MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11538, 26 March 1898, Page 5

MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

[Prom Our Correspondent.] BALCLUTHA, March 26. The Premier and Minister of Lands arrived by the express from Milton this morning, and were received on the platform by the Mayor (Mr D. T. Fleming) and Councillors D. Stewart, *G. Thomson, J. Dunne, M’Leod and others. The Mayor welcomed the Ministers, who were entertained at luncheon by Mr George Thomson. In the afternoon the Ministers were driven to Kaitangata, where they were received by the Mayor and members of the Borough Council. They were taken to the mine and, shown over it. They had a good reception and a pleasant afternoon, and were cheered on their arrival and departure. The party returned to Balclutha at 6 p.m., and proceeded to Mr Thomson’s residence, where they received deputations and were provided with tea. , A very numerously - attended public meeting was held in the Balclutha Public; Hall this evening. The Mayor presided. The meeting was addressed by the Premier and Minister of Lands. The Premier spoke for upwards of two hours, and the Hon J. M’Kenzie for an hour, and both se-

cured a very favourable hearing. There was no interruption except ,in the way of : applause. The Premiers address was on the lines of those previously given, and was ; directed towards the defence of hispolicy and of the Ministerial party. He said distinctly 'that he was not going to commit t'ho ’colony to a borrowing policy; that was ; what his opponents would like him to do. ’He claimed that the increased prosperity of the, colony had resulted from the progressive Liberal policy, which should still !be followed. Taxation through the Cus- : toms upon the poorer classes had been reduced, and by the abolition of the property i tax. struggling settlers had obtained re- : lief. He anticipated a surplus from the Ipresent year of -£400,000. Ho declared his | fixed determination to carry the Old Age ! Pensions Bill, for which, as Treasurer, he i was prepared to make provision. The Hon ■J, M’Kenzie dealt chiefly with the land I policy, and challenged the Opposition to i declare its intention to repeal the measures or depart from the policy the present Government had laid down. He ’■ asserted that the Conservative Press persistently misrepresented and unfairly . criticised the Government. Mr A. Morrison ;was called upon by the audience and [ delivered a brief speech. On the motion ;of Mr G. Thomson, seconded by Mr H. ! MTjeod, a vote of thanks to the Ministers land of confidence in the present Governjment was carried, a large number of ! hands being held up for it and only one [against it. The Premier returned thanks fertile reception extended to himself and j his colleague, and especially for the unj expected result of an almost unanimous ! vote* of confidence in the Government.

; [Per Press Association.] \ The Premier and the Minister of Lands ‘visited the Tokomairiro district yesterday, ; and were entertained at a banquet in the ; evening. Both Ministers said that in the I absence of the member for the district [they would not make their fighting i speeches, but the Hon John M’Kenzie said ihe intended to speak again when Mr Allen 'returned.