BANQUETTED.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1924, Page 4

BANQUETTED.

mix. D. Mc.LKOI) UOXODKI).

CADTKDTH.N. September H. There was a splendid gathering today, in .spite of a deluge of mill, lo mark the oieasinn of the elevation of Mr A. D. McLeod to Cabinet rank. The I’rime Minister arrived from the north at noon, wlum a complimentary dinner was tendered by residents of the Wainiral'a to Mr McLeod. The Mayor of Carterton, Mr W. Fisher presided. The leasts honoured were:- “The King." “Mr A. D. McLeod", and “I’nr. liament.” Mr All Lead made all elfeotive reply and the I’rime Minister made a happy speech. After the dinner an adjournment Mas made to the Tivoli Theatre, where further complimentary speeches were delivered.

Tin- proceedings ended in tilin' to enable t!it_' Prime .Minister to cntcli the siftcrno.m train for Wellington. The meeting was representative of the whole deflorate, which extends for l.tO miles. Mr McLeod sin: erely thanked the electors for the honour tendered him and nreed the necessity for greater prudiK tion from the land anil elr.ser settlement hy cutting up of large holdings to enalde this to lie done. liy large holdings he did not mean the squatter class only, lmt holdings of •JOO. MOD and -100 acres of lirst-class land. This must he brought nhotit gradually, not hy bludgeon dfolls. hut hy gentle persuasion. Mr -Massey staled that he was proud of the appointment of Air Mcl.eod, whom he regarded as a man well (|tiali!ied, with mental and physical strength for the position, lie pa-id a tribute to the late Sir Walter liiichunnn, describing him as the '‘grand old man ol the Wairarapa. one of the best men who ever stood in shoe leather." lie would he g'eatly missed in Parliament, hut the memory of him would never lie forgotten by the country, especially by the.people of the Wairarapa. Mr Massey forecasted relief from taxation through which every class and individual would benefit, lie (ousidered that the next two or three years would l e good lor produce, hut after that, owing to the competition from liussia. the Argentine. North America. Denmark and llelland. the 1 cople of New Zealand would have to pay more

attention lo quality in order to hold their own. They must start that improvement now, and he was glad to see that the farmers realised it, and Mere moving in the matter. The cost (T living "as too high and the into <d interest "as too high, hut he considered that nothing could be done till taxation had been reduced. “Parliament. is exceedingly anxious for me to make proposals lor the expenditure of money." the Prime Minister continued, amid laughter. “I am nut doing so. It is exceedingly ilillioult t > keep the expenditure within the income. If this can he done all is right, hut if it is exceeded then a slump follows, mill we have had (piite enough of that. Co quietly and steadilv; live within our income, inerea.se pis... I m-t ion mid get. ioli'iesl-earjiing assets that "ill pay the iuloiosl on "hat we are compelled to borrow." Ile urged the "001-gro" el s to pay attention to tho <|ui"-t ion i I .pmlity. A tailni'o in texture had been brought under bis nolie "lieu ill Drndford. Mr All Lend was tile recipient of imiueroiis congratulations fr< in | rrsunal fiiends and the gathering dispersed.