THE PRIME MINISTER

Wairarapa Age, 15 November 1919, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER

SPEECH AT PUKEKOHE,

<By Telegraph—Press Association) PUKEKOHE, Last Night. The Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents here to-night. He was given a good hearing. The Premier said he hoped that party government as it had been known in tho past would .never obtain again. He did not know what would replace 't, but he appealed to the people to return to Parliament tho most able, experienced, and trustworthy men who offereu themselves. He went througli the points of his policy aB previously announced, explaining and elaborating the clauses. He said that while it had been much criticised, the Repatriation Department had done particularly good work. When it came to making arrangements for produce, he hoped it would be possible to make a good bargain' with the shipping companies. If not, they would, have to do the next best thing, but he must say that it was next to impossible to buy ships pt the present time. He thought '.t would pay to have a fast fortnightly mail service with England via the Panama Canal. Imperial preference must apply, not only to customs duties, but to shipping, finance, and immigration. He said he believed that military training should be retained. He hoped it would not interefero .with business life too much. Sir James Allen was supposed to have said that men would be sent to camp for four months, but he had not said so. What Sir James Allen had said was that it might be a good system. The matter had never been before Cabinet, which alone could decide what was to bo done, and he thought Sir James Allen would make a statement soon, which would make his position perfectly clear.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried.