THE PREMIER AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 55

THE PREMIER AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Christchurch, June 5.

The Hon. Mr Seddon addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera House to-night, the Mayor .presiding. The Premier was enthusiastically received. His speech was on the lines of his recent lovercargill address in reply to Captain Russell. He stated that under the Pastoral Touanti' Relief Bill the number of applicants for relief in Canterbury was* 160. The assassed value of the slock ksb was £101278 10* 3d. The concessions granted were : — lleuoission of rent, £4915. 16s G±; remission of sheep tax, £423 2s ; annual reduction oi rent, £6316' Is 5d ; — total, £11,655 9s lid. The present- valufrof the concessions granted was £59 578, and tho extra valne granted by the extension of leases £9111 7s 7d, or a total of £68 689 10a lOd. In the Otago land district the number of applicants was 194-, and the locs of aßock was estimated at £92,838. The concessions granted were :—: — Remission of rent, £W8 ; remission of sheep tax. £289 ; annual reduction of rental, £7491 ;— total, £11,858. Tie present value of the concessions granted was £50,998, besides tha value of the extension of leases. The Government intended to establish workmen's settlements, and the provision fotbidding the compulsory acquisition of land within five miles of a town must bs altered. The duplication o? applications »t land ballots must be stopped. The Government intended to bring down an Old Age Pension Bill. The question o£ the referendum would be taken up. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried almost unanimously. The Premier had an excellent hearing, the interruptions being slight and the applause frequent.

The Hon. E. J. Seddon, speaking at Christchurch on Friday evening, intimated th*t the Government intended to establish workmen's settlements near every town. Tha provision forbidding the compulsory acquisition of land within fire miles of a town must be altered. There must be provision for men having intermittent employment. The oaly way to provide for the unemployed was to put th^in on the land. The duplication of appHcibiona must be . stopped by an independent non-polifcical board being appointed- 6o examine into the bona fides of. every applicant. The Ltnd Purchase Board had not offered tha full market! value for land, »nd this also must; be reformed. He called attention to the number of boys and girl* receiving little or nonage?. ' To prevent this abuse the Master and Apprentice Act. would, be passed. He referred to the work of the Labour Bureau in relieving the antm plowed without ; destroying their independence, and eaid that this policy wculd be continued. Local bodies had responsibilities as well as tha Government. A measure would be introduced to enforce the fair wage clause in local bodies' 1 contracts; There was need for the inspection of sbips to prevent risk of loss of. life through their unseaworthiness. The special jury pystem , must be abolished. Fire insurance would have" to-be undertaken. He had received information ' as* to tbe working of State fire insurance in Switzerland, and with the assistance o£ the local bodies they would carry out a scheme' here. It , was said that the insurance monopoly was too powerful, but they would see. Another great .question was provision for old age, and the Government intended to bring down an Old Age Pension Bill, andito puss it at any rate through I its initiatory stages. This was a most difficult matter, being* an entirely new departure, and there was no experience- of other countries to guide- them. The question of the referendum would be taken up. It might be said that, hay- : ing opposed it during; two sessions, the Government were in an invidioua position in now con- ■ sidering, . it, but it was their duty/ to be progressive. There were large questions looming in tbe near future which would have to be submitted direct to the people. The Legislative Council had for years thwarted the will of the ■people. The Bating. on Unimproved Values Bill had been four times rejected by the Connoil. The raising of the age of protection had also been refused, and both these measures would probably lnve to be referred to' the people direct. On the liquor question he had' not changed his mind, which was that regulation was the best means of dealing with the traffic. If the bill as passed by the House of Representatives last year were passed next session this harassing question would then be at rest. The Government aimed at the improvement of.' the whole communitj, giving, all an equal opportunity. They also aimed at the , more equal dfatribution of wealth, and these tilings alone; would create prosperity and. happi-

ness. He thanked Canterbury for her noble response to the appeal for aid to the Brnnn&r sufferers.