THE PRIME MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 10

THE PRIME MINISTER.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT INVERCARGILL. [From Ohr Correspondent.] INVERCARGILL, Alay 7. The Prime Minister met with a most enthusiastic reception from a representative gathering on arrival at Invercargill. The Ala.yor welcomed Air Mackenzie, in whose honour the Pipe Band assembled and played stirring airs. Leaving the station, lie was escorted to the rotunda in Post Office Square, where the Mayor, Mr W. B. Scandrett, in congratulating him on his accession to office, said that Air Alackenzie had to follow statesmen whoso names would live in the history of the dominion— Weld, Stafford, Fox, Vogel, Hall, Atkinson, Grey, Ballance, Seddon and last, but not least. Ward—who had fixed a high standard for Prime Alinisters. but they might rest assured that Air Alackenzie would strive to maintain that standard and that the dominion would not suffer at his hands. He would, no doubt, receive, as he deserved, every consideration from Parliament and people. The Prime Alinister, who was enthusiastically received, stated that the reception exceeded anything lie could have anticipated. The. Alayor had referred to the galaxy of men who had occupied the highest position in the country during the time it had enjoyed the privileges of constitutional government, and he was conscious of the heavy responsibility resting on liis shoulders in endeavouring to fill .the shoes of those illustrious predecessors. He had mentioned that Sir Joseph Ward had been last, but not least, a,nd if there was any part of the dominion that was indebted to that able statesman itlwas this, portion. It had been said there was only one mail in the Cabinet who was going to look after the agricultural industry, but there was not ono in the Cabinet who would not give it serious attention. It had also been said that, ho was not there to look after agriculture, but that statement was inaccurate. As a matter of fact, lie intended to arrange for agricultural education and establish experimental farms, so that people might know Low to do things in an efficient manner and learn the best milking strains. He would also do his best to procure more markets and establish proper transit. To say that Air .MacDonald was alone going to act for the agricultural interest was to show that their critics were not fair. It had been asserted.that the Alackenzio Cabinet was composed of a crowd of mediocrities. They might not have had the same opportunity of receiving a university education as had a number of their opponents, nevertheless there was not a man amongst his colleagues but had given indication of grit and go. , The Prime Alinister proceeded by train to Orawia, in the Western District, where Air J. C. Thomson will be banqueted/ and will attend a similar function at Otautau to-morrow.

AIR. AIASSEY IN REPLY. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Alay 7. Referring to the Prime Alinister’s speech at Balclutha, Air Massey said that all Air Alackenzie did at Bal-! clutha was to give a quotation from an anonymous letter which he said appear-! ed in a London financial journal, andj he did not .even give the name of the! journal referred to. The Prime Alimster’s reply was a miserable quibble, and he (Air Alassey) repeated his former reply that any statement that , any member of the Opposition attempted to injure the credit of the country in any way was absolutely contrary to. ; fact. The knowledge that the five-mil-lion loan had been floated in London came to the House as a surprise, and outside the Cnbinet not a single mem- ; her of Parliament had the. slightest idea of the intention of the Govern-j ment to place such a large loan upon the money market at the time. There! was nothing else in Air Alackenzie’s speech as reported in Auckland except the mere noint that Air. Alackenzie said that Afr Alassey had said “ a Mackenzie could always be bought.’/ To this Air Alassey replied: —“ It is a paltry thing in tho extreme, and it is also untrue. As a matter of fact, I have sent a telegram to Air Alackenzie as follows, ‘ Will you give me your authority for your statement that I said a Alackenzie could always be bought.’ ” Mr Alassey added that Air Alalcolm, member for Clutha, would reply to Air Alackenzio at Balclutha.