POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10912, 21 March 1896, Page 5

POLITICAL.

THE PREMIER AT HOKITIKA. [Pee Press Association.! HOKITIKA, March 20. The Premier addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents at the Theatre Royal, Hokitika, to-night. A large number of ladies were present, and the Mayor, Mr Mandl, presided. Mr Seddon expressed pleasure at meeting so many, especially at such a short notice. It was always a pleasure to rneet the people. Nothing - created so much confidence as that those who represented the people in Parliament, and especially Ministers of the Crown, who were responsible for the administration of legislation, should take every possible opportunity of meeting the people. If Ministers met the people they could explain how moneys were expended, and the people would be satisfied that the finances were not frittered away, instead of having to accept what was filtered to them through the contaminated columns of the Conservative Press. He would deliver mainly an address on sessional mattqys. CHARGES AGAINST THE GOVBRMENT. In self defence, and to put matters right before them, it would be necessary that he should meet certain charges that had been made against the Government of which ho was head. New Zealand was one of the grandest, healthiest and most picturesque countries on the face of the earth, and he questioned very much whether any spot on the face of’ the earth had been so mismanaged as this colony in its earliest years. However, they had survived, having been assisted by those sturdy pioneers who had borne the heat and burden of the day. With such people it ■was not to be wondered at that the colony

had survived such mismanagement. The present Ministry had heen.endeavouring to ihiang the Government of this country up to date, to develop its vast resources, and to pass legislation in the interests of the people, and to so administer the finances that the greatest good might be achieved by the least possible expenditure. While the Government was doing this those who had previously mismanaged the country were unpatriotic enough to endeavour to set class against class and widen the gap, as had been done in the Old Country. In the past land had been given to the select few, to the detriment of the many. These squatters had gridironed and spotted the land so that small settlers should not have a chance. Past Governments had borrowed moneys for which we were now paying interest and principal, and absentees were receiving the prefits from the land. The Government, however, had the confidence of.the people, he the people knew they were doing good, honest work in the interests of the country, and the Government intended to continue to make the i country prosper. He had at Nelson replied to the "leader of the Opposition and Sir R. Stent, because had he not done so it would have been said that he had no reply to make. The charges were very palti'y, but if those opposed to them had any charges to make and would come forward and make them, openly it would be found that they would be answered in just as open a manner, and he was quite prepared to meet Captain Russell on bis own ground. THE OPPOSITION.

Captain Russell, in his speech, had referred to “ Poor Mr Ballanco.” Mr Ballance’s memory did not require to be perpetuated in this way. It would always live in the hearts of the grateful people of New Zealand, and the people did not wish to hear him spoken of in this way. When he was alive and in *his full vigour, how was he spoken of by the people of the class of Captain Russell ? He was hated by them, and they did not reverence his name to-day. The same remarks applied to the Minister of Labour. They regretted ho had gone Home, and that he had left the Ministry. With Sir Patrick Buckley’s retirement Captain Russell said there was only the tail of the Ministry left, but be (Mr Seddon) thought Captain Russell must be thinking of a Ministry in which the tail wagged the dog. It had been said that the Government had deviated from the policy of 1891. This was not so, and it would not be deviated from. The Government would continue to promote legislation which would tend to give equal rights to everyone, and they asked for the sympathy of people in their endeavour to do this. The squatting classes, at the present time, were refusing to give the unemployed work, but it would be found that the working classes were not to be starved into subjection, as was beingtried. The Government had been accused of harshness by the squatters because they refused to allow shearers to be housed in worse places than horses, cows and pigs. He asked what had Sir Robert Stout done for the' people when he was in office for three years. He had done nothing but carp and find fault. The same remark applied to the Government of which Captain Russell was a member. He contrasted the present Government with those, and said the present Government had something beneficial to show for their term of office.

SIB EOBEKT STOUT. Sir Eobert Stout had found fault with the Government for breaking the law, yet he was compelled to get up in his place in [the House and admit that the Pine Company of which he was a director, had offended against the provisions of the ’Truck Act by supplying their employes with goods. With reference to another ’company of which Sir Sobert was a 'director, the Minister of Mines, on his last [trip to Riverton, had visited the mine, and ■as he observed the usual complement of ■ hands required by law were not about, he lasked where they were. He was told ■ they were not working by the person ■in charge. A European miner, however, standing by said the men were not workling that day because they were Chinamen iand had been kept away so that the Minister might not see them. And yet this was [a company of which Sir Eobert Stout was a ■director. He simply mentioned these instances because the sincerity of a man might be doubted when he was found advocating one thing and practising another. In the latter instance it might be the directors did not know the Chinese were employed, but he doubted if this was the case. LABOUR AND LAND SETTLEMENT. Speaking on boy labour, the Premier said this must be limited. He was of opinion that the case would be met by a measure being introduced limiting the number of boys to one journeyman to be employed. At the present time boy labour was largely being used, but when the' boys left the workshops they wore not tradesmen. With regard to Land for Settlement, the Government was doing good work, and would continue in this policy. State farms would be extended, and every provision would be made for providing workmen with land on which to erect their homes. The unemployed difficulty was 4 pressing one, but the Government hoped to be able to meet it satisfactorily.

FIRE INSURANCE AND OLD AGE PENSIONS. The question of State fire insurance would receive attention next session. He /did not see why the State could not undertake • fire as well as life insurance satisfactorily. The State had buildings which it was advisable should be insured. Last year the asylum at Auckland, valued at =£12,000, had been burned, and there was no insurance. There had been a general outcry against the high rates of insurance, and it was one of those matters which should bo attended to, as there were a very large number of people interested. In Switzerland they had State fire insurance at a low rate, although the conditions were perhaps hardly the same as here. He knew of a great many cases where people could not afford to pay the high rates, whose buildings had been destroyed by fire.

Dealing with the question of old age pensions, the Premier said that the Government would have to be careful to do nothing from an old age pauperism standpoint. They would have to recognise the right of those who would claim the benefit 'of the proposed legislation. In view of the altered circumstances in different parts of the colony, it would he impossible to pass any measure that would work evenly and work out satisfactorily in each and every district. Length of residence in the country am} physical health were important factors to be considered. At the present time they hid in their midst friendly societies which would have to play an important part in the scheme. In regard to the friendly societies it was the duty of the Governm-mt to lend them every assistance and to take every advantage of the facilities they afforded for dealing with old age pensions He was sorry to say some friendly societies were not financially strong, hut be thought there was a way in which tie Government could assist. There .were private societies in connection with many companies which employes were compelled to join, and so were sometimes forced to leaxe their regular lodges. These private societies were destroying . the friendly societies, and it was the duty of the State tc protect and use them in grappling w:th the question of old age pensions to deserving colonists. The private societies wore an undue interference with the liberty o! the subject, and it would be necessary, therefore, to introduce and pass legislation darling with the question. HISCEImANBOUS. The Undesirable Immigrants Bill had been ridiculed, hut at the recent Medical Congress in Dunedin it was stated that an epidemic of anall-pox would he better than to have New Zealand made the dumpingground for the consumptives of the Old Country, lire matter should be dealt with by a Public Health Conservation Bill, so that "the degeneration of the race' might be avoided. The Contagious Diseases Ast was an insult to the ■women of hew Zealand, and the sooner it was repealed the sooner the disgrace to Nev Zealand would bo removed. Steps for the better protection of girls of tender age would ho taken by raising the ago of consent. Referring to the question of borrowing, he said the present Government had no intention of going in for a loan. He .gave a fiat denial to the statement that tie Minister of Railways had said that the railways must be conducted on purely business principles. The railways were fer national purposes, and were not there as purely revenue squeezing machines. It was impossible to have a hard and fast railway tariff. The requirements of different localities must be taken into consideration, and very large concessions had been made. Mr Seddon touched on the subject of local government, and said that owing to misgovernment and excessive cost of administration it was time for a change, arid legislation dealing with tne subject would be brought forward again next session. This being a matter of great moment, it would probably be said that the question should be referred to the electors before legislative action was taken. He thought the principle should be discussed and the Bill put in workable order, and then if thought necessary, as in the case of the Abolition of Provinces Act, its operation could be held in abeyance foi a year until the electors had given their opinion at the ballot box. The question of distraint for rent was another evil to be grappled with, and a Bill abolishing this piece of barbarism would bo introduced next session. He could not understand how in this nineteenth century such a system- could be tolerated. It was monstrous that one man should have the power, without reference to a magistrate, of tinning a family into the street. Neither was it right that the landlord should have a prior claim over all other creditors.

THE FUTURE. There was no truth in the statement that be did not intend to contest Westland at the next election. It bad been said ho was going to stand for Wellington, but he took the opportunity of saying be would remain their member until it was decided at the ballot - box be shoutl not be, and he bad refused to accept invitations to contest other seats. The next election would be most keenly contested. Those opposed to him and his Government intended to spend money up;»n it, and ho believed it would flow like water. As he had promised that his speed, would be a pre-sessional one, he would give them the policy which the Government would pursue next session. The Government proposed to introduce the following legislation :—■ Workmen’s villages, limitation boy and girl labour, legislation affecting timber industry so as to preserve forests and have timber cut in proper season, development of mining, construction of water races, prospecting, importation improved machinery and gold-saving processes, security of tenure, abolition of distraint for rent, legislation fixing. maximum rate of interest, audit of public companies accounts. State fire insurance, labour legislation to bo completed, private insurance by employers and private companies, and private Friendly Societies to be declared illegal, and as undue interference with liberty of subject, Asiatics exclusion, legislation for conservation of public health, protection of girls of tender age, repeal of Contagious Diseases Act, Betterment Bill, Local Government Bill, amendment of the liquor law to bring clubs under supervision and give an opportunity for having national prohibition decided at the polf, which had been well thought out. Mr Seddon thought they would be able to make next session a short one and a little earlier than usual. CONCLUSION. The Premier concluded a most able speech of over three hours’ duration amidst loud applause. A vote of thanks to the Premier and confidence in himself and his Ministry was carried unanimously with acclamation.