POLITICAL POINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 21, 25 January 1924, Page 7

POLITICAL POINTS.

PREMIER RETICENT. OH IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. PARLIAMENT IN JUNK. Mr. W. F. Massey was reticent on several important topics which a "Star"' representative brought under his notice to-day and which were not dealt with ill last evening's speech. The Premier indicated that he intended to conimuni- : cnte with the ■• Ministers and Depart- ' ments concerned before making any public statement. j This was his attitude in regard to aviation, on which he lias some interesting and valuable information. It will be recalled that during Ipst session the Premier intimated that the policy of the Dominion could not be settled until he ascertained at the Imperial Confer- . ence exactly the attitude of the British J authorities as to the relative ealue and : importance of aeroplanes versus seaplanes. A settlement of this point will enable the'authorities to make a decision in regard to aviation in Auek- , land. It is probable, however, that owing to the Government's commitments at Sockburn, progress may be • further retarded in the development of I flying here. New Zealand's part in the Empire's aviation programme, of course, can *be but infinitesimal, but at the same time we must be on the right lines. It is probable ihat both aeroplanes and seaplanes will receive encouragement. Boy Immigrants. Mr. Massey has done something definite in regard to immigration, but in this matter he has still to discuss the issue with the Department. The scheme to bring a number of lads to New Zealand for farm work has the Premier's hearty endorsement, and it is probable that he will announce an arrangement on somewhat similar lines but on a larger scale than the South Island venture recently reported. On the general subject of immigration Mr. Massey has been active, but the details of the arrangements he has made have not yet been disclosed. Identity of New Zealand Butter. The proposal made by Mr. Massey at the Conference that goods of Dominion origin should be so ticketed in retail I shops in the same way as German or I other foreign goods are marked was j commented up by the "Star" repreI sentative, who asked the Premier how he was going to get over the difficulty of New Zealand butter losing its identity ;by being mixed with the butter from other countries such as Denmark. Mr. Massey declared that our butter was more often mixed with English butter . than with Danish. He admitted that | ; the problem was somewhat difficult, and said that all that could be done was to . have the butter boxes marked. Bad Time to Get Money. "What is the position of the money i market in regard to New Zealand i loans?" "I cannot recommend New I Zealand to place a loan in Loudwon at the present time," replied Mr. Massey. : "Do not imagine that our finances are i hampered, ibecause they are not,"' he added. "The trouble is in Great Brij tain. Our finances are all right, but 1 would like to see money easier at Home. Our credit is very good there, but we ! cannot improve matters at Home. I People here do not realise the position ■in Britain nt the present time. It is very bad indeed." A Record Vacation. "When will Parliament meet?" "That question has not yet been definitely settled," replied the Prime Minister, settled," replied the Prime Minister, "but so far as I can see there is no necessity to call Parliament together very much sooner than usual." ' The ordinary date for calling Pa/liament together is towards the end of June. ; usually the last Thursday of/the month. If this practice is more ;or less adjhered to —and this seems lively from the ■ Premier's remark —New JZealand will i have experienced a ten ;fnonthe' recess, which will be the longest Parliamentary recess period in thr/' history of New Zealand. The reason for calling Parliament together .'before the end of I.lune is that no farther payments can jbe made out of the Treasury after that i date without a/further imprest being ■ made. / Canada's Loyalty.Some monWis ago there was a good deal said abjout Canada attempting to throw off fcSe yoke of Empire, and as lan indicat/ion of the way the wind was j blowing /attention was drawn to Canada's/claim to make arrangements with thg United States without the intervention of Great Britain or of any representative whatever of the Old Country. Mr. Massey, replying to a quee Mn on the subject, declared that thnitjiatter was never mentioned at the deference. He did not believe there wae tjiie least foundation' for the suggestion. •Canada was standing in exactly the same position in regard to Empire as /"New Zealand. He had spoken to thousands of Canadians and he was thor- . oughly satisfied on that point. Proportional Representation. A remark that Mr. Massey might ' have been giving some thought to the ' ' subject of proportional representation in view Of the results of the recent British election, drew a vigorous statement from him. "This country," he declared, "will never agree to , representation; I am satisfied on tha, point." He added that, of course, the Bill that was brought up la-Nt session had still to be considered.