THE PREMIER ON TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 226, 30 January 1911, Page 5

THE PREMIER ON TOUR

WILL SPEAK AT PUKEKOHE. By Telegraph.—Press Association,

Auckland, Last Night.

The Prime Minister, who arrived in Auckland from New Plymouth yesterday, addressed a largely attended meeting at Devonport last evening. He said that the suggestion had come from New South Wales concerning the possible removal of the High Commissionership oi the Western Pacific to Australia. lit had put the protest of the country on record, and if anything of the kind was contemplated we had a right to ask that, no action be taken until he had conferred with the British authorities. Under the Land Settlement Finance Act, nine associations had purchased land to a value of over £IOO,OOO, and a number of other transactions were in course of completion. Sir Joseph Ward referred to the increase of population, which was on a larger per cent, basis than the Australian States, and the increase in the value of land and improvements, as an evidence of prosperity. He referred to Mr. Massey's criticisms regarding the Ave millions loan. He said the loan hud been raised on more advantageous terms than those of other British countries recently placed on the market, and that no suggestion had been made by any British 1 paper or financiers that the credit of New Zealand was weak. Borrowing, he said, must go on, especially as our railways were not yel completed by thousands of miles. Sir Joseph was accorded a vote of thanks, and confidence. He will attend the dinner in connection with the conference of the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers to-morrow evening. The remainder ol the week will be spent in a motor-ear tour of the various country districts, extending as far as Rotorua. Sir Joseph will deliver an address at Pukekohe on Tuesday evening. .