WARMLY WELCOMED IN UPPER KAIPARA.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 January 1913, Page 3

WARMLY WELCOMED IN UPPER KAIPARA.

On arrival at To Xopuru the steamer with the Prime Minister and Party was boarded by Waitai, chairman of the Wairoa Maori Council, and VVaaka Te Huia, ex^chairman, who, on behalf of 1000 Maoris, welcomed Mr Massey to Upper Kaipara. They expressed the hope that the Hou, W. H. Jlerris, accompanied by the Hon. Dr. Pomare, would shortly visit the district, and Mr, Massey promised to arrange the tour, The Prime Minister characterised the deputation as a unique one, and expressed his full recognition of the support of the Northern Maoris given to the Keform Party. On arrival at Dargaville the Prime Minister was accorded an ovation, a verj large assemblage greeting him. Cheers were given for the Prime Minister, who was specially welcomed by the Mayor (Mi\ F. J. Dargaville), A largely-attended social, presided ever by the Mayor, was held in che evening. Mr Massey was warmly applauded on his arrival on the platform. On behalf of the borough the Mayor extended to Mr. Massey a hearty welcome, and offered congratulations on

his attaining the Prime Ministership. I On rising to respond, Mr Massey was greeted with vociferous applause and loud cheering, which was continued for some time

Mr Massey in the first place thanked the citizens for their hearty welcome. On every occasion he had visiied Dargaville he had been accorded the warmest of welcomes. Con-* tinuing, Mr. Massey stated that the season was good agriculturally, and the returns of arrivals and departures must be regarded as very good. He instanced the latest revenue figures, showing that for 1912 the ordinary revenue for the quater ending December 31 was £3,131,449, the territoral £48,067, and other receipts £150, as against the 1911 revenue of £3,024,074, being an increase for the quarter of £155,592, The principal increases were: Customs, £72,306; stamps, £22,744 ; land and. income tax, £29.164; railways, £61,471. The Pout and Telegraph' Department showed a. decrease of ±-17,854, Speaking on North Auckland, he said it was at last coming into its own, and the whole Dominion was benefiting thereby. The Financial Statement made by his Administration had met with a wholepome welcome by the population as a whole, As long as a section was vacant it was the desire of the Government to place men on it, and he regretted that the scarcity of surveyors was keeping back settlement from spreading. He spoke on the freehold on the same lines as in past speeches, and stated that in the ballots for Crown lauds special provision was made for those who had been unsuccessful in past ballots. Mr J. Gr. Coates, M.P., made a speech, reviewing the past session, and made a special point of the estab*lishment of the'freehold over leasehold.