PRIME MINISTER VISITS DANNEVIRKE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2321, 1 December 1914, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER VISITS DANNEVIRKE

A MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION. IBy TeleeraDh.—Prese .Association.) Dannevirko, November 30. _ The Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey paid Lis lirst visit to Damievirke this evening, and addressed an overflowing meeting in the Town Hall,, the building being crowded half an iiour before starting timo. Mr. Massey received a magnificent reception, and was accorded a patient hearing throughout a two hours' speech, in which he aealt with current political questions.

Mr. Massey 'referred at 6ome lengtli to land settlement, and quoted what had been done in this connection since his party came into office, and claimed that under his' legislation' over 4800 settlers had been placed on tho land. 'I'his, he thought, was a very creditable record.

The Premier refuted allegations regarding tho'Waiuku branch railway line, deuied that, Customs taxation on necessaries of lite had been increased, and dealt with tho financial position which faced the Government on its coming into office. He explained how this position had been met, and also quoted. Savings Bank returns, showing the substantial increase of deposits over withdrawals. Mr. Massey claimed that the Dominion would probably recover from the effects of the war quicker than any other country in the wc-rld. ''

Mr. Massey quoted the increases made in the pay of railway servants, teachers, police,, and what had been done in strengthening the Railway and Public Service Superannuation Funds. The Premier claimed that those who alleged increases in expenditure had never- been game to vote against tliem when they had t-ho opportunity to/do so in Parliament.

Mr. Massey also dealt with the Huntly disaster, and hoped that the Supreme Court would probe the matter to tlie bottom, and that the whole truth would come out. Politicians, he said, might as well attempt to make the Governmmt responsible • for tho explosion at White Island as tc make them responsible for the Huutly disaster.

. '.i'Jie' Government - had. assisted-the workers by increasing the salaries" of State employees', and giving a lead to private employers, 'by the Workers Compensation Act, by increasing ■ the rate of interest in the Government Savings Bank, and in other directions.

Dealing with the strike, Mr. Massey said that if .anyone .expected he was going to apologise for the action of the Government in connection therewith then 'he was never more mistaken in his life. (Loud and long applause.) There would be 110 two Governments while ho was at the head, of affairs. They wore called on- to keep the commerce of the country going, and they had done it by, the . .only , possible method. (Applause.) Hearty applause greeted Mr. Massey aa ho resumed his seat. A vote of thanks and renewed confidence in Mi'Massey and the Ministry was passed'by an /overwhelming majority.

"Thanks," said Mr. Massey in replying, "that will be the verdiit 011 polling day—a big majority for Reform." The meeting concluded with, hearty cheers, for Mr. Massey.

"A GREAT MEETING'

(By Telegraph.—Spocial Correspondent.) Dnnneuirke, November 30. The Right Hon. W. F..Massey had a magnificent meeting here to-night. Throughout to-day people flocked into town from the out-districts, and by the time the doors of tho Town Hall opened hundreds were waiting for admission and at 7.30 the building was crowded to the dcors. Mr. Massey was given '8, >ou6ing reception," and was cheered to'the echo; He covered the lines of his former' speeches, .and was attentively listened to and enthusiastically applauded. At the conclusion of his speech a motion of thanks and confidence, moved by, Mr. F. G. Cowper, was carried practically unanimously with enthusiastic cheering. , It was n great political meeting,

HON. F. M. B. FISHER AT NAPIER

THEATRE CROWDED OUT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association;) Napier, November 30. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher addressed a meeting of over two thousand electors at the Nipier Municipal Theatro to-night. The building was crowded before 8 o'clock, and 200 or 300 were unable to gain Admittance. It was very evident from, the start that a section had gone with tho intention of blocking the speaker, who, however, succeeded in obtaining an excellent "hearing until near the end, when he-was repeatedly counted out.

Mr. Fisher prefaced l his remarks by expressing a hope that whatever party was put nito power it would be loyal to the_ Empire throughout tie present crisis. He believed the outlook for the Massey Party was better than ever, and that it would go' back stronger 'than' ever. He then proceeded to deal with the allegations . made by the Liberal Party regarding the Huntly disaster, quoting the' report of the Huntlv Commission,. which he contended cleared' the" Government from blame. He also referred to the strike, in which he upheld the .Government's action, and touched briefly upon the naval policy. The Government's borrowing policy, the amendment? introduced into the Pensions Act, the increased salaries paid to teachers and Civil Servants, and land-for-settle-ment questions were'also dealt with by the speaker. He also held that tho legislation introduced in regard to tho tecording of seamen's votes was a most equitable measure, as it prevented a blook vote being recqrded in any one district, and that the Bill' was as it stood to-day perfectly fair and legitimate.

Touching on the Westport Harbour Board scandal, Mr. Fisher said it was not a- duty to search the police records in connection with everybody who was recommended for appointment, and even if it was lie'did not consider that a man should be hounded down who liad expiated his offences. At the conclusion of his address tlift Minister was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Although tho noisy section among those present raised tlieir voices to,-a-high pitch, there was apparently a good majority in favour of the speaker. The-meeting terminated with loud and repeated cheering,