NEW ZEALAND PREMIERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERS

A brief and very interesting survey of the political history of New Zealand was given by Miss Ellen Melville at a meeting of the Auckland Women’s Political Association the other evening. Beginning with the governorship of Hobson in 1810, Miss Melvillo traced' the reigns of the various Premiers up to the time of Kichard John Seddon. In the early ’seventies one of the greatest changes in early New Zealand history took place, when Sir Julius Vogel advocated a policy of road-making, railway construction, settlement and immigration. He advised that the sum of £10,000,000 should be borrowed to carry out his scheme, and after some argument and opposition this scheme was carried into effect-with very satisfactory results. In 1875 the system of provincial legislation was abolished and Sir George Grey formed the first regular opposition when he opposed this bill.

Miss Melville described Mr. Scddon as a man of wonderful staying power, considerable menta lability and a man of tireless and searching industry. During his office as Premier women’s franchise was brought into New Zealand. ,Thc percentage of women who had consistently voted at elections since the franchise, said Miss Melville, was remarkable' and spoke ..volumes for the ■ enthusiastic interest New Zealand women take in the polities of their country. During Seddon’s reign also, the Old Age Pensions Act was passed, and this, of course, was a great boon to many old people. In conclusion Miss Melville Impressed on her hearers the necessity for. the keen interest of the women today in politics, as women were more and more coming to the front and taking their right place in the world.