PRIME MINISTER AT ELTHAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 70

PRIME MINISTER AT ELTHAM.

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL. ELTHAM, April 10. A complimenta.-v social was tendered to the Prime Minister at the Town Hall tonight on the occasion of his first visi\ to the district =inc Q his elevation to tbo Prime Ministership. Mr Mackenzie, who was accompanied by his daughter and the Hon. G. W. Russell Slinister of Internal Affairs), arrived from anaia in the evening, and was accorded a civic reception by the Deputy Mayor (Mr T. B. Crump). Subsequently at a social (Mr J M'Veagh, chairman of the Reception Committee, presiding) thero was an attendance of about 400, a largo proportion of whom were ladies. Amongst those present in addition to the Ministers were: Dr Fitcheti (the Public Trustee), Dr Valir.tin© (I<:3pector-general of Hospitals), and representative residents. Apologies were received from Sir J. G Ward and the Hon. Messrs Ell, Hanan. Te Rangihiroa, Laurenson, and Buxton. When the chairman read Sir J. G. Ward's telegram of regret for his absence tho gathering gave three hearty cheers. The toast of "Parliament" was proposed by Mr W. T. Jennings, ox-M.P. for Taumarunui, who claimed for tho Ministry a fair chance and a fair trial. He knew them as earnest, sincere, upright, energetio men. imbued with the highest ideals of the Parliament of New Zealand, which were to do the best for the land in whioh they lived. The Hon. Mr Russell responded, regretting especially the absence of a representative of the Upper House, owing to the illness of the Hon. Walter Carncross. The New Zealand Parliament set a pattern of dignity and decorum to the world. He expressed his appreciation of tho way in which Eltham was doing honour to itself by doing honour to the Prime Minister. Ho saw that night an assemblage in a comparatively small town which would do honour to one of the largest cities. It was a great tribute to tho nigh qualities and principles of Mr Mackenzie. In the great unsought dignity placed upon him by the party there was no self-seeking, no canvassing, but it was a comparatively unanimous opinion that there was only one man who could fill the bill, and that was the member for that district. Ho said to the people of Egmont that the Prime Minister hod tho confidence of all of hi 3 colleagues. His prudence, sagacity, experience, and tact were the very things required at a time when much might be wanted to "overcome the difficulties of the situation. He could tell them a little story. When the last important division was about to be taken there bad been arranged in Wellington a great demonstration, in which all the resources of the culinary art were called upon, to celebrate the defeat of the Government, and when the division was taken the promoters had to consider what to do with the "tucker." As to the policy of the Government, that policy would be stated by the Prime Minister in due course. They ail knew tho programme of the Liberal during the past 20 years. If not another item of policy was laid down bevond tho legislation that had been passed, they would have no need to ask what was the policy of the Liberal party. Their legislation had been passed in the face of the Opposition, and now Mr Massey said ho did not object to their legislation but to their administration. But the Liberal party would not trr t the Conservative party with the administration of the legislation which they had systematically opposed. Grapes did not grown on thorns nor figs on thistles. The Liberal party had a policy, and meant to keep it, and with the help of the people of the country would go on with the Liberal measures whioh had characterised the party since th«s days of Grey. This was not a rally. They did not want to rally. They were victors, but t'hey would organise in oaso tho time of testing camo sooner than was expected. Egmont had given Nc.w Zealand the opportunity of having their member selected by the party to lead tho Government. The Chairman proposed " The Guest of the Evening." Mr Mackenzie was greeted with prolonged cheering. He said the gathering was a tribute he would never forget, for the reason that those men and women in the electorate who had accepted him on credit bad now had their action vindicated by tho ParUomcnt of the country. He thanked them all. It mode him recognise his responsibilities. Referring to the cheers given for Sir Joseph Ward, he said their opponents had suceeded in driving Sir Joseph Ward from the councils of the country for a time, and now that 'he was gone they gaid there was no one fit to take his place. Jl. so, why concentrate on him sectarian intolerance and abuse? Why say ho pocketed £IOO,OOO of loon money? Sir Joseph Ward's name stood high and honoured, and though pigmies wished to discredit his ideal of an Imperial Council, that ideal, though perhaps advocated before ita day, would become law. Time would yet dome when tho country would once more call in his assistance in its affairs. He (Mr Mackenzie) accepted the responsibility of stepping into the breach, ana they would hold tho broach. The greater the breaoh the greater the honour. Mr Massey ought to rise to higher levels and at least give them credit for good intentions. The policy of anathema and denunciation of others and self-laudation partook of tho Pharisee He challenged Mr Massey to put tho face value of his services to the country against his (Mr Mackenzie's), Regarding locals government, that would be considered, and so the activities of local bodies would be enlarged and tho revenues assured. Local interests came first; they wore household affairs, and consequently very important. The Government was going to endeavour to win the esteem of Uie people by going in for an energetic settlement policy. It was not so much tenures as territory. Tho land question had been the battle cry of parties. The Government would roach and open. ur> all available lands, deal sympathetically with tho Nativo lands, and break up big estates. They would increase tho graduated tax, but so as to show the farmer that the record of 20 years was going to bo continued he was not to be overburdened with taxation. Their intention was to go in for a progressive policy of settlement, of agricultural development, upbuilding of social and materia] welfare, extending tho opportunities to every deserving man and woman, and to do all to add to the foundation which tho Liberal party had laid. If when Parliament met, it received extended oonndeoce, the Government would go obs. ■ff Parliament md not think fit to do aithey would use no means to influence a {□an to do other than ho thought right, and they would accept the verdict.