THE PREMIER AT ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13028, 20 November 1905, Page 5

THE PREMIER AT ROTORUA.

REPLY TO CRITICS. ■■• . AN EVENLY DIVIDED MEETING. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Rotorua, Sunday. The Premier arrived by the express train bust night, and at eight o'clock addressed the largest meeting ever held in; who Assembly Hall. There was not standing room, and great cheering took place when the Premier entered the hall. Mr. Brent occupied the chair. A large number of visitors from Maanaku were present, a, special train having been arranged for eleven o'clock to convey them back. ■ In Premier, in the course of his address, said he ha-i been accused by Mr. Hemes of using the railways, but Mr. Hemes travelled with a railway pass, and 'if it was right for Mr. Hurries to do this it was right for the Premier to use the railways. As Leader of the Government he was nightly assailed, and he had a right to appear on every platform and explain his policy to the people. He dwelt at some length oh the action of the Leader of the Opposition amd Mr. Herries, in connection with tho proceedings re the voucher case, and condemned both. He then spoke for some time on the Mapourika trip, and ridiculed the whole idea of exception being taken to a Minister drawing 30s a day. Referring to Rotorua, he said the place bore outward signs of progress. If it had not been fostered amd encouraged it could not have been what it was to-day. No place had been more highly favoured than Rotorua. If the Government was judged by its works Rotorua should not be anti-Govorument. He read figures to show that the spoils had not gone to the victors. The requirements of each part of the colony were considered, as it was the duty of the Government to see that justice was done to all parts. Mr. Herries said ho always voted for Liberal measures, claiming to be Liberal. Why was he not with the Liberal party instead of the Conservative non-progressives ? Dealing •with taxation he said if the Colonial Treasurer wanted more money he could get it by z graduated land tax, but they would not find Mr. Herries supporting that. During his term of office he had minced taxation one million seven hundred thousand pounds. He accused Mr. Herries of giving a wrung impression re the division on old age pensions. He stated he would allow no iran to say he gave a. false division, and he read the lists of the division, which.he said spoke for themselves. He was in favour of a national insurance fund. • A vote of thanks and confidence was moved, and the. chairman declared it carried, though there were about an equal number of " ayes " and " noes." . The Premier spoke for two hours and a-half, but never mentioned a- word about native lands, the financial position of the colony, or any other important matters, mostly ridiculing Mr. Massey and Mr. Herries, and refuting statements, mado by these gentlemen, i