ass when they had not *%• ? They were passed by the name ilh-> had passed all the rifies for the C -!onV The Volunteers would soon be c f, -r'nte-i wi:h the Martini-Henry rifle, 6 t .'n hsve fair capitation. Now, with s r^r'facrs bfore ihi-ni, he said let them -\%*fi-r;ed that all their troubles were iJ a«_l!ter, aud cries " The Liquor Bii-"»

THE EDCCATIOX QUESTION. if would wait a little while he * a ; Q come to the Liquor Bill. At pret he wished to a*k the ladies an imQuestion. That was this. What Rrrernineut was in power when the capi»rian grant of 4« per head in connection -.>, jj' 1; .;r educational system was taken *L" j ' Wiiv. the Conservative. Who wns *L introduced the strict average in the *tt*r of attendance? He said to the Saebcrsand those engaged in the public «?ocl service of the colony, that it was £!» conservative Government. The Souot now payable in New Zealand for fh*ir educational system was reasonable, ad. was money well expended. The Tiher-l* never interfered with the system, « wonld they, but the Conservatives did and were making attempts to destroy tfteir educational system. ("Oh, oh," jao cheers.) WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

tt_o was it attempted to force on the women of New Zealand the electoral !£hts. and tried so «io away with the tStom of tie bailor ? He said the ConSrVtiives. Who gave the franchise to S. women! Why the Libe al Government Where did the Conservatives get the proposal cf tlie electoral right from? Wh» from Benjamin Disraeli, the flreatest Tory the world ever saw. (A Voic_—"Three chfers for Disraeli." and ieer*. Another Voice-" Three cheers far Gladstone, and encers.) They did not wast TGry 'legislation in New Zealand, _ad yet the Hon. D. Stewart introduced a by which the women had to sign tn tnepreseuce of a Postmaster, who in t he country would in all probability be the •torekeeper. It bad been said that thh wr-j to save the women fretn being hustled at the poll, bar he felt sure the men of Naw Zealand woald behave like gentlemen, and allow their wives, sisters and daughters to give Sfir votes unmolested. Witb regard to the Women's Franchise Bill, it had been t«id they did not want to pass it, but they fcad pushed it forward as vigorously as possible. The Government thouaht the BHI faulty iv Home respects, but after contaltation with Sir J. Hall, they agreed t_M the only way was to pass the Bill with its imperfections, aud afterwards brinz in an amending Bill. He felt sure y« women of the colony would exercise tbe franchise wisely. But he wanted to warn them that if the selfish few got into power, the women would regret that tbey e*erused the power. There was .iuat this, Usat while men were not always Liberals, women invariably were. It had ukeu years cf toil and even the eacriflce of life to bring the Liberal party to its present position, and surely the women of New Zealand were not goiug to take the re wits of this away from them. On Tuesd*j next, when they exeicised their vote, }te looked forward to those who had a lingering hope that the votes of the women would be exercised in the interests of the Conservatives beipg bitterly disappointed, and deservedly so. (Aptgause.) THE LIQUOR BILL. He was now going to deal with the Liquor Bill. Some very Intemperate laugß«jre had been used in connection with this matter by those who ought to have been more charitable. The Government, ia passing the Liquor Bill last session, a&d passed legislation which was a great improvement on the law formerly existing. Formerly children could be supplied witb liquor to be consumed off the precises. Wow they had prevented any child ander thirteen being supplied in that way. (Mr Seddon then proceeded to speak so the Bill to the same effect as at Lyttelteo, which has already been reported). Was it fair, he asked them, that when lie? were fighting the battle of the people Is- dear life, that they should have the lose cf cold water turned ou them. CONCLUSION.

He would conclude by telling them that he wanted every man and woman in New Zeilmd to understand the position. The Government was on its trial. They had been three years in office. The question «as, was the policy they had promised to New Zealand being maintained? Had tSat* pahcy improved the condition of New _s&hnd,and tended to promote the happiBess of the. people? (Hear, hear, and »pplau?e.) He believed that the majority of the people in New Zealand thought their pallcy was progressive, was moderite, and would be to the ad vantage-of the people. He urged them to do their duty it the ballot box, and vote for those who wotrid support the Government loyally. (Applause.) They saw in some districts five or nx Liberal candidates and only one Conservative, and the result would be that a great majority of the people would bsmisrepresented. The Government must trust to the common sense of the people of New Zealand to vote for those candidates •horn they believed were honest, and woald carry out the policy of the Governeettt as enunciated, and which demanded * fair trial at their bands. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) The Hon. J. G. Ward, who was warmly received, said he envied the lunir power of his hoe, friend the Premier, and also regretted that he did not occupy the position of th« Native members and have an interpreter, so that he could talk to those on jus tight in Maori, and those on his left & plain English. (Laughter and applause.) ft- was an inexpressible pleasure to drop ia there, if for no other purpose than to **c tin magnificent assembly which was present to hear t he Premier, He believed Uutsueh a meeting was calculated to do a vtu amount of good. There necessarily *oald be differences of opinion on minor Batters, and he could only re-echo the WTka of the Premier to unite themselves as one great mass on Tuesday next in support of those who believed iv the wberalism of the Government and in the loterests of the people of New Zealand, lapjsause.) He ventured to say that «a _ext Wednesday morning those *"0 had been looking for some » ii° tile downfall of *he Government »oald receive such an eye-opener—(cheers) ""«•*? little bargained for. No Govern«*atm the colony had been subjected to "Wsaaie misrepresentation as the present government had. They would see it stated « a criticism in the Press the other day «J»ne financial operation of the Govern*<at. that the indebtedness ot the colony ** been increased by £278,000. If any ■xsert wouid take the figures he would aad th« the increase was only £13,000. It *** Qeplorahle to hxcl that the people Jj*eready to sacrifice the stability of the that way. He urged the ladies « wmterbury to sink their minor differraees suppo,.*. on i T those candidates r«o were stauding in the interests of the «py*rninent. He appealed to the Irishmen ** vatlitchurch to stand by the Government as the Government had in many Z*p s&ood by the.n. (" No, no," and *«; and Voices—"What about edu«*uoar) The Government had stood by r**» on the land question. On Monday *«a&d to address the people of Napier on «"«JCtal matters. He concluded by exg«Aing hi s thank j for having been I' ne d to, and sat down amid applause. fi.il j "* w - p - Reeves, who was loudly "Hedopon and cheered, urged the people « return three good Liberals. (Interrup-"on,actio-j or j es "Tavlor.") He denied to i flad S iv «u orders to bis supporters *L « mp for him, but asked them to » t m hree «*,v T * then came to the front .k tae platform, but was unable to speak a?? to the ,oud c - lls for Collins. *sv j^ me ,ittle time Mr Watson gave %i 4 i Collins rose, and was greeted «;, lOQ d and prolonged applause. Mr was, however, unable to gain a r ;g, and after the Premier had vainly jVPeaied for order, th« candidate spoke atJnJ' . at °l s remarks were quite in_T V* the ,lo!se that went on * a-inf Z~ **• Taylor, who was received T"« cheers, asked the electors to exercise m»£ OWn Jodgmeut and give their votes Jfg« they thooeht best. (Applause.) _Ci 5A >"DFOun who next came forward, S;, w ** cheered and hooted, asked the t£f"*s to prove loyal to the men who had ;£* «»y&l to them in the past, so that •£!u f ho trie d to get in by side issues *faw be thrown to the winds. (Applause M- w^S u > , _ _ *isr i." * Boban, who was also applauded »«a hooted, said he was contesting the g*?aoa as a supporter of the Hon. R. J. Government, and asked that M £e*och supporters should be returned. Mr J. x # Matson, with customary moved a hearty vote of thanks

to the Premier for his address and confidence in the Government. Mrs Garmson seconded the motion, which was put aud declared carried unauiraouslv.

The Premier returned thanks and moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Cheers were given for the Government, the Premier, and the other members of the Cabinet present aud the large gathering then dispersed.