MR. MASSEY ANGRY

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 71, 23 March 1923, Page 6

MR. MASSEY ANGRY

A SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT. IS HE LOSING GROUND? (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star."l TE AROHA. Thursday. The electors of Tauranga electorate who are watching the combat between Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Massey witnessed a significant incident at Matamata show to-day, when the Prime Minister twice gave unmistakable signs of irritability and temper. There was a big crowd of the farming community attending the show, and the fact that the Premier was so quickly angered was taken by many as a sign that he is far from happy in the invidious position he has assumed by entering the election ring and taking part in the two against one fight, odds which true sportsmen have always considered unfair. The incidents referred to occurred while Mr. Massey "was addressing the farmers. Some one in the crowd, evidently one of the many returned soldiers who have been badly bitten by the Government's land settlement scheme, took the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister a question about settlement. Like a flash Mr. Massey flared up and roared: "I'll come down and jump on you.'" This extraordinary remark uncalled for and quite out of place, was capped by the Premier shouting out shortly afterwards: "I would not be seen dead in the same street with you." These incidents made a decided impression on the cr#wd. and for long afterwards the pros and cons of the affairs were discussed. Supporters of Mr. Massey tried to gloss over the affair by remarking how clever Mr. Massey ivas at repartee, but many shrewd reformers as well as others saw something deeper in it. They realised that when a man knows he is in the wrong and is fighting a losing battle he cannot help becoming toiieliy. and that when a fightin- man shows temper he also shows that he knows he' is beaten. Mr. Maasey was clever! enough to be present at 'the show, but he was not clever enough to hide his feelings. 1

There was a ? ood deal more dignity in the visit to the show of Sir Joseph Ward and party an liour later. Sir Joseph unostentatiously motored into the grounds and chatted to his friends watched some-of the events in the rimr! and after tea left for Te Arolia. An amusinpr charge has been levelled ag-ainst Sir Joseph Ward that he was angry when replying to newspaper crit : e tarn at Matamata. Evidently the local reporter was unable to distinguish between rapid earnest speaking and the sort of thing in wh i ch Jfr . Musspv indu ,^«

EXCESSIVE TAXATION. I'RE.MrEirS RKPLY TO CRITICISM. (By Telegmph.-CHrn C«m>.«pomlent.) MOBRLVSVILLE, Thursday Ipper Kaim.li, the Prime Minister again dealt with the subject of S taxation in respect of which Si r .] o , ;ep h Ward has nii<le such a strong indictment. Mr. Massov said it was Absolute err t \° r y ,;,at '"«* inn v in the tomnionwealth, Or j n thp state of Queensland, than in x ; 'and. The taxation in the Dom.nion as a .natter of indisputable fact, was very ~rucli lower and would , c lower still after the end of this month He th" V ,a A c - VHI, " Omi,,ett - confidence that the Dominion had pot over the wont year it had ever seen as far as national finance was concerned We "•ere round the corner and not likely to turn back. The Government had save.) £2.300,000 in 11 months "^ :| revenue for the same period had ;,,! c ea,ed by i 2.230.000. Production wa, •- ■■a.lily [ncTca-Jnjr, dairy produce alone this year hein a worth Cl. v>oo.ooo Thpn :: eo " ntr >- *« bein X hro ;, Kl ,- t in ; v h her;.o e r ;. any. He could scarcely reco->-ni-. v n « Zealand to-day as compared with' hat it was live years a<;o.