PRIME MINISTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 10

PRIME MINISTER

VISIT TC HAWKE’S BAY. XfATXte WELCOME RECEIVED. NAPIER, March 1. The Prime Minister arrived at Napier this evening after having been warmly received at various stations en route, at several of which lie addressed the assembled crowds. In each case tho speakers congratulate Sir Joseph on his return to power, describing the result of the election as a personal triumph to his popularity and reward for past services, he liacl rendered the Dominion. The reception at Napier was spontaneous, and immediately the Prime Minister emerged from the station he was greeted by a large cheering crowd. Introducing Sir Joseph AA ard, tne Mayor, Mr J. Vigor Brown, said that the Prime Minister was out to do ms best for New Zealand and to adjust the matter which had weighed heavily on the people in the past. Replying the Prime Minister sain that New Zealand was bounding ahead in various ways. The Dominion had responded in splendid fashion to the need for the provision of public utilities, and from the ghastly world upheaval had emerged with a country unsullied and free from foreign domination. (Applause.) Perhaps the biggest sacrifice of all was that of the fine men who went out and did not come back. What New Zealand had now to solve was the difficulty of effecting closer co-operation between the different sections which comprised its population. It,had to create a system which would prevent the occurence of unemployment and provide such closer lend settlement a; would enable men and 'women to make their homes and work out their own destinies so that New Zealand would become sufficiently attractive to invite settlemnt from overseas of those people who would not become a burden on the population here. Closer settlement was wanted. Already the Government had made one purchase of a holding for subdivision, and the Minister of Lands was making personal investigations with respect to others. Although the Government had been in office only two months and a half, it had already put life into the town and country dwellers. Over that period financial provision had been made through the State Advances Dei partment for 680 settlers, and 500 workers, and the sum of £1,600,000 was still available for those who wanted to improve their holdings or build homes. The wheel of progress was indubitably being turned by the Government in its aim to help every section of the community. The policy of the Government had been clearly stated, and all he asked was what every Britisher conceded, i.e. fair play to put it into operation. Of course the Government would remain in power only so long as the people desired it should, but he was of opinion that the vast majority of the public wanted the United Party to lemain in office. When the £76,000,000. loan was first mooted many had said the money could not be raised, but the first instalment of the £70,000,000 had been obtained, and at 4J per cent. A letter to hand from a leading London financial authority described the'result as the most wonderful on the London market for a long time.