MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2189, 13 May 1908, Page 2

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

THE PRIME MINISTER. HIS WEST COAST TOUR. ißress Association.) WESTPORT, May 12. Sir Joseph Ward camo down tho Buller road from Roefton on Sunday by motor car. This was the first time the journey had been made by a motor. Yesterday ho received deputations on local matters, and officially opened the new hospital in tho afternoon. To-day he is visiting the State colliery at Seddon, and ho delivers a political address at Denniston tonight. He leaves for Nelson overland to-morrow morning. The Tutanekai will pick him up at Nelson. • ; WELLINGTON, May 12. The Hoii. Geo. Fowlds leaves Wellington for Auckland on the 23rd inst. He will address his Grey Lynn constituents on tho 27th inst. DENNISTON, May 12. Tho Premier to-day visited Seddonvillo. where ho delivered a short political address mainly on the lines of addresses delivered in other parts o-f the Coast. Referring to the Seddo-n----ville State mine, ho said that so far it had not been a success, but the Government had no intention of abandoning it. Ho was in hopes that in a short time it would rank with other successful mines on the Coast. At the conclusion of his address, the Premier received a hearty votA of thanks and confidence in the Government on the motion of Mr Quinn, President of the Seddonvillo Miners Union. On the way to and from Seddonville, tlie Premier was interviewed by numerous deputations about local matters. Ho reached Denniston at 6.15 p.m., and was welcomed by Mr. Foster, President of the Denniston Miners Union, and a. large concourse of people. The cadets were also present. Sir Joseph received further deputations on local wants this evening. • To night the Premier addressed one of the largest gatherings that has ever assembled in the Denniston Volunteer HaLl. Mr Foster was in the chair. The Premier announced, amid cheers, tlie settlement of the Blackball strike. He was glad for all concerned, and he hoped that the mine would now be in a continuous and prosperous working state. The Premier lengthily contrasted the conditions in the Old Country, America, and in Now Zealand, showing how much better off in many ways people were here, both because of the Government lands for settlement policy, and because the railways were in the hands of the Government and not of private companies. He laid stress on the great advantage derived in connection with the unlocking of native lands in the North Island, and said the main object of tlie Government was to give the poor man a chance to settle. People in one breath asked the Government to nationalise the whole of tho land, steamers, butcheries, bakeries, etc., and in another said they must not borrow. People in the Dominion had paid £6,000,000. To do what was asked it was- necessary to borrow £165,000,000. It would be financial ruin to any Government to attempt this, and his Government was not going to make an attempt. It was no use scrambling for the moon. The Government must be practical. As was shown by the average earnings and savings, this country was not inferior to any other in. the world. The cost of living had increased, but that was because so much of the sweating so prevalent in the past was now abolished. He did not believe the workers were willing to go back to tlie old conditions. It was bettor to pay a little more rather than continue tlie sweating systems. Tlie Government was endeavoring to give the be6t possible education to tlio young, to fit. them for life’s duties. All could not- be equal. If so many horsese were turned loose in a paddock, one would in time become leader, and if it was possible, to make men equal some would be quicker aud surer than others. They could not make them equal, but they could do something towards giving equal opportunity. The Government’s legislation in that direction, the Arbitration Act, should not lie repealed, but amended, and the Government proposes to do that next session, when the bank clause would be enacted. The Premier referred to the largo remissions in Customs duties and the benefits to the workers. The Government proposed to introduce legislation next- session to give annuities to those outside of • the Government service. Reference was made to the breaking down of the usurious rates of interest, by the Government loans ■o settlers and workers. The Premier states that his prediction that the country would be able to borrow money cheaper in March than immerliatoly before the crisis was fulfilled. This country had escaped unscathed, and New Zealand should realise its obligations to the Old Country. It should also remember that a navy was required to protect our produce in transport from New Zealand to markets in the Old Country. He thought that more than £40,000 should be paid. Germany, France, and Italy were building navies to capture .British trade, and New Zealand should assist Britain in her efforts to retain her position. The Premier dealt with the advantages preferential trade 1 would confer. At tho conclusion the Premier was asked a number of questions, chiefly by local socialists. In liis replies he scored heavily, and he filially received a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the Govern-ment,-with hut few dissentients.