The Land Debate.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8094, 18 September 1905, Page 3

The Land Debate.

The Premier's Remarkable

Speech.

A Dramatic. Display.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 15.

The feature of the land debate last night was an extraordinary speech delivered by the Premier. It was. indeed, an amusing performance from a physical, point of view, for the Premier,.who appeared minus his collar, waved his arms and shouted until he worked himself into a perspiration. He referred to the "most miserable exhibition" made by the Leader of the Opposition in the latter's speech; and, in the course of a number of charges that he hurled with vehemence across the floor at Mr Massey, he said, " Why, he would sell not only the land; he" would sell his shirt in order to get on to the Government benches." (Laughter.) "Have you sold your collar?" interjected an honourable member, apropos of the Premier's havine dispensed with this very necessary adjunct to the starched shirt of civilisation.

The Premier worked himself up into a great heat, but his speech was more remarkable for sound and gesture than for logic and argument. Mr Herdman, who followed the Premier, characterised the speech as " a choice collection of fatuous irrelevancies." The Premier was evidently uneasy under the lash, for he frequently interrupted, and several times endeavoured to stop Mr Herdman, but unsuccessfully. Mr Herdman made good use of the Premier's famous Newtown speech. Mr Seddon then had his back to the door; now he had his back to the people and he was prepared to let them kick it and thrash it as they liked. Mr Fisher scored a point by reading a telegram tbat" Mr Seddon had sent only last year to Messrs Taylor, Ell, Laurenson and Fowlds, cheering them on in regard to their land campaign, and saying to them that "It was of vital importance that the leasehold should be maintained."