POLITICAL REST.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 85, 10 April 1912, Page 3

POLITICAL REST.

WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTS : PRIME MINISTER'S OPINION. i \»T XBLEGEA3K— riIESS ASSOCIATION.] MaNAIA, 9th April. A gathering of about 400 welcomed the Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) at a, banquet at Manaiti. The proceeding* \wre most cordial and enthusiastic. The Premier, on rising to respond, was greeted with continued cheering. He &*id it was the greatest) honour to represent Esmont. Only a i year ago he eanie l<> lay the foundation I stone of tho Post Office, and he was I now elected by the Liberal Party to ; carry on the operations of this country. The people -worked co well that, despite prognostications, he was elected. He hoped Mr. iionnings's absence from Parliament was oiily temporary. He praised the settlem for their good work in dairying. Referring to the cutting up of his ionner electorates in tho South Ibland, he said the large landholders threatened that he would never get a Beat because ho advocated the cutting up of estates ho enthusiastically. His experience in London was invaluable to him and tho people of the Dominion. Be had pul. up lights on behalf of the producers to ensure that they got the rusuits of their industry. Regarding the election, ho was determined to fight clean and fair. Both candidates endeavoured so to act, and to shake hands afterwards. He hoped his constituents would all be proud of him as their member. Ho refused to give any promises. He gave his sorvices to the finest district in the Dominion, and then to the Empire. He referred to his association with Sir Harry Atkinson, a, man of sound constitutional principles, and ahead -of the timeo. He believed in party as being a means to an end. A nmn"s work should be lor the good of | ihe country. Referring to the Cabinet ! and how long it would carry on, he t>aid b.9 would say that each member had occupied a good public position, and had the interests of the country at heart. He hoped to act up to the standard set in the speech of Lord Dudley, who 4 deprecated a policy of anathema. Good men should sacrifice themselves for the country. He recognised b.k responsibility to the future. They intended to answer every speech before they -met Parliament. They would make no effort to control the majority, and would accept what Parliament liad in store with an even mind. He hoped tho people Avould allow them a chance to continue the good government of the past. He hoped to do something for Taranaki and Egmont. The country wanted political ive&t, more - administration, and less legislation. He hoped to settle down and deal with matters lor the good of the people, to utilise, the lands, and to break up laigu estates. He believed the time would come when the lands must be available to all tw> as to give prosperity to the country, and people the land with good settlers. More scientific^ knowledge was required in dairying matters, and men to supervise the produce in London, also more instructors, and better stud cattle. He hoped to open up the* lands, to improve the waste lands in the north by fruitgrowing experiment*, and testing, so as to prove that poor landscould lie worked with advantage, and to bring Crown and other lands into greater productiveness. If tho Government had had a part in bringing abeufc a btat« of happiness, let his Cabinet have a chance to do the work. He hoped to bring swamp lands into profitable cultivation. He gave figures showing the areas <rf these lands, which would soon be „ available, and he assured his hearers* that he was 'not giving ujp the portfolio of Agriculture. Referring to borrowing, he said "the country was getting greater income from the money invested by the New Zealand people than was paid in interest. It would be improper unduly to borrow. They must see that the investments were sound and so push fhe Dominion along. On the Opunakc Railway Commission were xn&n representing al lthe necessary branches o! knowledge. He hoped to be able' to include in the order of reference questions of tramways. He referred to the singular session^ and said the men who were going to rule the country were men who would take the people into, their confidence and make the country what God meant it to be. If they did not fill the position they would retire. He would fulfil the promise • he made to come and live in Egmont. - Enthusiastic applause greeted the end of the speech.