THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143783, 6 May 1912, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

SPEAKS AT BALOLUTHA. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 5. Tho Prime Minister addressed a largo meeting at Balolutha on Saturday night, when he dealt mainly with the recent Opposition criticism of the Government. In regard to statements made in Dunedin that the interests of Otago would be neglected because Otago was not, represented in the Cabinet, the Prime Minister said that so long as he sat in the Cabinet neither the interests of Oliitha nor Otago would be neglected.— (Appluase.) There were people who inquired whether his reign would be long or short. It mattered not to him, whether it was long or short. The position was not of Ins seeking. He was selected by a majority of the party as leader, and he would be prepared at any time to withdraw from publio life if hie party so decided. "Whether long or short, ho ventured to say that it would be a record of honourable, straightforward work.—(Applause.) He did not intend to make a policy speech. He had no time to prepare one. If he were to deliver a policy speech at tho instigation, be it remembered, of the Conservative Party and Mr. Massey’s followers, it would be amply torn and 1 riven to pieces by his critics. The tinpot critics pointed out that in tho present Cabinet were leaseholders and freeholders. He, however, was head of the Cabinet, and his views were largely imprinted on it.— (Applause.) The speaker quoted figures to show the financial stability of the Dominion. He said that the reason young men were leaving the Dominion for tbp Argentine, Australia, and Canada was because many of them were Sons of settlers who had don© exceedingly well in New Zealand, but who wanted larger areas of land than could be scarred here. The Prime Minister said that he was of opinion that two extra paid Ministers should be appointed to the Cabinet if the work of the country ware to be carried out efficiently and Ministers were to be thoroughly familiar with their duties. He made the important statement that two experimental stations are to bo established in Canterbury and one in South Otago. He also dwelt at length on the need of reforms in the Civil Service, whereby young bright men might have an opportunity of filling the best positions. The system wanted modernising and its _ methods si nvoli fj- in g. H© did not boliovo that the Civil Service was seething with discontent. The discontent only existed on the part of duffers who wished their wages increased. . A hearty vote of thanks to the Prime Minister and also a vote of confidence in tho Ministry of which he is head were carried by acclamation. , The Prime Minister left for Balclutha on Saturday morning. At Milton a deputation from' the Technical Classes Association asked for financial assistanco for tho work of the school. In reply Mr. Mackenzie said that it was impossible to carry on two sets of technical instruction with the money at the Government's disposal. Instruction work in connection with the Department of Agriculture had been starved in recent years It was necessary to inquire into the whole system, with a view to coordinating its various parts. The Government proposed to make that inquiry. It seemed to him that a curtailment in some directions was inevitable. _ At Balclutha a deputation urged the acquisition of the Otanemonio estate (5469 acres.) and the Clifton esteto (15 666 acres) for closer settlement, rue Prime Minister promised to communicate with the owners (Messrs. Telford Bros.) immediately. . , In tho afternoon the Prime Minister opened the. Coronation Park and the now post office.