TOUR OF THE PREMIER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 83, 14 May 1914, Page 9

TOUR OF THE PREMIER.

ADDRESS AT GISBORNE. A LIVELY MEETING. [ Press Association. GISBORNE, May 13. The Prime Minister fulfilled lxis engagement to speak at Gisborne to-night under extreme difficulty, as a result of the delay of the Warrimoo at Wellington on Monday. She did not reach Poverty Bay'until 8 p.m. Before she could let go anchors a fast launch, which had been lying in vyait for her, ranged alongside, and Mr Massey was hustled into it and across the bay into His Majesty's Theatre, where he arrived only a few minutes late, and wasr greeted with rousing cheers by nearly 3000 people. The theatre was packed to overflowing, and the building was surrounded on all sides by people who looked in through odd chinks and ventilators, while numbers of men spent the evening standing on. the outside of upstairs windows and endeavouring to see ! into the crowded hall, i "You're late," accused a voice as iMr ■ Massey commenced to, speak. "Yes," rejoined the Prime Minister. '' I'm sorry, btat it's not my fault; it's my misfortufie." "Then build the railway here,'' retorted the voice. The Prime .Minister said that _Jiis experience in getting to Gisborne was one of the strongest arguments he had yet felt in favour of the Gisborne-Napier railway. (Cheers). Proceeding, Mr. Massey said that the Cabinet had decided that the time was "ripe for a strong forward move so far as the development of the country was concerned. The people needed bridges, roads and railways. If the producers of-tho country were to make the most of their opportunities the opportunities must be improved for the people "of the country as a whole. "I am going to ask Parliament this year," he added, "for a larger sum than for many years back for the carrying on of public works." (Applause). As to railways, the Government could not possibly comply with. all the requests that Avere being made. It was first pecessary to pay attention, to the trunk" lines, such as would connect -Napier and Gisborne with Auckland. (Applause). They woiild not play dog in the manger, however, but would give companies 'the opportunity 5 of building such branch lilies on condition that the standard gavge o£ the New Zealand railways was used and with the understanding that the State would some day take over these lines at\a valuation. The Prime Minisser dealt with land settlement on the line's of his Napier speech, and said that his Government would keep every pledge and promise it had made to the people. In fact, many promises had been fulfilled already. A" Voice: Second ballot, eh? Mr ; Massey : Yes. J promised to knock out the second ballot whenever I could do so, and I did it. (Applause), A Voice: What did you put in its place? Mr Massey: When I get somethingbetter I will give it to you. Until I can get something better I will not the trickery and intrigue of the second ballot. I would rather, leave it as it is. (Applause and jeers). A Voice: That's politics.' \

On the defenee question Mr Massey said that the land defence system was not perfect, but it would be improved as circumstances dictated. All the discomfort the Territorials were receiving in camp would, he thought, make them better men. (Applause). When on the subject of naval defence Mr Massey was' subjected to considerable good-natured banter and interjections. He stated that an arrangement had" probably by now been completed for a conference in the near future between the British' dependencies on defence. He believed the time would come when the people of the Pacific would have to fight for naval supremacy, just as their forefathers had done. He always had held the naval question above party politics, but he could not refrain from referring to the statement made by Sir Joseph Ward regarding the .gift of the Dreadnought. The speaker and others held the idea that the people of New Zealand had paid for the Dreadnought. However, Sir Joseph Ward stated in Wellington the other ni|*ht that only two sections of the community, those who went in for horse-racing, and those who paid death duties, paid for the battleship.' What would the people of England say when they hearathat New Zealand had not paid for the Dreadnought ? It was ridiculous to make such statements as those made by Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Massey dealt-with the subject on the lines of previous speeches.

Proceeding to touch on closer settlement, he said that he intended to ask the Government to place a sum on the Estimates to assist in roading the backblocks. During the year 37,500 acres of freehold rural land had been subdivided and disposed of. The Government was out for closer settlement, and this was proof of it. In response to an interjection he said the Government intended to see that the intentions of Parliament with regard to preventing aggregation weje carried out. His Government had spent more than any previous Government had spent on workers'* houses, and this year would place not less than £75,000 for this purpose. He replied, at Home length to last week's speech at Te Karaka by Mr Macdonald, M.P., and touched on Native lands, and the strike. A motion of thanks and confidence met with a somewhat mixed reception, but was declared carried.

Taken all round, the meeting was the liveliest political meeting held in Gisborne for some years, but nevertheless the Prime Minister received an attentive hearing, and dealt in a masterly manner with numerous interjections. Mr H. W. Delatour, who will contest the Gfisborne seat in the Rfeform interest, also spoke. ! x Mr Massey will leave for the south on Friday.