MINISTERS IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1387, 13 March 1912, Page 6

MINISTERS IN AUCKLAND.

THE PRIME MINISTER.

IBr ToleirraDh.-Pron Association.! Waihi, March 11. At the conclusion of the ceremony of turning tho first sod of tho Waihi-Tau-rangi. section of tho East Coast railway this afternoon, the Prime Minister and party wero entertained at a banquet by the Borough Council. Over one hundred guests wore present. Valedictory addresses to Sir Joseph Ward, to his progressive policy and administration, wero given bv sevcra speakers. Stress was also laid on Ins iiilliience abroad, and that, as Prime Minister of tho Dominion, ho was tho right man in tho right place. Sir Joseph Ward, in acknowledging the testimony accorded him, said that under tho present conditions he was prepared to retire from tlie Jroiit rank, but as a member he would assuredly servo just the same the best inforests of tho country. His departure bv train laic in the afternoon was marked by enthusiastic cheers, , Auckland, March 12. the Primo Minister left this morning lor Agaruawahia, where he turned tho lirst sod of the private railwav of the Waipa Railway and Collieries 'Company, id-morrow afternoon the Prime Minister wilt open a new post office at Kingsland, and in tho evening will bo tho guest of the Liberal and Labour Federation at a complimentary social. Sir Joseph Ward will probably return to Wellington by to-mor-row night s express. Auckland, March 12. _ Speaking at Ngaruawahia at the turnIn S of the first sod of the Waipa Railway and Collieries Company's railway, Sir Joseph Ward discounted the idea that the Government desired to dislocate industry by State interference. It did not wish to do anything of the kind. Sometimes the interests of the pconle made it necessary for tho State to step in, but tho rule that was laid down by the Government was that so long as private enterprise carried on an undertaking on a basis that was satisfactory to the'people generally there was no need for the State I to interfere. Sir Joseph Ward commended the enterprise which tho company was n lspln / lng ' II Proposed to spend between £oo,m and .£60,000. It would provide" employment for a large number of men upon the construction of tho line, and when the undertaking was in full operation it would employ permanently somo hundreds of men. Sir Joseph Ward concluded by expressing the hope that the company would bo successful, and then turned the first sod. Cheers wero given heartily for him and Lady Ward and Miss Ward.

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR. Auckland, March 12. Tho Hon. ,T. A. Millar this afternoon visited Pukekohe to meet a deputation which desired to place hiin in possession of certain information concerning an overhead bridge at the railway station. The Minister-will at tho invitation of the Harbour Board make an inspection of the harbour works.