Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1914. Mr Massey, Explorer.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2319, 25 March 1914, Page 2

Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1914. Mr Massey, Explorer.

The Premier, who was under doctor's orders but a short time ago to ease off the strenuous life lie was leading politically, seems to have taken a new lease of life. He has just concluded his first exploration of the one-time wild and weird West Coast, but now so tame that it will feed out of any politician's hand. There was some method in their wildness in the old Seddonian days; and there is just the same method in their tameness to-day. For instance, referring to the fact that Ministers were going about the country "scattering pre-election promises," the Hokitika Guardian had this to say: "The advent of a Minister, and the head of the Government at that, to our own district, should awaken the people to a sense of the changed position, and they should not be backward in an effort to also participate in the good things which 'election year' seems to be providing. The deputations should get busy with their little lists. Evidently funds are plentiful, and Westland should seek its share." Good old greedy, handfed, Seddon - nursed Westland! "Get busy." That was the reason, probably, why Mr Massey's parting advice to the West Coasters was that they should "put on the break." Extravagance' and heedlessness of finances have hitherto been the curses of the CoasE, and everywhere the Premier went on his present tour deputations awaited him bowl in hand, Oliver Twist-like, asking for more and yet more money. Nevertheless, Mr Massey's explorations along the (to him) Unknown Coast led him along paths of pleasantness and peace. The West Coasters are noted for their hospitality, and they treated the Premier as a Premier should be treated. And in return Mr Massey gave fchem of his best—speeches, replies, trenchant criticism, walking, talking, inspecting—so that when next he does the Coaist the odds are on him that they will call him "Bill."