THE PRIME MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15899, 10 April 1912, Page 10

THE PRIME MINISTER.

••• BANQUET AT MANAIA. [Pte Press Association.] MANAIA, April 9. A gathering of about 400 -welcomed 4he Prime Minister at a banquet at Manaia. i ■ The proceedings were most cordial and enthusiastic. Mr Mackenzie, on rising to respond, was greeted with continued cheering. He said that he regarded it as the greatest honour to represent Egmont. Only a year ago he came to lay the foundation stone of the post office, and now he had been elected by the Liberal party to carry on the operations of this country. He praijsed the Battlers for their good work in dairying. Referring to the cutting up of his ; former electorates in the South Island, he said that large landholders had threatened he would never get a. seat because he,advocated cutting up-estates so- enthusiastically. His experience in London had been invaluable .to. him and the people of the dominion, and he had put up fights on behalf of the producers to ensure them getting the results of their industry. He retired to his associtaion with Sir Harry Atkinson, a man of sound constitutional principles, ahead of his times. Referring to the Cabinet and how long it would carry on, he said that each member had occupied good public' positions, had the- interests , of the country at heart, and hoped to ’ .adfc to the standard set in the speech of Lord Dudley. They would make no effort to control the majority, and would accept what Parliament had [h store with even mind. They hoped ; that the people would allow them a chance to continue the good government of the past. The country wanted ■ political rest,' more administration, less legislation. He hoped they would settle ’down and deal with matters for the good of the people, utilise the lands -' and break up large estates. He believed the time would come when land must be available for all wanting it. . To give prosperity to the country and the people, land, good settlers and more scientific knowledge were required. , In dairying matters they needed . men to supervise the produce in London, more instructors and better stud cattle. He hoped to open up lands and improve those waste lands of the North. Fruitgrowing experiments and '■ testing proved that poor lands might be worked with advantage. In conclusion, he said if the Government had a part in bringing about a state of happiness, let his Cabinet have a chance 'to 'do its 'work: He hoped to bring ' ■fvamp lands into profitable cidtivation, and- gave figures showing the areas of theqp lands that would soon be avail- ; /able. ■ Ho assured his hearers’that ho was not giving ■up the portfolio _ of agriculture. Referring to borrowing, he said that the country had a greater income from money invested by New Zealand people than it paid in interest. It was improper to unduly borrow. They must, see that the investments were sound, arid so push the dominion ’along. The Prime Minister was enthusiastically applauded on concluding his Speech.