THE PREMIER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1411, 11 April 1912, Page 5

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT ELTHAM.

(By Telezraph.—rress Association.?

Eltham, April 10. A complimentary social was ten^? to the Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) at the Town Hall to-night. Mr. Mackenzie was accorded a civic reception. •\t"the social there was an attendance of about 100, a large proportion ot whom were ladies. The toast of Parliament was proposed by Mr. W, T. Jennings, exM.P. for Taumarunui. The Hon. it. n. iiussell responded. , Mr. Mackenzie, who was greeted with prolonged cheering, said the gathering was a tribute he would never forget lor the reason that those men and women in the electorate who accepted him on credit had now had their action vindicated by the Parliament of the country. Mr. Massev ought to rise to higher levels, and at least give them credit for good intentions. TV policy oi anathema and denunciation of others and self-laudation partook of the Pharisee. He challenged Mr. Masfcv to put faco value of his services to the countrv against his (Mr. Mackenzie s) Bearding'local government, he considered the activities of local bodies should be enlarged and their revenues assured. Local interests came first. They were household affairs, and consequently very important. Tho Government was going to endeavour to win tho esteem of the people by going in for energetic settlement. It was not so much tenures as territory. The Government would reach and open up all available lands, dea sympathetically with Native lands and break up big estates. They would increase the graduated tax, but would show the farmer that the record of 20 years was going to be continued, and ho would not •1>; over-burdened with taxation. If when Parliament met it extended its confidence the Government would go on. If Parliament did not think fit to do so. (liey would use no means to inlluenre ft man to do other than what he thought nslit, and I hoy would accept the verdict.