SPEECH AT WHANGAREI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 38

SPEECH AT WHANGAREI.

WHANGABEI, June 17. The Prime Minister ended his North of Auckland itinerary with an address tonight in the Drill Hall before a large audience. . Apart from a recapitulation of his recent remarks, Mr Mackenzie said that the Liberal party had put taxation on the shoulders of those best able to bear it; hence the squealing which was heard from the moneyed classes. It was true that it took £10,000,000 per annum to run the country, but £5,000,000 of that came from public service profits, and could not be regarded as taxation. Notwithstanding the fact that members of the Opposition said that this was God's own country, but it had a devil of a Government to lead it, prosperity was growing more and more marked. Regarding the land question, the Government aimed at giving tenures in accordance with the pockets and other circumstances of those desiring land. He was going to restore the compulsory clauses in the Land Settlement Aet, and if he remained in office he would go in for a big scheme of utility of waste areas. If they failed agriculturally ail other interests in the country would fail. The farmers' outlook was excellent and assured, but he advised "them not to buy lands at the present high prices, which he predicted could not be maintained. He would endeavour to establish a central land bureau where a register of any property for sale, with full details, would be kept for the benefit of intending purchasers. With reference to the political issue, he felt assured that the people of New Zealand were Liberals at heart, and if the present. Government had .in opportunity of going back to the country he had not the least doubt that it would be returned to power with a majority of eight to ten. If the system of American politics was going to continue it would drive from Parliament, all the conscientious and honourable men. He would like to know any man who could put up a greater record of work in the interests of New Zealand fanners than he had. With reference to education, he said that board administration was better than central administration. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried.