The N.Z. Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1905. MR SEDDON AT KUMARA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5804, 23 January 1906, Page 4

The N.Z. Times.

(PUBLISHED DAILY). TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1905. MR SEDDON AT KUMARA

rmt waxen u isconraiuTan mat "wccooaiarTa uiDcr*na:e.vr." sctxuliszud 1915.

‘'Sp<3<)on” and “Kumara”—tho conjunction in happily reminiscent of tho Premier's initial entry into public life: and his latest public appearance there on the 17th inst was marked by an utterance that was in most respects not only uncxcoptionaUlo bi matter and tone, but also calculated to enhance his reputation for sound statesmanship. It was but natural that tho Premier should have an enthusiastic reception in tho town that was tho scene of his earliest triumphs, of which ho was Mayor nearly thirty years ago, and which has formed part of -the district uo has continuously represented in Parliament since 1879. A largo attendance of people from all parts of tho electorate waited for nearly an hour before the Premier appeared on tho platform, and then sat or stood for three hours more listening to his exposition of public matters—rewarding him at tho close with a hearty and emphatic vote of thanks, and of confidence in himself and his colleagues in tho Ministry. Tho speech, though called a “policy - ’ one, contained very little that was absolutely now, although definiteness was given and amplification added to former general statements regarding measures in contemplation. Mr Sodden gave first place to legislation for the purpose of checking monopolies,

which would lecm to indicate that it-> has resolved upon passing on act. dealing with trusts and combines. The j next place •■■.■ as given to the promotion ol laud <-u;eu.unt. ami th.’ step- taken . by the Government for b:’inri into . o-cup.nion t!u> large areas held by ] .Mauris in tho North "Maud -.utc detail-! cd. Tiieii cur. 10 a definite assurance. j on tho lines of a Mu turnout made at • Chrjsteiiiirch, that a million actus of | land would bo set aside as an educational endowment and half a million for tbo support of hospitals and charitable aid. Through an error on the part of the Pres Association agent, it was made to appear that the Premier had specified only half these areas of land, and, on the assumption that this was correct, our evening contemporary took M r Soddon to task for go- j ing back on his former promise. In our special report of tho address, tho figures were given as a million and half a million acres respectively: and in the original report in tho '’West Coast Times” these arc the areas named. There seems, thereto:*.', no doubt that tho Government is pledged, through its head, to sot apart a million and a half acres of Crown lands for tho puipJ-vs named. The proposal is one that will, wo fee! cure, bo unanimously endorsed by Parliament and people. It has Icon urged by our contemporary that the Premier should have gone further, and proposed a largo endowment of land on behalf of tho oldage pension scheme; and iho oltl argument. is re-slated that it is desirable to make permanent provision for the pensions, because in time of financial estrcwi thero would be a danger of the pensions being discontinued. Tim is perliaps a way of saying that if the Opposition party were in power a pretext might be found for suspending the pension payments; but we feel sure that 60 long as a Liberal Government is in office llicso will bo maintained, no matter what other retrenchment may have to bo undertaken. The best reply, however, to tho ‘'Post's’’ contention is that in course of time tho payment of pensions from Consolidated Revenue will bo superseded by the establishment of a national pension .scheme, bated on a, system of contributions. With this national project realised and tho position of the friendly societies strengthened, ns promised by tbo Premier, there will bo no need fer endowing the old-age pensions scheme. Tho Premier had something to say on tho land question, and with his views wo are in practical agreement. Measures will fco promoted to prevent tho aggregation of largo estates; Crown rents will bo reduced so as to popularise Ih© leasehold system by reducing tho interest charge and by allowing tenants to pay off part of their liability to the State; the optional tenures in voguo will bo continued, with tho abolition of the “eternal lease” in favour of a shorter term, with right of renewal at a revaluation; Crown tenants will bo given tho power to acquire the freehold of their lands, subject to certain conditions, but this provision will not apply to leaseholders under tho Land for Settlements Act; and the ballot system will bo amended in tho direction of giving priority in subsequent ballots to those applicants with largo families who hod boon unsuccessful in previous ballots. This is a eano and moderate laud policy that must commend itself to tho common-sense of most. Other matters foreshadowed in tho speech wore a vigorous railway construction policy, the encouragement of prospecting, local government reform, the improvement of tho harbours on tho West Coast, and tho making of roads and bridges in Wostlond South, so that tho benutv spots of that region might ha made accessible to tourists and others. A measure of some importance, as bearing on “women’s rights," was promised in tho shape of a proposed enactment prohibiting any married man from selling or mortgaging his land without tho consent of his wife. This proposal, though it appeals to tho sympathetic side of human nature, is likely to bo warmly debated when its practical aspects ard considered. Mr Seddon also gave a review of tho industrial and commercial position, of tho colony, and announced that favourable financial operations wore in program in connection with tho raising of tho million loan authorised. Taken as a whole, the Ivumara speech was able, comprehensive, and well-reasoned, and it holds out tho prospect of a useful though anscnsational session of Parliament.