THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 99, 26 April 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Mil MYERS ENTERTAINED. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, April 25. A complimentary reception, tendered to the Hon. A. M. Myers by the citizens of Auckland, on the occasion of his elevation to Ministerial rank as lirst lieutenant of the Prime Minister, was held in the Town Hall tonigat. About 300(1 persons attended, and the proceedings were marked with the greatest enthusiasm. The speakers included the Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Russell, the Mayor of the city, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Elliott (chairman of the Harbour Board), Mr Gunsou, and M r Long. The Mayor read a handsomely-bound address prepared for presentation to Mr Myers, and congratulated him upon the high honour bestowed upon him. He referred to his past services and ability.

Mr Myers, on rising to reply, was greeted with a storm of applause. He , heartily thanked the great gathering for their tribute. In the course of , his speech he said that the motto on the banner of the Mackenzie MinisL try was “Honesty of purpose and efficiency.” All recognised that the , time had come for efficient administration. Even the other side held It to be one of the planks of their platform, and it had been accepted by the , Mackenzie Ministry. The conclusion . of his speech was greeted with great cheering. The Prime Minister was greeted . with; great applause. Ha strongly advocated in his speech the vigorous need for a rapid settlement of the land, and emphasised the benefits to bo derived from bringing into cultivation the kauri and other lands. The Hon. G. W. Russell also spoke. THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. Auckland, April 25. To-night the first social gathering attended by the new Prime Minister in the Auckland province was held at Clevedon, when the Clevedon branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held its annual dinner. The president (Mr Alec Bell) presided. Mr Mackenzie was congratulated on his attainment of the Prime Ministership. He expressed appreciation of the reception accorded him, and said that every member of the new Ministry had graduated to his position, and he commended them as earnest workers who intended to use their utmost endeavours in the interests of the Dominion. He referred to the question of protection raised by a previous speaker, who had said that the agricultural industry was suffering. Mr Mackenzie said there were industries in the country, established under protection, that were producing as good an article an could lie imported. He referred particularly to tire woollen industry. There wore, no doubt, mercantile associations in league with houses in the United Kingdom, and that was productive of harmful results. The Government intended to appoint a commission to see that the cost of living was not unduly raised, and that the concessions granted by the Government were enjoyed by the people. THE YEAR’S FINANCES. Auckland, April 25. A statement regarding the financial year was made by the Prime Minister ' at Mr Myers’ reception to-night. Mr Mackenzie said that financially . tho year had been a record one. The revenue from all sources amounted to £11,061,160, and the expenditure to £10,311,000, leaving a net surplus of £907,095. There had been an Increase in every department except in territorial revenue. The balance was made up cash in public account £770,161, and advances in the hands of the officers of the Government £39,934. Financially, both from a revenue and expenditure point of view, Mr Mackenzie said the country was in an excellent position. During the last 20 years the excess of exports over imports had been £61,500,000, and in the same period the increase in internal wealth had been £200,000,000. “I believe,” he said in conclusion, “no matter what may be said against it, that there is no more God-gifted country than New Zealand, in which; every man and woman can do well, and in my experience there has never been a better opportunity than at the present time. t 1 look forward to tho future with confidence.” MR MILLAR MOVES. Dunedin, April 25. A meeting of the Hon. J. A. Millar’s Dunedin and Roslyn committees as held to-night, at his request, to hear a statement as to the circumstances under which he declined to proceed to final nomination for the position of Prime Minister, at the caucus recently held in Wellington. The meeting was held in private. Mr Millar was very frank in his statement that in his opinion the relation of the parties at present was so close as to render it impossible for the business of the country to he carried on satisfactorily, and unless a party could be found having a substantial working majority it was in tho best interests of the Dominion, that an election should be held as soon as possible. He requested the members of bis committee to allow him a free hand in future, promising that he would not in any way depart from the principles which he had advocated in the past. The meeting, which was most enthusiastic, decided unanimously: That this meeting desires to express its complete confidence in Dir Millar, and gives him a free hand to act in future as he thinks best (in the interests of Otago and tne Dominion of New Zealand.