PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 680, 24 June 1914, Page 7

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

complimentary banquet. At the complimentary banquet tendered to the Prima Minfster at the. Commercial Hoh4 after the public address on Thursday night the Msyor, Mr J. Boddie, presided. After the toast of Uhj King had been culy honoured M r J- F* Walsh, in a bright and humorous speech, proposed the toast of Parliament. Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, said one of bis aims was to assist his *chief* Mr Massey. He, as a country member, was also keenly interested in the development of the rural districts, particularly where new settlement was being promoted. He knew of no beiter settlers than thosa in the King Country, and the district could thoroughly rely upon rectiving fair treatment from such a Prime Minister aa Mr Massey, who waß a farmer himself. Mr Wilson also r®* ferred to the administration of public money, and held that one of the ..things requiring attention was the manner in which Government grants were expended. There was a screw loose somewhere, which wanted tightening, and he euggested some sort of commiWion to administer the expenditure^*He also advocated the necessity/of promptness in dealing with implications for advances to settlers in the interests of those who -were developing ,the country. The chairman, in proposing the toast uf the Prime Minister, referred to their guest's long and honourable connection with the political world of the Dominon, and to the conspicuous ability which Mr Massey had displayed in administering the affair? of the country, lie paid a high tribute to their gueßt, both bb a man and a statesman, whose >viae and sympathetic consideration of matters, both great and small, was a distinguishing feature of his career. Te Kuiti was proud to have the opportunity of entertaining Mt Massey, and he trusted further opportunities would be afforded the people of the distict„\of welcoming their guest to the towh. Mr Massey, in responding, expressed pleasure at coming to the capital of the King Country. In referring to the remarks of thq member for the district expenditure of public money, he thought the matter might be dealt with by legislation as far as Government grants were concerned. He expresacd pleasure at being able to announce that they had brought the tending departments-'into full operation. He witmed to «mphaiise that the landing board was nonpolitcal, and no Minister had anytbicg to .do with the business -of the board. Everything possible would be done to 'make the Department of service to the community, particularly to the pioneers. .Dealing with the propsects of the country the Prime Minister said the exports of the country now totalled twenty-four and a half milloins, an 4 the near future Bhould see (he twenty-five million mark reached. Thero was no reaaonwhy they should stop and in a few years he hoped to see that total doubled. The policy of the Government was one of progress and to this end every assistance would be extended to the people, who were developing the country.—'Applause. Mr T. Pine, in proposing the toast of the visitors, referred to the presence of the most welcome visitor, the Prime Minister. He eulogised JVlr Massey's work in Parliament, and paid a tribute to the manner in wfrich he had stuck to his guns, and carried his party through tb victory. When the history of New Zealand came to be written, name of Mr Massey would be enrolled among the great ones of the Dominion. — Messrß J. Ormsby, -R. Bdddy, and R. Were suitably responded to the toast, and after.the toast of the chairman, proposed by Mr Massey, ' bad been honoured, the gathering broke up to. the strains of . "Auld Lang Syne." • ■ ' '