A VISIT TO HIS HOME.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14407, 15 July 1912, Page 7

A VISIT TO HIS HOME.

(PBESS ASSOdATIOX T_I._GRAM.)

AUCKLAND, Juiy 14

Tho Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey), who left Wellington on Saturday, came north as far as Mangere, and spent to-day with his family. His visit was purely a private one, and except for public business transacted en route, Mr Massey did not act in his officiai capacity. Ho left again for Wellington by to-night's express, boarding tho train at Otahuhu.

Spesking to a "Herald" reporter on tho train, the Prime Minister said both sides in the Houso had passed through a strenuous time, but he must say that speaking generally the members of tbo former Ministerial Party behaved very well. He specially mentioned Messrs T. Mackenzie and Myers, who took their defeat like men.

Mr Massey was asked if he thoughtthere was a probability of a dissolution. "A very remote contingency indeed," ho replied, with a smile. lam confident that wo have a working majority, and that wo will be able to carry on without tho least difficulty." "I would like to tako this opportunity," Mr Massey added, "of thanking tho people of tho Dominion-—I am speaking generally, and not from a party point of view—for tho approval that has been expressed with 'regard to tho change that has just taken place. There has scarcely been a word of adverso criticism regarding the constitution or personnel of tho new Government, and I have noticed with a great deal of pleasure that even tho newspapers which supported the late Government —and along with the other newspapers they may bo regarded as the mouthpiece of public opinion—are very strongly in favour of giving us an opportunity of putting forward our policy, and afterwards giving effect to it. I feel confident thnt tho timo is not far distant when thc peoplo of New Zealand will acknowledge that tho present Ministry aro a set of patriotic and progressive men who aro actuated by unselfish motives, and that they nro men who will givo their very best to the grand littlo country whose public affairs they havo been called upon to administer."-

Tho trip north from Wellington was the occasion for outbursts of enthusiasm from Mr Massey's supporters all along tho linei In spito of the hard work he had been doing, Mr Massey smilingly welcomed many old friends en route, and was hard at work answering tho hundreds of telegrams of congratulations which wero handed in in bundles at various stations.