CIVIC RECEPTION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

CIVIC RECEPTION.

MB MASSES' CX)ftDIALE* WEIL- ; .• "■■ ;^ s > 1 ;.;v;>-;'ODICp>.<i.1;-; ■■;•.:■;■.: ~■:;? <From <(The Cokinist," Feb. 11.) the Kight'Hon. W:?F. jMassey, the l*rim© Ministor, witi Mrs Massey and Miss Massey, h&rt-ived ©ye^rland-j from Havolock at 5.20 last 4vjening^ and wor© tendered a civic receptionlitttho Municipal Buildings by the Mayor (Mr W. Look) on. arrival,^ O« alighting from his*niotor-car .Mr.^lassey was accorded a heaity ftelfbrnJe by a large crowd of citizens.1' Me A.!T. Mqginnity, ipresideijt •# th,e lohal branch of the Ilefo'fm League!, with a "number, of - members of that body, motored as far as the Rai Falls to meet the Prime Minister and his party, ■ and they accompanied them as far": as .Qarluke, where Mr Massey, delivered-a Brief address, the mill ceasing operations to enable the, hands to.jliuteh to the speech The party then rosuiie on tolNelson*The Mayor welcomed Mr Massey in the- Council Chamber in the,-presence of a large gathering, which included'many ladies, and congratulated him upon attaining the high office of Prime Minister. For many years pasty he said, Mr Massey had been in what was known as the "cold shades of opposition," but during that time hcv had worked hard for the 'party h.-> represented, and had done good work for the country. (Applause.) It was necessary for the good government of /the country to have a good Opposition. Throughout his career Mr Mas6ey had been known as a very honest, straightforward politician. (Applause.). This was admitted by friends and foes. One writer had said his greatest asset was hia honesty. (Applause.) Neither one side 'nor the other found fault with him for his honesty of purpose. The fault with him—as with every Governmentwas with his policy and his administration. The Mayor said it was only fair for him to say thathe did not ir»w in the same boat politically as tho Prime Minister, but he loped that he was liberal minded enough to give credit to any politician who did good work for his country (Loud applause) Ht trusted that during Ins visit Mr Massey and his party would have- a pleasant, time, and lie was very pleased indeed that the Primo Minister was going to see the district. People had complained that "Ministers of the Crown wasted their time travelling about the country, whan they should be in Wellington attending to the duties of their office, but he thought it was a good thing for Ministers to form their own judgment of tho various places they visited to see what was required. (Applause.) The Mayor said he was quite sure that Mr Massey, when he went through to Gienhope would se© for himself the necessity for pushing on tho railway to Mußchison, not only for the benefit of the district, but for the benefit of the Dominion as a whole. He hoped Mr Massey would also put on tho two hundred men who wore knocked off when tie present Government took office. (Applause.) The Mayor said that he hoped Mr Massey when he visited the railway station would see the necessity ft>r » new bui'ding, and would use his influence with his colleagues to have a new structure. He congratulated tho Primo Minister on his restoration to health, and he hoped he and Mrs Mas»«ey, and Miss Massey, would have a pleasant time, and that the citizens would *gain have the pleasure of seeing them at no distant date. Cr. Hampson congratulated Mr Massey on his elevation to the Premiership, as he had the privilege of being one of his supporters on the first occasion when ho was elected to Parliament. He expressed pleasure at the large gathering, which was evidence of the cordiality of tho welcome to Mr Massey and his party. On behalf of the Council, lie hoped their stay would be a pleasant one. Mr A. T. Maginnity, president of the local branch of the Reform League, »l#o added a few words of welcome. He j said that no matter of what shade of opinion they were they were assembled to welcome the Prime Minister. It was not a political gathering—they would hear Mr Massoy's views on politics on Monday night-^-and they extended to him the heartiest welcome they could j give. | " The Prime Minister, who on rising to reply was received with hearty and prolonged applause, thanked tlie Mayor and citizens for the cordial welcome extended to him, and those who had come j to meet; him on his arrival. It was his first visit to the city as Prime Minister, but he had visited Nelson previously as a private member. On that occasion his reception had been cordial and courteous, and he knew that when he came ag Prime Minister his welcome would be no less cordial, and he was not disappointed. (Applause.) He was gratified to learn that Nelson was going ahead, and that some of its industries were making remarkable progrese: consequently he must come to the conclusion that its prosperity was assured, "and," said Mr. Massey, "if I can assist in advancing the city as a Minister of the Crown I shall be very very glad to do so, feeling certain that \ I shall be doing the right thing not! - only for Nelson, but for the Dominion .as a whole." (Applause.) Mr Massey said he wa<s pleased to hear the Mayor's remarks about the honesty of Ministers, and the necessity for their travelling about the country. So far as his time and health permitted, he intended to see as much as possible of the Dominion. Having seen the district, he might be able to speak with no uncertain voice of its possibilities. He was not there to talk politics, but the time might come when the Mayor and himeelf might be rowing in the same beat. (Cheers.) (A voice: "No chance.") "It's never to late to mend," said Mr Maseey, amidst laughter and applause. The Prime Minister then concluded his remarks by again thanking the Mayor, . councillors, and citizens for the cordial-ity-of their reception. ' j Mr Maesey then chatted a few min-j iteß with the prominent members of the Reform League, and as he motored away to the Masonic Hotel he was ac-1 -corded three hearty cheers. j