NEW ZEALAND POLITICS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 187, 23 July 1912, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS.

MR. J. H. ESCOTT ENTERTAINED. PREMIER OUTLINES HIS POLICY. [per press association.] Woodville, July 22. Mr. J. H. Escott. M.P. tor Pahi.atua, was entertained at a social litre this evening. There was a large attendance of supporters from all parts of the district. The Prime Minister (Hon. \\. I'. Mttssev). Dr. Newman, M.P.. Mi. Sykc<, M.P.. Mr. Buick. M.P.. Mr. Guthrie. M.P.. and Mr Hine, M.P.. w. re present. The Prime Minister, in h:s speech, said he would not divulge the (iovernment policy yet. That would be ready in about three weeks. The Government intended paying special attention to land settlement, as they could serve the country best by increasing the number of producers. They hoped to give every man who desired it an opportunity of going on the land and to increase the production. as it was possible to do ; to give security of tenure ; to improve the valuation system by exempting improvements ; to introduce agricultural education, in which New Zealand was behind. The colony being so far off the markets it was necessary'that farmers should get the best possible education. If they ver.’ able to do these things the Government would feci that they had done well for the people. He denied that Sir John Hall. Sir Harry Atkinson, or the Hon. U. C. Bonen were Tories, and gave illustrations of their being great Liberals. They could not make the people rich or prosperous without work, but they hoped to give equal opportunities to all to make the chances of life better. At the termination of his speech the Prime Minister, on behalf of the electors of the district, presented Mr. Escott with a gold watch and chain. There vias great applause, and ‘’For he’s a jolly good fellow was sung. PREMIER’S REPLIES TO DEPUTATIONS. [BY TEI.EOBAI’H —SPECIAL.] Woodville, July 23. In reply to a deputation yesterday afternoon. the Premier said he thought the request of the A. and P. Association for bulls to be let on hire from the State farms was not unreasonable, and he would see what could be done. Mr. Massey also promised to ask the Minister of Public Works to have a flying survey made of a railway line to the country beyond Puketois from Woodville. With regard to racing matters, he said that if a bill dealing with racing permits were introduced th? Pahiatua Racing Club would get a fair hearing.