MINISTERIAL ADDRESS. HON. MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 9667, 8 April 1893, Page 2

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS. HON. MR SEDDON AT HOKITIKA.

|PKK l'!t|f»- Aft OCIATION.| Hokitika, April B.— Tho Hon. Mr Seddon addressed v crowded meeting ut tho Town nail last night. He spoke at length on tbe pjlicy of the Government, which had brought contentment and prosperity to tlieeo!ony,and confidence abroad. Rufeiriog to Woman's Franchise he saii tho E'ectorai Bill would be re introduced next session, and the Government would not niter the position they bad taken up. Commenting on Mr Rolleston's recent speeches, he said Mr Rolleston went to eurao, but lii.s curees pro vi dto bu blessings. He explained the result of the Government's financial operations and said that during tlioir two years of office they bad reduced the floating debt of tbo colony by iIOO,OOO net. As to the disposal of tho surpluH, a large sum wculdbe lequired for educational purposes, and they should also favorably consider the pr 'posal to increa o tho exemption for improvements, and a revision of the tariff w.u necessary ie some few instances, but it would be undesirable to br'ng it before a moribund Parliament. As to tho Railway C)mmis. o ionorß the Government said there must b ■ a c.iange, and on thU they would stand or full. Ho did not propose to abolish them, but tho -Minister of Public Works must be chairman of tbe Board, with right to veto. Mr Seddan roceivol a vote of thanks and confidence, and the meeting also expressed confidence on the Premier's administration.