THE PREMIER AT GISBORNE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2888, 13 December 1898, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT GISBORNE.

~ + Per Press Association. GISBORNE. December 13. The Theatre Royal was crowded to the doors this evening when the Premier delivered a political address. Mr Seddon • was accorded a splendid ovation. He ! spoke warmly of the splendid land he , had seen m the district, which was equal r to the best Canterbury, acknowledged 1 how it had been neglected and suffered isolation. Although not m favour of a borrowing policy, he promised that if the people of the colony declared for fluch a policy for railways, etc., he would see it had full justice done it. The Op* « *

3 position policy he declared to be i 3 "wait till the clouds roll by" policy which was treating intelligent men an< women like children. He adduce! figures to show how the colony hac progressed during the past seven year under the Liberal reffime, and predicte* that with a continuance of honest ad . ministration the people would not wan a change of policy. Beferring to thi banking legislation, he said that if thii had not been passed disaster would hav< overtaken the colony, and he predictet that with prosperous times, the Stat< would possibly lose nothing over th< > guarantee. He made brief reference t< ; labour legislation, which, he contended ( had not been detrimental to the well being of the people ; had not been disas trous to trade ; but, on the contrary had conduced to better wages, mort employment, and a better feeling between employee and employer. Aftei dealing at length with the old age pensions he concluded a speech of twc hours' duration, saying that so' long ac the country was prosperous, so long as they did their duty, he wished toremain m office and enjoy their confi. dence ; but when the colony retrograded, and not till then, let there be a change. A vote of thanks and continued confidence m the Government was carried unanimously. The meeting closed with hearty cheers for the Premier.