The Prime Minister

Southland Times, Issue 12012, 17 December 1907, Page 2

The Prime Minister

A POLICY SPEECH,

Per United Press Association

WELLINGTON, Dec, 16

Tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward was entertained by the Liberal and Labour Federation _i]vis evening. There was a large gathering, including several members of Parliament. The Premier was presented with an illuminated address in appreciation of the work he had done last session. In the course of his reply,

Sir Joseph referred to the difficult position occupied by members who came in under the aegis of the late Mr Scddon, and ffianked them for their assistance in carrying out the business of the country. In regard to infant life protection the Government was going to recognise ‘ the efforts of the good women in the four centres, who were occupied in looking after people who could not afford to pay for nurses, and in instructing mothers in the proper feeding of infants. The Government would give practical assistance by donating iilOO to each of these centres. The Government hoped, in conjunction with tho Commonwealth Parliament, to establish a State cable agency to supply newspapers in the United Kingdom with a daily record of our industrial, social and political progress, as New Zealand had been too much neglebled for the last forty years in that respect. ,

Tho Premier foreshadowed a change in the electoral system, to ensure thaij tho majority would be fairly represented and that where there was duplication of candidates in any one party tho minority representative would l not slip in.

The Minister spoke hopefully on the financial position of tho dominion, on the lines of recent speeches in other ports of New Zealand.