THE PRIME MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14704, 8 June 1908, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

DEPUTATIONS AT WEST OXFORD. A CORDIAL RECEPTION. Tho Prime Minister spent Friday night at West Oxford, and on Saturday morning attended a gathering in Pearson Park, and received several deputations. Early in the afternoon he left for Cheviot, where he attended a social gathering in the evening. AT WEST OXFORD. At ten o’clock on Saturday morning the Prime Minister, accompanied, by Lady Ward ancl Midi Word and Messrs C. A. C. Hardy, G. Witty and D. Buddo, members of Parliament, proceeded to Pearson Park, where the Oust Mounted Rifles, the Oxford school cadets, and the Oxford school children had been paraded. The weather was beautiful, and the parade made a very pleasing scene. There was a considerable gathering of local residents.

Two very small girls, Misses Mabel Smith and May Harbridge, presented bouquets to Lady Ward anti Miss- Ward on behalf of the school children, Misß Smith making a pretty little speech to Lady Ward. Sir Joseph Ward replied, tiianking the school children for tho gift, and making tho announcement that his visit would, be celebrated on the following Monday by » whole holiday.

Sir Joseph Ward, in his capacity as Defence Minister, then inspected the Mounted Rifles and the Cadets, the former about twenty strong, under Captain Million, and the latter mustering about sixty, under the teachers. A march past followed, and then Sir Joseph addressed the Volunteers and Cadets. The Defence Minister said that lie was very pleased indeed to Audi that both the Volunteers and Cadets had assembled, to meet him. It was importaaxt that Now Zealand should not look at Volunteering from a sentimental aspect. The members of all corps should regard their work as being essential in the interests of their country, in case tho time should over arise when they would have to defend it. In times of peace the young men must show that they were in earnest in. their desire to make themselves good soldiers. It was necessary that New Zealand should have well-equipped and qualified Volunteer corps, and that could be done only if the young men of the nation recognised that it was their duty, by voluntary action, to keep tho corps at their full strength. “ This country is not in any sense a military country,” said Sir Joseph Ward. “ It is nut likely at any time to be troubled by an invasion from a foreign country, because it > is part of a great Empire that is overwhelmingly strong at sea. It is a raid only that Now Zealand has to fear, and tho country looks to its young mon, even at some personal inconvenience, to guard against that. If we have our young men able to shoot, and behind them there is a strong body of public opinion, with old Volunteers prepared to come out if they oro required, there will be no danger. The people will come to recognise that it is tho duty of some member of a family to serve in the Volunteers or Cadets.” In conclusion Sir Joseph Ward said that he knew the difficulties that had to be faced in maintaining* a cavalry corps in tho country, and he thanked Major Millton and his men very heartily for their good work and for turning out to meet him that morning. “ Wo have a great country to defend,” he added, “ and it is absolutely necessary, from the point of view of loyalty to the Empire, that we should be in a position to defend it worthily.” Hearty cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward and Miss Ward, and then the party returned to tlio township. 1 A LUNCH. The Prime Minister and Lady Ward wore entertained at lunch, and the toast list that had been interrupted on the previous ovening by tho arrival of the legal closing hour was resumed.' Messrs D. Hawk, M. J. Dixon and H. J. Morrell replied on behalf of the local bodies. Mr Dixon said that it was not correct to assume that tlio Oxford district had everything that it required. The high valuations in the district were causing the contribution of tho residents towards the cost of the general administration of the dominion to bo very heavy, and under these circumstances it seemed a small thing that Oxford should ask for a paltry sum of £IOOO for a show ground. The Government could not do everything at once, he knew, but he hoped for the best. “Wo arc grateful to*our members for what they have done in the past, and for what they will do in the future,” eaid Mr Dixon. “We depend upon their goodwill, ancl we moan to have it, or else we will kick them out.” Mr D. M’Millan proposed the toast of “The Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association.” He said that lie had no doubt- that tho Association would do good work for tho district, and would prosper for a very long period of years. Air H. T. Cooper, in reply, said that he expected the Association to do _ a great deal in the direction of developing the district. The first show held in Oxford had taken place two years previously, under the auspices of the 1' armors’ Union, and it had been so successful that The Association had been formed, and had commenced its work. He hoped that in the near future the/ Prime Minister might be; able to attend an Oxford show. • . , Air J. O’Halloran also responded to tho toast. He said that the 1906 show bad secured 406 entries, as against 661 in 1908, a result that was eminently satisfactory. The district had lio very rich men, such as it had possessed ill tho earlier days, and the importation of the best claw? of stud animals had therefore ceased. Tho annual show under the auspices of the Association would bo of particular value under these circumstances, because it enabled tho fanners to ascertain what position their stock held in the district. Ho was pleased to see such a large gathering to moot the Prime Alinister, and ho hoped that the small truant asked for would bo readily forthcoming. Mr O’Halloran proceeded to quote tho dominion s export figures, and stated that New Zealand was not doing what it should do The exports of produce could he doubled and trebled had the country got tho population ii> required. There was competition to be met from abroad, but Australia was the only competitor to bo feared seriously New Zealand should not be at a standstill, but tho progress that could be mad© otherwise became impossible because tho farmers could not secure tho labour they required. Great Britain was spending enormous sums of money-on frozen produce, and Now Zealand should secure, a big share. It was the best country iu the world, and. ho was sorrv to sec that* some farmers were Jetting their teams stand idle while they awaited the results of certain proceedings now in progress. They should go ahead, and face the trouble when it came, if necessary. ■ Air O’Halloran also suggested that the quality of the frozen mutton had been lowered because the limit placed on the number of animals killed in a day by one man had been removed, and because tho Arbitration Court had refused to allow fines to be inflicted on slaughtermen who damaged carcases or skins. , The Government should attend to that matter. The farmers who produced the best stock possible should not he. called upon to pay for damage done by men quite outside their control. Lieutenant Chapman proposed the to-ask of “The Ladies,” which was re-

plied to by Air A.L J. Dixon. The proceedings then closed. I

RAILWAY AIATTER.S.

Two deputations waited' upon the Prime Minister in regard to railway matters, Air 11. T. Cooper said that the slowness of tho train service between Oxford and Rangiora was a constant source of inconvenience to the residents. Tho service was very slow indeed, and there seemed to ho no reason why it should not be oousideiably accelerated without any great trouble on the part of tlio Railway Department. At the present time there was talk of starting a motor-car service between Oxford and Rangiora. Air J. Al’Copmack said that tlio lino had been relaul at great cost, and a luster service would he quite possible, but nothing lied been done in that direction. Oxford residents who desired to go to Christchurch had to get up at a very early hour, .dawdle down to Rangiora in tho train, and then, wait about for tho train for the city. It took them three hours and a" quarter to cover the forty-two miles that separated them from Christchurch, The Prime Minister said that ho would bo Tory pleased to lay tie ro* presentations of the deputation before the Alinister of Railways and ask him to look into too matter. (Hie Govern-* ment was very anxious to meet the convenience oi’ settlers in every way reasonably possible. Mr D. M’Millan asked that steps should be takon. to give a train service between Oxford find Sheffield at excursion rates on the occasions of the annual shows in the two centres. Tho Prime Alinister said that he would send a memorandum of the request to the responsible Minister. The general system of tlio Railway Department in regard to excursion trains w*w to meet tho people whenever a reasonable amount of business could be assured. The railways belonged to tlio people of tho dominion and the fares i already were very low. Only one railway service in the world, he believed, had lower fares. Ip dealing with ■ the excursion fares, it had to be remembered that not only tho people go-, ing to the particular show concerned would got tlio reduction but also trie pooplo travelling for other purposes. Tlio Department required to be assured to a reasonable extent that it was non going to give away to tlio public g®nerally a larger sum of money than would be paid, by tile special excursion traffic. The request made would be carefully considered. * A SOCIAL. * The Prime Minister, Lady Ward and Aliss Ward attended a social in the town hall at East Oxford, arranged by the ladies of the district in honour,of Lady Ward. The hall liad been very prettily decorated and in a brief speech Sir Joseph Ward thanked the ladies, on behalf of Lady Ward, for their entertainment. Tho party then left by special train for . Domett, a largo number of res to dents bidding the Prime Alinister goodbye on the station platform.

A SPEECH AT CHEVIOT. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. The Prime Alinister reached Domett at 5.15 p.in., and was driven into Alaokonzie, accompanied by Lady Ward and Alisa Ward. In tho evening Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded gat fieri 119 in tho Cheviot Hall. Mr T. Gee presided, and the Prime Minister wae given a cordial reception on his arrival. * The chairman said that the district was very glad to see tlio Prime Minister, aaid confidently expected to hear something definite in regard to t.fie Waiau Bridge, the site for which Six Joseph Ward would inspect on the following day. Tho Prime Alinister, who was received with vigorous applause, said ffiat seven years had passed since he had last visited Cheviot, and since then its progress had beeii very marked. He had understood that the member for' tho district had solved the problem ol tlio Waiau Bridge, but apparently that was not the case. Ho felt that the district was very sorry that Air A. W. Rutherford had decided to leave public life, at any rate for a time. During his term as member Mr Rutherford had done his best consistently to advance the interests of the district. The Prime Alinister said that he liad a very clear recollection 01 the days when the Liberal Government had acquired the Cheviot estate,. and had been condeinnod from ono end of tlio country to the other by those who professed to regard the Ministers as the “ seven devils ” of Socialism. Of course a Government could not liope to please everyone, but the experience of tlio past as well as of the present was that a young country like Now Zealand required a good deal of vigorous State action in order to promote its prosperity. From Auckland to Southland the people were highly educated politically and , looked to tlio executive body set up. by Parliament to manage their affairs in such a way as to encourage progress and industry. How many of those present, if they had a chance, would leave Now Zealand and go to another country to make a start? An odd person here and there might do that, and somo good folk' who had made their fortunes in New Zealand had gone back to the Motherland for a year or two, but, the great majority came back to the dominion. They found that the conditions at Home were a good deal loss pleasant than the conditions in Now Zealand. Sir Joseph Word proceeded'’ to refer to the need for . more vigorous measures to conserve the commercial supremacy of the British Empire. The countries that wore competing with Britain, he said, were taking every possible step to advance tlioir own interests. Germany, America and the rest had put high protective tariffs against the countries of the British Empire, and were subsidising steamers, ancl in evorv other way assisting their own commercial men. New Zealand could not sell mutton or cheese in Germany, but it had to compete with Germany and evory other country on equal terms in the London market. That was not fair. New Zealand was prepared to help the Alotherland with men and money, and it was prepared to increase its contribution to tho Imperial Navy. Parliament would be asked to do that during the next session. Under all the circumstances the Alotherland should be prepared to enter into a system of preferential trade with the younger countries of tho Empire. Great Britain should offer New Zealand, Australia and Canada seme commercial advantages oyer the countries that would take all from Britain and , give nothing in return. The question was ono to bo faced. The countries outside tho Empire had shut out New Zealand produce by means of tariff walls, and yet Great Britain, threw her ports open to all, even while foreign countries wero building mighty navies, that must bo regarded ns a threat levelled at British supremacy. New Zealanders 1 should firmly and consistently remind thq people of Britain and of the Empire that infey-Empire co-operation wax needed. Referring to labour matters, the Prime Alinister said ho was satisiftfred that during the coming session the good sense of Parliament would see that amendments that had been proved to be necessary in tho Conciliation and Arbitration. Act would be'made. He felt, and said so advisedly, that the country ehould not- lightly throw aside a system that had proved' of very great benefit to New Zealand. A horse .should not be shot because it had developed some minor vice, and Now Zealand would lie very foolish to throw away vain able legislative machinery merely because it. liad not worked without a hitch of late. Tho machinery must bo. put right for tho future. He referred to the demand for the nationalisation of land and industries, and said that no responsible Government would ever commit the country to a policy that could only result in bankruptcy and ruin. Tfa* Go-" ,

yermnenfc was already doing a vast amount in the direction of developing the country, but it could not accept the views of the peeplo'who demanded impossibilities. The great moderate party did not want that. The Government was not a single tax body. It had never suggested land nationalisation, but it had nevcT wavered in its adher-

ence to a policy of sound progressive action. The Minister asked to be judged by the policy and by the results achieved. The. Premier referred, to the dominion’s financial position, which, he said, was absolutely sound and satisfactory. There had ’been absolutely no reason lor the attempt that- had been made by opponents of the Government to create the impression that the country was going to the dogs, and it was not fair or reasonable that such attempts should be made. The Government for a great many years past had been careful and cautious, a great deal more so than some of its critics. He did not'* believe that New' Zealanders were afraid of the future of their country. In conclusion the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at having met the people of Cheviot, and asked them to apply to the works of the Government the ordinary standard of common.sense judgment. Mr J. Gibson said that some people professed to object to of the Government travelling round the country delivering addresses, but" his own idea was that the Ministers wore doing the right thing. He moved that the meeting should tender its best thanks to the Prime Minister and express its confidence in the Government. (Applause). . 'fire motion was seconded by Mr T. Meikie, and carried, amidst, .hearty applause and cheers*. / The Prime Minister thanked the gathering, and mentioned that he had visited no place in New Zealand without receiving an invitation. The Ministers would go where the people wanted them. , . A vote of thanks to tho chairman, proposed by the Prime Minister, closed the formal proceedings. . A social 'gathering was then held, closing with a dance. [From Our Correspondent.] CHEVIOT. June 7. This morning the. Prime Minister and his party were driven over to Mendip Hills, where they will be the guests of Mr A. \V. Rutherford, M.P., tonight. Sir Joseph Ward will be driven back to Cheviot to-morrow morning, and at the Waiau River will bo mob by a deputation that will urge the need • for the early construction of the Waiau bridge. He will bo entertained at lunch in Cheviot by the settlers, and will,receive a further deputation in regard to railway matters. The Prime Minister will then travel to Christchurch by train in order to address a public meeting in the evening. ’’ "" " " " \