THE PREMIER’S SPEECH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7424, 25 November 1893, Page 2

THE PREMIER’S SPEECH.

[to the editor.]

Sib,— -It was amusing to hear the Premier last night claiming again and again so much credit for himself and for the Government for the good points in the Liquor Sale Bill. This actually came after the delightful confession “ The subject is one no Government cares to tackle. We took the matter up because we were forced to do it, through the action of Sir Robert Stout and others." Nicely put wasn’t it ? The Government were compelled to put those good points into the Bill, and so we will give Mr Seddon credit for just doing what other people made him do. All credit to those members, Sir Robert Stout, Mr Earn sbaw, and others, who forced the Government to grant some concessions to the Temperance cause It is quite evident a little more pressure from the same quarter will make Mr Seddon give further concessions. The question with Mr Seddon is not what was right but what would please everyone, and of course he has failed. The Premier claimed that he ran a great risk over the Bill- his billet was in danger. Now it is difficult to, understand this, as he took very good care not to make it a party question. Had it been a party question, and the Bill had been lost, Mr Seddon would have been obliged to resign. It not being a party question there was no risk, and why then this blowing of his own trumpet of the great personal danger he took upon himself, Mr Seddon seems to bold a very bad opinion of the liquor trade. His flights of oratory in denouncing the sale of liquor to children under thirteen years of age were very effective. People wonder, however, if hotels are such very bad places for children, what good they are for the rest of the community. I am, &c. t Elector. Timaru, November 24th.