THE PREMIER AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1136, 8 December 1893, Page 20

THE PREMIER AT MASTERTON.

By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Masterton, December 6. The Premier, on his arrival at the Masterton railway station, was met by Mr Hogg, M.H.R., and several prominent settlers, and an address of welcome was presented to Mr Seddon, who briefly replied. The Premier addressed a large audience at the Theatre Royal to-night. He said he was delighted at the results of the general election, and that the women of the olony had falsified the predictions of those who had said their vote would bp a Conservative one. A great amount 1 of abuse had been heaped on him and his colleagues during the election, but he felt sure those who had abused them now felt ashamed of themselves. The Liberal press, as compared with the Conservative press, had used sound and just arguments, while the Conservative press had relied on abuse. THE VERDICT OF THE ELECTIONS. The question before the people of New Zealand was whether or not the Liberal

Party had the confidence of the men and women of the Colony, and the electors had endorsed through the ballot-box the policy which was not yet completed. The Premier then reviewed the past policy of the Government. The Liberal Patty had inflicted an overwhelming defeat oh the Conservatives at the poll, but generosity and-moderation

should characterise the Government of the Colony now that they had been returned to power. While fully adhering to principles they had always advocated, it was their bounden duty to be cautious, and not to take advantage of their strength.

A UNITED PARTY. It had been stated that internal dissension would weaken the party, but if the Opposition relied upon that they would find themselves grievously mistaken. The whole Liberal Party would stand firm to their principles, and on minor points, if. , necessary, they would agree to differ. He looked upon himself as the chairman of directors for a large company. The interests of all the people were bound up in the welfare of the whole Colony. In the South Island large properties must not be allowed to block settlement, and in the North Island the Native land must be acquired at a fair value for settlement purposes.

A POLICY OP PROGRESS. Six thousand settlers had been placed on the land during the last three years, and with three times the number to follow, New Zealand would fairly boom. Roads must be opened for the small settlers to reach market, and mortgages with high rates of interest should be discouraged, and if possible the State should advance money at a fair rate. Settling the people on the land would solve the labour difficulty, for they would never want to go back to the towns if they were once possessed of their own property, and thus the evils existing in large towns like Melbourne and Sydney would be obviated. In conclusion, the Premier stated that he had great hopes of the future of New Zealand, whose destinies were now in the hands of the women as well as the men, and it was the duty of the Prime Minister from time to time to meet the people face to face, so that they could understand each other. A unanimous vote of confidence in the Government’s policy was then passed. By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Masterton, December 6.

The Premier, who arrived here at 7.45 p.m., was met at the station by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Messrs T. E. Price, W. Cullen, J. Yates; "Wl: Falconer* J. Baumber, D. Papworth and other prominent,citizens, also Mesdames Hughes, Beere, hfeCardle, Day, Darley, and other lady members of Mr Hogg’s committee. After the Premier’s speech at the Theatre Royal Mrs Taylor, on behalf of the ladies of Masterton, presented him with a handsome bouquet of flowers, and expressed a hope that he might be long spared to direct the destinies of the Colony. Mr Hogg, in a few appropriate words, thanked the electors for returning him. Mr A. W. Renall then moved a vote of thanks to the Premier for his very able address, and confidence in the present Government. Mr Baumber seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Hughes moved a resolution : —“ That a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to Mr Hogg .for the faithful manner in which he had supported the Liberal measures brought forward by the present Government.” This was seconded by Mr Falconer and agreed to, and briefly acknowledged by Mr Hogg. A vote of thanks to the Mayor, Mr Pownall, who presided, terminated the proceedings. The Premier attends a banquet to Mr Hogg to-morrow night, and returns to Wellington the following morning.