THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 17

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, Jane 12. BODY SNATCHING. An amusing illustration of body snatching took place when the Premier arrived at Onehnnga on Saturday evening. The chairman of the Liberal Association (Mr Beehan), Messrs J. M. Shera, M.H.R., and W. J. Napier bad a carriage at the whaif in waiting for him. The mayor (Mr Orowfcher) and the Hons. W. M'Oullough and W. Jennings had another ready. While the mayor's party were searching the decks for the Premier, the Liberal Association's party plunged below and secured the prize. On coming on deck Mr Seddon asked if the carriage of the Liberal Association was part of a programme for his reception. Mr Beehan eaid it was. The mayor, it may be explained, had previously telegraphed to the Premier that he would be out to receive him, and Mr Seddon replied that if no other arrangements had been made he would be happy to accept the j mayor's offer of a carriage. Mr Seddon said \ to Mr Beehan tbat, in accordance with that understanding, he would go in the Liberal Association carriage; and accordingly he went, Mr J. M. Shera leading him out in triumph to the carriage. While this was being done, the mayor gave the statement as to a preYicrus programme having been arranged by the Liberal Association a flat denial, but notwithstanding Messrs SsddoD, Shera, and Beehan drove off for Auckland. The mayor's party (which included the Hons. M'Cullough and Jennings and Mr T. Thompson, M.H.R.), instead of collapsing, followed in pursuit, and ran their quarry down at the Star Hotel, where, in drinking the health of the Premier, the "strained relations"subsisting between the two parties came to an end. A SOURCE OP FRICTION. Another source of friction has been overcome. The mayor and the chairman of the Liberal Association both claimed to be chairman at to-morrow night's meeting, when the Premier addresses the citizens. Mr Seddon cut the Gordian knot himself by deciding in favour of the mayor. It appears the mayor gave great offence to the Liberals by saying that Mr Rolleston's meeting was much more largely attended than that of Mr W. P. Reeves. SNUBBIN 3 THE LIBERALS. In his address to the Liberal Association to-night Mr Seddon threw a bombshell into the camp respecting the programme recently issued by the Auckland Liberal Association. He said it was a nica little bill, but he for one would not swallow it. It might do for a political debating society to discuss, but could never be a platform to go to the country on ; they were simply injuring the party and alienating the country people. If they thought the Government could be run safely in the interests of tbe towns, they would get a rude awakening at the elections by the attitude taken by the country settlers. While he was at the head of the Government, the Government would lead and not be led. They would take out of any programme what they thought was for the good of the whole country and ignore every other plank in it. The chairman, with a glance at the reporters, interrupted the Premier, and asked if tbe sentiments were for publication. Mr Seddon said, "Certainly ; I wish them to be published." The faces of some of the members of the association framers of the programme were a picture when the assembly cheered these remarks of the Premier. THE FRANCHISE FOR WOMEN. A deputation of the Women's Franchise League interviewed the Premier to-day and urged tbat the Electoral Bill should be introduced early in the session, so as to give them a chance of getting female franchise passed. Mr Seddon said there were several important measures which would take precodence, but be would consult the Cabinet and do his best. He said female franchise would have been passed last session but for the action of a section of the Legislature, and he asked them if they would be content if the measure were placed on the Statute Book but not operative for the general election. Mr Seddon gave a3 his reason that if they got it next session so few women would j be educated up to exercising the franchise at the approaching general election that it would give a handle to the opponents to the women's franchise to say that they really did not demand or want it. Tbe president of the league replied that they would accept the female franchise being placed on the Statute Book in the way he suggested rather than, lose the measure ; but they desired to exercise the franchise in the same way as men, instead of it being hedged in with restrictions or special privileges. June 13. DEPUTATIONS. Replying to a deputation from the North Railway League, tbe Premier said that Auckland undoubtedly had been unfairly treated in the public expenditure in the past. A great deal would depend upon the recommendation of the committee on the rival routes. He would endeavour to push on the survey and have a report before the House this session. A deputation from the building societies protested against their taxation, and urged that smaller shareholders at present are required to pay pro rata with the wealthy shareholders. Mr Seddon said the matter would be investigated carefully, all building societies not being on the same basis. The Auckland City Council interviewed the Premier re the Domain, asking tbat it should be handed over to the full control of the City Council. The Premier fell in with the wish of the council, and promised to give his assistance to get a local bill put through next session handing over the Domain from the Government to the Auckland Corporation. Sir George Grey and others interviewed Mr Seddou, asking aim to reconsider his decision re nautical examinations and re dispensing with local examiners. Mr, Seddon declined to alter the new arrangements. A deputation of kauri gum diggers waited on Mr Seddon re the influx of alien competition on the guinftelds. Mr Seddon referred them to the Gumfields Commission now sitting. SNUBBING THE LIBERALS. The Herald says: — "When it was announced that the Premier was to commence his political campaignat Auckland by address-

ing a select gathering of the Liberal Association, it was confidently anticipated by the members tbat he would give them 'a lift'; that he would praise them for the complete and splendid programme which they had drawn up; that he would commit to them the interebts of the Government in Auckland ; and that he would ask them to select the gentlemen to be sent as members from Auckland. Mr Seddon has given the Liberal Association a • lift ' out of existence. He was brought up to bless tbe programme of the Liberal Association, and now he has cursed it altogether. At this rate Mr Seddon is not better than a mere Conservative or Tory, which latter word is that which the Liberal Association delight to use. We have very great doubts as to whether now we can say tbat the Premier is a man of the right colour. What now remains for the Liberal Association and its electoral committee is simply to commit the happy despatch as soon as possible, and to hide away for ever its projects of seizing as Government property all the mines and steamers and farms." We would suggest that the National Association should invite Mr Seddon to be present at one of their meetings and submit their programme to him. We believe that he would have little fault to find with it." The Star is glad to see Mr Seddon realises that " the cause " has not been helped by thrnstiDg forward a number of crude proposals, and that the association has abandoned its untenable position. The Premier's action may enable the party to steer clear of the political blundering exemplified in the recent so-called Liberal platform, PUBLIC MEETING. The Hon. Mr Seddon addressed the citizens of Auckland to-night at tbe City Hall. There was a crowded audience. Mr Crowther, mayor of Auckland, presided. Mr Seddon, having made feeling reference to the death of Mr Ballacce, went on to say that statesmen who had passed away should be judged by their works, but in some cases statesmen were not so fairly judged, because their works were not fairly set before the public. For instance, the Liberal Government of 1879 had been made out in certain quarters to have been a financial failure, but he would show that such was not the case, and that Sir George Grey ought not to be charged with having overwhelmed the country in a great financial disaster. From 1879 to 1890 the Continuous party, by debentures and by loans, raised tb.B sum of L 9.000.000. After loading the country with this public debt, what was the result? Why, from 1879 to 1890 New Zealand was as bad as the colonies of Australia were at the present time. Homes were broken up and people were fast leaving the colony. Mr Seddon brought forward statistics to prove his statement, showing that over 14,000 souls had left the colony. The same thing would have happened again if the problem had not been grappled with and overcome. Mr Seddon went on to refer to the general election which ousted the Continuous Ministry "and placed the Ballance Government in power, and said that to thwart the wishes of the. people the Continuous Ministry flooded the Legislative Council with men of their own party. The Government, however, had stood to their guns, and that had been rectified. Had the Ballance Government driven capital out of the colony? It had not. He referred to the increase in the value of house property lin Auckland as a proof of this. The Government had estimated that the land tax would produce L 350.000, whereas it had actually produced L 365,000. The exodus had ceased, and they had a gross surplus of L 502.000, whilst for public works and the reduction of debts they had something like L 450.000. If the policy of the Government was judged by chambers of commerce their figures gave a verdict in favour of the Ministry, The progressive land tax had not only given the necessary revenue, but had also caused great improvements to be made. In three years, from 1887 to 1890 the Atkinson Government had increased the amount of taxation by L 623.000. This had more effect upon the progress of the colony than the graduated tax. There were, for instance, some 30 persons who had between them L 250.000 a year after paying their taxes, and it surely was ur reasonable in the extreme for such to grumble, for there were many who would like to be in the same position. If New Zealand had an equal population they would be worse off than either England or Ireland. He was not prepared to go in for anything revolutionary, but it was unfair to increase the taxation on the masses whilst the few were not touched at all. He oid not wish to disturb or destroy confidence, but it was not right, as was formerly the casp, that the man who had least should pay most. In the congested districts he hoped the landowners would come forward aad offer their lands to the Government at a reasoni able price. If this were not done it would inevitably result that an act similar to that which has been passed by a Conservative Imperial Governmant wcaxld be introduced to enable the Government to take the land required at a fair value. This could already be done for roads and railways, and pettiement was more important than either. Deal- , ing with the question of Native lands, •he eaid they must be dealt with faiily. Were it not for the Natives they would have had the same monopoly in tbe north as in tbe south. There were about 42,000 Maoris owning about 10,000,000 acres, but of these only about 3,000,000 acres were suitable for agricultural purposes. The late Government only bought some 78,000 acres, while the present Government had already bought some 385,000 acres. With regard to the question of land for settlement Mr Seddon spoke in the highest terms of Mr Mueller, the Auckland commissioner. He rebutted the charge of Mr Rolleston that the present Government had starved the primary schools in respect of school buildings. On the other hand the general average was abolished by the Opposition party, and the strict average introduced to the detriment of country schools. They also reduced the expenditure by L 24.000. As to the Magdala Asylum vote, the Government deserved credit rather than condemnation. The establishment was open to persons of all faiths, and the work was being done upon nnsectarian principles, and the Government were prepared to give a general grant for refuge work. Mr Seddon then referred to the Railway Commissioners. Should the

railways, he asked, be handed over to three irresponsible men to manage ?— (Cries of " Yes " and " No.") Those who said that the Government could not manage the railways showed they had not confidence in themselves, and did not deserve to be entrusted with the franchise. Why not hand over the postal aerviC3 also to the commissioners ? Whilst the people were demanding retrenchment the commissionecs were raising the salaries of their officers but not of the workers. Instead of encouraging the people to go far from the centres they were hampered in every possible way by the tariffs. When a demand was made for less expenditure workers were dismissed and necessary repairs were neglected. At the same time many of the officers were given holidays on full or half-pay. The Government would reintroduce the women's franchise next session. Mr Seddon spoke briefly upon trie labour question, boy labour, and courts of conciliation and arbitration. The result of the arbitration must be compulsory as in Massachusetts. The present was the time to deal with it. The Premier concluded with the assurance that the Government policy so well begun would be continued, with the result that happiness and content would reign supreme, and New Zealand would be the first country in the world. A motion thanking the Premier for his addiess, and expressing confidence in the policy of the Government was adopted. A vote of sympathy with Mrs Ballance on the death of her husband was also passed.