PRIME MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 9

PRIME MINISTER.

THE COUNTRY & ITS OUTLOOK. The Prime Minister received an ovation. Ho congratulated the Exhibition officials' upon the success which, so far, Jiad attended their efforts. It was obvious that there had boon an industrial upheaval, but fortunately that iroublo was rapidly coming to an end, and it was (|pito safe to predict now that the Kxhibition of 1913 would be a, pronounced success.' Personally ho believed'that the "Exhibition would not only be a great thing for Auckland province, but for New Zealand as a whole. Visitors from all parts of the Dominion would meet, and exchange ideas, and visitors from overseas would be impressed ' with what fclio country could produce. •- Our Kith and Kin and Destiny. Continuing, Mr. Massey said that lie believed that visitors would go away impressed with tlie wonderful potentialities of tlio provinco and tlio Dominion. There would be representatives from every English-speaking community of the world, and it was their duty to give them the greatest welcomo possible, nnd to mako them understand Now Zeakmders wero glad to welcome them as their own kith and kin. Much Imd been achieved in tho last CO years, but liow mucli moro remained to bo done. •The country now was happy and prosperous, aud. in -notlier CO years, it

would not only bo happy and prosperous, but it would also be great. Continuing, the Prime Minister said that tlio present Exhibition was but a small ovont when compared with tho exhibitions in older countries such as at tho Crystal Palace, London, and at St. Louis, iu America. Neither, perhaps, was it- so ambitious as that held at Christchurch a fow years ago, but for all that it was going to bo a very important exhibition, and 0110 regarding which tho people- of this country would havo every -reason to feel satisfied. Words failed him, in fact, when it came to expressing tho pride whi(!h he felt at tho progress, which has beenmade, and of which this was the proof. Tho Founders of- the Country. The I'rimo Minister then mado reference to, tho founders of New Zealand. At a time like this when they, wcro participating'in events that mado history they must not forget tho pioneers—tho peoplo w:ho camo to this country fifty or seventy'years ago and laid tlio foundation of its present prosperity.: "Let 1110 tell them," said Mr. Massoy! "that this country owes them a debt of gratitude which it can never forget, and will never be ablo to pay. Tho best that wo can do is to perpetuate tlieir me.mory." Sir. Massey concluded by expressing a sincere hoiie that tho Exhibition would be a very great success.

THE GOLD KEY. GOVERNOR' UNLOCKS BUILDING. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Parr) extended a hearty welcome to visitors. After the speeches, His Excellency was conducted to tho entrance of tho Palaco of Industries/where tho veterans again formed tho guard of honour. Drawn up on tho wide steps loading to the palate wcro tho members of tho Auckland Choral Soeifety. By this time the general public had been admitted, and, in front of tho buildings, thero was a largo concourse. Tho sceno was a most impressive one, as again tho Governor read tho King's message, and hearty cheers followed for-His Majesty. The ."Hallelujah Chorus." from "Tho Messiah," by members of the Choral 'Society, .was ■ followed by the "Old' Hundredth'," in the singing of which the assembled throng joined. 'Then, -with a gold key provided by the Exhibition builder (Mr. Pearce), His Excellency tho Governor opened the door of tho palace, and was .shown round tho building. A similar kov was presented to tlio., Hon. W. l'V Massey. < Euthusinsm of the Public. : Though there still remains a good deal of work to be done, the palace, with its splendid 'display of manufactijres and other merchandise, marks a distinct advance upon anything previously sec-n in Auckland. His Excellency was particularly interested in the colonial exhibits, many of which would inbro,'than bear comparison with those of older coimtri'es. ilis Excellency afterwards went round tho groups, and handed over tho gift tea kiosk, which is a gift to tlio city, and left tho Exhibition at about half-past twelve.- . Tho rush at the gates was greatest between 2 and '3 p.m., continuous streams passing through'the main oiltrance. The Exhibition is proving popular from its inception. Although tho official ceremony was only attended by about a thousand invited guests, tlio gates wero opened to tho public at 11.30, and from that hour onwards thero Mas a steady inflow, so that by 3 p.m. 'there must have been. 15,000 people present. 1 In view of the fact that tho day was not generally observed as a holiday, tho attendanco was regarded by tile authorities as exceedingly satisfactory, and, indeed,- far exceeded actual'. anticipations; ; Iu tlio first two hours, the ivo turnstiles through which tlio,; ptiljliP Jiayq to.vpits-s ' scarcely ceased revolving, so steady was tho stream of incoming people, and tho takings worked out at considerably over £o0 per hour. The tea kiosks and luncheon rooms wcro rushed, and, at midday, wore Teaily not capable of coping with the demands made upon them. By the middle of the afternoon thousands of people' wero thronging tho grounds, and tlio sight was a very fino one.