THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1696, 12 March 1913, Page 4

THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

♦ Visit to christchurch. LOCAL WANTS. REFORM LEAGUE LUNCHEON. TRUE V. SHAH DEMOCRACY. (Br Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, March 11. The Prime Minister (the lion. \\ T . F. Massey) arrived in Christchurch from Wellington this morning. On arrival of tho Maori at Lyttelton Mr. Massey, who was accompanied by his private secretaries, was met by -Mr. C. P. Lindegreen (organiser tor the Reform party). Tho party proceeded to Christchurch, whero tho I'rime .Minister was met by several prominent members of tho Canterbury Reform Lejgue. Tho Prime Minister spent a very busy day. At 10 o'clock this morning the first deputation was introduced, and throughout the morning important local requirements were placed betcre Mr. Massey by variousdeputations. He lunched with the executive of the Canter-bm-y lieform League, and this afternoon addressed the women's branch of tho Reform League in. the Alexandra Hall. At the Theatre Royal this evening the Prime Minister delivered a policy speech. By the second express to-morrow morning the Prime Minister will leave Christchurch, journeying to Ashburton,' where ho will open the autumn show. He will be entertained at dinner at the Commercial Hotel by tho-Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and at 8 o'clock the same evening he will attend a complimentary social to Jlr. W. Noswortby, M.P. On Thursday he will attend the show. During his stay arrangements have )>eeii made to show him round the country, and he will probably be accompanied by members of the High School Board of Governors, representatives of the Farmers' Union, ami members of tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Massey will also receive several deputations. Jle will then continue his southward tour. Lyttelton Tunnel. A large deputation, which included representatives of tho City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association, Employers' Association, and Trades and Labour Council, waited upon the Prime Minister to bving before him matters in connection with the Lyttelton tunnel. Mr. T. 11, Davey, M.l'., introduced the deputation.

The Mayor (Air. Holland) said it had come as a matter of great surprise to them recently to discover that the electrification of the tunnel was still a matter of doubt.' They had believed that the whole thing had been settled. They would like to have some assurance that the Government intended to proceed with the electrification of the tunnel. Christchurch. had suffered from the existing system for many year's, and it, was felt that if the tunnel was electrified _ trains could ,be run through with facility and cleanliness every ten minutes or so. Ho was surprised to hear that the liailway Department might ofTer any objections to the system, and hoped it would not be so. Mr. It. Hill Fisher (president of the Chamber of Commerce) asked if the Government would sny whether the Lake Coleridge sehemc would be topped for the tunnel before Christchurch would bo sunplied. _ _ ' The Prime Minister said he was in thorough sympathy with the proposal for the electrification of the tunnel. Anyone who hod travelled through it a few times must rcalise'the'iiecessity of getting rid of the smoke nuisance. As to when it would bo done he was notable to speak definitely'. He understood some doubt had been expressed by the manager and the Railway Department as to whether it should be done at all. Ho had a»report from tho manager which said this: "It is intended ultimately to electrify the line." That seemed to open up some doubt, and lie did not know what was in the manager's raihd, but there was no doubt in the mind of the Government as to the necessity of the work, and that it would be done. Of course, the work at Lako Coleridge must first be completed. Ho wns not able to answer the question as to whether the tunnel would be attended to first or the wants of the residents of Christchurch. Ho could not sav anything al>out that, but he could say, oil behalf of the Government, that the work was regarded as ono of urgent necessity, and it should be undertaken, but he could not say when. Captain Scott Memorial.

The Mayor, accompanied bv Messrs. L 31. Isitt and T. H. Davey, M.P.'s, broached the subject of Government assistance m connection with the Captain Scott Memorial Fund. They desired that contnbuuons .made by local bodies should be legalised, and also that the Governinent frhauld do something in the way of subsidy. Mr. Massey said that ihe matter had been before tho Cabinet, but not exactly m this form. In the .first place, Cabinet had decided that it would ask Parliament to'ajjive to a certain sum of nionev belli? set apart as a contribution to the maintenance of tlio wives and families of the men ivho lost their lives in the Antarctic. That question had been agreed to, but the stun was not definitely hxed. Another proposal Ijefore them was with regard to asking Parliament for an appropriation for the purpose of makingthe most of tlio scientific information oblamal by tile members of tlio expedition. Jlus, again, had been agreed to, but the amount remained unfixed. On this third proposal he could assure them that the Government sympathised to' tlvo full with what was proposed. Though unable then to give a definite promise of a sum of money, he would promise that when the proposed memorial took definite shape it would receive favourable consideration.

Luncheon, At one o'clock the Prime Minister was entertained ait luncheon in the United Service Hotel by Mr. H. 1). Acland (president of the Provincial Executive of tho Canterbury branch of tho Reform League) In proposing the toast of tho Prime Minister, Mr. Acland said that, as ho understood them, the principles for which tho Reform party stood were the principles of tho development of tlio individual liberty of every citizen of the Dominion. We in New Zealand-wore taking a humble part in trying to solve tho grandest political ,idea cvev produced, namely, a sy«. leni of government based on a system of free democracies. Wo were trying to solve what principles belonged Io separate States, and what belonged to tho'Empire as n whole. Ho believed Hie principles advocated by the guest of tho day would produce a true and • honest democracy, whilo the principles opposed to him would be found to be those of shanWemocracy, which would ultimately prove to be nothing less thnn class prejudice. In expressing his appreciation of tke manner in which tho toast was honoured, Mr. Massey agreed that tho principles for which he -stood wero thos<: of government by the people, for the people, and in the best interests of the people. Every mail in public life, whether municipal or general, found it getting into his blood, and other interests becoming small in comparison. Whether n - man retired, voluntarily or compulsorily, it: should bo his aim to leave the country' better than he found it. That was his own aim, and at™ he was sure that of tho Mayor of Chrislchiirch.