THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13673, 6 May 1912, Page 3

THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

SPEECH AT BALCLUTHA. (I’cr United Press Association.) DFXFDLX, May A. Tlic Prime Minister addressed a large meeting at DahTr.tha on Saturday night, when he dealt mainly with the recent Opposition criticism of (he Government in regard to the statement, made in DunodTn that the interest, at Otago would he neglected because Otago was not represented in the Cabinet. Tim Prime Minister said so long a, he sat in the Cabinet neither the interests of HalenU.ha nor Otago would he neglect’d. ( Anph:use.) There were people who inquired whether his reign would he long or short. Ihe position was not oi hi- seeking, lie was selected by a majority of the party as leader, and would he prepared at anytime to withdraw from public life if his party so decided. Whether long or short, he ventured to say it would lie a record ot honourable and straightforward work. (Applause!) He did not intend to make a police speech, ile had no time to prepare'one. if he were to deliver a policy speech at the instigation, ho it remembered, of the Conservative party and Air Massey's follower.-, it would simply he torn and riven to pieces. Critic.: -the tinpot critics—pointed out that in the present Cabinet were leaseholders and freeholders. He. however, was head of the Cabinet, and his views wore largely imprinted on it. (Applause.) The .-av.-aker cpmted figures to .-how the stahilitv of the Dominion. Ho said that the rea-on vonng men were leaving the Dominion for Argentine, Australia, and Canada was because many of them wore Mins of settlors who had done exceedingly well in Xew Zealand, but who wanted larger.areas of land than could ho secured hois'. The Prime Alini-lrr -said he was of opinion that two extra paid Ministers should he appointed to the Cabinet of the work of tile country was to he carried out efficiently and Ministers were to lie th.oroimhlv familiar with their duties. He niado'the important statement that two experimental stations are to he erected in Cuit. vhury, and one in South Otago. He ai,o dwelt” at length on the need of reform, in the Civil Service, whereby the vonno In i” Ist men might have the opportunity'of filling the be„t positions The system wanted modernising and its methods -implihe.l. He did not believe the Civil Service was seething with dr,eontent. The di-eontent only existed on the part of duffers who wished their wageincreased. A hearty vote of thanks to (he 1 rime MiniMcr, also a vole of confidence in the Mini-try of which lie is the heagl, v.a, carried by acclamation.

deputations. DCXFDIX, May X At Milton a deputation from the Technical Classes’ Association asked tin* I’nmc Mini-ter tor financial assistance for the work of the school. In reply. Mr Mackenzie said it was im-po--ilde to carry on two sets of technical |n-Vrnction with (he money at Inc Gow'nnienCs disposal. instruction work in coiireeffion with the Department of Agriculture lining starved in recent years, it was ni'ce -ary to inquire into the wuole system with the view to co-ordinating the various part-. The Covernmont proposed to make that iiKiiiirv. It seemed to him a curtailment' in ‘vm-.e direction was meviUihle. Ai IlaKTii tha a deputation urged tnc neoiiidiion of the Otanomomo F.statc (-51G9 awes and (Tilton F.siate (15.GGG acres) lor ~j o<or 0 <or ct 1 lenient. The Prime Ministon; omi- ’d to communicate with the owners ,\i... Telford lino.) immediately ._ f n Hie afteim.on the Prime Minister viTtcd th.e F.ivcmalion Park.