MR. MASSEY’S TOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144359, 25 March 1914, Page 3

MR. MASSEY’S TOUR.

A WEST COAST WELCOME. MISAPPREHENSIONS REMOVED. JPEa VRESS ASSOCIATION. TERISTOHURCH, March 24. After a very im-o t-our through Westland, the Prime Minister arrived at Christchurch this evening, having left Hokitika this morning. Everywhere on the Coast tho reception acoordod Air. Massey was excellent. Hospitality was of the true West Coast typo, and every opportunity was taken throughout the trip to show Mr. Massey tlw possibilities of development latent in the district. This was greatly appreciated by Mr. Massey, and convinced iiiui that the Coast Lad a great future, especially in the direction of dairying, which would lie in the hands of the people themselves to realise. Interviewed by a reporter, tho Prime Minister expressed himself as delighted with tho reception accorded him on the 00-isr. f ‘No man/' he said, “could have had a better reception than I received at every centre that X had an opportunity of visiting. So far as tho X>olitical position is concerned, while X am not prepared to say that every elector in WesiMna is now a supporter of tho Reform Party, 1 am prepared bo .say this, that the people of Westland now understand that the present Government is not tho Government of reactionaries that many of thorn have b?eu led to believe, but a Government that is thorougldy progressive, really Liberal and democratic, and ono that is anxious to promote in every possible way tho development of tho country. I am only sorry that I was not, able to give more time to the West Coast. As a matter of fact, I had intended being with them on the occasion of their jubilee, and then going on through South Westland into Otago, hut a somewhat severe indisposition from which I suffered for a few weeks interfered to a certain extent with my plans.” Votes of. confidence in the Government had l>een carried at every meeting addressed by him, said tho Prime Minister, with the exception of Nelson, There was no doubt, however, that there the motion would have been forthcoming had it not been for the interference at that stage by tho member for the district. Mr. Massey arrived from his trip very much benefited in health, although even yet he is not quit© restored to normal, but ho is rapidly “picking up.” To-morrow the Prime Minister will receive deputations on the subjects of the Midland railway and a daily service .with the Coast, and one or two other matters. On Thursday he leaves for Dunedin, where ho will spend a few days. On Monday he will visit Moa Flat and speak at Tapamii in the evening. On Tuesday evening ho returns north, and speaks at FuuTie in the evening. On Wednesday ho passes through Christchurch on his way to Wellington.