THE PRIME MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER.

RECEPTION AT ELTHAM

[Per Press Association'.] ELTHAM, April 10. A. complimentary social was tendered to the Prime Minister at the Town I Hull to-night on tho occasion of his 'first visit to the district since his elevation to the Premiership. Mr Mackenzie, who was accompanied by his daughter and the Hon G. AV. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived Iroin. Manaia in the evening and was 1 accorded a civic reception by the deputy Mayor, Mr T. B. Crump. At the social Mr J. M’Veagh, chairman of the reception committee, presided. There was an attendance of about 400, a large proportion of whom were ladies. Apologies for absence were received from Sir Joseph AVard and the Hons H. G. Ell, J. A. Hanan, .Rangihiroa, G. Laurensoti and T. Buxton. .When Sir Joseph. Ward's telegram was read the gathering gave throe hearty cheers for him. -J ", ; The toast of Parliament was proposed by Mr W. T. Jennings, rormerly member for Taumarunui, who claimed for tho Ministry a fair chance and a fair trial. He said that he know the Ministers as earnest, sincere, upright, energetic men imbued with the highest ideals of tho Parliament of New Zealand, which was to do_ the best for the land in which they lived. The Hon G. W. Russell responded, regretting specially tho absence of a representative' of the ■ Upper House owing to the illness of the Hon M alter Carncross. The New Zealand Parliament set a pattern of-dignity and decorum to the world. He expressed his appreciation of the way Eltham was doing honour to tho Prime Minister. He saw that night an assemblage m a comparatively small town which would do honour to one ■of the largest cities. It was a great tributo to the high qualities and principles of " Ir Mackenzie. In the great unsought dignity placed upon him by tho party there was no self-seeking, no. canvassing, but there was a comparatively unanimous opinion that there was only one man :3m. could fill the bill and that was the member for this district. He said to the pConle of Egmont that the Prime Minister had the confidence of all his colleagues. His prudence, sagacity, experience and tact were the very tilings required at a time when much might be wanted to overcome tue difficulties of the situation He could tell them a little story. AA hen the last important division was about taken there had been arranged Wellington a great demonstration for winch all the resources of the culinary art were called upon to celebrate the defeat of the .Government, but when the division was taken the promoters had to consider what to do with the “tucker.’ As to the policy of the Government tho b policy would be stated bv the Prime Minister in due course, They all knew the programme of the Liberal Par y during twenty years. If not another item of policy was - laid down beyond legislation that had been passed they would have no need to ask what was the F ol !°7 ° f the Liberal Party. Their legislation had been passed in the faco of the Opposition, and now Mr Massey said he did not object to their legislation, but to their administration. me Liberal Party would not trust the Conservative Party with the administration of legislation which they had systematically° opposed. Grapes did-not grow on thorns nor figs on thistles. The Liberal Party had a po icy and meant to keep it, and with the help of the people the country would go on with the Liberal measures which had characterised the party since the days of Sir George Grey. This was not a rally; they were victors, but tney would organise in case the time of testling came sooner than they expected. ! Egmont had given New Zealand an op.portunity of having its momber seketed by the party to lead the Govem.6l The chairman proposod the health of the guest of the evening. I The Hon T. Mackenzie was greeted ■with prolonged cheering. He said that the gathering was a tribute he'.would never forget, for the Teoson that those men and women in the electorate who accepted him on credit had now had their action vindicated by too ment of the country. .He thanked them all. It made him recognise lus responsibilities. Referring to the cheers given for Sir Joseph W ard, lie paid their opponents had succeeded in driving Sir Joseph Ward from the councils of the country, for a tune, and now he was gone they said there was no one fit to take his place. _lf so, whv conoentrate on him sectarian intolerance and abuse? Why say he pocketed £IOO,OOO of loan money ? Sir Joseph Ward’s name stood high and honoured, and though pigmies wished to discredit his idea of an Imperial Council, that ideal, though perhaps advocated before its day, would become law. The time-would yet come when the country would once more call:m his assistance in its affairs. . Ine speaker had accepted the responsibility of stepping into the breach, and they would hold the breach. The greater the breach the greater the honour. Mr Massey ought to rise to higher levels, and at least give them credit '.for good intentions. The polioy of anatnema and denunciation of others and self-laudation partook of the PhariB ee. He challenged Mr Massey to put the face value of his services to the country against those of the speaker. He said that local government would be considered, so that the activities of the local bodies would be enlarged and their revenue assured. Local interests came first. They were household affairs, and consequently very important. Tho Government was going to endeavour to win the esteem of tho people by going in for energetic settlement. It was not so much tenures as territory. The land question had been the battlecock of the parties. The Government would reach and open up >ll available lands, deal sympathetically with Native lands and break up big estates. They would'increase the graduated tax, hut in such a way as to show the farmer that the record of twenty years ,was going to he continued and that he Would not .bo overburdened with taxation. /Their intention was to go in fori a'/bTogressive policy of settlement, agricultural development, upbuilding of fcjfal and material welfare, extending opportunities to every deserving man and woman to do all to add to the foundation which the" Liberal Party bad laid. If when Parliament met it extended confidence the Government would go on. If Parliament did not think fit to do so, the Government would use no means to influence a man to do other than ho thought right, and 'ft would accept the verdict.