THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12868, 29 May 1905, Page 3

THE PREMIER.

Per Press Association.

Dunedin, May 28.

On Saturday morniag the Prem>«r left Naseby, and proceeded to Ophir, stopping on the way at Roughridg*.

Deputations waited on the Premier on the subject of watea conservation and on the subject of Thompson* Gorge road, which, if made, would enable Lake Wanaka to be reached in one day from Dunedin.

Ophir was reached al 6 p.m., and | two hours later the Premier addressed a public meeting in the schoolhouse, which was crowded. Mr Seddon pointed out that the goldfields of Otago had helped the colony fifty years ahead of what it would have be< n as an agricultural and pastoral country. The Premier went on to deal with the finances and prosperity of the colony, and yet with things as they were, it was said there should 1-e a change of Government. He intimated he would again introduce the Looal Government Reform Bill, as there were too many local bodies. He declared that. Mr Massey was no Liberal, and never was, and declared that his works proved it. Dealing with the question of increased population. Mr Seddon stated thai including Maoris and the Pacific Islanders the total was 903,259. He went on to show how the country residents had benefited by railway and other concessions, toid in this connection he expressed the opinion that a concession should be given on the Otago Central line. Tn addition to helping settlers there, this would help settlers in the Catlins district.

A vote of thanks to the Premier, and of continued confidence in the Government, was carried.

The mover said he would like to see a grand monument erected to Mr Seddon. He believed in erecting a monument in honour of a man before he was dead, so that he would know people appreciated him and his works. The Premier, in addition io ?peak'ing at Roxburgh, Lawrence and Kaitangata next week, will also speak at aiosgiel, Tapanui, Palmerston, Ihintroon, and Oamaru.