POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10214, 7 December 1893, Page 5

POLITICAL.

THE PEE MIES AT MASTEETON. (Tbb Pause Association.j MASTEETON, Dec. 6. Tho Premier was received at the Master* ton railway station to-night by Mr Hogg, M,H,E. and several prominent settlers. An address of welcome was presented to Mr Seddon, who briefly replied. Addressing a large audience at the Theatre Royal, he said be was delighted at tho result of the general election, and the women of the colony had falsified' the predictions of those who said- their vote would be a Conservative one. A great amount of abuse had been heaped on him and his colleagues during the election, but he felt sure those who had abused' them now felt ashamed of themselves. The Liberal Press as compared with the Conservative Press, had used sound and just arguments, while the Conservative Press had relied on abuse. The question before the people of New Zealand was whether or not the Liberal party had the confidence of the men and women of the colony, and they had endorsed through the ballot-box the policy which was not yet completed. The Premier then reviewed the past policy of the Liberal party. They had inflicted an overwhelming defeat on the Conservatives at the poll, hut generosity and moderation should characterise the Government of the Colony now they had been returned to power. While fully adhering to the principles they had always advocated, it was their bounden duty to be cautious and not taka advantage of their strength. It had been stated that,internal dissensions would weaken the party, but if the Opposition relied upon that, they would find themselves grievously mistaken. The whole Liberal party would stand true to its princ ; plea, and on minor points, if necessary, the members would f agree to differ. Ho looked npon himself as Chairman of Directors for a large company. The interests of all the people were bound up in the welfare of the whole Colony. In the South Island, large properties must hot bo allowed to block settlement, and in the North Island Native land must be acquired at a fair value for settlement purposes. Six thousand settlers had been placed.on the land during tho last three years, and with three times the number to follow, New Zealand would fairly boom. Roads must be opened for small settlers to reach a market and mortgages with high rates of interest should be discouraged, and if possible the State should advance money at a fair rats. Settling the people on the land would solve the labour difficulty, for they would never want to go back to the towns if once possessed of their own property, and thus the evils of large towns like Melbourne and Sydney would ha obviated. In conclusion the Premier stated that he had great hopes of the future of New Zealand, whose destiniaa were new in the hands of women as well as men. It was the duty of the Prime Minister from time to time to meet tho people tace to face, so that they could understand each other. A unanimous vote of confidence was then passed in the Government policy. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., spoke at length, being well received.