POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 302, 18 June 1912, Page 3

POLITICAL

THE PRIME MINISTER IN THE NORTH. Dargavillc, Saturday. The Prime Minister addressed a pub'iic meeting to-night dealing with the general lines of his policy outlined at Opunake. Ho replied to the criticisms regarding the four million loan, stating that details would not be given by the Government before the transaction was completed. No country was in a more prosperous condition than New Zealand. He quoted figures showing improved condition of agricultural' l and pastoral export industries. The outlook for the future was most promising. Speaking of the present situation, after refuting criticism, he said there would be no moanings if he passed over the bar, but he would thank the people for the kindness and confidence expressed in him during the last 25 years. Whether in or out of Parliament or the Ministry he would do his best for the community and convert inertia of public opinion into something real. They had tried to improve things that had been in the minds of men for some time. He instanced the Civil Service, which needed remodelling, but he was opposed to a Civil Service Board. Education was costing too much, and he hoped for good results from the Commission, and also from the Cost of Living Commission. A vote of thanks and confidence in the ! Ministry was carried with cheers.' Replying,- Mr Mackenzie said the Ministry I was going, to do good liberal work. J ■Subsequent to the meeting numerous deputations waited on the Prime Minis- | ter, who regarded it as an indication of the necessity of visiting various parts of the Dominion and also for an increased number of Ministers. He declared there was hot the ghost of a show,of complying with the request to place £200,000 ■on the estimates for the North Auckland main .trunk railway. This was equal to a quarter of the whole sum borrowed for railway construction last year. In face of all the slander the Government was not going to 'borrow so much this year. Replying to a deputation of the No-licens,e League, he declared the Government was not prepared to bring in a Bill to give the bare majority.