THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 33

THE PREMIER.

IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING AT PAPAWAI. A GREAT RECEPTION. While at Groytown last week the Hon Mr Sctlilon, in response co the invitation extended by the Natives of the Wnirarapa, paid a visit to their settlement at Pnpawai, situated some short distance beyond the outskirts of the township. The Premier was accompanied by the Mayor of Groytown and several other visitors, and the whoic party on arrival at the pa received a very cordial reception, the Native women of the settlement performing a waiata of welcome as the visitors advanced towards the meetinghouse A large number of Natives were present, and included representatives from all the tribes and hapus of the Wairarapa. The korero was opened by Tamahau, the leading chief, reading

ADDRESSES OF WELCOME, the first of which was to tho Mayor of Greytown. The other was addressed to tho Premier, and read as follows : "Welcome hither, Mr Seddon, Premier of North and South Islands. Welcome hither, the father of the people of both races. We feel greatly pleased at your having quickly responded to our invitation that you should come lanongst us to explain the legislation of

the past Parliament and what you and your Government propose to do respecting the Native people in the coming Parliament. It is right that you should come amongst us in accordance with the union of the two races, and iu accordance with the words of the Apostle Paul, who says, " You who were afar oft' in past times have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ."' Welcome hither; welcome hither. The chiefs who were friendly to the Europeans in the Wairarapa in former years have passed away. 'J his is the word of our ancei-tors, " Settlements remain, and people pass away." This is simply the courtyard of the settlement; their bodies are sleeping the long sleep iu the burial-places. Great numbers have passed into the shades of night; few perrons are walking in the broad daylight. Do you who stand there look after them as a father for tho Native peoplo and also for the Europeans. We stand hero in your presence with loving and contented hearts; welcome hither; may you livelong, your wife and family, your Ministerial colleagues and your Government. May God guard all of you so that your years may be prolonged in good health. May He also cause to be completed the work you have in hand. Long live the Qui en and all the Royal Family. 'ibis was signed by Tamahau Mahupuku on behalf of the people and all the hapus and tribes of Wairarapa right up to Porangahau. PRESENTATION'S. At the conclusion of tho adds ess <f welcome, the chief Tamahau, on behalf of To K'ohai Haera, presented air Saddon with a very handsome kiwi feather mat, which had been in the fiver's family for upwards of 20 years. Mr Seddon was also Ihe recipient of two old greenstone ornaments for Ihe ears or nose, one being presented by To Ilira Rawhiri, and the other by To Huhana Tuhokairaugi.

'I he Mayor of Grey town was also presented with a pretty feather mat, for which he returned thanks when acknowledging the addross of welcome. ADDItKSB BY THE PBCMJRB. Tho Premier in replying to tho address of welcome paid he had received with much pleasure I'm invitation to visit the Natives of the Wairarapa at Papawai. Ho was glad to bo amongst them again, as it was ever his desire, and the desire of tho Government of which ho was the head, to assist and promote tho well-being of tho Native race. Only a remnant was now left of a once powerful and numerous people, and it was the duty of the Government and the duly of whoever held his (tho Premier's) position to protect the weak from the incursions of the strong. There had been some, he regretted to say, who had held the portfolio of Native Minister who, instead of being the Minister for the Native race, had been the Minister against tho Native race. Ho would with pleasure comply with their request to address the Natives upon matters affecting tho Native raeo and laws passed by Parliament dealing with Native questions. Mr Seddon then referred back to tho remote past when the fir.it Maoris landed in New Zealand when a powerful and numerous raeo sprang info existence and occupied the country until the advent of the European. The hand of love and good fellowship hid been extended to the pakeha, The return for this did not, in many instances, reflect credit on the Europeans, some of whom had, by undue influences and wrong dealings, filched the lands from the Natives ; and he felt sure the expensive, disastrous and useless war in which that treatment culminated would ever be remembered with regret, by Europeans, Those present were not aware, perhaps, ilia! it was owing to Till-: NATIVKTR'JI-'HMH (hat millions of acres of land in the North Island had been saved for cloy; r.ettlement. II Ind prevented the land fiom being grabbed end beld in tlie huge blocks which were tho I some parts of (ho South Ed and. in days to come tie,;, would look back and sue (bit (ho Native race, in protecting thvir land:- and endeavouring to save them for their own people, had been helping tho Europeans while so doing. He would ask them, we, it not belter to meet the Nalivesin friendship and r=ay," Von Lave more land than you require for your people, who are , i small in number ; sell some ol the find to tho Government and we will give yon a lau-and equitable (nice lor it," flvn to try and wresl it from them by unfair means: 'I he former was Hie policy of Sir George Grey, who asked the Natives to sell their lands at a. fair price, so that both races might live. I'he must have land to enable them to live, and it had ever been THE POLICY OF THE LIBERAL RAR'IT, of which lie (Hie Premier) was the head to ptc.-c-rve the land for tho Natives so Lhul they rniidit enjoy life and po:a ; e-s the same advantages as did the Europeans. Ihe policy of the Conservatives had been in the other direction ; they had taken every opportunity to fleece the Maoris of their lands at unjust prices. Erects ado m Native lands \vii3 their motto. It was not the act of a friend to take away the land and leave the Natives landless and in want. They would now understand why the Government had passed laws by which land grabbers, land monopolists and pakeha Maoris were prevented from buying lands from the Natives. The manner iu which lands had been acquired from tho Natives in the past was a standing disgraco to the Europeans of

New Zealand. There were lauds in the Ilawko's Bay district which had been bought from the Natives at 2s fid per acre and which \< ere now worth £22 10s, and there were cases where the vilest means that could be used were adopted to oust the Natives from their land.*. In the words of the late John Sheehan, the deeds and documents under which tome lands in Hawko's Bay were hold were SMEARED WITH BLOOD AND RUIN. However, so long as the present Government wero in power this mode of dealing in Native lands would bo stopped once and for all. There wero some Europeans who wore watching for an opportunity to take from (ho Natives the little land left to them in tho Wairarapa. The Government were keeping an eye on these peoplo, and the Premier earnestly requested those present to hesitate before putting their signatures to any paper which bereft them of their lands. He trusted they would consult the Government before doing anything of this kind. There was one law now for both races in respect to lands, and Hi it law would have to be observed. Keferring to the ADVANCES TO SETTLERS ACT, the Premier said Parliament had passed a la.v by which European settlers requiring moneys could obtain an advanco at a cheap rate and thereby retain their land. That law applied to tho Europeans, and it must and should apply to the Native race. How could it bo said then! was one law for both racos if the Natives were denied the advantage which was enjoyed by the Europeans. It was not the fault of the Government nor was it tho fault of tho Legislature; the error of judgment lay in the administration. This difficulty would havo to be solved. The charge against tho Natives was that they would not pay inteiest on tho money lent to thorn. The Premier said his answer was, give the Natives the money at the same cheap ralo at which if was advanced to Europeans, viz., 6 per cent., and they would pay tlio interest. At the present time if the Natives borrowed they had to pay 10 per cent., and when in the toils of the storekeepers they were often charged 20, 30, and even 50 per cent. In this way they wero ground down and starved, and naturally they were unable to pay the interest. In condudiug Mr Seddon expressed the desire that (ho Natives would educate and improve themselves, and see to the education of their children. He hoped that his visits might be more frequent, and ho again urged the Natives if any doubts or misunderstandings arose to go direct to tho Government for advice and redress. He would ask the Parliament to continue to pass good laws which would bear equally on both races. He thanked them most heartily for the very cor- j dial welcome extended to him, and also for . the handsome presents, which would ever be a memento of the cordiality and hospitably of that day, and of the love and friendship existing between them. The address of the Prouder was listened to with most marked appreciation, applause being frequent and hearty, and at its conclusion he was accorded a. round of hearty cheers. Before resuming his seat, Mr j Seddon said he had recently been visiting his constituents in the gold regions of the West Coast, and while there he had thought of Tamahau and his Native friends, and had decided to bring them some pure gold as a gift, ho that they might see what was produced b,v lb" |-e .pie who -enf him to Parliament. Mr Seddon then presented Tamilian with some handsome gold nuggets. Mr Seddon said he had received a telega am Iran his colleague, the Hon MrCarroli, wh > sen* greetings and resrotted that important business had detained him in Wellington. , Three cheers were given for '" Titni Kara." Mr °ratt acted as interpreter.

The visitors were next entertained by a party of young men and women, who danced some excellent hakas, one being " the Sed- ; don" haka, arranged specially in honour of i tho Premier's visit. AT THE aiKETING-ItO»SK. j Subsequently tho party adjourned to tho I big meeting-house, where an ex«»llent repast j was provided. Ample justice was done to I the good things, and beforo breaking up tho J toasts of tho Premier and the Ministry, pro- ' posed by Tamahau, and responded to by (he lion I Mr Seddon, and of the chiefs and peoplo of | the Wairarapa, proposod by the Premier, and j responded to by Tamahau, were drunk with i enthusiasm. Tho Premier, on behalf of Mr

j T. H. Smith, also presented Tamahau with a copy of London Times of 1798 printed on silk : and containing an account of the battle of tho i Nib'. Tho proceedings throughout wero most harmonious, and tho Natives one and all extended the heartiest of welcom s to tho i Premier and those accompanying him. Tamahau and the leading chiefs returned I with Mr Seddon to Greytown. and wero i present at tlio railway station when he left j for Wellington. The Mayor and many of tho 1 loading citizens were also in attendance, and as tho train drew out three cheers wero | given with much heartiness for the Premier. • ADDRESS AT PETONE. ; A VIGOROUS DEFENCE OF THE GO VEEN .ME NT POLICY. I In response to a largely signed requisition, the Hon It. ,1. Seddon delivered a, political j address at the Drillshed at Petone last week. i The building was crowded, and amongst tho j audience were a very large number id' ladies. I The Premier was met by a reception party i consisting of Messrs J. 11. Jackson, J. Coady, I A. Bailey, W. and J. Austin, J. Stewart, T. Webb, A. Webloy and others. The Premier, on entering the building, was received with loud cheers and hearty applau-o.

The Mayor of Pefone (Mr li. C. lurk) occupied the chair, and iu introducing the Hon j Mr Seddon, said he echoed fin.' feelings of all present when he welcomed Ihe Premier to : Petone. Whatever the Premier's opponent s said j about him, there was no man iu Now Zealaud so much admired for his strong personality : and his ability for doing such an immense amount of hard work. (Applause) '.I ho i people of Petone appreciated tho visit, and I the whole of them would express to him ; their thanks for what he had done in eonneci tion with the recent calamity at Brunner. In I his strong, cool and thoughtful way he gave 1 assistance to those unfortunato peoplo who had suffered by the calamity. Tho ratej payers, and consequently all tho people, I wvrc indebted to him for tho assistance tho Government had given them in financing the drainage scheme. Mr Seddon, who was accorded a welcome of great heartiness and enthusiasm, said ho felt greatly indebted for the hearty welcome they had accorded to him. The last occasion on which he had addressed them was on tho ovc of the last general election. He felt then, as he did now, that iu the city ami suburbs the majority of the people were true Lib-' us. (Cheers.) He said they had forced the < .'position lo face the p. ople. Ami what a combination it was. Captain liussel, head of the Conservalives of Nee,- Zealand, an i Kir Jiobert Stout, a l.'adi.-al. (Lang'ii. r md cheers ) Ono who told (hem ufc Auckland that the only safe tenuni r-f land w.i; upon th i freehold Luiurc-sidc by side with him was Sir i.'obert Stout, a land nationalist, who would tell them that there should be no freehold at all. Vorilv, polities brought (ogothcr strange be l-i'cllov/:. They hail ( ; k ptaia Kussell holding' forth, and if (hey read between the locs, ho told them that 10

Government had shown weakness in dealing with the liquor question, and then they had Dr Newman, hoad of the Prohibitionists, throwing cold water upon what Captain BusBell had said. (Laughter and cheers.) Captain Russell had delivered a speech at Gisborne, and the Conservative press claimed that he had roused the fire of the supporters of their party. The next night Dr Newman addressed them on temperance matters, and he turned on the hose with such effect that what littlo good Captain Russell had done was put out by the cold water ot Dr Newman. (Laughter and cheers.) It was said that two were company and threo were not, and that was the position their prosent member occupied. " How happy could I bo were t'other little fellow away. (Laughter.) He had been told on very good authority that Dr Newman objected to Sir Robert Stent having anything to do with the party, while the party did not want him as they could do better without him. If tlio Conservatives got into power ho would undertake to say that they would turn them out again in 21 hours. THE ISSUE BEJFOEE THE PEOPLE. What was the issue at the present moment ? It simply meant, were the pooplo of New Zealand to rule themselves P What was the condition of tho country when the revolution took place ? In 1890 from one end of New Zealand to tho other thero was nothing but distress. Thero were unemployed, property was of no value, and in the cities of Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurcb there were innumerable empty houses. Tho condition of Now Zealand at that time was simply terrible. In the three years from 1887 to 1890 there were 11,000 of the prune of the population driven from the country. Talk about the unemployed now as compared with their condition then. The Conservatives had given them half a crown a day on relief works. They were now endeavouring by unfair means to purchase political support. He said it to tho discredit of a very largo section of tho public press of Now Zealand that that press, with its great power, which Should be wielded for the benefit of mankind, was used to the detriment of the men, women and children of our country. (Applause.) Did they think that these people, who put in these largo advertisements and were ashamed to put their names to them—did they think that the money spent for such purposes was paid in thoir interest P They hoped hereafter to reap their reward. They did not do anything from patriotic motives. Whatever they had done in tho past was for their own Bolfish motives -they had placed taxation on the people's shoulders when they ought to have paid it themselves. Ho said that indirectly they would make the pooplo pay, and dearly too, for every shilling of tho great amount of money they were spending at the present timo.

HITTING BELOW THE BELT. Notwithstanding all that had been heaped upon him and his Government, ho had never forgotten that ho was an Englishman, and never' struck below tho belt. (Applause ) It was hitting below tho belt when a letter such as that written by Mr James Wilkio was sent all over the Colony. This letter was eentto apaperoftho wrongcolour—(laughter) —which very kindly sent it on tho Premier. Ho asked them whether the press was not being prostituted when a writer offered his services gratis under such circumstances. The writer ought to have said lie was well paid by a select few in Wellington to write at their dictation to mislead tho public of New Zealand. They found other papers given free to tho hotels, and circulated on tho steamers and elsewhere, which contained matter intended to bias the minds of the people. Tho Government were fighting the battle of the people, and it meant a fight to the death. Ho would always opposo the attempt to wrest the government from the people, because it rested with them now. (Applause.) Personalities had been indulged in. Tho Leader of tho Opposition had complained of his (the Premier) quoting some of Rudyard Kipling's poetry, which was applicable to what ho was saying. Was it, he asked, fair to say that tho Premier's policy and tho Premier was neither more nor less than "bounce and bunkum?" Wai it not personal to term the Premier of the Colony an impostor, to call him tho Sequah of NewZealand politics, to tell a Christchurcb audience that bo was a man of brass with lungs of leather? (Laughter.) And yet tho samo gentleman complained becauso ho (the speaker) had quoted Kudyard Kipling. Tho Leador of the Opposition could call him what he liked, but ho would never make him forget that ho was a gentleman. (Hoar, hoar.) Captain Russell had charged him with cowardice, but on that same night that ho made tho charge he (tho Promior) with brave men wero facing what might have been death in attempting to roscua tho entombed miners at Brunnor. (Loud and prolonged applause.) Captain Russell had told them tlu-t 1800 less children carno into tho world than in the previous year, and forsooth tiie Government was reEponsible. (Laughter.) That, the Premier said, was a reproach that one did not to .-,<;: too

much about. (Loud and continued laughter i When a charge like thai wi ut abroad people would say that the Opposition were hard up when they could not find anylliiii.* else t'> attack the Government about, (iut whal were the figure.-■? Last \eu' Lhr.ic was an increase of 12,000 souls iu tho Colony, and since the prrsmt Government ha 1 b;eii in oilice there had been an increase of 72»\'o people, while during the time tha< ''■ j t _■ n Russell was iu oliieo there was a Li.-- id 14,000.

" LET THEM GO !"

When Captain Russell's Government was in power taxation direct and indirect was greater than it was to-day, with the result that there was degradation and despair. When remonstrated with in respect to the population going away, the late ftir Harry Atkinson had said, " Let thorn go, they will come back, and bring others with them." Ho (the Premier) said that was cruel. Let them think of tho husband who had to leave his wifo and dear ones; imagino parents who had to part from their children. Many young New Zcalanders had to leave the country and part with their friends and parents. And yet it was said that they would come back by-and-bye and bring others with them. He declared that it was cruel, but it was what would be done again—they would have a repetition of tho past. The Conservatives had never considered the feelings of tho people. They thought more of their cattle and sheep than their fellow-beings. However, all this had been changed by the election of 1890, when a revolution took place at the ballot-box. TUE WORK DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT.

Captain Russell had asked what had the Government done ? They had, the Premier declared, asserted the rights of a free people and maintained them, and banished to a great extent monopolies, attacked vested interests in such a way and more successfully than any previous administration bad done They hail not been time-servers, they had always thought of their duty to the men and women who "had sent them to Parliament. It bad not been a timo of rest. It had boon nothing but sheer hard work from the time his departed chief, the Hon John Ballancc, took office until the present moment.

DISCREDITABLE TACTICS. He regretted that references had been made to the private business of their public men. It was his duty, as head of the country, to tell tho people that this sort of thing was dangerous. Tho Government might bo in Opposition in the sweet by-and-bye. (Laughter.) It was a long time off. (Applause.) Suppose they wero to retaliate, and they wore to take tho same steps. Ho could unfold a talo that would mako someone very uncomfortable indeed, but ho would scorn to take up that position. Tho present Government had not done anything, either singly or collectively, to warrant any public man or tho press of the Colony saying that their administration bad been impure. (Hear, hear and applause.) As to the charge of tho seizure of the sinking funds. It was said that they had overridden tho law, and seized moneys they wero not entitled to, and had used thorn for their own purposes irrespective of Parliament. His reply was that in dealing with all public funds thero was the safeguard of tho Auditor and Controller-General, and to say that they had been permitted to use the public funds of the Colony or to seize the funds which tho law did not entitle them to was a great reflection upon one of the most eminent, and, in his opinion, most straightforward public men they had ever had in New Zealand, iicforc a committee of enquiry the Controller-General said he considered the transaction was a legal one, and later on he said tho Act of _ 1891 mado tho debentures convertible. Sir It. Stout had advised him that the interpretation put upon the statutes by the Auditor-General was correct. The Secretary of the Treasury had confirmed that, and tiie Opposition had fallen back on tho plea that Mr Ballanco never intended this should bo done by the Act, but that was a reflection that should not bo passed on tho deceased statesman. (Applause.) Tho Government had complied with tho law in this respect, whereas tho Stoufc-Vogol and Atkinson Governments had not done so. SELF-RELIANCE. The Premier having defended Mr Ward from tho charges against him on account of his speech in London, went on to say that they had been told the self-reliance of the people had disappeared, but to say that was a grave reflection on the young New Zcalanders. He contended that Now Zcalanders were self-reliant and thrifty, and would compare favourably with any people on earth. In reply to this accusation, he might inform them that when Captain Russell came to tho Colony thero was a provision by which military officers could obtain a grant of 100 acres of land after five years' residence in the Colony. Captain Russell left after having been bore fhrce and a half years, and on his being unablo to obtain the grant complained that he had been misinformed by someone, and in consequence of that statement a Bill was introduced into tho Legislative Council, giving Captain Russell 800 acres of tho best fand in Hawke's Bay. (Laughter.) That was the self-rolianco of tho past. (Applause.) By the voco of Captain Russell's father that Bill was passed, and he asked how many old soldiers were now going about New Zealand landless because they had not made their applications iu proper form, and any request from them to have an Act passed to give tb.'in double tho quantity they were entitled to would be treated with contempt. (Loud tuiphurio.) As to the unemployed, the majority had been put on co-operative works which were situated in place* wliero Opposition members had been returned. TilK ASHK'J'n H »A l: I > A NO THE UK!; .MAN 1,1 SDICVJ'B. A.; to tiio charge that he had appointed himseli ■hi the A-soLi Hoard on account of (.)■,; ~-:iliivy, ho replied that hi. only na.-on I !'■■• ji.iuiiig that board was that it was '■ Li-, duty 'to do hi.-, 1 <■ t to work out the i--Lite in 'h■• h ■ -t '•.■"■. -ibli• m inner and relieve

the Bank of its responsibility. As to his having joined a German Syndicate, he said he had been asked, as tho highest authority in New Zealand, to assist this capital into legitimate channels, and he felt bound to lend his aid in doing so, so that investors might have a fair return, and that the immense mining wealth of the country should bo properly developed. He had done what he believed to be in the interests of the Colony, and ho declared that it was mean and contemptible to say ho was a rebel and untrue to his country because he had gono into a legitimate business, as ho had a perfect right to do. Captain Russell had been a director of a land loan company which borrowed money at 13', or 4 per cent, and lent it out at 7 or 8 per cent., and, he asked, did not tho Captain think it was wrong for him to be doing that while he was a Minister of the Crown ? Then thero was the East Coast Laud Company, the object of which was to acquire a whole tract of country on the cast coast of tho North Island, but they all remembered tho fate of that company. Some of these gentlemen seemed to bo without memory, and he would say to them " Look well to yourselves before you accuse your neighbour of being a wrong-doer." Ihe Minister of Lands and tho Colonial Treasurer were directors of companies before they were Mini-tors and would continue to occupy that position, and as to tho Agent-Generalship, Mr Kcovcs wished for that appointment, and he (Mr Seddon) krowing he was fitted for it, had great pleasure in appointing him to till it. The Conservatives said they regretted Mr Reeves' departure, but as a fact all of them were intensely glad and rolievod to hear that he had left the Colony. (Applause.) He should have thought while Sir Patrick Buckley was lying ill in bod the press would have withhold such comments as they were making on his appointment to the vacant Judgeship, but as Sir Patrick was Attorney-General he had a right to the vacancy, and it was an honourable ambition for him to wish to occupy it, and his wish could notbc refused. THE TARIFF. In answer to tho charge that tho Government had increased tho Customs tariff, ho said that that could notbc reconciled with the statement also mado by tho Opposition that the receipts wero .£05,000 less than in 1893. In tho calendar year 1890 the Customs duties amounted to £1,5451,3\)7, the population being 072.750, and tho taxation per head -£2 5s lOd. In 1895, when the population was 740,099, tho duties amounted to ,£1,622,333, and the taxation per head was £2 33 9;d. In tho financial year of 1890-91 the population was 072,750, tho Customs duties amounted to ,£1,585,309, and the taxation per head was £2 7s lid. In 1895-90 the population was 740,699, the Customs duties were £1,712,025, and the taxation per head was £2 0s 2Jd. In 1894 the total imports amounted to £5,990,177, on which was collected .£1,572,467, or 20 per cent., and tho total imports in 1895 were £0,115,953, on which was collected £1,020,023, or 20 per cent. Tho Opposition forgot to say that last year the Government made a reduction in tea of £34,000, the total remissions amounting to £52,171, and the articles on which the increases of revenue were greatest were those on which no changes in the tariff had been made. (Applause.) Tho Premier quoted figures to show that tho statement that the wealth of the country was lessened was inconect. Ho also explained that the sum of £OBO for expenses amongst the Natives, said to be the expenses of the visit of himself and Mr Carroll to the Urewora Country,was really a charge for the whole year. Mr Seddon detailed proposed legislation for next session, and in concluding said ho believed tho country would be truo to itself, and that the result of the elections of 1890 would bo tho same as thoso of 1893. There was loud and prolonged applauso as ho rosumed his scat.

Mr T. M. Wilford proposed a hearty vote of thanks to tho Premior and of confidence in the Ministry. Mr B. Mantell seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously amidst great enthusiasm and cheering, and singing of " Ho s a Jolly Good Fellow." The Premier, in reply, said ho was satisfied that the hearts of the pooplo were with tho present Ministry. (Choers.) The Premier moved a vote of thanks to tho chairman, which was carried, and what was generally recognised to be tho most successful and enthusiastic political meeting ever held in Petono concluded.

After the meeting the Hon. Mr Seddon was entertained at supper by several of tho leading Liberals of Petono.