THE PREMIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13783, 23 June 1905, Page 3

THE PREMIER.

VISIT TO AUCKLAND. HIS SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY. [Per Press Association - .] AUCKLAND, Juno ■■.22. Quite a crowd assembled at tho wdiarf this morning for tho purpose of greeting Mr Bed don upon the arrival of the Taluno. As soon as tho vessel camo alongside the Premier was descried, and immediately throe ringing cheers were given by the wharf labourers. Mingled with the cheers wore shouts of “Many happy returns of tho day.” As soon as the gangway was out Mr E. Seddon went on board to greet his brother, and shortly afterwards tho Premier was cm, the wharf slinking hands with friends. Asked regarding his movements, Mr Bcddon said: “ I camo hero to meet my wife, but I find tho boat cannot bo in ■ before midnight. ] have very important business awaiting mo at 'Wellington, but it is no use coming so far to meet my wife and then not waiting to see her. 1 shall stay till to-morrow, and that will give mo an opportunity of accepting the invitation I received to j attend the Chamber of Commerce din- • nor this evening.” In answer to a re- . mark about him looking well for his sixtieth year, Mr Seddon said; “Yes, I feel a better man than I did a year ago when I turned fifty-nine.’ - Mrs Seddon and Miss Seddon will arrive in Auckland to-morrow morning by the Ayrshire from Sydney. Messrs Bagiev, Coleman, and Webster waited upon the Premier at tho Grand Hotel. Mr Baglcy said they had called to soo -whether tho Premier considered it advisable for fruiterers to send representatives to Wellington during tho coming Parliament in connection with the Shops and Offices Act. Mr Seddon said he had already stated publicly that it was the intention of the Government to bring in' a Bill to amend the Shops and Offices Act Hy repealing Clause 3, At the same time it was probable that there might bo difficulties between the two Chambers. Most probably a modification, might bo suggested. He therefore., thought . there/ should bo representatives at Wellington during the session from the four centres so that the legislation might embody in any amendment of the Act the desires of the shopkeepers. Ho might tell them, however, that in any amendment the Government would still, as far as shop assistants were concerned, let the law stand as at present. If shopkeepers were allowed to keep their premises open the law must see that their assistants were not made to work longer hours. Mr Bagiev said they were unanimously in favour of the Act as it stood in so far as tho hours of shop assistants were concerned.