The Premier at Petone.

Hastings Standard, Issue 156, 27 October 1896, Page 2

The Premier at Petone.

[Special to Standard.] [By Telegraph.] Wellington, This day. Mr Seddon addressed a crowded meetat Petone last night. The speech was eonfined to a review of the work of the session and a defence of the Government policy legislation. Deferring to the action of the Legislation Council rejecting so many measures last year the Premier said that the Chamber must be brought into touch with the people and must consider the people's just demands. Mr Seddon declared that the cardinal plank in the Liberal platform would be land for settlement and in addition would be settlement of workers, with cottagesof theirown, free and untrammelled and without taint of the closely packed and insanitary condition of larger cities. As to the classification of the Civil servants he would like to see the whole service classified. He mentioned that the State Fire Insurance and the Local Government Bills would be proceeded with next session. Speaking on the Old Age Pensions Bill, he said that though it was abandoned its machinery had been included in the Registration of People's Claims Bill, winch, to his delight> went"through both Houses without opposition. The machinery was now 011 the statute book, and the Old Age Pensions Bill would be introduced next session. In concluding the Premier said he had 110 doubt of the result of the coming election. A vote of thanks to the Premier and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously.

The meeting broke up amidst cheers