PREMIER AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10048, 7 February 1896, Page 5

PREMIER AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[>lf TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Thursday. The [Premier delivered an address on political questions, to-night, at the Opera House, which was orowded almost to suffocation. On the Mayor and Mr. tSeddon appearing on the platform, cheers, mingled with hooting, were raised.

The Premier, who was received with oheering, said no greater honour could be given any man than for such assembly of ladies and gentlemen to attend to hear his statement of the political situation of the day. (Cheers.) Ho spoke there by right, and was not there to apologise nor to explain. (Loud cheering.) He was not goiug into the merits or demerits of the respective candidates. He stood there as head of the Liberal party,— head of the people of New Zealand. A slur had been cast upon the Government and the Liberal Party, of which he had been selected as head by the party, and that choice was confirmed at the last general election, Ho was placed in his position by the people, and by the people he would bo judged. THE OHRISTOHOROH ELECTION. As to the accusations re the delaying of the issue of the writ, he never read anything so tyrannical, so unjust, so unfair. The Government had simply done what the law compelled them to do, and before suoh a charge was made those making it should have made sure of the ground on which they did so. (Cheers). He was prepared to stake his existence on the' lawfulness of the course followed. Tho representative of Her Majesty had been blamed, but he had acted strictly on the advice of his Ministers. (Disorder). THE HON. W. P. REEVES. The cause of this election was the retirement of the Hon. W. P. Reeves. Mr. Reeves was returned by upwards of 6000 electors of Christchurch, ana he had carried out his pledges. (Cries of "No" and " Yes.") He had now gone homo to represent the colony as Agent-General, and they should give him a chance and not pass a slur on him. Sir W. Peroeval was a member for Christohurch, and had done honour to the office and to those who sent him there. Mr. Reeves would also do so. What had been said as a slur upon Mr. Reeves was also said, even more bitterly, against Sir Westby Perceval. What had been said against Sir W. Perceval had to be withdrawn, and he believed it would be the same with Mr. Reeves. Ho appealed that Mr. Reeves be not condemned before he had a ohance to show his fitness for the position. WHAT HIS PARTY HAD DONE. The question before electors was would they go back to continuous Government which for 17 years misgoverned New Zealand. If not then they should support those who had abolished that state of affairs. Since the chance had been made the condition of the people and country had improved. The Liberal party had swept away tho property tax, which was a tax upon thrift and energy. They were told that the necessary revenue could not be raised and that capital would be driven away; but the reverse was the fact in both oases. The rating on unimproved values would yet be applied to local government, as it was utyust that a man who highly improved his land should be taxed therefor, and that vacant sections and unimproved land should escape.

THE SINKING FUNDS. The seizure of the sinking funds was also cited, as one of the matters in which the Qoverment had unclean hands. Undor the Loans to Local Bodies Act the sinking funds had to be provided. Other Governments had done the same thing. The country had decided that the cost of Government works should be a charge upon posterity, and the Government had placed local works upon the same footing. The Auditor-General had certified to the Tightness of the Government's action, and the cry to the contrary was simply raised for party purposes,

BORROWING. With referenco to borrowing he would point out that the interest payable by the people had been reduced year by year by loan conversion. All parties had carried this out, aud unless the people said conversion must cease they would continue doing so. The Ballance-Seddon Government had increased the debt, but if they had increased the not debt the money had gone in an entirely dif' fereut direction to that of their predecessors. It had gone in the purohaao of native lands, in loans to local bodies, in the purchase of lands for settlement, and in the direction of repaying Government interest. If they would compare the interest payable under the separate heads they would find the interest was inoreased by only £2100. The Government was carrying out tho will of the people by this expenditure, and who would say it was not so ? The population had increased, and as commerce improved and prosperity increased population would be attracted and would increase gradually. There was room for far greater population.

TROUBLES AND DIFFICULTIES. No Government had the same troubles and difficulties to contend with as the present. Yet labour was more plentiful and capital was more plentiful than when they took office. Capital could bo had at 5 per cent, on safe security, Owing to the low prices of wool and grain, and the bad harvests, a wave of depression passed over the country and flowed back upon the towns. The financial troubles of the other colonies were also detrimental to this colony. Commerce, agriculture, and industry were cramped through no fault of their own. Now Zealand had borno these troubles manfully. Farmers and pastoralists had suffered in many cases very sorely, and the working men had suffered, and knowing the difficulties, bore them well. The Government had doue the best with the moans at their command. LABOUR LEGISLATION. Since tho present Government came into power, co-operativo works and the labour ourcau had been established to assist men to obtain employment, and had done much good, assisting upwards of 50,000 souls, and what, of the Labour legislation would the Conservative party repeal ? Comparing his Labour legislation with what had been done previously, lot not the working man say to the lato Minister of Labour or to tho present Government that there was cause to complain, THE BANKING CRISIS. Tho question was asked what about banking legislation? He did not wish any Government ever to be in such a position. It was a question of the colony supporting the Bank or the Bank dosing its doors.. The Bank had the account of the Education Boards, City Councils, County Councils. Road Boards, and other public bodies. All their accommodation would bo stopped, and other banks must have followed. Public works would have been stopped and payments have ceased. Working men would have suffered more than any in the other colonies, where the Governments did not step in in time. There had been in one colony losses of twelve millions, in another nine millions, another eight millions, and the colonies were thrown 20 yoars back. A State Bank had been advocated but he was not going to be drawn about a State Bank. He would say something about that on another occasion. He was confident the bank legislation was approved by every right-minded man and woman in New Zealand. (Applause.) TAXATION. The oharge was mado against tho Government that they imposed extra taxation on the masses by the new tariff. Increases had been made on those best able to pay. It had been asked why not increase direct taxation ? Those on whom this would fall were not at present able to pay through losses by the winter and other causes, and it would be unjust to increase their burdens. He showed that the changes of the tariff has been impending two years, and no injustice had been inflicted by the chango.

LAND SETTLEMENT. One remedy for the unemployed difficulty was to put people ou the land. Many would rather go on the land than have in ermittent employment. The settlements near Christchurch promised to be a success. It was not the fault of the Government that more land had not been bought near Christchurch. The Government could not take the laud. It was in the hands of the Board, and that Board had reported against it. It would be unwise lor the Government to farther depreciate the value of land, already reduced oy the low prices of produce Unused land was an abuse, and when land was wanted it would be acquired and the people placed upon it. It might be that the Board had done wrong, but he accepted tho responsibility. If the law was not sufficient it must be amended.

. WORKWOMEN TOWNSHIPS. There was room for a large number of workingmen townships. In other countries These townships and working men's trains had proved successful. Working men in the colonics paid a high proportion of their wages for rent, and these'townships should be provided so that a man may provide for old age as well as live comfortably. He was prepared to give power to the local authorities to provide such plots, which would be better than grants for the relief of the unemployed. It had been argued that the system would be a burden on the taxpayers, but the results of village settlements showed this would not be the case. These settlers went on_ the land with very little and had steadily improved. Since the Government came into power they had settled 11,331 persons oil land. ADVANCES TO HITLERS ACT. This Act was acting well, and had been instrumental, in conjunction with other cir-

oumstances, in reducing the rate of interest at least 2 per cent. It had been urged that the Government should go further. They would be careful to avoid losses which would have to be made up by taxation. The amount of advances was £440,555, and actually paid over £319,500, up to January 9.

OLD AGE PENSIONS. The question of old ape pensions had been taken up by Sir H. Atkinson, but he could not bring it to a practical issue. It was the duty of the Government to devise_ means to prevent deserving persons suffering in old age. He believed it would have to be done through the friendly societies, which were doing noble work, though many were not so financially sound as the Government would like. Rather than see them fall through the State should step in and aid them; but for the State to take the matter up alone aim aid all comers, including the thriftless, would be impossible.

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION. He was with those who wished the colony to be the Britain of the South, and he would bring down a measure next session to exclude undesirable aliens.

LEGISLATION AFFECTING WOMEN. He expressed the indebtedness of the Liberal party to the ladies for their support at the last election. Women's property and family homes had been protected, tho age of consent had been raised by the House of Representatives but denied by the Council; but it would be insisted upon next session; as would also the removal of an objectionable and shameful statute. The honour of passing the measure enfranchising women belonged to the present Government, but he must acknowledge the efforts of Sir John Hall and the assistance of many noble women. It had been said that women would be carried away by sentiment, but he fouud them excellent judges of character. CONCLUDING REMARKS. In conclusion, he deprecated personality during tho contost. Electors should look at what had been put on the statute-book. The Liberal Government had placed upon the Statute-book liquor legislation far in advance of that in any other country, and because they would not obey the behest of the faddist—(uproar)—because they would not obey this miserable minority—(great uproar)—the Government was to be condemned. If they went in advance of the habits of the people there would be social revolution. (Cheers and uproar.) As long as they had regulations supported by the people, with education by those holding more advanced views, all would go well; but if they overstepped public opinion there would be chaos. The Liberalpartywastrvingtoimprove and elevate the citizens of New Zealand. They would not leave the gulf between the wealthy and the poor, but would induce the former to extend the (land of brotherhood to the less fortunate. New Zealand would then prosper, and its people be contented and happy. God defend New Zealand. (Prolonged applause.) The address lasted two and a-half hours. During the early part constant interruptions were kept up, but the Premier's declaration of policy was attentively listened to, but his remarks re licensing legislation near the close were greeted with the greatest uproar, _ A vote of thanks was carried practically unanimously, with cheers.