THE PREMIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14682, 13 May 1908, Page 7

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT DENNISTON. [Per Press Association.] DENNISTON, May 12.

To-night the,Premier addressed one; of the largest gatherings that has ever assembled in the Denniston Volunteet Hall. Mr Foster was in, the chair.

Tho Premier announced,' amid cheers, -, the settlement of the Blackball;.strike: ;,,,„ Ho said that he was glad for all concerned, and hoped that the mine would now be in. continuous and prosperous working. The Premier lengthily: con- " trastod tho conditions in the Old Country and America and in New .Zealand,!,; showing how much better off in many' ways people were here, both an account of the Government land for settlements ' policy and because tho railways were- in the hands of the Government and not ■ of private companies. He laid stress on. the great advantage derived in con- ! nection with the unlocking of lands in the North Island,-and said tho. , main object of the Government was to■'■'■ give tho poor man a chance to settle. ,; People in one 'breath asked the Govern- . ment to nationalise the whole of the land, steamers, butcheries, bakeries, etc., and in another said, they must nob > borrow. The people in the dominionV; had paid £70,000,000. To do what was ;., asked it would bo necessary to borroW.'!' £175,000,000. It 'would be financial ruin for any Government to attempt , this, and bis Government was not going to make the attempt. It was no : use scrambling for the moon. The Go- ;[ vernmont must be practical. As:shown,y by tho average earnings and savings, \ this country was not inferior to any other in the world. The cost of liv-•■; ing had increased, but that was becaus* i : much of the sweating so prevalent ira'v; tho past had now been abolished. He ' did not beliovo that tho workers were willing to, go back to tho old nonditions. It was better to pay l a little; more rather thancontinue the sweat-.,;; ing systems. The Government was en-,.,-. deavouriug to give the best pos- • sible education' to the young to ' fit them for their life's ' duties. ~. All could not ,be : equal. Ij?sj so many horses wore turzied loosa;: in. a paddock one would in■'.time'-;• become the leader, and it was inipos--sible to : make men equal. Some wore , j; quicker and surer than others. ■• They;. could, not make them equal, but they;.* could do something towards giving | equal opportunity. The Government's: 1 legislation was in that direction.. The. Arbitration Act should not be repealed,g but amended, and the Government, pro- ",' f posed to do that nest session. ■The'.', bank-to-bank clause would be enacted. ; v The Premier referred- to the large remissions of Customs duties ands the. 1 , benefits to the workers. The Govern-■-', ment proposed to introduce next session to give annuities to these.,outside the Government service. Re-/ ference was made to the breaking dowii of usurious rates of interest by Govern-; ment loans to settlers and workers.';<. His-prediction that the country'would,' be able to borrow money cheaper in ■ Marqh than immediately before tho* crisis had been fulfilled. This country''. had escaped unscathed. New■ Zealand,; '■: should realise its obligations to the'Old Country, and should also remember- '• ■that the Navy was. '■ required tojHW-',;' toct produce in, transport from. Now ; : Zealand to the markets in. the OkL; .Country. Ho thought that fiolnethings more than £4.0,000 should be paidT;' Germany, France and Italy were buildjdl ing navies to capture/ British trade.,New Zealand should assist-Britain in - her efforts to retain The' ■ Premier dwelt on the advantages pre-'-;, ! ferentinl trade would copfor. '," '■'■"''. i■:'.

At the conclusion of the speech the Premier was ashed a number of questions, chiefly by local Socialists. In hii replies he soored heavily and finally received a hearty vote of thanks and-' confidence in the Government, with hut few dissenters. . - ■'■'. ' i : ;' ■"

[Per Press Association.!.-' . DENNISTON. -May 12. The Premier' to-day visited Seddon«'r ville, where he delivered a short politic' eal address, mainly on the lines of ad-' ' dresses delivered in other parts of the .' Coast. Referring 'to .the Seddonville* ; State mine, he said that so far it had';.( not been a success, but the Government < had no intention of abandoning it. Ho was in hopes that in a short time it;; would rank with other successful'jnines*;; on the Coast. At the conclusion of the | address the Premier was accorded a, hearty vote of thanks and confidence in.' the Government, on the motion of Mr Quinn, president of tho Seddoiwille -Miners' Union. v : ■' ' , Ll-

On his way to and from Se,ddoiiviilci? the Premier was interviewed by riurherous deputations about local mutters. He reached Denniston at 6.15 p.m., and was welcomed by Mr Foster, presideiij| of tho Denniston Miners' Union t and If large concourse of people. The Cadets aLso were present. . ',:"

The Premier will visit Kaikoura oil Friday, arriving by steamer early inu" the'morning. Ho will be shown round-" tho district in the morning, and will; i receive deputations regarding tho main trunk railway and other matters ing the afternoon. He will be wj£*fvs\ tained to dinner at 6ix o'clock and will .':■■ address a public meeting at eight. He j, will leave for Wellington at midnight, j Tho members for Christcburch, telton. Wairau, Hurunui and! TCaiapofa*;l bavo been invited to bo present, ;*.■]