CROSSING THE BAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3551, 17 June 1912, Page 5

CROSSING THE BAR.

THE PREMIER WAXES POETICAL. A SPEEGH AT DARGAVILLE. “NOT GOING TO BORROW SO MUCH THIS YEAR.” [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DARGAVILLE, June 16. , The Prime Minister addressed a public meeting last night dealing with the general lines of the Government’s policy as outlined at Opunake. He replied to criticisms of the four million loan and stated that details would not be given by the Govern-ment-before the transaction was completed No country was in a more prosperous condition. The outlook for the -future was most promising.

Speaking of the-present situation, after refuting criticism, he said that there would be no meanings if he passover the bar, but lie 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.. They had tried to improve things that had been in the minds of men for some time. In this connection lie instanced the civil service, which needed remodelling, but he was opposed to a Civil Service Board. The cost of education was too much, and h© hoped for good results from the Commission, and also from the Cost of Living Cbmmission. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Ministry was carried with cheers. Replying to a question Air Mackenzie said that the Alinjstry was going to do good Liberal work, and would lead the country to good. Subsequent, to the meeting numerous deputations waited on the Prime Minister, who regarded it as an indication of the necessity of visiting the various parts of the Dominion, and also for an increased number of Alinisters.

He declared that there was not a ghost of a show of complying with the request to place £200,000 on tlie 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 the face of all the slander the Government was not going to borrow., so much this year. Replying to a deputation, from the No-license League he declared that the Government-was not prepared, to bring in a Bill to give the bare majority.