THE PRIME MINISTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 48, 15 July 1912, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTERS.

.' INTERVIEWED IN AUCKLAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Prime Minister, who left Wellington on Saturday, came north as far as Mangere, and spent to-day with his family. His visit was a purely private one, and except for public business ■ transacted en route Mr. Massey did not act in his official capacity. He left again for Wellington by to-night's express, boarding the train at Otahuhu. On his way north Mr. Massey was deluged with telegrams of cong'ratula- . tion. Speaking to a Herald representative on the train, he said that both sides of the House had passed through a strenuous time, but he must say that, speaking generally, .the members of the former Ministerial party behaved very well. Especially must he mention Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Myers, who took their defeat like men. Mr. Massey was asked if he thought i there was a probability of a dissolution. "A very; remote contingency, indeed," he with a smile. "I am confident that we have a working majority and that we will be able to carry on without the least difficulty. I would like to take this opportunity," Mr. Massey added, "of thanking the people of the Dominion—l am speaking generally and not from a party point 'of view—for the approval that has been expressed with regard to the change that has just taken place. There has scarcely been a word of adverse criticism regarding the constitution or personnel of the new Government. I have noticed with a great deal of pleasure that even newspapers which ' supported the late Government—and along with other newspapers they may be regarded as the mouthpieces of public opinion—are very strongly in favor of giving us an opportunity of putting forward our policy, and afterwards givino effect to it. I feel confident that the ' time is not far distant when the people of New Zealand will acknowledge what I have long contended, that the Reform party and the present Ministry are a set of patriotic and progressive men, who are actuated by unselfish motives, and that they are men who will give, their very best to the grand little country whose public affairs they have been called upon to administer.