THE PRIME MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 137, 1 December 1911, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

SIR JOSEPH OPTIMISTIC. SPONTANEOUS WELCOME. KAILWAYMEN'S WAGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, List Night. The Prime Minister arrived from Wellington this morning, and went south by the first express.. The strain of campaigning has told on Sir Joseph, who, in addition to suffering from a cold, looks less well than lie did in Cliristcfiurch about ten -days ago. Speaking for a few minutes to a reporter, Sir Joseph said that he should not discuss election prospects in detail, but he could say generally that the Government's prospects in the North Island were very good. During his tour he found that there was a very strong feeling favorable to the Government, and he felt confident that the Government would gome back after the election as strong as erer.

"No public man could have reason to be more satisfied that I am with what I have seen," said the Prime Minister. "There were no particular arrangements made on my behalf. Whatever was done was done spontaneously, and one can easily judge the feeling of the public by the spontaneous actions of the people. There was no building large enough to hold the numbers of people who wished to attend my meetings everywhere, including the Leader of the Opposition's district. The manifestations of goodwill were very general. I have had too long an experience of public life to be carried off mv feet, but I do believe that in spite of the organised attempt to weaken our party throughout the country. the people generally recognise that a fine record of work in their interests is shown bv the Liberal Part v."

Sir Joseph said tli.it he did not share the Opposition's anxiety about the Awarua seat. He could not say how long he would he in the south, but it was possible that he would be back in Wellington by polling day. Referring to the increased payment for railwavmen for which provision was made last session, the Prime Minister said that the promise had been made distinctly bv him that the increased payment would be made from November 1, and that promise would be fulfilled.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT GORE. Gore, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward and partv arrived, in the second express, and were welcomed bv the Mayor and Liberals and played by the Pipe Band to the Dominion Hall. There was a packed audience. Just before the meeting, Mr. F. Inder, solicitor, rose in the front of the hall and said a report had been circulated that he intended organising interruptions on behalf of the Opposition Party, who he ardently supported. He denied this as a falsehood. His assurance was accepted by Sir Joseph Ward. The Premier said the higher a man ascended the ladder of life in any respect. the more likely he was to become an object of kindly and sometimes otherwise disposed people. The Leader bf the Opposition and some of those who were seeking election offered its age as a reason why the present administration should be removed from office. Was age a valid reason why an old (assuming that he was old) servant should be put "off the road" after he had proved to have performed valuable service. (Applause.) He wanted to ask his audience if they believed the tarradiddles that were advanced by some of his opponents (Cries of '"Lies!") —as to the burden of taxation being increased and taxation generally being increased. He complained that his opponents did not tell the whole truth in connection with these matters. Since he had been at the head of the administration, the mileage of railways had increased by 404 miles 33 chains, and, further, since the Liberal Party had been in power the mileage had been increased from 1800 to 2807 miles, or an increase of 008 miles 1 chain. Sir Joseph asked how many countries could be advanced from the primitive state without borrowing money. Sir Joseph Ward explained at great length the purposes for which loans were raised.

lie explained the taxation and the Dreadnought, position as in previous speeches, and referred to Southland and settlements, staling that seven large estates, costing £'218,000, were cut up, settling lOS.'f people. He contended the Government had pursued its land policy with great vigor, and that there was no suggestion at any time to repeal the optional tenure. A motion of thanks and confidence was carried.