THE PREMIER AT KAWHIA

Evening Star, Issue 11895, 25 May 1903, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT KAWHIA

SLY-GROG IN THE KING COUNTRY. [From Opr Special Correspondent.] KAWHIA, May 24. The Premier (the Pvight Hon. R, J. Seddon) paid his long-promised visit to Kawhia on Saturday. Accompanying him were Mrs Seddon, the Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Minister of Lands), Mr G. Muller (Commissioner of Crown Lands), and Mr Grcenslade (who contested the Waikato seat in the Liberal interest at the General Election). At the. entrance to the harbor the Tlinemoa. with the Premier’s party, was met by the local steamer with a brass band on board, crowded with residents of Kawhia and the surrounding locality. The wharf was reached at five o’clock, where an en-Miu-iastie welcome was given to the Premier. The party, headed by the band, proi eded to the public hall, Ufhere several *l' putntions were received on matters of in: d interest. Chief atnoUg these were requests for improving and extending the roads in the district; for extending the wharf; and further surveying and laying out the township to meet the demands consequent. on the great increase in the population and growth of Kawhia. In reply Mr Seddon promised full consideration to the application for roads, but thought the matter of properly laying o\it and surveying the township, defining the streets, and extending the wharf was one for urgent attention. This work should be pnt in hand without delay. Tho Premier further promised to give every consideration to the requests for a steamer subsidy. The vast area of good land in tho immediate neighborhood of Kawhia was referred to by every member of the deputation who spoke, and also the possibilities of the place as the centre of a large dairying district. One of the great needs of the settlers in this part is for a better and more frequent steamer communication with both New Plymouth and Auckland. In the evening a largo social was tendered to the Premier in the public hall, which was crowded to excess. Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R., occupied the chair. A large number of ladies were present. Before proceeding with the toast list of the evening a pleasant musical programme was gone through, the Premier contributing two items. On rising to respond to the toast of his health, Mr Seddon was enthusiastically received. He expressed great surprise at tho remarkable growth and progress of Kawhia, and said there was a great future for this rising district. The land settlement extension policy of the Government had been more than justified by the striking advancement made within the last year. The announcement of Mahuta’s call 'to the Legislative Council and appointment to the Executive Council was received with applause. The Premier said it was a fitting termination to the native policy of the last ten years. Now thousands of acres of land would be placed in the hands of the Maori Council, to be thrown open for settlement, and great good would follow to both races. Other toasts honored were those of Mr Lang and Mr Greenslade. An amusing incident was tho proposing of Mr Lang’s health by a lady, on which another lady, seemingly not to be outdone, called for three cheers for the Premier, which were most heartily given. An enjoyable dance terraiic led the evenings proceedings. Tho occasion marked quite a red letter lay in Kawhia history,. the proceedings all through being of a most cordial nature, ami tho Premier was exceedingly pleased ai the warmth of his reception everywhere throughout the electorate. He said he hoped to visit the district again at an early date. During Mr Seddon’s visit a large deputation of ladies waited on him in reference to the evils of the sly grog-selling existing in the district. They represented that a very bad state of affairs obtained in this respect, and some system of control and supervision, preferably the Gothenburg system, should oe brought into effect. Replying, the Premier deplored the reported state of affairs, and said that the .subject was one requiring the gravest consideration, and that it was the intention of the Government to deal fully with the matter. Almost any change would be preferable to the alleged state of affairs. He recognised that the deputation were entirely disinterested in the action they were taking, and he could inform them that it was the fixed intention of the Government to strictly enforce the law. In so doing the evils of sly grog-selling would, he hoped, be minimised as much as possible. The Premier left for New Plymouth on Sunday evening.