THE MINISTER OF MINES.

North Otago Times, 12 April 1912, Page 4

THE MINISTER OF MINES.

'. Per.Press Association, •■.-.;■:-... v. ;Gwmouth, April 11. The Hon, Jfls, Colviu, Minister ol .M'lne3, ■'■■ WBB.entertained at atan- > q.uet . this evoiing in honor of his liret official-visit to the West) Coast The gathering, was a veryj enthusiastic, one, and), was attended; 'by lead ingi citizens. of the town-and district... The ..Minister was 'heartilj ■xngratulated- on his appointment, the opinion Mug freely 'expressed, 'tet the selection of the Hon, -Mr i.lvvn as Minister of Mines was a *uy wise and happy one. • The Hon. James Colvin, in responding to the toast of Mb health, h-.h'i-ed the large gathering for the very cordial reception accorded Mm, it had 'been said that the present Cabinet was a stop-gap, tout that was not so. The present Cab-, inot woulM remain in office 1 and do good work. The Opposition press htd attacked one of. the tat men in the Dominion in the person of Sir J. G. Ward. Sir J. G. -Ward was the ablest man in the Dominion,- and he expressed the opinion that Wore twelve months had Fussed- Sir Joseph, would 'be again at the head of affairs.. ■ The people l of, the Dominion wanted Sir Joseph He is a man of exceptional ability, and has a kind heart. He', strongly übjecttd to the-calumny heaped on Sir Joseph Wand by th 2 Opposition press. Sir Joseph never ran after the labor members, although Mi Massey would 'give anything to, lie in power, even for five minutes, Bis chief had told him not to touch on the Party's policy at present. When that policy was decided on it woulj be found to tie a sound and good one. The Hon T. Mackenzie was very popular with the farming communities, and would convert many when he wtnt among them. Ho thanked 'his old West Coast friends lor thj sidad'i'd reception', Oheer upon oheer was giwn foi the Minister,; The Minister leaves in the morn, tag for Kumara to open the Tere. makau waterworks,'