PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13778, 17 June 1908, Page 7

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

ADDRESS AT TAUMARUNUI. LOCAL DEPUTATIONS. [BY TKI/EGJRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Xauhaitcnui, Tuesday. The Prime Minister left Gisborne on Sun- . day nigh!, and arrived at Taihape hist night. He received numerous deputations regarding district wants on the journey, and promised consideration of the requests preferred. Sir Joseph left Tailuipo this morning, and came on to Ohakune. proceeding a mile further over the Hapewhenua viaduct. From there Sir Joseph went by coach to M.ikatote, proceeding by the Main Trunk again from the northern railhead to Taumarunui. A deputation of I'aumarunui residents had gone up the line to this point to meet him, and brought under his notice the unsatisfactory tenure under which the lands of the Taumarunui township, which are native property, are held. Sir Joseph said he was of opinion that legislation would be required to meet the difficulty, and ho would be very glad to have the matter carefully looked into, with a view to seeing whether anything could be done to help them. The Prime Minister addressed a crowded meeting at the Town Hall, Taumarunui, this evening. The Rev. J. Ward presided, and a number of prominent townsmen, including Messrs. Jennings and Hall, M.P.'s, were on the platform. In the course of his remarks Sir Joseph asked how many people realised the enormous advantages gained by the settlers by five institution of the Settlers' Department, and how many realised what good had been done by the Government in making advances to the workers. (Applause.) He went on to refer to other Acts placed on the Statute Book by Parliament, including the provisions for Government insurance, the purch.t-s? of State coal mines, and estates for closer settle-. ment, and contended that they were all social Acts for the benefit of the whole community. He added that not a single one of these measures would be repealed by the Government's opponents if they got upon the Treasury benches. The Government had been termed socialists because of the wrong construction their opponents placed upon these Acts and the Government's ad- | ministration. A Vote of thanks and motion of confidence in the Government were unanimously passed by the audience. Mr. Jennings, tile member for the district, also briefly addressed those present.- f| Sir. Joseph Ward received a number of local deputations at Taumarunui, introduced by Mr. Jennings, the local member. The Prime Minister was asked to have the Ongarue to Stratford railway pushed ahead. Sir Joseph promised consideration of the request when the Estimates for" the year were being drawn up. A grant of £100 was promised to the .settlers of Ohura for two years tc enable them to make up a sum of £300 per annum to .secure the services of a resident medical man. Four lady residents asked for the establishment of a separate school, as the present school was a native school only, where European children were only tolerated and not wanted. The Prime Minister promised to confer with the Minister for Education on the matter. The settlers from Waimarino asked for an amendment in the term's of their land tenure lease and assistance for roads. The Prime Minister said he would look into both matters. I A post office separate from the railway station was asked for at Taumarunui, and Sir Joseph said that, difficulties about the site had been overcome, and the Government would put a suitable post. office on the site chosen. A request, for a new courthouse was promised the consideration of the Minister for Justice. Other matters brought under the notice of the Prime Minister included a request for the amelioration for the benefit of tourists of the severe prohibition against the bringing of liquor into Taumaiunui, as a Maori township, and a request that Many*, nui hi made a station instead of a flag station. Sir Joseph did not hold out much hope regarding the lirst request. He promised consideration to the latter request, and also said that matters at Manunui would be expedited with regard to the opening up of laud for settlement. To-morrow the Prime Minister will go on to To Kuiti.