Hon Mr Reeves at Christchurch.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 65, 15 February 1895, Page 4

Hon Mr Reeves at Christchurch.

The Hon Mr Reeves addressed a meeting of his constituents at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening. The building was densely crowded, and the Mayor occupied the chair. Mr Reeves waa well received, and commenced by briefly alluding to the attacks made upon him by the local Conservative press. He enumerated the various reforms effected by the Liberal Party during the past few years, and claimed that had materially improved the condition of the people. Speaking of the Press Association report of the interview between the Premier and the Trades Council, Mr Reeves said it was imperfect and misleading. Mr Seddon was in sympathy with all reasonable aspirations of the Labor Party. He explained the character of the proposed reciprocal treaty with South Australia and defended its provisions. He would always favor reciprocity, but, as a Protectionist, he was opposed to intercolonial freetrade. The arrangement with South Australia, if ratified by Parliament, would make it impossible for the neighboring colonies as a whole to erect a Custom barrier against New Zealand. He declared the legislation in connection with the Bank of New Zealand saved the colony from a great commercial disaster, and was approved by every patriot who understood the gravity of the position. The first work of the next session would be a revision of the tariff, and he was hopeful that, with the cordial assistance of the country, the Government would be able to remove certain anomalies, and give an additional measure of encouragement to local industries. Local government would also engage attention, and certain labor proposals, which were rejected by the Legislative Council, would be revived. The licensing question would also come up for consideration. The Bill of last session would be amended and, he hoped, improved. He would follow a perfectly independent course in dealing with the matter, and would be quite ready to defend his attitude before his constituents. The Government would fnrther extend the village settlement system, and its efforts in that direction would have his firm personal support. He held that the Premier had neither defied nor broke the law in appointing Col. Eraser to the office of Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr Reeves said he was ready ;o admit that his brother was admitted o the Civil Service during his term of )ffiee, but no one had suffered by the Appointment, and he was quite conent to leave his relative's work to ;peak for itself. He said the defeat of ■he Midland Railway Bill was due to he opposition of Sir R. Stout and his followers. No doubt a number of impatient Liberals were anxious to take ip the position won by the pioneers of he party, but he thought the great )ulk of the electors would remain loyal :o the men who had borne the heat md burden of the day. Mr Reeves i-hen answered a number of questions, and at the conclusion of the meeting ti vote of thanks and confidence was tccorded to the Minister by an oveir.vhelming majority.