HALE AND HEARTY

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 52, 2 March 1929, Page 10

HALE AND HEARTY

PREMIER VISITS NAPIER. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION DOMINION BOUNDING AHEAD. THE NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") NAPIER, this day. A particularly enthusiastic reception was accorded the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) during his journey to-day from Wellington to Napier. Welcomes were extended by the Mayors and representative citizens at Levin, Woodvlle, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Hastings and Napier, at all of which places cheers were given S>r Joseph Ward as the express moved out of the station. At each place the speakers congratulated Sir Joseph Ward on his return to power, describing the result of the general election as a personal triumph to his popularity and a reward for services he had rendered the Dominion in the past. Special reference was made by speakers and otherto the hale and hearty appearance of the Premier. The interest shown in the Prime Minister's presence by the rising generation was amazing. The reception at Napier was spontaneous. Immediately the Prime Minister emerged from the station he was gTeeted by a large, cheering crowd, and and applause repeatedly interrupted his remarks. Introducing Sir Joseph Ward, the Mayor, Mr. J. V. Brown, said the Prime Minister was out to do his best for New Zealand, and to adjust the matters which had weighed heavily on the people in the past. Replying, the Prime Minister said that, although the position of head of the Government was an honourable one, it was at the same time • difficult one. Particularly in view of the fact that New Zealand was bounding ahead in various ways. The Dominion had responded in splendid fashion to the need for provision of public utilities, and from a ghastly world of upheaval had ♦ merged with a country unsullied and free from foreign domination. (Ap-

plause.) Perhaps the biggest sacrifice of all was of the fine men who went out and did not come back. What New Zealand had now to solve was the difficulty of effecting closer cooperation between the different sections which comprised its population. It ha<l to try to create a system which would prevent the occurrence of unemployment, and promote such closer land settlement as would enable men and women to make their homes and work out their own destinies, so that New Zealand would become sufficiently attractive to invite settlement from 'overseas of those people who would not become a burden on the population here. Closer settlement was wanted. Already the Government had made one purchase of a holding for siibdivkion. [and the Minister of Lands was making personal investigations witli lvsin-i-t to others. Although the Government had Ibeen in office only 21 months, it had already put life into the town and country dwellers. Tn that period financial provision had been made through the State Advances Department for 4so settlers and 000 workers, and a Mini of £1.<>00.200 was still available for those who wanted to improve their holding or build homes. *

The wheel of progress was indubitably being turned by the Government in its aim to help every section of the community. The policy of the Government had been clearly enunciated, and all he asked was what every Britisher conceded as "fair play" to put it into operation. Of course, the Government would remain in power only so Ions: as the people decided it should, but lie was of opinion that the vast majority of the public wanted a I nited Government to remain in office. When the £70.(KX>.0(Mi loan was first mooted, many had said the money could not be raised, but the first instalment of £7,000.000 had been obtained at 4} per cent. A letter to hand from a leading London financial authority described the feat as the mo>t wonderful on the London market for a long time. A Voice: Good old .foe! The Prime Minister was lu>tilv cheered as he entered a car and was driven to his hotel.