TRIUMPHAL TOUR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 6

TRIUMPHAL TOUR.

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO WAIUKU. PREMIER ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED. THE NEW LAND POLICY. (By Tokuraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, Novomber 21. The Prime Minister (the Hon. W. P. Massey), tho Hon. K. H. Rhodes, the Hon. Dr. I'omaro, and Mr. Statham, M.P., paid an official visit to Waiuku district, some 40 miles south of Auckland, to-day. En routo tho Ministerial parly passed through the Patumakoa and Jlauku districts, where the residents presented tho Prime Minister with an address of a congratulatory nature. The party's visit was something in tho nature of a triumphal tour, for everywhere tho Prime Minister went ho received a most enthusiastic, wolcomc, and the enthusiasm was extended to the oth'or members of tho party. : A start was mado from Pukekoho by motor-car shortly before noon, and at Patumahoe tho Prime Minister was presented with an address of welcome, Luncheon was provided, at which tho Minister's health was drunk with great enthusiasm. The party then proceeded to Waiuku, where tho school children were briefly addressed by Mr. Massey. Cheers were given for the members of tho party, and the journey to Waiuku was proceeded with. , , , Trie streets of the township had been, elaborately decorated with flags and nikau leaves, and tho main thoroughfare was crowded with people from tho surrounding district. The reception to Mr. Massey and his colleagues was extraordinarily enthusiastic. The chairman of tho Town Board officially welcomed the Pnmo Minister and lus party. The Prime Minister thanked the people for their welcome. Ho had been told by his colleagues that morning that they expected great things from the Iranklin district, but what had already passed had far exceeded their expectations. The heartiness of the welcome to Waiuku, it had been said, had been due to the fact that the Waiuku railway had been author-iscd-(laughter)-bnt that ho know; wo 3 not altogether true, .bsca-uso ho believed tho people of tho district had confidence in the present Government. (Applause.) He concluded by wishing the district tho greatest prosperity. Mr. Rhodw thanked the peoplo for their welcome.. They knew' Mr. Massey, and ho hoped they would know him, too, before Ion;;. Dr. ■ Pomaro said the progress of • the country depended upon the opening up of the land, and Mr. Massey's main policy was settlement, more settlement, and still raoro settlement. Later in tho afternoon a banquet was tendered to the Prinio Minister by tho Waiuku residents. In reply to tho toast of his health. Mr. Massey said tho former Government had prophesied a bad time if the then .sitaon Government got into iiower. But what was the position? ' Ho ventured to say the country was .better off now than it had ever been. Of course the present Government had its difficulties, and one of them was to overcome the country's liabilities. Continuing, Mr. Massey 'said somo of the Waiuku peoplo had' asked him when they could act under the change of land policy. He wanted to tell them they could do it at once, for the lawwas in ■ operation at the moment. Any settler holding Crown land could at once titer hi"! section from leasehold to freehold. (Cheers.) ■ Mr. Rhodes said he was certain no previous Prime Minister had had . such a reception as Mr. Massey had had that day. | : Dr. Pomare said that he was .sure now the present Government was in power the Maoris would receive a square deal. Mr. Statham described in glowing terms Mr. Massey's kindness to younger mem-, bers of the House, and thanked the peo-' p!o of the district for their reception. Th? greatest enthusiasm was shown ..as the 1 Ministerial^party, drove out of'Wai? nku amidst much cheering. They came on to Auckland in the evening by car.