THE PRIME MINISTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8655, 13 February 1914, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER

ON THE EAST COAST ADDRESS AT OPOTIKX LAST NIGHT. Press Association. OPOTIKI, February 12. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey), accompanied by the Minister for Railway.? (Hon. W. H. Kerries), Dr Pomare, and Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P. for the Bay of Plenty, motored to-duy from Rotorua to Opotiki, where Mr Massey was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. . On tho arrival of the Ministerial party in tho early evening almost tho entire township was out to take part in tho welcome, led by tho Mayor (Mr F. J. Short) and chairman of the County Council (Mr J. B. Gow). Tho first visit of the Prime Minister to tho district was signalled by tho tendering of a banquet at tho Royal Hotel. Hero Mr Massey, in replying to the toast of hi.s health, said that ho had for years been promising himself a visit to tho East Coast of the Auckland district. Ho had intended to make tho visit after tho New Year holidays, but his illness had kept him in Wellington. His business on tho present trl)> was to spy out tho land. A groat deal was said nowadays about tho East Coast railway, and so far ho was exceedingly pleased .with what ho had soon, though ho understood ho had only so for seen a small part of tho producing portion of the East Coast country. Ho fully hoped that on his return to Wellington ho would find himself in thorough agreement with the Minister for Railways that the East Coast people wore worthy of the East Const railway. ‘ There was a crowded attendance at the Alhambra Theatre later in tho evening to hear tho Ministerial visitors sp'cak, Tho Mayor presided, and he and Mr MacDonald welcomed and introduced Mr Massey and his colleagues. Mr MacDonald said that they all hoped, to hear Mr Massey state what his policy was in regard to tho East Coast railway. For too long Opotiki had been isolated, and ho was pleased with the Government’s attitude on tho East Coast railway question. ■ Tho Prime Minister gave an address on tho lines of his To Aroha speech. Ho said ho realised that Opotiki had been isolated for a long time, but the timp of its isolation was coining to an end. (Applause.) He and his colleagues were fully impressed with tho idea that the means of communication must bo improved throughout the Dominion. The Government realised that if the settlers were to bo encouraged they must bo given roads and railways, and last year they expended more on railways than had been expended previously in tho history of the Dominion, Mr Massey reviewed the Government’s 1 land legislation and financial operaReferring to the Government’s efforts to assist settlers and local bodies Mr Massey said it was quite impossible for them to' borrow sufficient for all local bodies. He referred to the intention of tho Government shortly to raise the limit of advances to settlers from £SOO to £IOOO, and to workers from £4OO to £450. Piling the last eighteen montlis the Government had lent to settlers, workers and local bodies not less than £2,472,715. A few Remarks on the recent strike and tho Government's attitude thereon led the Prime Minister to state that while ho believed in trade unionism ho denied tho right of any man to stop the wheels of industry. Tho worst enemies tho country had were the men who went about attempting to stir up strife between different sections of the community. (Applause.) Passing. on to defence matters, tho Prime Minister outlined the agreement between tho Imperial authorities Mid the Now Zealand Government. He took tho opportunity of correcting a misapprehension on , tho matter which had arisen through an error in tho transmission of a telegraphic message from To Aroha, and Mr Massey said ho had no doubt that tho. Imperial authorities wore in thoir judgment doing their beat possible in the interests of tho Empire ns a whole in giving us tho Philomel as a training ship. Tho Now Zealand Government, however, thought a commencement should bo made to improve the naval position in the South Pacific, and if no more satisfactory arrangement was arrived at • before next session Parliament would

probably bo asked to agree to the building of one Inst modernreruiser—probably, of the Bristol type—costing about £‘loo,ooo, to bo 'used in the ©vent of necessity requiring it in the protection of bur trndo routes. Mr Horries spoke interestingly on the native land question and other matters, and Dr Pomaro delivered a brief address. Tile party leave for Whakatano tomorrow morning.