THE PRIME MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 197, 14 May 1908, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER.

WEST COAST TOUR. (b y telegraph .—frees association.)' Longford, May 13,

The Premier (Sir J. Ward), accompanied by Lady Ward, and Messrs. ,R. M'Kenzio and Colvin, M.P.'s, arrived at MurcKieon •' township, Central Duller, at 6 o'clock tonight, having left Deniiiston early in the morning. On the way up the Buller Valley the Premier received a number of deputations. The Premier. was received here by the brass band and school children, drawn up in" line, and a largo assembly of inhabitants, though the district is sparsely settled and only ono day's notice was given; Latoi on, tho Premier and party were entertained at a social, the large hall bein<* crowded. 'In response to the toast of the Ministry, the Premier delivered a speech that was re; ceived- with the "greatest enthusiasm, ant. . those present appreciated keenly the oppor-' tunity of listening to the head of the Government. Tho "Premier "gave interesting ' par- . ticulars 'of ,the .development of thei West Coast,' and said : that from '.oriev port (-alone forty million feet. of timber was • exported • annually,:i-while j,there' was sufficient'; timber on the Coast: to keep up the same rate of supply for sixty-nine years. The speaker remarked upon, the'.evidence>'of _ progress ho observed throughout the . district since, his previous visit six years ago. He t emptotsised strongly the importance of paying increased attention . to securing outside: markets for'produce 1 and Imperial trade preference. -His reference to the measures that had; been taken to' prevent, an inrush of Asiatics was specially appreciated by tho audience.' At tno conclusion ; of the address a vote of thanks and confidence in' the Ministry was unanimously passed. ! > ' The party will proceed to Nelson to-moi row, and to lvaikoura on Friday.'