MR. MASSEY AT WAIMATE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 19 March 1913, Page 8

MR. MASSEY AT WAIMATE

/CAPITAL DECEPTION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Waimate," March 18. The Prime Minister visited this district to-day. Ho motored from Temuka, and passed through tho country districts, among others, Makikihi, Jtcdcliffs, Waihourtinga, and Wailiao Downs. Ho had a public rceeption at AVaimate in the afternoon, and dined with borough and county councils in the evening. Ho addressed a'public meeting later, speaking to a large audience. The Mayor presided. Mr. Massey had a good reception. He said that lie felt thankful for tho cordial reception, and also felt pleasure at addressing so representative a gathering of "closer friends" than a fortnight ago, when lie commenced his Canterbury tour. Ho then went on to speak on the same lines as in his Christchurch address. Dealing with tho land question, he stated that his Government had carried out its policy of giving the 'option of tlie freehold. They had also encouraged settlers to pay oil mortgages, and they had secured tho opportunity for settlers to purclmso' tho freehold,' but they were not taking tho leasehold away. Ho then proceeded to review the Southland case, as already dealt with by liim in his recent speeches. He -referred to the population of the country as being less than that of the towns, and it was for the Government to remedy this by increasing the producers and putting people on the land, and by encouraging laud settlement. This they intended to do. Tho land law was better now than when his Government took office. Dealing with finance, ho mentioned tho success achieved in floating tho recent loan. Tho Government, claimed that they had placed the finances of the country in a greatlyimproved position, and that Mr. Allen had been able to arrange for short-dated, debentures and secured money at a lower rato of interest. Speaking on the reform of the legislative Council, , ■ Massey said that his Government would yet havo the council, mad© elective. He approved of compulsory training, and asked, anti-militarists, -for the good of the country, to assent. . A vote of thanks was enthusiastically carried. , , ~ Air Massey, in replying, expressed satisfaction at one of the best meetings winch he had addressed. He meets deputations to-morrow morning.