THE PREMIER AT DANEVIRKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10761, 27 March 1897, Page 6

THE PREMIER AT DANEVIRKE

(Per United Pbess Association.) ' Danevtrke, March 26. Mr Charles Hall, the late member for Wai paw&, was tendered a complimentary banquet here this' evening by the members of the Liberal party, Mr Acgti3 Mackay (the mayor) ■ presiding. The Town Hall was crowded with representatives from all parts of the electorate. In replyicg to the toast of " The Ministry," the Hon. Mr Seddon, who was enthusiastically received, *aid he was glad to find their late member (Mr Hall) vary nfflch alive. Thair opponents took their defeat in a different spirit, as was recently instanced in the courts at Welling-ton, He declared that the action taken in regard to the Hulvansy letter was one of the darkest spots $hat had ever marked New Zealand politics. After referring to the pleasnre he felt at Ending Mr Hall held id such big esteem, the Pi-emier, dealing with the question of AN EARLY AND SHORT SESSION, said that four months' additional supplies were necessary—viz., from the 30th June to the 30th October. In that case Parliament was to meet not later than the second weak in October. The leader of the Opposition and several members of his party had considered that extended supplies should be granted for two months only— vis., from the 30Gb. June to the 31st August,— bat the Government could not see their way to accede, as that would mean that ue (the Premier) would have to leave London* *c» i ft*> colony in the second week in, v>- - Thsre wonld thus ba no chance of. his doit-J ■'." j business of practical benefit to the colony owing to the public functions that were to take place during the month of June. There were many questions of importance to the colony thai would command his (the Premiers) attention other than those suggested for disoussipa^by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his despatch to his Excellency, and which would t take time to adjuat. The result was that he and the leader of the Opposition at a meeting they had in Welliugtou discussed the matter and agreed that Parliament should meet on the 6th April. A bill granting extended supplies for ordinary and public works expenditure was to have precedence. The question of granting additional supplies for the sending Home of p New Zealand contingent, including Maoris End also a team of erses shots to compete a! Bisley, and for meeting other contiugeni expenses should oe submitted as an open ques tion for the approval ot Parliament. He (M; Seddon) intended to submit a balance sheei showing the finances or the colony on line; similar to that submitted to Parliament by th< late Sir Harry Atkinson when he gav< up office. Such a balance sheet coulc only be approximate, sc-eiug that the books die not close until April 14-. It would, however, b( sufficiently accurate fcr all practical purposes .On the score of finance there could be nt ansiety whatever, as ways and means wer< there, and the expenditure had been kept well within the appropriations. In suspending the Standing Orders so as to enable thaTi Government bill to be proceeded with, notices oS returns would not be barred. He inticipafcec that the session would not occupy more thar three or four days. It was necessary that .he should leave the colony cot later than April'ls In being called upon to perform a public duty such as the projected trip Home—which, he could assure them, caused him much anxiety,— he hoped that no party feeling would>be ahowr towards him, and that the press of the colonj would as a whole use its great power it endeavouring to praveat any injustice beioj done during his ab3euca. In pasjintc he (Ml Seddon) referred in scathing terms to what he classed as a brutal anil wholly uncalled foi attack that had recently been made by a Hawke's Bay* paper upon the late Colonial Treasurer and his mother. Reverting to the Imperial invitation, he (the Premier) said that il he' went Home he would eudeavoi* to serve ths coiony to the best of his abilityduring his absence. He would leave himself in the hands o! the people, feeling assured that fah-raiudec colonists of all shadesof political opinion woulc see that nothing unfair would be attempted bj the opponents of the Government during hi; absence.—(Hear, hear.) When afe Home il would be his duty tolsok into the question of FfiEIGHTS AND SHIEPISG AHBANGEMENTS generally, with a view to bringing about £ better state of. affairs. A great impiovemeni was required in tbe handling of their produce on arrival in the old country and in its subsequent distribution. — (Applause.) Instancing the case of wool, he said'that at present thej were frequently found paying double ths freights that Australian producers paid. The same was found to rbe the' case in respect t< oats, butter, and cheese. His inquiries in Australia showed him that on a frozen shetp weighing^6olb New Zealand producers paid 2? 9c jsfore than did th» producers ol New Soutl Wales. He found that there were foui large lines of steamers whose vessels came tc Australia but never looked near New Zealand Some of these vessels lay idle at times for f ffhole month in Australian ports. He thoughl the day .was riot far distant when the P. ant O. Company, the German, the French, anc other liners would have New Zealand as theL terminus, and he (Mr Seddon), as a result o: his investigations, could see no reason why thai should not be so. Their isolation caused bj imperfect means of connection with the mothei country resulted in a Ips 3to the colony at th( present time of not less than a million a year. He-would, therefore, strive to remove thosf disabilities.—(Applause.) If he went Hemi the time that he would have at hii disposal would be all too short, neverthe less be'-.would do his bast to have anomalies such- as he had referred to removed. H* would again express the hope that during hii absence party feeling would be sunk, and thai for the time being, seting that his effort; would be for the benefit of all producers anc commercial men of the colony, people of al shades of opinion would extend their sympathj ana help towards him.—(Hear, hear.) Referring to the question of RATES OF INTEREST, he said that advantage cad largely been taken of the Government Advances to "Settlers Act Ra.te3 of interest had f?.lien coaaiders-bly, and with one exception all classes of the communitj had benefited thereby. The exception he alluded to was to local bodies and the ratepayers. Though the security given by then was unquestionable, they were still paying or an average 2 per cent, more than private mdi ■Hduals could obtain money on real estate The anomalywould be seen at once. The land owner could personally borrow mouty at 4£ pei cent., but the local bodies, which had the verj same land as security, had to pay to the bank! for an overdraft 6 and 7 per cent. His advice tt the local bod»s was to move in the direction oi obtaining their money at a lower rate o: interest, and any assistance that the Govera iflent conid give in that direction would b< cheerfully .rendered.— ( Applause.) In somedis tricts exception had been laken to the propose 4o send Home A CONTINGENT OP TpLUNTEEES AND OP KATTVES.

:ilie colony had been traduced as regards her defences in the Pall Mall Gazette and other papers. The colony had been termed defenceless. .All the other' colonies were sending contingents Home in response to the invitation of the Secretary of State. Xo do this would probably not co«t more than £3000, and he woyuc! , ask if. New Zealand was to again take up an isolated position. She had nothing to be ashamed of as regards their volunteers, and, as for their native race, they had every reason to be prood of them.—(Applause.) As to She Maoris, it was thought that they were to go Home as an exhibition of Maori customs and more from a spectacular than a defence point of view. He wouW inform them that they were to be drilled and mounted. and would form part of the whole contingent! The Maoris h&d fought both for and against them, and they had proved themselves brave and noble.—(Applause.) Colonel Penton, the commander of the forces, had Btated that in military circlet; at Hotas tfao Maori was always spoken of with respect; and admiratiou.— (ApsJanse.) Referriug 'to the bodyguard business, that was far-fetched. He (Mr S'eddon) wanted no bodyguard, the guard he preferred most being thai; of the people of the whole colony.—(Applause.) The Premier retried to the question of LAND FOX SETTLEMENT, and Jifcated that it was intended to go on with the purchase of the Woburn estate. There were some absentee, landlords who might well fell to the Government, who would give a fair price for the land. Since his return from Australia he had had a very anxions time, the illness of his colleague the Minister for Lands baying eansed him great concern, and resulted in some delay in the consideration of the Secretary of State's invitation. He was pleased, however, to be able to inform them, and he was sure the information would be received with plea.sare thronghoat the length and bre.idfch of the colony that all danger had been passed.—(Apviause.) Before concluding, Mr Seddon raferred to the abnormally high harbour charges obtaining in New Zealand, quoting from Mr Gale's able paper on the subject which appeared i;i the New Zealand Times of that date, and raid reform was badly wanted in that direction. •: The Premier was well received throughout, - and on concluding waa enthusiastically applauded. The other toasts were that of " The Quean," '-The New ZeaUnd Parliament" (responded to by Mr J. O'Meara, member for Pahiatua), " Our Guest," '■ The Legislative Council " (responded to by the Hon. W. C. Smith, M.L.C.), "Local Bodies," "The Visitors," and "The / Ladie3.

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