PREMIER AT HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10085, 21 March 1896, Page 5

PREMIER AT HOKITIKA.

THE PROGRAMME FOR NEXT SESSION.

[BY mKQRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

| Hokitika, Friday. ! The Premtor addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents, at the Theatre Royal, Hokitika, last night. A large number of ladies were present, the Mayor, Mr. Mandel, presiding. The Premier commenced by criticising the recent utterances of Captain Russell and Sir R. Stout, and after justifying the general policy of the Government, he went on to deal with the future policy of the Government, and concluded by indicating the intentions of the Government as regards the coining session. The Government, he said, proposed to introduce the following legislation Workmen's villages, an adoption of the Land for Settlement Aot for this purpose; the limitation of boy and girl labour; legislation affecting the timber industry so as to preserve the forests and have timber in proper season; development of mining, construction of water-races, prospecting, importation of improved machinery, and gold saving process ; security of tenure; abolition of distraint for rent, all creditors to be on same footing; legislation fixing the maximum rate of interest; audit of public companies accounts, so as to protect the investments of the people; State fire insurance; labour legislation to be completed, boy labour limited, a living wage condition in public tenders, private insurance by employers, and private companies' private friendly societies to be declared illegal, as undue interferences with the liberty of the subject; purity of the race, Asiatic exclusion, no Japanese; legislation for the conservation ot public health; protection of girls of tender age; Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act; Betterments Act; Local Government Bill; amendment of tho liquor law, to bring clubs under supervision, and to give an opportunity for having national prohibition decided at the poll, which had bean well thought out. Mr. Scddon thought it would enable them to make next session a short one, and it would be a little earlier than usual.

The Premier concluded a speech of over three hours' duration amidst loud applause. A vote of thanks to the Premier, and confidence in himself as representative of Westland, and also confidence in his Ministry, was carried unanimously with acclamation.