THE PRIME MINISTER AT PONSONBY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2327, 8 December 1914, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER AT PONSONBY

Auckland, December 7. . The Prime Minister, spoke at the Windsor Theatre, Porisonby, this evening, to . a crowded, audience. / Many were unable to' gain admittance, and late arrivals maintained a constant stream of interjections, which did not disconcert the speaker, who delivered a ■stirring speech. A variety of incidents due to the Red-Fed element marked the beginning and close of the meeting. Mr. Massey dealt with various political questions on' the, lines .of previous ad T •Ifesses, and a vote of thanks arid confidence was carried by a large majority, with cheers and counter-cheers.

It is not only that the Massey,Government is composed of men who are interested in the land, but it has for the first time for twenty years Riven tj the man on the land the chance of securing the freehold -of liis holding. Sir Joseph' Ward tells us now that he will not repeal Mr. Massey's land legislation. IV has taken him a lpnj; time to arrive at this, conclusion. Only a few years ago he and Mr. M'Nab "nailed their colours to the mast" with a renewable lease policy, and since'then he has tried one compromise after another. Now that Mr. Massey has given the freehold on'reasonable terms he is prepared to accept the position.— Hawko's Bay "Herald." Tho Pahiatua "Herald" considors it advisable at the,: present juncture to quote some Labour opinions of Wardist lulo. It recalls what Mr. Veitch, of Wanganui, said at the 1911 elections. Here is one very dofinite statement: "An Administration which, intoxicated with the power of continuous office, has for many years continually ignored and flouted Labour, made no effort to cope with the increased cost of living, or to relievo the workers of the growing burden of taxation." And another: "To-day, is the day of days, the birth of tie new party that'-will. battle in the'interests of all against Belted Knights and Sham Democracy, who will give you the leasehold to-day, the freehold to-morrow—in ' fact, ' any old thing'—just for the sake of office."

Mr. J. J. Sullivan, the Opposition oandidato for Parnell, wae in trouble the other day over. his "principles," and sought to escape from a heckler by saying: "No matter what my private opinions, I would subordinate them to party." This only evoked, further questions, and poor Mr. Sullivan wound up by saying "I am not prepared to sink all principles for the sake of party." Evidently, says the Christchurch "Press," Mr. Sullivan, has been studying Mr. G. W. Russell's speeches. •

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