[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9. 1913. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1891, 9 April 1913, Page 4

[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9. 1913. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

Some very important matters wera brought before the Prime Minister's notice by deputations yesterday, and Mr Massey was discovered in a frame of mind favouiable to tho.-e who made the request? 1 . He conceded some things, and where he could not concede he was sympathetic. Mr Massey has a large heart, and has always been known to say "yes" firmly, rather than " no." We can only hope that when Mr Massey returns to Wellington, powers that be will not cause him to alter his intentions, but that he will piove himself a premier in very deed. One of the most important requests was that of the flaxmillers that some equitable method of fixing tbe grade of hemp should be instituted, It seems rather remarkable ttiat with the application of all the latest patents, the careful, expert stur'y of the flax plant, and the heavy expenditure of money in searching the world for new methods to improve the quality of out hemp, the quantity passed high grade should be receding instead of rising. Mr Massey, apparently, could see at a glance that something was wrong and did not hesi ate to express approval of the deputation's suggestion of a way out of the difficulty. In regard to the things that more nearly concern this town we have Mr Massey's sympathy in at least two requests. The Prime Minister could Bee the town's reasonable abhorence of the whistling trains, and the obstructing traias, that cause so much loss of temper and irritibility in the Square, and his answer suggested a hope of better things in that direction in the future. Some statements of the Mayor as to the lack of police cell accommodation, and the absenco whatsoever of any suitable place for the temporary confinement of lunatics, were rather in the nature of a revelation. It was as well Mr Massey heard them first hand. We can look for remedial measures. The desire of the High School deputation for a grant of a site for a high school was well expressed by Mc W. Rutherfurd. He showed that no high school endowments were possessed by the school, how the to.vn had provided itself with high school and technical school, including the site for the latter, by public subscription. Palmersiou's activity in the cause of secondary education appeared very commendable as categorically stated by the chauman of the Board of (governors. We sincerely trust the town's well-directed efforts will be met in a proper spirit by the Prime Minister and the reasonable request granted. There were other requests; altogether they comprised, as Mr Buick said, Palmerston's immediate wants ; and to none of them did Mr Ma-sey find it in his heart to give a direct refusal. The deputations were well pleased, and Mr Buick, observing their pleasure, was likewise well pleased. The Premier's brief sojourn undoubtedly brought its little ray of sunshine.