THE PRIME MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1651, 18 January 1913, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

■jUU! AiVISITiTD THE -THAMES. ' ' .;•'., .(By Teleßraph.—Press: Association.) -~'.,.' 'Thames, January i 7. The.Ptime Minister (the: Hon. W. F. Massey) at Thames to-day. -He was met "..by representatives of lecal bodies, and officially welcomed. Several deputations urged. various local matters, also the opening up of the Hauraki pastoral lands ■ (mining lands now Exempt from_ settlement on account of .harassing conditions re mining). A protest against the chango of tho hea'dquartera of the Thames police district was- brought under ■the Premier's notice, and favourable consideration Various parts of the district;were visited. > ' . ; / .- ./ ; /Mr. Massey was entertained at a. banquet this evening. .-■', To-morrow he will pay a visit to the Hauraki Plains, whore tho drainage operations will be inspected. He will leave;on Saturday afternoon for Hamilton. ' ' ■' .

■HEARTY;RECEPTION, AT PAPAEOA. ■ {By, Telegraph —Special Correspondent.) /'./': • Auckland, January 17. An enthusiastic demonstration in' : favour of the 'Hon'. W. F. Massey was made at Paparoa on Wednesday evening 'at the reunion of Albertland settlers. A resolution approving of the Prime Minister and his; policy-v was carried unanimously by one of the largest and most important gatherings ever, held in- the North.:of Auckland.'•'.' '',--:V : :.'....'...'■'.",.';-../v •:> Mr: .•Massey',-on: rising to reply, was re-.c©ivoi;.-with.,groat..entausiasm. .In his. ; speech he issued a 'challenge. . He- would, he. said,; make a very'daring assertion— that in that huge' gathering there was not;a man or a. woman who was not either a personal friend of his or a poli-, tical supporter. He invited contradiction of the statement, and the result' was a storm of applause and a round of cheers for the Prime Minister, but no contradiction.' : ■.- /'.-..■• ■''■'.''■■'