SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9222, 26 May 1910, Page 3

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

REPLY TO MR, MASSEY. (Per Press Association.) HOKITIKA, May 25. The Prime Minister delivered a political address in Hokitika last night. There was a very, large attendance, and the speaker met with a good reception. The speech was practically devoted to replying to Mr Massey's recent address here.

The speaker quoted figures to show that the West Coast had steadily progressed for the past four years. Replying to the statements of Mr Massey regarding the treatment of Opposition papers in the Dominion, he quoted figures to show that the total amounts received by the Opposition papers in the four centres, as against the Government organ was £3789 Is 2d to £3584. In other words, tho Opposition papers received £205 more in twenty-one months. He contradicted Mr Masscy's statement that the Loader of the Opposition had been responsible for the placing on the statute book of the Advances to Workers Act. which- gave facilities to workers for them to borrow money _ at 4 per cent, for the purpose of building homes. He (the speaker) was alone responsible for placing this on the statutes. Every member of Parliament knew it. Sir Joseph referred to the matter of the adjournment of Parliament when he had gone Home to attend tho Defence Conference, and other matters on the same lines as contained in his Winton speech. Ho referred to Mr Allen's recent attempt at Milton in regard to the retrenchment scheme as most extraordinary. Tho speaker announced that Lord Kitchener was asked to recommend a military officer to take charge of the Territorial forces of the Dominion.

At the conclusion of tho address a resolution conveying hearty thanks to the Prime Minister for his able, interesting, and instructive address, and also expressing its cordial support of tho Liberal policy he had enunciated, and confidence in the Government of which he is the distinguished leader, was carried with cheers for Sir Joseph Ward.