THE PEACE CONDITIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 45

THE PEACE CONDITIONS.

THE NEEDS OF HANMER. CHRISTCHURCH, March 7.

Mr Seddon addressed a large meeting at Hanmer Springs last night. Referring to the South African conditions of peace, he said that had the conditions been what were wished by tho peoole of tliis colony and himself there would have been no occasion for Mr Chamberlain to visit South Africa. The Boers would ne\er realko the generosity of our nation. They wore absolutely beaten and never intended to fight any more, and yet were treated generously, admitted to a conference and an arrangement made so that they could come in voluntarily and surrender. H© Lad just received from the War Office information that the Imperial Cold Storage Company had obtained the meat contract for Cape Colony and Natal. That meant a great deal for the colony, because he hoped that, under this arrangement, we should have a market for a large portion of the beef and mutton of New Zealand. Under these circumsta.ncefl, he was pleased that the contract had gone where it had, but he would have much preferred that it had eomo to some colonial contractor. He hoped the timp was not far distant when the contract would bo secured. It wes the duty of the War Office to amend the conditions. The colonies could supply the army and navy, and in that manner share the good tiling?, and not =end good British money to foreign countries'. lie could not see why a train service to Hanmer should not form part and narcel of the mail service between town and country. The colony to-day stood out as one of t!if> most prosperous of any l»nd within the Emn.rc. The outlook was never better than at the present moment. He was delighted to fee that nil bLttern-ess had eeemed to have passed away, and that mpn and women could grant others that which thsy -lsimed to enjoy themselves — independence and freedom of thought an daction. He concluded by saying that ho- would urrclertak-e to iraster every detail of what was rsqnired by Hanmer. and that which was in the intore=ta of the colony and the district would bo done as far nr> the Government were concerned.

A Crown lands ballot war held on Friday when 18,261 acres of land in the Auckland district were disposed of. For c-ome 45 sections there were 445 applications, the number ranging from one to .sixty for the most popular sections.

The Governor and party returned today fiom Mount Cook, where they enjoyed a visit in fine weather. The young men of the party climbed the Hoch.stetter Dome to near the top, but were driven back by a cold gale. Lord Ranfurly made excursions to the Mueller and Hooker Glaciers. He visited the- harbour quarry, and then left for MfTci tin orfxi**