THE PRIME MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 240, 10 April 1912, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

ENTERTAINED AT MANAIA. By Telegraph—Special to News. Manaia, Last Night. The Prime Minister and the Hon. G. W. Russell arrived in Manaia about half-past eight o'clock to-night, and were greeted by cheering crowds when the motor drew up at the Manaia Hotel. No time was lost, and when congratulations and introductions were over, the Hon. Mackenzie executed a lightning change and the crowd wended their way to the town hall, where an irreproachable banquet was provided by the Liberals of Manaia and Waimate Plains, catered for by Mr. G. D. McKenzie. Over the front of the 6tage was stretched a streamer bearing the legend: "Welcome to our member and the Premier." The stage was prettily arranged as a drawing-room and the whole of the arrangements were on a city scale. Owing to the late arrival of the Ministerial party, due to an alteration of the day's programme, it was nearly nine o'clock when dinner was commenced.

Mr. A. H. Christie, the chairman, briefly stated that it had been the intention of the Liberals locally to entertain Mr. Mackenzie after the election, whether he was elected or not.. Since then, however, owing to second ballots and holidays, and later owing to the early session of Parliament, Mr. Mackenzie had been too busily occupied. They took this first opportunity of extending to him their hospitality and congratulations.

The toast of the Parliament of New Zealand was proposed by Mr. Felix McGuire, who, referring to the newlyelected Prime Minister, an) A that he filled the bill as fully as a man could fill it, while of the late Prime Minister he said that he stood higher in the estimation o'f the public of New Zealand than ever before, despite bitter opposition and the nature of it. He eulogized the Hon. Mr. Mackenzie and his pneti";!] interest in and sympathy for agrculiuval interests, and urged the fanners to rally round the Mackenzie standard and support the Mackenzie Administration.

The Hon. 0. W. Russell was entrusted with the reply, and was Riven a tumultuous reception. 'He said that the district little knew or guessed when they elected their member that within a few months he was to ho called to oc«upy the highest position the people of this country could ofler to any man. In the last fifteen years New Zealand had had too much of party and too little of patriotism. The ambition of both sides should he to look above party, to the best interests of the Dominion. Mr. Massey was prepared, by every means in his power, to attempt to force a dissolution, which meant that for eight or nine months the country was going to be in a state of political turmoil, which would be bad for the internal business of the Dominion. It was well known that the state of ferment which had existed for several months past had had an a bad effect on industries and commerce.

The toast of "New Zealand" was proposed by Mr. Smith, who urged the Prime Minister to keep the State experimental farms going, and to improve them. What was wanted was more agricultural chemistry there, in charge of a good agricultural chemist. Let the Min-

fcter get all his cows no the farms giving 1131b of milk with a 3.6 test, and then they would be all right. The response was made by Mr. W. T. Jennings, a New Zealander born, who referred to New Zealanders' successes in every walk of life.

"The Dairying Industry" was proposed by Mr. Greville, <of "The Dairyman," who urged the Premier to keep both ears %vide open to his assertion that the appointment of analysts in Taranaki, Auckland and Southland, to determine the quantity of moisture in cheese, would put more money in the pockets of dairymen than any other appointments that could be made. He urged the establishment of an experimental station in Taranaki, for the purpose of demonstrating the economic production of but-ter-fat.

Mr. T. McPhillips, replying, also spoke on the necessity of an essentially Taranaki experimental farm, and for the breeding of cattle with milking; records behind then, which cattle should be made available to the dairyman of small means. Speaking of the need for the greater production of butter-fat by breeding and testing, Mr. McPhillips said that the average yield per cow for the Dominion was 2001b. Of these 5 per cent, produced 4001b per year, and another 20 per cent. 3001b of butter fat, and yet the average was only 2001b. If they could add 401b per cow it would mean an additional 1,2G7,4661b more of fat.

Mr. Lees also replied, crediting the Liberal government with having given assistance to the dairy industry, the grading system being of paramount lvalue.

Proposing the toast of "Local Bodies," Mr. D. Scott said that south Taranaki had put up a record in the matter of rates. Owing to the dairying industry necessitating the use of roads 365 days in the year, some of the land was paying up to six shillings an acre, with a prospect of it being increased to fifteen shillings an acre unless the much-needed railway from the New Plymouth main line to Opunake was built.

Mr. McPhillips having replied, advocating a tramway instead of a railway, the chairman proposed the toast of "Our Guests."

The Prime Minister, on rising, was greeted with tremendous cheers. He said he never felt a greater honor than the honor extended to him that night. He would endeavor, as far as in him lay, to give effect to the remarks and suggestions made by Mr. Greville for the improvement of dairying conditions. He agreed that the cattle of deep milking strains owned by the Government should be made available to dairymen. He believed that the reason why fiis seat was so continuously swept from under him in the South Island was because of his advocacy of cutting up large estates, so he came to the North Island. He referred to his mission to the Home country in the interests of the meat industry, as a result of which the producers were not now robbed by a system of swindling which obtained then He believed he could obtain, as he had done in the south, the support of the best bone and sinew of the country, and thus make for the prosperity of land users, upon which would, follow prosperity in all industries. He was proud of the district and proud of its people, and proud of the organisation which was responsible for his return. Interest in agriculture, in education, and in commerce had been with him hobbies for a number of years. He believed in party as a means to an end, but party should not be elevated to a shibboleth, for party was not the end. In the selection of a Cabinet he had had the most difficult task of his life. He had endeavored to attach to it men with a clean record, men of integrity and ability. It had been stated by the Opposition that no good could come of the party with which he was associated. The time had come to drop that sort of thing. "We are devoting ourselves," he said, "with all the ability with which we have been endowed, to do the right thing and take the consequences." How long were they going to remain in power? He would tell them that Ministers intended to tour the Dominion

and reply to every criticism. They would use no efforts to control a majority in the ."'House, but would trust to the feeling of the people finding expression in the members of the constituencies.

They did not want political rest, buti more administration, less legislation, and more practical work. He reiterated the remarks made at Stratford on the previous evening that the object of the Liberal policy was opening up Crown lands, breaking up large estates, and improving the state of cultivation of the lands, so that the lands might be peopled by a populace that was able to hold them against any nation who might try to deprive them of them. He announced that he was "going to get the best man in scientific agriculture that could be got. He informed the audience that the beet «ow on the State farm was now producing 110 pounds of milk daily of a d J tert. He had sent Home for Guernsey cattle with a view to introducing that strain into the country, and, if gives an opportunity, .would do all he could to assist the dairying industry. It had beea demonstrated that the poor lands of the north were suitable for fruit-growinft and thirty acres of it in fruit treee would support a comfortable home. The difficulties which beset early shipments of fruit Home were surmountable, and they had now sent a third shipment from Waerenga. "I'm not going to gnre up the portfolio of agriculture," he announced, amidst applause. He announced that a commission to fix the route of the Opunake railway had been set up, comprising a man attached to working railways, one attached to the Public Works Department, one attached to the Lands Department, and a fourth to tihe Agricultural Department. He had been unsuccessful in his attempt to have tramways included in the comission's order of reference, but he would make a further attempt. Referring to the late session, he said that the leaders of the Opposition went down like ninepins, and were unable to substantiate in Parliament what they had said outside of Parliament. The Opposition members were like active volcanoes during the recess, but in Parliament they were extinct volcanoes. As for the alleged improper influence brought to bear on tabor members, not a man in New Zealand could say that improper influence was used. In regard to a promise made at the time of his election that he would reside in the electorate if elected, that matter had been touched upon by the chairman, who had explained that his appointment as Prime Minister necessitated his residence in Wellington; but if I he retired from Ministerial rank he | would immediately redeem that promise, for a Mackenzie never went back on his

word. The Prime Minister resumed his seat amidst applause, the whole assemblage rising and singing "He's a jolly good fellow."

Other toasts were, "The Liberal Party," "Commerce," "Visitors," "Capital and Labor," and the usual complimentary toasts.