PREMIER AT OPOTIKI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13306, 16 February 1914, Page 4

PREMIER AT OPOTIKI.

OPOTIKI, Thursday. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), accompanied by v the Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries), Dr Pomare, and Mr W. I). Mac Donald, M.P. for the Bay of Plenty, motored to-day from Rotorua to Opotiki, where he . was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. Almost the entire township, was out to take part m the welcome, led by' the Mayor (Mi- F. J. Short, and the chairman of the -County" Council (Mr J. B. Gow). ' The first visit of the Prime Minister to the district was signalised by, a bauduet at the Boy al Hotel. Here Mr Massey, m replying to the toflst of his health, said that he had "for years been promising himself a visit- to the East Coast of Auckland district. His business on the present trip was to spy out the land. A great deal was said nowadays about the East Coast Railway, and so far as he had travelled he was exceedingly pleased- with what ho had seen* tJiougn lie understood he had only so far seen a small part of the puoducing portion of the East Coast country. There was a crowded attendance at the' A-lhambrS' Theatre'.li*fte_'in thee Veiling 'to hear tlie',*' Ministerial visitors speak. The Mayor presided, and he and Mr Mac Donald welcomed and introduced Mr Massey.- :•■•■• -- - ■ - The Prime Minister gave an address on the lines of his Te Aroha speech,. He said. he realised that Opotiki had been iscolated for a long time, but the time of its isolation was coming to an end. (Applause.) Both he and -his colleagues were' fully impressed with the idea that the mea*s of communication must be im-. proved throughout the Dominion. The Government realised tliat if the settlers were to be encouraged they must be given roads and railways, and last year they expended more on railways than had been expended previously m tho history of the Dominion. Mr Massey' went on to review the Governments land legislation and financial operations, i ■

A few remarks on the recent strike and the Government's attitude thereon led the Prime Minister to remark tliat, while he believed m trades unionism, he denied the right of any man to stop .the wheels of industry. The worst enemies the 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, . the Prime Minister outlined the agreement between the Imperial authorities and the New Zealand Government. He topk the 'opportunity of correcting a misapprehension on the matter which had ariseh through an error m tho transmission of a telegraphic message from Te Aroha. • Mr. Massey said he had no doubt that the Imperial authorities were, m their judgment,, doing the best possible m the interests of the Empire as a whole m giving us tlie Philomel as a training ship. The l\ew Zealand, Government, however, thought a • commencement should be made to improve the naval position m the South Pacific, and if no more satisfactory arrangement was arrived at before next session Parliament Avould probably be asked to agree to the building of one fast modern cruiser. This would probably be, of the Bristol type, costing about £400,000, to be used ' m the event of necesity requiring it for the protection of our trade routes. ' \ '

Mr Herries spoke interestingly on the native land question and other matters and Dr Pomare delivered a brief address. .•., .-...,