THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 12, 11 May 1912, Page 3

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

DEPUTATION TO MR ELL. t'Per Press Association.) \ Christchurch., May 10. A deputation, introduced by Mr R. Heaton Rhodes, waited upon the Ron. IT. G. Ell this morning in regard to the recent increase in charges Tor long distance telephones. Mr Ell explained that the increase luul been made because the old rates did hot pay the Department. ' With regard to the increase being made retrospective, lie promised to look • into this l aSpctt of the question. ' q 1 THE HON. J. COLVIN. Thames, May 10. The Hon. J. Colvin received several deputations ,to-(lay. , , The principal matters urged were the opening up of the llauraki, pastqral lease.lands, estimated at negi;ly,a quarter of;!a million acres, fpr settlement. These lands are situated on the Hauraki goldfields, quite distinct from the Hauraki Plain lands. The Minister was also urged to have a flying survey made of the Kopu-Pokeno railway, and to subsidise the construction of a ferry oyer the Thames river and a bridge over the Piako river. Air Colvin will bring these matters before Cabinet. He left to-day for Paeroa. LEADERS’ AMENITIES. Auckland, May JO. A. telegram sent to Mr Massey by the Prime Minister in regard to the alleged statement by Mr Massey that “a Mackenzie could always he bough t,” has been received by the Opposition leader. “I sent a courteous telegram to the Prime Minister, asking for his authority for Ins statement,” said Mr Massey this evening. “In reply lie has' sent me an offensive and insulting telegram. It has given the public a glimpse of the Prime Minister iu hist true colours, and I am satisfied to leave the matter until we meet in Parliament.”