THE PREMIER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1410, 10 April 1912, Page 6

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT MAMAIA, LAND SETTLEMENT AND OTHER MATTERS. (Bj Telesrrapth.—Preae AiEociatloir.) ■■•' • ■' Manaia, April 9. •A gathering of about 400 welcomed tho Prime Minister fthe Hon. T. Mackenzie) at a banquet at Manaia.- Tho proceedings wero most cordial, and enthusiastic Tho Premier, on rising to respond, was greeted with continued cheering. lie said it was tho greatest honour to represent Egmont. Only a year ago he came to lay tho foundation stone of tho Post Office, and ho was now elected by tho Liberal party to carry on tho operations of this country. The people- worked so well that, despite prognostications, ho was elected. Ho hoped Mr. Jennings's absence from Parliament was only temporary. Ho praised the settlers for the good work in dairying. Eeferring to tho cutting up of his former electorates in the faouth Island, he said the large landholders threatened that he would never get a seat because he advocated tho cutting up of estates so enthusiastically. His experience in London was invaluable to him, and the people of the Dominion. He had put up fights on behalf of the producers to ensure that they got the results of their industry. Regarding the election, he was determined to fight clean and fair. Both candidates endeavoured so to act, and to shako hands afterwards. Ho hoped his constituents would all bo proud of him as their member. Ho refused to give any promises. He gave his services to the finest district in the colony, and then to bho Empire. He referred to his association with Sir Harry Atkinson, a man of sound constitutional principles, and ahead of the times. Ho believed in party as being a means to an end. A man's work should be for the good of tho country. Referring to the Cabinet and how long it would carry on, he said lie would say that each member had occupied a good public position and had the interests of . tho country at h?avt. He hoped to act up to the standard set in the speech of Lord Dudley, who deprecated a policy of anathema. Good men should sacrifice themselves for the country. Ho recognised his responsibility to the future. They in'tended to answer every speech before they met Parliament. They would make no effort to control tho majority, and would accept iv.hat Parliament had in store with an even mind. He hoped the people would allc-w them a chance to continue the good s:overnment of tho past. He boped to do something for Taranaki and Egmont. Tho country wanted political rest, more administration, and loss legislation. Hp hoped to settle down and deal with, matters for the good of the people, to utilise the lands, and to break up large estates. He believed the time would come when the lands must be available to oil so as to give prosperity to the country, and people the' land with good Bottlers. More scientific knowledge was ■required in dairying matters, nnd men to supervise the produce in London, also more instructors, and better stud cattle. He hoped to optn up tho lands, to improve the waste lands in tho north _by fruit-growing experiments, and testing, KO as to prove that poor lands could be 'worked with advantage, and to bring Crown and other lands into greater productiveness. If the Government had nad a part in bringing about a state of happiness, let his Cabinet have a chance to do tho work. He hoped to bring swamp lands into profitablo cultivafcion. He eave figures showing the areas of these lands, which wonld soon be available, and he assured his hearers that he was not giving up the portfolio of agriculture. .Referring to borrowing, ho said the co-un-•try was getting greater income from the money invested by tho New Zealand people, than was paid in interest. It would be improper unduly to borrow. They must see that the investments were sound and'so push the Dominion along. On the Opunake Railway Commission were men representing all the necessary branches of knowledge. He hoped to be able to include in the order of reference nuestions of tramways. Ho referred to the singular, session, and said the men who were going to rule the country, were men who' would take the people into their confidence and make the country what God meant it to be. If they did not fill tho position they would Tetire. He would fulfil the Tiromise he mnde to come and live in Egmont. Enthusiastic applauso greeted the end of the speech.