THE PREMIER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 3

THE PREMIER.

HIS VISIT TO TARANAKI. ENTERTAINED AT INGLEWOOD. fBY XBLBGEAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION.] ' INGLEWOOD, 27th January. The Premier arrived at 2.15 o'clock, and was met by the Mayor and leading oitizens, by whom he was entertained at lnnch. In response to the toast of his health, Sir Joseph made a short, pithy, non-political speech, during which, how--ever, he said:— "The Mayor of Inglewood is going to the Coronation. So am I, and I promise you I will try to convert him to my way of thinking before I return." The Premier had a most enthusiastic reception. Notwithstanding that the majority of those present have an Opposition tendency, they were phenomenally friendly. Mr Hine, M.P., was also present, and several others from Stratford. AT NEW PLYMOUTH. THE IRONSAND INDUSTRY. AN ANNOUNCEMENT. NEW PLYMOUTH, 27th January. The Prime Minister arrived at New .^Plymouth this afternoon, from Stratford,. Kaponga, and Ingkiwood, and immediately on arrival proceeded to Moturoato inspect the Ta,ranaki Petroleum /-Company's oil works. To-night, speaking at the Theaire Hoyal to a crowded audience, he -traversed the same ground as at Stratford last night, devoting much time to a defence of the Government in the mattea- of the Tecent five million loan, his •remarks being as already reported. Touching on his visit to the petroleum field in the afternoon, he referred to the immense possibilities of the petroleum industry. It would do an enormous .amount of good, not only in, these part®, but to the whole of the Dominion, and he could only express his fervent hope that the efforts of the enterprising men who iad takea the> matter in hand would 1 meet with the fullest possible success. The Prime Minister added that he had been impressed by the great' develop, ment of the district, and the progress at the port of New Plymouth, where the depth- of water provided was 33 feet at low water, and 45 feet at high water. JEe strongly urged the Harbour Board to . get into touch' with concerns controlling oveiaea shipping, for, in his opinion, it was justified in asking for direct steam trade. He pointed out that the , dairy produce export value had increased by about £275,000 in -the past/ five years, and there had also been a gratifying increase in Tsranaki's population. He announced, amidst cheers, that he had just received news' that ant iron industry would be established in the Dominion within the year, which would be a big thing for New Zealand, and particularly for this district, owing to extensive deposits of ironsand. In passing, he made feeling reference, which was greeted with a tumult of applause, to the energy and enthasiasin of the late Mr. E. M. Smith, M.P^ who had done so much in the intereste of the ironsand industry during the whole of his lifetime, and who had kept it prominently in the foreground, both in New Zealand and out of it. He regretted that "little E.M. " was not now alive to see the fruits of his endeavours.