POLITICAL ADDRESSES. THE PREMIER'S VISIT TO THE RANGITIKEI.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 125, 28 May 1898, Page 5

POLITICAL ADDRESSES. THE PREMIER'S VISIT TO THE RANGITIKEI.

[BY TELEGEAPH —PKESS ASSOCIATION.] Fowlebs, 27th May. Tbe Premier addressed a crowded meeting at Fowlers this evening, Mr. A. H. Thornpkins, Chairman of the Kiwitea County Council, presiding. Mr. Seddon referred to the Mataura election as a seal gained b,y the Government and to the by-election at Dunedin and Wellington cities as having left the position of parties the same as before. Referring to tho advances to settlers, he said the amount actually accepted by 5258 applicants was £1,424,770. The public debt on Ist March, 1898, was £44,963,424, on which the actual interest paid was £1,679,611, as against interest paid on the public debt iv 1891 to the extent of £1,858,252. Dealing with the railways, he said that the revenues had increased to such an extent that hist year they paid £3 4s lOd per cent, on the total money invested in them, which was the highest amount they had ever previously paid; and yet the Government had made a reduction in the freight and passenger fares equal to upwards of £100,000, thus showing that the railways were a source of profit. They paid 3 per cent, for the money borrowed for their construction. During the term of office of the present Government £1,058,000 had been expended on dray roads, tracks, and bridges. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Seddon was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence iv the Government. Prior to his address the Premier was entertained at dinner by a number of settlers. Auckland, 27th May. Mr. W. Crowther, M.H.R. for Auckland City, addressed his constituents last night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr. Crowlher adversely criticised the action of the Government, particularly with regard to the Bank of New Zealand and the sale of the Bushy Park estate to a Minister's son. He criticised the Premier's speech, which he considered a poor defence of the Government's actions. Thames, This Day. The Hon. Mr.- Cadman, Minister of Railways, addressexl his constituent* at Paeroa last night, and received a vote of thanks, and confidence in himself and the Government. In his speech he pointed out, with reference to»»demands for railway sheds and yards, that tho railways did not pay interest on the cost of construction. They earned 3* per cent, last .year, and the taxpayers had to pay the difference. The statement that the railways had been starved in order to show a profit was simply untrue. The increase in the traffic had been astounding. [OUIt OWS Con RESPONDENT.] Palmehston Noktu, This Day. M^. Piraui addressed a very large and enthusiastic audience in Palmerston last night on the political situation, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Thomson, Presbyterian minister, only three voting for an amendment. In the speech Mr. Pirani dealt fully with the legislation of last session, outlined the policy of the Left Wing, and explained fully the reasons why he had no confidence in the Government. He offered to resign his seat if one fourth of the electors desired it, or if he bad departed from his pledges to support measures in a single instance. Mr. M'Gowan, M.H.R., addressing his constituent* at Coromandel, said he thought the danger to the Liberal Party la}' in its leaning towards the Labour Party. This Party had been too well favoured, and threatened to dominate everything else. He quoted the Master and Apprentice Bill as a measure which was not justified, and he disagreed also with an Eight Hours Bill.