The Premier in the South.

Opunake Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2052, 3 April 1914, Page 4

The Premier in the South.

Dunedin, March -SO.

The Bight, Hon. W. F. Massey addressed a meeting in Moggie l , and had a most, enthusiastic reception, r The Prime Minister said he would first refer to the defence policy of the Dominion. The land defence system had now been placed on the Statute Books, and met with the approval of the great majority of the people, and, of course, rh're were some objectors to the land, defence system. But be did not believe io the folded-band po'icy. He considered the naval defence policy ißOie important than even the bind, defence, and rented teat the Hen. Ls A!Un, Defence Minister, had gone Home to see if the naval policy for the Dominion could he arranged for on (be b.rsis they desired. Mr Allen, however, received no satisfaction. The arreemont arrived at in 1909 was not being fulfilled, and ho (tfce speaker) thought they should take steps to build a ship or ships for the Dominion. Australia had gone in for a Iccal navy, and he considered the Dominion, should do likewise, not because Australia had done so, but because he considered it was proper that we should do so. By ro'arranging the money at. present fixed for the snbridy to the British, Navy, he oonsid-o i red we could build a ” Bristol ” crui eor without the extra cost of a copper. He referred to the strike, and said the Government bad done ics best, tul it was-impossible to bring it to a conclusion ewing to the obsiiuacy of the leaders. He did not blame the rank and file of the workers. He felt amused at the statements that the strike could have been settled in two days. It could not have, except the Government had backed down, and such a thing did not appeal to him. The speaker traversed a number of other subjects dealt with in previous speeches, and said his Government stood for all that was progressive in the country. At the conclusion of the meeting a heariy vote of thanks and confidence in the Government w>is carried with cheers trad without a dissentient voicF.