ME. SEDDON'S SPEECH AS OTACHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 8

ME. SEDDON'S SPEECH AS OTACHUHU.

Sir,—ln listening to the Right lion. K. ,1. Seddon. on Saturday night at Otaliuhu ] was astonished at Iho great inaccuracy of tho many and various accusations made by him against Mr. Massey and tho Opposition. In the first place by calling' the Opposition Tories ".he is guilty of an anachronism, for I am suro no t such tiling as a Tory has existed in any British colony for the last 50 years. The- particular belief which distinguished the Tories from others as long as they lasted was " the belief in the divine right of kings." I think if there are any other to be found holding that belief at "the present day they will be found amongst the followers of the Eight Hon. B. J. Seddon, who are always vociferating that " King Dick can do no wrong." Again, tho Premier told -us that Mr. Massey if in power would take away tho old age pension. But what the Opposition have been striving for all along has been to make the old ago pension universal and do away with the inquisitorial methods adopted by the present Government. in ■ carrying out the Act towards every applicant for the pension which prevents many worthy old people who really are in actual need' of it over putting in an application. And then he ■astonishes us all by boldly filching one of the Opposition planks and assuring us that lie was in favour of "universal old age pensions," and as Colonial Treasurer pointinn- out how it can be dono without any detriment to the finances of the colony. Again, he declared that Mi. Massey would reduce tho wages of the working man, and sought to deify himself by attributing to -himself the long continued run of prosperity with which this colony has been blessed. But we old colonists have seen before runs of prosperity and runs of tho, reverse, and wo know that the one follows the other as surely as the night follows tho day; but may God keep that day far off, for as soon as the pressure of hard times is felt, as it has been, all the labour laws will crumble away, and no on© knows what may turn up. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon is a grand "Englishman, but the lust of power has taken possession of him like a sure disease and blinding him to justice, makes him say or do anything to retain hold of the position ho has now, hold too long for the good of New Zealand or himself. A. M. Sheppabd. Otahuhu, November 15. •