POLITICAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10401, 15 July 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL.

INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER, Per Press Association, Ancklnd, July 14, The Premier’s trip North from Wellington was the occasion for outbursts of enthusiasm from his supporters all along the line. In spite of the hard work Mr Massey had been doing, ha smilingly welcomed many old friends en route and was at work answering the hundreds of telegrams of congratulation which were handed in in bundles at various stations. The Premier, who left Wellington on Saturday, care north as far as Mangere and spent, to-day with.his family. His visit was purely a private one, s and except for public business transacted en route, Mr Massey did not act in an official capacity. He left again for Wellington by to-night’s express, boarding the train at Otabnhn. Oit the way north, Mr Massey was deluged with telegrams of congratulation. Speaking to a Herald representative or the train, the Premier said both sides in the House had passed through a strenuous time, but he must say that speaking generally, members off the former Ministerial party behaved very well. Especially must he mention the Hons. Mackenzie and Mysrs, who took the defeat like men. Mr Massey was asked if he thonght there was a probability of dissolution “A very remote contingency indeed,” he replied with a smile, “I am confident that we have a working majority, and that we will be able to carry on without tbe least cifficulty. I would like to taka this opportunity,” Mr Massey added, “of thanfcuig the people of the Dominion—I x am speaking generally and not for the approval that has been expressed with regard to the change that has just taken place. There has scarcely been a word of adverse criticism regarding the constitution or personnel of the new Government, and I have noticed with a great deal of pleasure that even newspapers which supported tbe late Government—and along with other newspapers they may be regarded as the mouthpieces of public opinion—are' very strongly in favour of giving us|an opportunity cf putting forward our policy asd afterwards giving effect to St, I feel confident that tbe time is not far distant when the people of New Zealand will acknowledge what I have long oobtsaded, that the Reform Party and the present Ministry are a set of patriotic and progressiva men who are actuated by unselfish motives, and that they are men who will give their very best to *he grand little country whose public affairs they have been called upon to administer.”