THE PREMIER'S ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12351, 15 November 1905, Page 9

THE PREMIER'S ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

In. an electioneering speech delivered el Wai hi on Thursday, the Premier is ! reported to have remarked that the " >ew Zealand Herald" had said tlie other day tliat after the last election lie (Mr iSeddon) had said that the Waihi miners were ungratetiil. " Well," said ; the Premier. " i did nay that, and 1 meant it, and will .say it again. 1 never go back on anything that 1 .-ay.' . He urged that they should have, a united Koidiiolds representation. Their own <Ji>trict and that of Ohinenmri were represented by Oppositionists, and the Thames was represented by liis worthy colleague. They thus had one against two. They should have a united goldfields representation, such as they ha*! ;on the West Coast. Jf they wanted a unitod Opposition representation they should liavc it, and it" they wanted a ; Government representation tlien they should liavo it. Tiiey should not have a representation of shreds and patches. In the. course, of his further remarks tho I l'remier said.. " I am not electioneering." ; This proved'too much for the gravity !of eVen liis own supporters, and tho ' etatemont was followed by a. united burst of loud laughter, in which even Mr Seddqn himseh could not refrain from joining. He was, he said, simply giving them «)lid facts. In a closing reference to their member, Mr Sdddon said that Mr Herries was a very able ninn, but, unfortunately, he used Jii-. ability against the best interests of the people.