THE PREMIER AT THE UPPER HUTT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 31

THE PREMIER AT THE UPPER HUTT.

A SPLENDID RECEPTION. At th 6 invitation of a large number of the residents of Upper Hutt, the Hon E. J. Seddon delivered an address there on Saturday night. A number of the members of the Women's Political League drove out, and on their arrival in front of the Criterion Hall shortly after eight o'clock were received with three hearty cheers by the large crowd which had assembled there. The arrival of the Premier, accompanied by Mrs Seddon, a few minutes afterwaid was the signal for further hearty cheering, which was repeated a little later as he entered the hall. There was a very large attendance, notwithstanding that intimation had only been received the previous evening that the meeting would be held, Mr Geo. Brown was voted to the chair. Mr C. Williams then read the following address :

" To the Hon Richard John Seddon, " Premier of New Zealand.

" Sir, —We the residents of this district have much pleasure in conveying to you our Bincere thanks for the honour you have conferred upon us by paying a visit here this evening. Knowing how precious your time is and the many important places that you yet have to visit, we esteem the "favour all the more. We are aware that this place is not so important as the larger centres of population, but to you alone is duo the credit of being the first Cabinet Minister that has yet officially visited us. We fully appreciate the good work done by your Government, and trust, notwithstanding the opposition you have to| contend against, that you will fight on in the true cause of Liberalism in the future as you have done in the past. We cannot at present find words to express our appreciation of the services that you have rendered this Colony, but trust that these few words will be sufficient to express our [gratitude, welcome you amongst us, and trust that you may live long to reign as Premier of this Colony." The Premier, in reply, said it was very pleasing and very cheering to receive such an address. He considered it was the duty of whoever filled the high and important position of Premier of the Colony to visit all parts of the country and make himself acquainted with the people and to study their wants. Ministers of the Crown should not confine themselves to the cities and other centres easy of access, but should go into the country among the people who had made their homes there, and show them that the Government took an interest in their welfare. (Applause.) The Chairman said the present Government had done more for the country than any preceding one. In referring to the attacks made on the Government by the Evening Post, he said that journal did not oritioise, but hounded down those to whom it waß opposed. (Applause.) The Premier, who was received with long oontinued applause, said that ho had made a promise prior to last session that he would speak at the Upper Hutt, but, in consequence of the press of work, he was unable at the time to fulfil that promise. Having that evening to spare, he determined to redeem his promise. His sympathies had always been with the people who had gone back into the forest and hewn out homes for themselves. They should always remember the good work done by the hardy pioneers of the Colony. They had heard of two parties in the Colony—the Liberals and Conservatives, or, as the latter were called at Home, the Tories. The Conservatives were getting fewer and fewer in number, until after a while they would be almost as scarce as the moa. The press of the Colony! opposed to the Government objected to their party being called Conservatives, because they were ashamed of the work they had done. The Continuous Conservative Ministry was the party in power when the best lands of tho Colony had been takon up by wealthy people, and when it was impossible for a poor man to get any. The manner in which they got hold of the Native lands, and their method of treat? ing the Natives, were only too well known. Titles were obtained to large tracts of Native land by moans which were a disgraoe to those who participated in the wrong inflicted on the Natives. Those who were in power in the early days of the Colony had had grand opportunities of doing good, but, instead of avoiding the evils prevalent in the Home countries, they perpetuated them. These people acquired large areas of lands for themselves, and, instead of sharing !the taxation and bearing: a fair share of the burdens qf the Colony, they put them on the shoulders of the working man. Sir George Grey was the first Liberal leader, and had done more for the Colony than any other public man. Sir George exposed the policv of the Conservatives, and they abused and hated him accordingly. Year by year sinqe then every prognostication which had been made by Sir George Grey had been fulfilled, and bad it not been for the fight he made on behalf pf the people the Colony would be in a deplorable condition to-day. (Applause.) It was Sir George who fought the battle in 1877 for triennial Parliaments, redistribution of seats and manhood suffrage. The people of the Colony had nothing to thank the Congfrvativef for, Poring the reiga at the.

1 Coalition Ministry the debt of the Colony had been added to largely, besides which they passed a Charitable Aid Act which was now helping to breed a race of paupers. The district railways had been purchased during that regime, by which the Colony was losing some thousands every year. He would never be a party to a coalition Ministry, as no good ever came of such combinations. (Applause.) In 1890 there was a revolt against the party in power, and the Atkinson Government was defeated at the ballot box. During the three years preceding this 14,000 more people left the Colony than came into it, and the country was in a deplorable state, notwithstanding that prices for all kinds of produce were better then than now. At that time commerce was stagnant, industry almost paralysed, and the heart taken out of the people. Yet the Prime Minister at the time said that the people should be allowed to go, as they would bring others back with them. Referring to the land question, he said that less than 240 persons owned one-sixth of the best agricultural land of the Colony, and to that fact he attributed much of the stagnation and loss of population. With reference to the abuse to which he had been subjected, he said that whoever was in office had had a like experience. Sir Harry Atkinson ' was equally abused when in power, and had had hard terms applied to him, and that too by the very people who were now abusing him (the Premier). Captain Russell, on one occasion, said Sir Harry Atkinson was a " political footpad," yet six months after Captain Russell sat beside Sir Harry Atkinson on tho Treasury Benches. The same harsh terms had been applied to the late Liberal chief, John Ballance, when in power, but now those who had abused him spoke in a different strain, and said that there had been a departure from his policy by the present Government. This showed the insincerity of their opponents, for if the policy of Mr Ballance had been wrong why should they regret that there had been a departure from it ? The Conservatives contended that the country could not prosper under a Liberal Government; but the country was prospering, the revenue was increasing and everything was looking up. When he was in the Ballance Ministry the Conservative press said Mr Seddon was a strong and resolute man and that he should be at the head of affairs, and that Mr Ballance was weak, but as soon as he (Mr Seddon) got to be Premier there was nothing too bad for them to say of him. It was impossible for Ministers to be always doing wrong, yet over 90 por cent. of the articles in the Opposition press were devoted to condemning tho actions of the Government. The time had now come, Mr Seddon went on, when it was necessary that it should be settled whether the people should govern the colony, or whether it should be ruled by a few monopolists. It was necessary for the people to be on their guard, as there were paid emissaries going amongst them with the set purpose of injuring the Government. There were working men, he was sorry to say, receiving large sums, going about among their fellow-workers, doing: the work of the Conservatives, abusing the Liberal Party, and poisoning tho minds of the people. This was a painful subject, and ho considered it his duty to warn the working men of the Colony against such tactics. (Applause.) The Conservatives blamed him for proing through the country at the expense of the Colony, yet they forgot that sorr-,8 ef the Conservative Ministers after being defeated at the polls continued to draw salaries until they were told to go about their business. With regard to tho charge levelled against Ministers on account of travelling expenses, they sho'ild remember that not a penny was spent for which vouchers had not to be given. They had no doubt heard of the " expedition " in the North Island in which some of his opponents took part, by which amounting to .£419 were incurred in 14 days. He claimed that the present Government had spent less in travelling expenses than any provious one. The present administration was unsulli"d, which was more than could be said of its predecessors. Captain Russell had admitted that recent legislation had been carried out by the will of the people. If that were so, ho (Mr Seddon) asked why there should bo a demand for a change in the administration Z He here read an extract from Hansard of 2.nd July, 1890, in which Mr George Hutchison accused Sir Harry Atkinson of having " collared " the sinking funds, and of placing eight millions of debt on the shoulders of the people, and alluded to the then Government as "pimps and panders" of the banks. These and similar charges were now levelled against the present Ministry. Although differing from Sir Harry Atkinson, he (Mr Seddon) considered the charges unfounded. The present Government had increased the indebtedness of the Colony from 1893 to 1896, but they had good assets for the money, and they had placed the interest for this indebtedness on the shoulders of those. who benefited by the raising of the money. The Conservatives were responsible for over .£30,000,000 of the public debt of the Colony, while the present Government had been responsible for .£5,0Q0,0.0Q during the six years they were in office. Speaking of the money borrowed under the Advances to Settlers Act, ho said there had been a saving to the Colony directly and indireotly by the cheap money soheme of over a million a year. (Applause.) They would see on referring to the advertising columns of the NewZealand Times that money was now being offered at 4 and 4$ per oent., which was very

much less than it was a few years ago. He was very much mistaken if the settlers would not appreciate this cheap money scheme, and the benefits they derived from it. (Applause.) It was prognosticated that under this scheme the Government would shovol out money to their friends, but he could inform them that for every .£IOO lent they had security valued at .£225. (Applause.) He defended tho policy of the Government in borrowing money for the opening up of the country, for the making of roads and bridges and railway extension. When tho Government asked for the money their opponents said it was a departure from the policy of the Ballance Government, and that they should go to the people for permission to borrow. He asked, were the settlers who had taken up land in outlying districts to remain for years without roads and bridges ? He took the responsibility of this matter on himself, and he thought the settlers would approve of his action. (Applause.) Some of those who opposed borrowing monej r for this purpose were the first to apply for some to be spent in their districts. This hypocrisy among members was reprehensible. He read an extract from the Evening Post, May 11, 1894, in which it was advocated that certain works should be carried out which would entail the borrowing of several millions. This was an example of the consistency of their opponents. The Premier proceeded to defend the co-operative system and the factory legislation, which latter was physically and morally beneficial to the young people. The Government had determined that the practice of keeping apprentices for a long time without receiving wages should be put a stop to. (Applause.) The Government intended to go on with the settlement of the people on the land. The cry of insecurity of tenure, he warned them, was only started for election purposes to frighten them. He explained the different forms of land tenure, and said the lease in perpetuity was the most liberal land law in existence. Unlike in the past, a poor man had now every opportunity of securing a piece of land. (Applause.) In conclusion he appealed to the people to be true to themselves, as he believed they would be. The Premier resumed his seat amid loud and prolongod applause. Mr Fary proposed a vote of thanks to tho Premier for his address, and an expression of confidence in his Government.

This was seconded by Mr T. Wilkins and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to tho ohairman, moved by Mr Seddon, ooncludod the meeting, and hearty cheers were given for the Premier, for Mrs Seddon and tho Women's Political League as the party left the hall. When an alleged politician gets tired of sitting on a rail in Parliament then he becomes an advocate for the Elective says an Opposition journal. A dog fight took place in, the Gisborne Theatre Royal during Mr Fitssßoy's address to the electors,, and tho candidate was compelled to sit down until the quarrelsome canines had settled their dispute. When it was all over (says the Napier Neu s) it was found that a small selector's wire-haired eattle-pup had worried a big squatter's in). ported sheep dog nearly to death • Mr Charles Hall, M.H.fct., spoke at Danevirko on Thursday. Mr MoPheq (the Mayor) was in tho chair..' It was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting- ever held there (says our oorrespondont), and Mr Hall had a most enthusiastic reception. Soveral leading business men were on'the platform. The candidate spoke for two hours, clearly showing the present Government's proceedings since being returned to power. He had never pledged himself verbally or in writing to all the Premier's political platforms, s,v\d would not do so now. If again rAfcur-uod he would, as in the past, supnqrt'Mr Seddon. A vote of thanks iy;.(\ confidence was oarried unanimquql^:. This is how tho Napier Telegraph wails : " Do the Opposition desire to lose the elections ? They deserve to do so. Hero we have nearly the whole force of Ministers running around the country at tho public, cost, giving utterances to the wildest misstatements as to the Colony's, position and future, and not an Ctpppsition sneaker goes into the Ministerial purlieus to toll the truth. Why does not somebody go to lay a few facts before the constituents of Messrs Seddon and McKonzie ? A great responsibility rests upon Captain Russell in this matter, and wo hope he appreciates it." There is a very simple reply to all this : Neither Captain Russell nor any of his followers has anything to tell. Even Sir Robert Stout has to fall back ca the wearisome story drawn from. th> siouroes of his personal disappointment. At the Liber?,?, Convention which assembled in tho Alexandra Hall, Woodville, last Wednesday afternoon (says the Woodvillo Examiner), delegates were present from and represented Woodville, Pahiatua, Manaatainoka, Kaitawa, Makakahi, Mkkuri, Weber, Coonoor, Pongaroa, Maharahara, Victoria, Ti Tri Point, Nikau, Ballance, Scarborough, Hevb«rtyille, Kume'roa and Wimbledon. Mr Gothard was voted to the chair. After the merits of the various candidates had been discussed a vote was taken by ballot, Messrs Motley and Vile aoting as scrutineers. The vote resulted MoCardle, 15.; J. Dawson, 2. The names of Messrs Isherwo.od, Jensen and Taylor were in nomination, but they received no votes. The meeting decided to ask the Government to morally support Mr O'Meara. Tho Hon Mr Hislop addressed the electors of Wellington Suburbs in Kilminster's Hall, Tinakori road, on Thursday night, the building being well filled. Mr Bordman was voted

to the chair. The candidate stated his views on the political questions of the day, and, after answering enquiries, was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. A strong committee of both sexes was formed subsequently to secure Mr Hislop's return. On Friday night the candidate 9poke in Khandallah Hall, Mr Thomas in the chair. A vote of confidence was also passed there. On Saturday evening about 60 put in an appearance, when Mr Hislop spoke at Makara, Mr Cook occupying the chair. He spoke for about an hour and a half, receiving the usual vote, on the motion of Mr Eagle, seconded by Mr Hitchcock. A strong committee was formed subsequently, including the Messrs Trotter, the Messrs Cook, Robertson and others.

Referring to the candidature of Mr A. L. D. Fraser for the Hawke's Bay seat, the Wellington correspondent of the Nelson Star says : —" He lives at Hastings, and is extremely popular in Napier, and indeed all through Hawke's Bay. A daring, witty speaker, with current politics at his fingers' end, he will prove a very redoubtable antagonist to the captain. He is sure to poll well, and I should not be very much surprised if the Lord of Flaxmere ' went down.' It must not be forgotten that at tho last general election Captain Russell had a very near squeak, and Mr Fraser is head and shoulders in ability over Mr Reardon, the gentleman over whom the captain scored a majority of only 50 or so votes." The figures at last general election were : —Conservatives, 1374; Liberals, 2224. There were two Government candidates, Messrs Reardon and T. Tanner, the latter polling something over 900 votes, the larger half of which number would undoubtedly have gone to Mr Reardon had he been left to face Captain Russell alone. It has always been a tender point with the Leader of the Opposition that, as a member of the House, he represented a minority of the electors in his district.

Mr J. HutchesonJ addressedjja meeting of electors at Mr Benge's new shop, Wordsworth street, last week. There was a large number of lady electors present, including Mrs Seddon, who wero accommodated with seats in tho shop, whilst Mr Hutcheson delivered his address from an express outside. There were at least 500 people present. Mr Hutoheson spoke for about an hour and a half, being continually applauded. At tho conclusion of the address a number of questions were put and answered, after which it was moved by Mr McKenzie, seconded by Mrs Schoch, "That this meeting is unanimously of opinion that Mr John Hutcheson is a fit and proper peraon to represont this city in Parliament.." The motion was carried amid loud cheers for Mr Hutckeaan," Immediately after tho meeting about 40 electors formod themselves into a committee to forward Mr Hutcheson's candidature in the district.