MEETING THE PEOPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1938, Page 7

MEETING THE PEOPLE

PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR

RECEPTIONS BY WAYSIDE,

SURVEY OF GOVERNMENT'S RECORD.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) FEILDING, June 13.

An official tour of Wellington, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay was begun this morning by the Prime Minister, theßt. Hon M. J. Savage, who was accompanied by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb. The party stopped at Pukerua Bay, where it was given a warm reception by Public Works men, later visiting Otaki, Levin. Shannon and Foxton, being met at Levin by Mr C. L. Hunter, M.P. At each place the Prime Minister was welcomed by large crowds, which he addressed. Arriving at Feilding late this evening, Mr Savage was the guest of the Feilding branch of the Labour - Party at dinner, afterward attending a civic reception in the Majestic Theatre, which was crowded. Mr T. L. Seddon, Mayor of Feilding, welcomed Mr Savage and Mr Webb, and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., also voiced pleasure at seeing Mr Savage in Feilding in an official capacity. A welcome was also extended by Mr S. Strachan, chairman of the Pohangina County Council, on behalf of adjacent counties. Mr Savage was given an enthusiastic reception. “My main object in visiting the district and neighbouring localities is to meet the people rind see for myself at close range something of their conditions of life and work and note the measure and direction of development,” said Mr Savage. “Already I can say that even one day in the country is worth any number of books, statistics and reports, in giving a clear idea of the real prosperity of the rural areas and the character and energy of the men and women in the provincial districts. The people themselves provide the best evidence of improved conditions. They are robust and undoubtedly in a good temper. “FALSE TESTIMONY.” “If one were to listen to the false testimony of the Government’s opponents it would almost appear that the whole country is in a fever of revolt against Labour and its progressive policy. Nothing of the sort exists. All along the wayside pleasant receptions and generous hospitality have encouraged me to believe that the Government is not as black as some people with tar brushes would like to colour it.

“But a greater delight at the outset of the tour has been seeing so many happy people everywhere. Where could one find happier children than those of New Zealand today? Some of my critics say I refer too frequently, to better times-and that I turn the small end of the telescope to spots on the sun. People should remember the depression • years and slump ‘dope’ of conservative economists and administrators. Nor should it be forgotten that the Coalition Government ran true to form in the Tory hobby of cutting wages, curtailing trade and general business and maintaining the ancient adage ‘the poor are always with us.’ I prefer prosperity for the people as a whole all the time.” (Continued on page 3.)