THE PRIME MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER.

AT PALMERSTON NORTH. REPLIES TO DEPUTATIONS (By Telegraph.-Prcio Association.) Palmerston N., April 8. Tho Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. ifassey) arrived here from Wanganui this evening, and was officially received by uie Mayor. Snortly after his arrival he leard a number of deputations, who orought before 'him local wants. Mr. F. Pirani, oil behalf of the Manawatu Master Printers' Association, asked m regard to Dominion awards under tho Act of 1811, that beforo being joined to an award an employer should be allowed'to show cause that it would not be equitable to be so joined; also that there should be a separation of ths city irom tlw country in Dominion uwards. He aiso asked that the law in regard to debts incurred by candidates for''Parliament, particularly in regard .to advertising, should not be allowed to protect dishonest candidates who repudiated just debts. Mr. Massey said ho was already considering an amendment to the law regarding Parliamentary candidates' openses. The other matters referred to would be looked into. Replying to a flaxmillers' deputation, who voiced objections to the recent alteration in the grading of hemp, Mr. Massey said he had been impressed with the suggestion of Mr. L. Seil'ert, a member of tho deputation, that there should be a standard bale of hemp at each grading port on which to base grading. He would see that tho idea was adopted. • Replying to Mr. S. .lickeil, president of the Local Bodies' Engineers' Society, ho said ho would ascertain if the Government's representative, who was already proceeding to tho Old Country, and was going to inspect light railways in Belgium, could attend the conference of road engineers in England in June. To-night Jlr. Massey Messrs. D. Buick, H. Campbell, aud D. Guthrie, M.lVs, wore entertained at a smoke concert by tho citizens, about sixty attending. Mr. Massey said ho did not propose to make a policy speech, but would do so at tho proper time. Tho proper time was not when Parliament .was in recess, but ut election time, or in tho Governor's Speech, or when the Financo Minister brought down his proposals. Then tho Government, would be prepared to announce its policy. Jlr. Massey leaves for ' Wellington tomorrow morning.