THE PRIME MINISTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18286, 8 June 1929, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT ROTORUA. Bjr Talegraph—Praia Aisociation. ROTORUA. June 7. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by his private secretary, Mr C. A. Jeffrey, arrived at Rotorua to-night. The Mayor, Mr T. Jackson and Councillors welcomed the party on the platform, after which they were driven to the Grand Hotel. Long before eight o’clock, the Majestic Theatre was crowded to the door, and in spite of pouring rain, queues flowed over the side path into the street. On entering, Sir Joseph Ward was accorded a tremendous reception, the audience rising to their feet. The Mayor, Mr T. Jackson introduced the Prime Minister stressing the fact that Sir Joseph needed no introduction nor yet the audience no admonition to give him a courteous hearing. Sir Joseph on rising, was given a rousing ovation. In his opening remarks, he justified the action of the Government in stopping the RotoruaTaupo railway, and said that the grounds on which action was taken were that the railway could not pay. Conditions since the last Commission gave its report had completely changed and motor transport had grown to be a formidible competitor to the railways. He would tell the audience to their face, that his reasons were arrived at after mature consultation with his colleagues. The line should never have been started, and would never be started again. The Prime Minister alluded to the inconclusiveness of the Commission's report, to which one of the members, Mr Munro, did not assert in material points. In place of rail, a bitumen road to Taupo would be constructed. The administration wanted money to make Rotorua the tourist centre of the Dominion by erecting buildings of U permanent utilitarian character. The past administration had neglected the Tourist Department, but he would not neglect it, and funds would be provided to carry out the reconstruction of the pavilion and the blue baths. The Public Works Department had almost completed plans for this work, which would be started as soon as the plans were available. They would be substantial structures, equal to anything in the world, and the winter of discontent in Rotorua, would be turned to glorious summer. The last Government, continued Sir Joseph, had let the buildings fall into the last stage of decreptitude, but the Government would renew the glory and prestige of Rotorua. A new sanatorium would be erected that would be equal to the task of proving curative to those in need. The tourist roads at the Wairoa-Waimangu Loop, and the Okareka, Rotokawa, Okataina lake roads would all be attended to, and £7OOO would be devoted to the Te Wairoa road immediately. The railway policy of the administration which centred on the completion of main lines and the total cessation of short line building, was defended by the speaker, who also said that if necessary, some short lines in existence would be stopped. Sir Joseph then outlined his land policy, as indicated in his Auckland policy speech, and also other social matters. At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was passed by acclamation.