THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 39

THE PREMIER.

AT HASTINGS. Tho Premier took hi 3 seat at 8 o’clock on Friday night before the largest audience ever seen in Hastings. . Mr Seddon, who was received wtk immense cheering said ho was satisfied that ho would be received hero as he had been in other parts of tho country, whero ho found a general desire to givo overy public man a fair and impartial hearing. He understood Captain Russell intended shortly to proceed to tho West Coast and enlighten his (Mr rieddon’s) constituents, and he was sure that he (tho Loador of the Opposition) would receive every consideration at tho hands of his listeners. Ho always trusted to the people, for the people woro just. It was unfortunate that 75 por cent, of tho reporters employed by tho Press Association wcro connected with tho Tory press, and they did not givo both sides even justice. That was what he complained of. THE PRESS ASSOCIATION. Ho went into tho matter of tho -CSOO demanded by tho Proas A ssociation for a Hastings paper, and asked if it were possible that tho chairman, who was owner of tho Daily Telegraph, had acted fairly ? He would say that if tho Association would not act fairly m the purveying of news they would have their privileges very much curtailed (Great applause.) Ho read a contribution from an individual named James Wilkie, which had been sent by mistake to the wrong quarter, offering to supply up-to-date news free of charge to country papers who could not afford to pay ordinary ratos. The letter caused immense laughter.

NATIONAL ASS. Speaking of tho National Association, he said that largo sums of money wcro boing accumulated which were to bo spent in depriving tho people of tho rights wlnoli ought to bo dear to every Englishman. (Applause.) He was sure that when tho people understood what was meant by this fighting fund they would say “wo refuse to bo bought!’’ Ho intended to bo perfectly fair in criticising the actions of Captain Ruseell and his colloaguos. Ho was sorry to say the Opposition did not treat their opponents as gentlemen, and ho quoted tho speeches of Oppositionists to provo tho case. Tho.y beheld before them tho Scquah of New Zealand. (Immense applause.) Jt was not necessary for a man to be born in tho purplo to bo a leader of bis fellow-men. They were told they had no policy, but the Opposition woro stealing it bit by bit. The Tory press never had a good word t r ' say for Mr Ballance when ho was alive, but used the same terms of hint as they did of the speaker now. Tho Opposition rejoiced greatly that Mr Reeves had left tho Ministry, although they made all sorts of pretencos, and shed crocodile tears. All lie (the speaker) wanted was to see tile country prosper. When Captain Itiissoll. was deploring tho loss of Mr Reoves, Sir Patrick Buckley, Ml' Ballanco and others, lie ought to hate put his hand to his heart and naid, “ f don’t feel very well myself!” (A Voico: “Ho ought to have gone himself! ) Tho Premier: 'lhere is a very great probability of that event taking place. (Applause ) WHERE IS THE POLICY OF THE OPPOSITION ( What, in the namo J common-sense, asked tho Premier, had Captain Russell and Sit Robert Stout in common ? Captain Russell said tho labour legislation should have a trial, and not bo disturbed. Captain Russell had also told them that they intended to bring down a policy, but they seemed to be taking a very long time about it. J ust fancy tho toilers loft in the hands of such a physician as Captain Russell! He was afraid there would bo a terrible percentage of deaths. Captain Russell said there was no necessity to take land for settlement; but woro not tho yoUng people being driven away for want of land to put them on, and yet there were milos of splendid country locked up in tho hands of a few. lie believed Dr Nowman was nearer the triltli than all his colleagues when ho said that the policy of the Opposition Whs to turn out tho Seddon Government and got into oflice themselves. Kverv member of the Opposition had a policy ol his own, but tlioy wore all prepared to carry on tho policy of tho present Government if they could only got the chance. During his tour Captain Russell had got more and more Liberal. As ho got further north his conversion was vory rapid, and he believed after he had been down tho West Coast lie would oomo baok and say “ Seddon, 1 am a Government supporter ! Shako hands!” (Applause.) Ho denied Captain Russell’s charge that there was not the same self-reliance as there was 40 years ago. If tho young men had tho opportunity to go on tho land, or get work, thoy would do as well as those who came beforo them, but they could not get on the land, and while largo areas wore locked up by the Conservatives it was scandalous to twit them with want of self-reliance. Mr Seddon replied at considerable length to various charges made by the Opposition, and outlined future legislation proposed by tho Government, and, in concluding, said they would lie able to carry at least X 150,000 to the public works account to carry on works that could not be interrupted. Tho Conservatives, lie remarked, must surely be glad of a surplus for tho present. Government. II ho wore in opposition ho would congratulate any Government who had so managed the business of the country as to havo such a surplus as the present Administration had. (Applause.) M r George Ellis proposed, and Mr Reynold s seconded, “That a hearty vote of thanks bo accorded to the Premier for his able and instructive address, and that this meeting expresses its continued confidence in tho Government.”

Mr Beilby moved as an amendment that a vote of thanks bo accorded tho Promior for his address.

This was seconded by Mr A, McQuillan. About 50 pcoplo hold up their hands for the amendment, and about 700 for the motion, which was declared carried amid immense cheering.

AT DANEVTRKU. Tho Premier addressed tho biggost meotiilg ever held in Danovirko on Saturday evening in the Thoatre. Aboiit 500 persons were present, and a large number could not gain admittance, the building being literally packed. Tho Mayor presided, and in opening the procoodings extended a very cordial welcome to Mr Seddon, who lie said was held in high estoem by tho people of Danovirko and the district. The Premier’s speech was mainly on tho lines of that delivered at Hastings, and the figures given in respect to largo estates startled tho audionco. Tho Premier said, as showing how strong was the love of earth in some mortals, that he had learned on good authority that Mr Hunter, who was tho ownor already of 40,0 0 acres, had whon some education reserves, totalling about 1200 acres, were submitted to public competition, bought two of tho sections, thus adding another 1000 acres to tho 40,000 already held ; yet Mr Hunter was a candidate for the suffrages of a district that was already cursed by tho big estate blight. At tho conclusion of tho address, a vote of thanks for the address and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously amidst cheering. During his stay hero the Premier paid a visit to the Mangatoro estate, which is now under offer by the Anseta localisation Hoard to tho Government. It is urged here that if the estate was proporly cut up it would carry two to three thousand human beings. The following is what tho Napier Evening News says of the Premier’s meeting Ihe Hon It. J.' Seddon broke all existing records last night. In the first place ho had the largest attendance ever seer, at a political meeting in Hastings, and quite 300 people were unable to obtain admittance. He bad tho most orderly and enthusiastic audience ever known within the walls of the building, and lie spoke lor three and a half hours. That tho vast audience was orderly throughout, and all but very few remained till tho eloso of the speech, exhibits in a perfect light the effect the I render had upon his audience. Ho impressed friend and foe aliko with his tremendous oarnestne-'S, his masterly grip of the affairs of tho Colony, his sympathy with tho workers, and his groat and overmastering desire to make the masses prosperous and happy. Every reference made to tho efforts of him* self and his Government to place tho pcoplo on the land, and acquire moro land to satisfy the oarth hunger that exists amongst those who hitherto havo never had a chance, brought forth salvos of applauso, and tho popularity of the Government proposals was amply proved by the clicorfi which greeted their enunciation. At tho close of tho meeting tho gauntlet was thrown down by Mr Beilby, one of the vico-prosidents of tho National Conservative Association. lie moved as an amendment a vote of thanks only, and on being put this was voted for by about 25 persons. Outlie motion of confidence being put a forest of hands went up, andthuudorous cheers greeted tho announcement of the chairman that tho motion was carried. This is rather a largo straw, is it not? showing how tho flowing tide is with tho Government, evon in the centro of tho constituency of the Leader of tho Opposition. Tho admirable report of tho proceedings in our morning contemporary was supplied to the Press Association by Mr T. Morrison, chairman of tho press gallery in Wellington. We could wish that all work dono by tho Press Association were as carefully and impartially performed. Ono little error has crept in, either in transmission or in tho hurry cf putting the matter into typo, and that is where the Premier is made to say that Sir Robert Stout had had the highest salary ever paid a Civil servant. What the Premier said, and what was stated in tho original message, was that Sir Robert Stout had paid tho highest salary ever paid to a Civil servant. Our morning contemporary is hugely in orror in saying that tho Premier either concealed anything, or failed to enunciate a future policy. Every charge made by tho Opposition was fully and fairly met, and a clear exposition given ot the linos on which tho Government intends to proceed, especially with regard to national fire insurance, workmen’s villages, Masters and Apprentices Act, and tho extension of tho labour laws. From every point of view, for the Liberal Party last night's meeting was a triumphant success.