THE PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 188, 7 May 1929, Page 13

THE PRIME MINISTER

VISIT TO TARANAKI BUSY DAY AT NEW f PLYMOUTH I ) i Dominion Special Service. ' New Plymouth, May 6. i The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward! to-day visited different parts of the district, when he renewed acquaintance with many old friends and supporters. The first thing this morning he visited the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, inhere he was received by the principal (Mr. Moyes), at whose eall three cheers were given by the assembled scholars. After briefly addressing the boys, Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the pupils be given a holiday to mark the occasion—a proposal received with unanimous enthusiasm. The Prime Minister then motored to the North Egmont Mountain Ilostlery, when he officially opened the new bituminised road to the mountain. Replying . to an address of welcome by Mr. T. C. List, chairman of the National Park Board, the Prime Minister said he looked forward to a successful termination of the struggling efforts of the past to make the mountain an attractive place, and to the time when a multitude of visitors from everywhere would come to see it. He hoped to be able to co-operate with the board during the coming year, and have the road completed, thus making it easier for people to go there even more comfortably than at present. When the place was better known and its drawing powers increased there would be greater progress, and he would see that the resort received equal publicity by the State, as did other attractions. Sir Joseph Ward added that no other country he had seen possessed the attractions and advantages, of New Zealand, but in development we had to take second place, since our experience of constitutional government was measured by only 80 years. At the same time the progress made marked the Dominion as a progressive community. Progress was wrapped up in the population the country could carry. Increased settlement was essential, together with increased occupation in the towns; both went hand in hand. The more people there were in the country the lighter the taxation, and he thought they could look forward hopefully and cheerfully to the future. There were no grounds for even the most pessimistic to be unhopeful about the future of New Zealand. fsir Joseph expressed the wish for continued prosperity and for good results to all concerned in developing the resources of the mountain.

Returning to town the Prime Minister inspected a guard of honour, 600 strong, from the high school, and was the guest of honour at a luncheon given on board the Rotorua to mark the arrival of such a large steamer at Port Moturoa. In the course of his response, the Prime Minister sounded a note of warning in regard to harbour development (which is reported elsewhere). , . In the afternoon the Prime Minister visited Waitara. The Opera House at New Plymouth was filled to capacity to-night on the occasion of a civic reception. The Mayor (Mr. V. Griffiths) said that in the House Sir Joseph Ward would be given every opportunity to carry out his progressive policy. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, said Sir Joseph enjoyed the high regard of many citizens of New Zealand. He had a great record of public service, a record which could not be equalled by any man living in the Dominion. He was quite satisfied that Sir Joseph would go ahead with the work which he had undertaken, and that the legislation which he would introduce would redound to the credit of all. Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P. for Stratford, said he had always greatly admired Sir Joseph’s'great qualities. He was a man who was above the small things, and was courtesy itself. Again, he was steadfast; he stood for his principles. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P. for New Plymouth, said the Prime Minister was a man who could go into any part of the Empire and be welcomed for his services to the Empire, and the great audience revealed that the people of New Plymouth were proud to be associated with those on the platform in welcoming the Prime Minister. Mr. J. S. Connett, chairman of the Taranaki County Council, also welcomed Sir Joseph. The Prime Minister, excerpts from whose reply are published in other columns, was accorded a fine reception.