THE PRIME MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 202, 15 January 1913, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

ADDRESS AT DARGAVILLp. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dargaville, Tuesday. Mr. Alassey was given an enthusiastic reception on arrival last night, and was subsequently entertained at a social. In a speech the Premier said that the difficulties were rapidly disappearing so far as local finance was concerned, but difficulty still existed in xegard to loan money, which was not controlled by local conditions. He quoted figures to show that the revenue for the quarter ended December 31 had increased by £155,592 and the expenditure had decreased by £9Bl. These, figures indicated buoyant revenue together with economy in expenditure. The net gain of arrivals over departures in 191'2 was 8927, against 4200 in 1911 and 3408 in 1910. With the exception of loan money, the Dominion was never in a more prosperous condition than to-day. Mr. MasKey asserted that the Government was stieddng to its pledges, lie particularly referred to the freehold policy and the abolition of patronage in the public ser vice and an elective Upper House, which reform he hoped to see carried next session, or at any rate before the end of the present Parliament.