THE PREMIER ON TOUR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8530, 9 April 1913, Page 2

THE PREMIER ON TOUR.

VISIT TO PALMERSTON NORTH

Per Press AMooiatton,

PALMERSTON NORTH, April 8. The Premier arrived hero from Wanganui this..evening, and was officially received by the Mayor. Shortly after his arrival he heard a number of deputations, who brought before him local wants. ' Mr F. Pirani, on behalf of the Manawatu Master Printers'' Association,, asked, in regard to Dominion awards under the Act of 1911, that before being joined to an award an employer should be allowed to show cause that it would not be equitable to be so joined; also, that there should be separation of city from country. in Dominion awards. He also asked that the law in regard to debts incurred by candidates for Parliament, particularly in regard to advertising, should not be allowed to protect dishonest .candidates who repudiated their just debts. Mr Massey eaid,-he was already considering an amendment to the law regarding Parliamentary candidates' expenses. The other matters referred to would be looked into.. ! Replying to; a flaxmillers' deputation, who made objections to the recent alteration in the grading of hemp, Mr Massey said he had been impressed with the suggestion of Mr L. Seifert, a member of the deputation, that there should be a standard bale of hemp at each grading port on which to base grading. He would see that the idea was adopted. i : Replying to Mr S. Jickell, president of the Local Bodies Engineers': Association, he said he would ascertain if the Government's representative, who was already proceeding to the Old Country., and was going to inspect light railways in Belgium, could attend the conference of road engineers in England in June, v .- . ■■ '- .-■;■■:■.,■■■■ i To-night Mr Massey and Messrs D. Buick, H. Campbell, and D. Guthrie, M.P.'s, were entertained at a smoke concert by the citizens, about sixty attending. Speaking at th© social gathering to-night, Mr ■ Massey said he did not propose to make any policy speech, but would do so at the proper time. The propel" time was not when Parliament was in recess, but at election time, or in the Governor's Speech, or when the Finance i Minister;'brought down his proposals. , Then the Government was prepared to announce its policy. Mr Massey leaves for Wellington to-morrow morning.