THE PRIME MINISTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10301, 4 November 1911, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

A DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH. A VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UNDERTAKING. Sir Josopli 'Ward, Prime Minister, accompanied by Lady AVanl, arrived in CJiristchurch this morning. Ho Avili spend to-day and to-morrow in tho city, and -.nil leave by the first express on Monday for the south, where he will begin the, campaign for the general election. He will spend some time in that part of the dominion, but he has promised to lay the foundation-stone of the new public; buildings at the corner of Cathedral Square and "Worcester iStreet, and will return to Christ-church to do so within a fortnight. This morning lie visited tho industrial Exhibition, and in the afternoon ho attended the races. After having come straight from the strenuous work of tho session. Sir Joseph was disinclined to discuss political questions with interviewers to-day, and refused to answer-questions, except to announce "that the date of the election, has been definitely fixed for December 7. THROUGH THE EXHIBITION. At the Exhibition, Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward, who were accompanied by Mr it. G. Ell, ALP., was met by Air G. R. Whiting, president, and Messrs J. Young and I. Meyer, secretaries. The party was shown the exhibits, in which they took a great deal of interest. Sir Joseph expressed his gratification and pleasure at what he had seen, and Air Whiting thanked him for the assistance given to the undertaking by the Government. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S ADDRESS. Afterwards a small party crossed the street to the Tourist Department's Office, where some light refreshments had been provided. Mr Whiting presided, ana amongst those present were Lady Warcl the Hon J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways, the Hon D. Buddo, Minister of internal Affairs, Mr H. G. Ell, IVi.P., Mr G. Witty, M.P., Mr loung, Mr Meyer and Mr A. Paterson. Mr AVhiting, in proposing the toast of the Government, said that the Trades'and Labour Council greatly appreciated the assistance the Government had given to the .Exhibition. The Government had done everything in its power to help to make the undertaking a success. As lie had stated at the opening ceremony, he regretted the tact that neither Sir Joseph nor any other member of the Ministry war. able to bo present on that occasion, but it was realised that they i\ere very fmi-y just then in Wellington. The objects of the Exhibition, as had been announced, were to encourage local industries, and he urged that the public: should regard it in that light, in order that the people of the dominion should share in the general prosperity. He also thanked Mr Millar for the sympathy he has shown towards the Exhibition. Sir Joseph, in reply, thanked Mr Whiting for his kind references to the Government's actions in respect to the Exhibition. All members of the Government recognised the great importance of bringing under the eyes of the public the work done by the people of the dominion. Example was better than precept. There were many people who did not realise the nature of tho work done by the dominion's artisans. There was excellent raw material in tho country, The way in which it could be dealt with locally was shown in the railway works and other public departments. At one time, there was strong feeling against even the highest grade local workmanship, and it took quite a Jong time to oppose those who urged that the Government should buy in the cheapest market outside of the country. That idea had been abandoned, and the Canterbury Trades Council, in bringing together in the Exhibition building so many articles of local manufacture, was doing very valuable work. That remark applied specially to the young people. It was necessary to recognise that changes were being made in other countries, and it was necessary for New Zealand to make changes also. It would be necessary to consider aspects of the Customs tariff affecting the importation of soirfo articles that had a detrimental effect upon the workers. He referred specially to the iron industry. It was important that tho raw material produced by the country, such nr, iron, steel and fencing wire should be utilised. There was justißcation for giving reasonable assistance to ensure ths best results being obtained in that direction. It would be a mistake for the country to long delay in making use of its almost inexhaustible supplies of iron ore. From a practical point of view, and as an illustration of what New Zealand could produce, the Exhibition was absolutely in the forefront, [f workers in other parts of Now Zealand followed the lead of tho Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, it would do great service to the country. Ho thanked all those present for the enthusiastic way in which they had drunk the Government's health. Ho was pleased to say that all members of tho Ministry were alive and well. They were just about to go through an interesting experience. No doubt, they would bo able to meet their friends as a Government and come along to the Exhibition again, under auspices as happy and as pleasant as those that prevailed that morning. (Applause). Mr Millar also .spoke. He said that he was very pleased to have an opportunity to see th» Exhibition. He congratulated the Trades Council on its success, especially in regard to local products. Ho hoped that, as one of the financial results, the Council would be ablo to set aside a room in its hall for a permanent exhibition of local industries. He had seen in the Exhibition articles that could uot be surpassed in. any part of the world. He referred specially to the workmanship on the iron work and to the furniture. If local industries were not encouraged as much as they ought to be, the people themselves were to blama. The. children had been led away by a. mistaken idea that it was thrifty to buy in the cheapest market. It certainly was not always the. cheapest in the long run. He might say that as far as encouraging local industries was concerned, there was nobody more enthusiastic than Sir Joseph Ward, when lie saw his way perfectly clear. In his desire to make the country self-support-ing lie was exceeded by; aiiy/persoru