King Country Chronicle Wednesday, June 17th, 1914, V PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 678, 17 June 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, June 17th, 1914, V PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

The approaching visit to Ja Kuiti of the Prime, Minister is an event of morß than ordinary political significance; it. ia of great importacne to. the district apart from any party political considerations. That the visjtis being treated as , altogether outside party politics, and that the Prime Minister is being entertained : by tlje public irrespective of party colour is altogether in keeping with King Country traditions. When Mr Massey was Leader of the Opposition he was received and entertained at Te Kuiti in a manner, and with a. warmth which Ijad in it no tincture, of party prejudice. Mr Massey, as Prime Minister, will: receive an equally warm welcome, and will, moreover, have district requirements brought before him • ir»espective of party leanings. It is to be hoped the opportunity will be availed of by all sections of'the community to place before the leader of the Government the various questions which can only ha settled by the assistance of the authorities. In a new arid rapidly growing district such as ours there are bound to be intricate and absorbing problems the solution of which can be materially assisted by ministerial action, while the path of the new settlers can be smoothed and conditions improved immeasurably bythe sympathetic Kdmiriitsiatisn of - th« understanding ministerial mind, . Mr Massey's actions hitherto ,fcave proved conclusively his active symbathy in the interests.of those who are engaged in the great work of settlement, while his administrative ability and statesmanship have also been manifested throughout a long and honourable poli lical career. These factors a}sne are sufficient to ensure -to him the warmest possible welcome unshadowed by the semblance of personal or sectional - interest .It has to be' remembered that while the Prime Minister is conferring a [distinction ppon T») Kuili by chuosing it as a centre at which to deliver' a .public policy speech,, he, as leader of the Government of the country is anxious to, learn the requirements of the a whole. In addition to the manifold requirements common to new settlement the Sing Country presents problems peculiarly her oWn, ambwhich can only be soivi-d by the thorough mastery of local conditions, by the leaders of political thought, by visiting the district and devuting time to meeting those interested m local progress, Mr Massey is affording an opportunity to our public men which should be taken full advantage of. We have every confidence that the welcome extended to the Prime Minister on Thursday will be worthy of the occasion, and we devoutly hope uo opportunity will be lost of nlauing before him those matters which vitally concern the progrpss of the district, and of the Dominion.