NAPIER NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 26, 27 May 1896, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

THE PREMIER'S ADDRESS. Fkom OUK OWN CoiniESPoNPExx/ Napikk, This day. The lion, the Premier addressed a crowded mot tint,' at the Gaiety Theatre last night. Mr G. 11. Swan (Mayor) occupied the chair. The Premier, on rising, was greeted with cheers, lie thanked those present for the flattering reception lie had received. He attacked the National Association, which, he considered, should he named the National Donkey. The next general election would he the toughest one ever fought in New Zealand. The sellish few were endeavoring to get into office, and there were no doubt people in the room who had contributed to the fund for that purpose. Journalism had been prostituted on behalf of the National Association. Ho complimented Mr T. Morrison for his excellent report of his Hastings speech, and said if all the reports sent by the Press Association were as fair as that one there would be less to say against the Association. The Conservatives were, he said, establishing a reign of terror by coercing and boycotting workmen and storekeepers to vote against the Liberal Government. It was an attempt in the interests of capital, and to put down wages. lie referred to the fact that large rxmbolders were employing Maori in preference to European shearers. He objected to the action of the Conservatives in trying to ruin Ministers through their private affairs. It did not reflect any credit on those who used such tactics. He ridiculed the idea of Captain Russell and Sir Robert Stout being able to work together, considering that their policies were so much at variance. He thought no good could come of such a combination. There was never such a great misstatement made than that of Captain Russell that the Conservatives gave the people triennial Parliament, manhood suil'erage, and one-man-one-vote. These measures had been forced on the Conservatives by Sir John Ilall. It was only two years ago that the present Government limited a man to one vote. He then went on to describe the action of the leader of the Opposition, which he deseredited as Captain Russell on the back of the National Donkey looking for a policy. There was a lion in the path of the Captain, and that lion was the people of the country. lie defended the Government against the charge that he had invited the Melbourne unemployed to come to this colony, and also defended the charge of the seizure of the sinking funds. During their term of oflice the population had increased 72,000, while under three years of the Atkinson Government it decreased by 11,000. The average income of the people here was die highest in the world—£ll. His remarks on the public debt were much the same as given to the electors of Hastings. The Government, he said, would go on increasing the public debt if the money was wanted for farmers or for the purchase of land.

After referring to the big estates in Hawke's Bay. which wanted breaking up, The Premier spoke at length as to ■what the Liberal Government had done for the colony. He favoured the appointment of a board to adjust the rentals between landlord and tenant in the event of depreciation. He instanced the reductions made in railway freights,, and asserted that the system had benefited by the change, and the finances were entirely satisfactory. After enumerating what the Government intended to do in the future, . Mr Seddon concluded with a brilliant peroration, and resumed his seat amidst great applause. Mr Corn ford moved a vote of thanks to the Premier and unabated confidence in his Government.

Mr E. Yuill seconded, and the motion was carried almost unanimously. Mr Seddon returned thanks, and said, in answer to a question, that the honor done him that evening gave him more pleasure than if he l'uul b::en offered a knighthood.