THE PREMIER AT PATEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2517, 22 May 1895, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT PATEA.

(IVanganv.i Herald, May 20.) Air Seddon bad a full meeting at P.ilea on Saturday night, and cleared away much of tho misrepresentation of the Opposition speakers, and proved to the satisfaction of those present that the surplus is a tangibleone, and that tho financial status of tho Colony was never better, and Ibis at a time of unusual commercial depression. Ho reminded tho meeting of the disrespectful way their present member had spoken of their former representative, the late Sir Harry Atkinson, and asked those present whether they endorsed Air George Hutchison’s opinion on that statesman, whom their present member bad referred to in such opprobrious terms as to go;\d Sir Hurry Atkinson to appeal to Ahe law for vindication, an appeal that Vras; unfortunately, put out of Court by tho Jameuted death of the plaintiff. This pbrfion of Air Soddon’s speech was well received by the audience, to whom the chai-acte’r. ottheir laic member was beyond tho power of any detractor to belittle. A unanimous vote of thanks to tho speaker and of confidence iu and approval of tho policy of tho present Government was carried by acclamation. Tins, it must be remembered, took place iu tho stronghold of Air G. Hutchison, and almost immediately ..after tho delivery of that- gentleman’s very carefully prepared indictment against the Sodden Government, which, when subjected to a jury of his own constituents, resulted iu a verdict in favour of those tho member for Patca had arraigned. After the meeting, a number cf leading settlers, met Mr Seddon at his hotel, and put a large number of searching questions to him, all of which the Premier answered to their satisfaction, the result being that many who wore opposed to the Government through a total misapprehension of facts and the misrepresentation of their opponents, candidly acknowledged their error, and gave iu their adhesion to tho Liberal policy of the present administration, which, it must not be forgotten, is strictly following the lines laid down for them by their late chief, John Bullanco.