The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1912. THE PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 29, 31 May 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1912. THE PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

Opunake was honoured last night in being the centre at which the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie delivered his first policy speech as head of the present Government. The speech, which wo publish fully elsewhere, has much of interest in it, apart from its temperate and well-placed statement of the Government's policy. Generally speaking, tin's policy appears to be on the lines followed by the Government the present Ministry succeeded, and has for its keynote and leading feature the humanitarian legislation which, of later years, lias become the popular policy in most Anglo-Saxon countries. Hhough progressive in many directions, the proposals made by the Prime Minister are by no means violent or revolutionary, and if liis Ministry is given the opportunity to carry out the programme it proposes, the country will not have very much to complain of. But it remains to lie seen whether that opportunity will be afforded. There are indications of stormy weather and troublous tmes when the House meets, and the utterances of certain ex-members of the Ministry—notably the Hon. J. A. Millar and the Hon. Geo. Fowlds—indicate that these disappointed leaders do not intend to help smooth out the creases or lend support in time of trouble. It is therefore in the face of very considerable odds that Mr Mackenzie takes his stand. His speech' of last night covered a great deal of ground : it reviewed the work done for many years, and indicated what he desires to see done in the future. Though not of supreme importance, it is gratifying to know that: electoral reform is to be undertaken, and the abolition of the second ballot will he welcomed all round. The proposed amendment to the .Land and Income Tax by granting further exempt inn to settlers with families is a reasonable concession which might well lie adopted, and we do not think that even the opponents of the Government wilt find much to cavil at in that. 11 is

certainly desirable also that a vigorous land settlement policy lie Followed, and there is much good in thai presented by Mr Mackenzie. II is, however, the fashion for all Governments to promise very freely in this direction, though we have no doubt the Prime Minister is quite in earnest in what he says. In reviewing the work of the Agricultural Department, Mr Mackenzie was on very firm ground, for this Department lias done well under his guidance and is pursuing a policy of real usefulness to the country. The proposals regarding the iron industry arc well considered and ought io find favour in Taranaki at anyrato, and i! is interesting to nolo what 'Australia and Canada have been doing in this direction. Everybody will be devoutly thankful to learn that the Government is firmly of opinion that an improvement in railway facilities should be provided wherever the circumstances warrant, and there will be equal unanimity in the opinion that circumstances do warrant a lot of improvement in many directions on our railways. Tim Premier's remarks on the question of light lir.es are of special interest to set Hers in outlying districts, and such a system, as his Go-

vcrnmont is now investigating has been advocated in many quarters for years past. Altogether, the Hon. .Mr Mackenzie is to lie congratulated on his first policy speech, and there are many paints in it well worthy of earnest consideration.