THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15121, 10 November 1914, Page 8

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SPEECH BY PEIME MIISISTER.

MR. MASSEY AT PAPAKURA.

THE 'VYOKK OF THE GOVERNMENT.

A SPLENDID RECORD.

(PEESS ASSOCIATION' TELECIIAM.) PAPAKURA, November 9. The Prime Minister opened the political campaign hero this evening, when ho addressed a largo and representative meeting in the Panakura Town Hall. Mr A. "Willis, chairman of,the Town Board, presided. Seating accommodation was overtaxed, and many of those present had to bo content with standing room. Many were also standing outside tho door. Mr Massey was accorded a very enthusiastic reception and hearing. On entering tho hall he was received with loud and continued applause. As he roso to speak he was greeted with cheers and renewed applause. Mr Massey, in his opening remarks, ( said that it was now just twenty-one years sinco ho first- visited Papakura on political business. It was now eighteen years sinco ho was first oleet-od as member for Franklin, and ho hoped to have the honour of representing the district for another eighteen years. (Hear, hear.) Ho was not there that evening for tho purpose of making what might be called a fighting speech. He might have occasion later on in the campaign to take the gloves off, and when tho occasion arose- to take them off, he would not hesitate to do so. He intended on tho present occasion to give" them somo information as to the work that had been carried out by the present Government. DIFFICULTIES THAT BESET THE GOVERNMENT. During tho past two and a half years, said Mr Massey, no Government that had ever held office in Now Zealand had so many difficulties -to contend with as tho present Government had had. (Hear, hear.) He was not complaining of this, as these difficulties, liko all others, had a knack of disappearing when they were firmly grappled with. This was tho experience of tho Government in handling the many difficulties that had confronted them. The first difficulty that the Government had to face was tho unsatisfactory condition of the country's finances. When thoy came into office the outlook was bad, and money was scarce and dear. This was not the only trouble at that time, as there were industrial troubles to face. When the Government assumed control of the Dominion's affairs the Waihi and R-eefton strikes were in progress. Tho Reefton strike was soon settled, but that at Waihi lasted for a long time. However, thoy got over that.

THE SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC. Their next trouble was the so-called

smallpox epidemic among tho Maoris last year. He did not know whether it was smallpox or not, but the effect that it had upon the finances and trade of the country was scarcely credible. No one could over tell to what extent the revenue of the railways and other departments was really affected by the epidemic. The outbreak also had a bad effect on the settlement of Native lands, as it necessitated the prohibition of meetings of assembled owners in connexion with Native land transactions. However, in course of time they got rid of tho epidemic, but no sooner were they free of that, than, they weru confronted with the big strike of 1913. OUTBREAK OF THE WAR. As soon as the Dominion was getting over the effect of the strike, the European war came oh them like a thunderclap. The population at first was almost stunned by the outbreak of the great conflict, but it had got over the effect of the shock and the business of tho country was now being carried on as usual. Referring to New Zealand's share in the war, Mr Massey-said New Zealand soldiers had been the first to occupy the enemy's territory. (Applause.) The taking of Samoa had been a blood-less victory, but it had not been taken without a great deal of risk and danger. After the First Expeditionary Force had gone to Samoa the Government had commenced to organise the big Expeditionary Force. Few people realised" the enormous amount of work involved in this organisation. However, i+ had been accomplished, and it was an open secret now that New Zealand's second Exi>editionarv Force of 9000 troops was now on its way to fight for the flag and for the Empire, and ho was satisfied that the men would givo a good account of themselves when they reached the scene of operations. (Cheers.) In fiphtinjr for the Empire thoy were fighting for themselves, because prior to +he declaration of war it had been stated by German officers that in the event of hostilities Germany would, take possession of New Zealand and Australia, which would German colonies. (A voice: "Rot!") Mr Ma-ssey: "J think so too." The British Navy and Army would have a good deal to say before" that happened. GOOD BUSINESS RECOVERY. Proceeding, tho Prime Minister said that at the outbreak of tho war , business had been paralysed, but now it was back to normal. • There was at first a great cry of unemployment, but even that had almost come to an end. There were very few unemployed now. (Applause.) So far as the Government were concerned, he honed and believed they would be ablo to keep the public works going. They had more men on now than for years past, and he believed they would be able to keep this up. In that respect New Zealand was much better off than some of tjhe other Dominions. In New South Wales, according to official returns, there were thousands of men on public ■works only working three- days a week, and ho sincerely hoped and believed nothing like that would ever take place in this country. (Applause). Loan money was much moro difficult to obtain than it was before the war, but ho was hopeful of being ablo, later , on, to obtain enough for requirements and to go on quietly. DEMAND FOR PR DIARY PRODUCTS.

The outlook for our primary products had never been better than at present, and there was a tremendous demand for New Zealand meat, butter, wool, and every other product which this country was in the habit, of sending away. There had been difficulties in connexion with the kauri gum and flax industries. Tho former had, however, to a certain extent revived, though the price was not yet what it was before tho war. The Government had arranged in case of gum being unsaleable and. of gum-

diggers wishing to go on digging the gum, to advajico a portion of tho value at "which it stood prior io the' war. (Applause). As a result there was no chance now of gum-diggers swelling the ranks of the unemployed. He would liko to dojtho same for the flax industry, but it "was much more difficult to handle and to manage.

GOVERNMENT'S OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.

Referring to other arrangements which the Government had had to make owing to tho war, Mr Mr.ssey mentioned tho moratorium tew, which had been passed to obviate panic. Prior to the war tho greater part of New Zealand produce had been carried in insulated ships. There had been a tremendous demand on these ships for tho transportlof soldiers from Australia and New Zealand, and for Britain's own use, and this had created an awkward situation. I However, he was satisiicd now that owing to tho arrangement by tho Government there iron Id by sufficient ships to take away the wholo of tho country's produce for export up to the end of January. (Applause). All being well, tho New Zealand transports would be back hero in February next. Ho had Arranged with the Imperial Government to send those vessels back without delay, and if necessary the New Zealand Government would pay for their ieiu>n in ballast, if necessary, rather than r.llow tho industries of iho country to be hampered. (Applause). Mr .Mass?y went on to outline what had been done to provicio New Zealand', with wheat si ml flour.. In tlmt connexion bo said that in addition to the' quarter of a million bushels order <yi momi Canada, ho had been in negotiation j with the Government of India for .1 ! similar quantity from there. That day ho had tele.craphcd to Wellington, giving instructions for a shinment of 100.C00 bushels of wheat to be ordered from ImTiu by way of experiment. REGULATION OF PRICES.

In referring to the Food Commission, Mr tiu:a -i wat, *><;& up not vo iutonefe witji uaae, dug to pi event tae exploitation of tuo people. lie iiau asKed tho Coimaisoiou to investigate sugar prices. Tiio Commission nau reporutu uiab the Colonial buyar Company Jiau offered, to gu'«j a mat tho price of sugar shoiua not go beyond a reasonable price as compared with the price in other countries. "JLiie only provision was wiat tlio Government should not take over the sugar works.

RAILWAY IMPROVEMENT 6CIi.ii.UE.

Dealing with thy railway ' proposals of tlio new General Manager, Mr Hiley, tho Prime Minister said uiat last season Iho Government had' beo:i deluged with, complaints from all over New Zealand regarding insufficient roiling stock. In Mr iUassey's opinion, tlio Dominion was shorter of engines than anything else. In Auckland the accommodation for passenger traffic was bad enough, but it was lniies ahead of the provision for the handling of goods, which was shocking. Wellington was probably worse. The railway business in Auckland had doubled in the last eight years, and in all probability would double jjgain in the nest eight years. Ho believed in forming branch and trunk railways, but if it was impossible to handle the goods a 1? the termini, they would soon be in difficulties. It was astonishing the amount of opposition Mr Hiley's scheme had aroused. On the division, however, only twenty members of the House had had the courage of their opinions, and had voted against the Bill. It was now the law of the land. A Voice: What about Arthur Myers? Mr Massey: Oh, I am not the keeper of Mr Myers's conscience.

GOOD, COMMERCIAL OUTLOOK. Mr Massey said that before the outbreak of tho "war the Dominion was in a particularly prosperous condition, and during the two years that thevpreseat Government had been in office the exports had increased by no less tha.n five million pounds' worth. . When the war came to an-end, ho believed that New Zealand, "with her. enormous resources, her good climate, tho industry of her I population,, and her many natural advantages, would recover from the effects of the war more rapidly than any other portion of tho British Empire. (Applause.) PROBLEM OF NAVAL DEFENCE. The .Prime Minister ihen referred to the question of naval defence, which he eaid should not be treated as a party question. '. What had taken place during the" last few weeks had convinced the btfflk of the population that New Zeala-nd should do a great deal more in regard to. naval defence than it was now doing. (Hear, hear.) Hβ referred to what had taken place at Papeete, and said that this might have happened to any of the towns on the eeaboard of New Zealand. Hβ referred to the non-compliance, either through inability or 'unwillingness, on the part of the Home Government ..with the naval agreement entered into in 1909, and said that although the proeent Government had offered to increase the annual subsidy by £50,000 if tho Imperial authorities would carry out tho agreement, the offer did not

have tho desired effect. During the first few weeks of tho war New Zealand had been greatly indebted to tho Australian Navy for its valuable service

to New Zealand in particular, and tho Empire in general. (Applause.) He believed that we were now out of the wood so far as tho danger of immediate attack by sea was concerned, but 're should profit by the experience of the past few weeks. ' It would be criminal to allow the present , state of things to continue. He was not going to quibble as to whether the ships should bo Im-nerial-ow—2(l or New , Zealand-owned,-but tho position must be faced. The members of the present Government during tho past few weeks had had tremendous responsibilities on their shouldera, and he, for one, would not care to go through the same experience again. He repeated his previous refernncp to the debt of gratitude that New Zealand owed to the Australian Government for the protection that this country had received from the ships of the Commonwealth Navy during the past few months. (Hear, hear.)

THE NE*V EDUCATION ACT. .In speaking of the Education Act passed laet session, Mr Massey said that the object of tho Minister of* Education and the Government in introducing this measure was that New Zealand should become- one [of tho best-educated countries in I the world. (Hear, hear.) This was necessary if New Zealand was to hold her own in competition with the other countries of the world. In the past there had been a reluctance on the part of their young men to take up the teaching profession, but the betterment in "the condition of tho teachers which had been brought about by the new Act would remove this reluctanco and improve tho lot of the teachers. THE GOVERNMENT'S PLEDGES. Mr Massey then dealt with the charges made by tho Opposition, that the present Government hud not kept its election pledges. He pointed out that except in two instances nil pledges had been kept. In the first place the Government had pledged itself to keep borrowing within reasonable bounds, and to prevent wasteful expenditure. This pledge had been kept. The Government had also pledged itself to carry out a freehold land policy, and this pledgo had also been kept. The present Government had provided settlers with all reasonable facilities for getting on the land on a satisfactory tenure. The pledge in regard to tho limitation of holdings had also been kept.

A voice: What about tho advances to settlers? Did you not vote against that?

3lr Jf assey: I did for the very good reason that I was pledged to vote ngainst borrowing in any shape or form. N hen I went- back to my constituents and told them what I had done, they said: "Well done, good and faithful servant. ' (Laughter and applause). NATIVE LAXD LEGISLATION*. The Government had also, JlrMassey continued, kept its pledges in regard to native land administration. Its aim was to place the Natives in tbo sarao position ;,s tho Europeans, with tho same privileges nnd responsibilities, and that what they were doing. They wanted to make tbo Natives good citizens of tho Empire. The Maoris wero taking tip the responsibilities of Empire and o'JO of them wero now being trained for service :is soldiers. In this connexion ho was glad to say that tho Imperial Government now consented to allow tho whole 500 to go to tho one destination instead of dividing them, as at lirst intended.

OTHER PROMISES KEPT,

Among other pledges kept, ho contfnuod, was that to reform the Legislative Council by making it elective, lie believe-.i that , the system of election provided tor iconic! prove more suitable than tho Australian system. T.he pledge in regard to Public Service reform had also been kept. The Governmetrt had promised to provide for a reform of tbo system of local government by an abclition of the present method of Parliamentary grants, and a Bill to tin's effect hail been introduced last session. Owing, however, to the delay occasioned by the war. it had been necessary to allow the- Bill to stand over, but he hoped it would bo passed next session. In regard to town-planning, the Government hnd provided for all that was necessary, and he looked forward to doing something in this direction with tho Orakei estate that would bo a credit to tho Dominion. The pledges in regard to amendments to the pension schemes, including the reduction of the qualifying ac;o of women from 65 to 60, had been fulfilled. The pledge in regard t-o compulsory insurance against sickness and unemployment had not been yet fulfilled, because tho Government desired to see the scheme introduced in. Great Britain have a fair trial. The Government was also pledged to bring about industrial poace, and it had gone a long way towards doing-that by providing that no strike should take place -without a secrot ballot being taken under the supervision of Government officers. (Hear, hear). Thus all pledges except two had been kept. It was not reasonable to expect that during the short term of on© Parliament much more would have been dono than to lay the foundation stone of a policy, but tho Government had done much more than that. iilause.) LAND SETTLEMENT RECORD. It had been stated by one member of Parliament the other day that the present Government had not put a single settler on tho. land. (Laughter.) To show how incorrect this was ho quoted from a departmental return showing that from July' Ist, 1912, to September 30th, 1914, 2964 settlers had taken up land on settlement conditions and that, pastoral runs and miscellaneous tenures accounted for 1595 more, making a total of 4559. In addition, 289 persons had taken up endowment land leases. The total area of land opened for Bale, or selection from July, 1912, to October 31st, 1924, was no less than 1,447,894 acrea: (Applause.) ' In its first session the Government

had provided for an increase of the graduated land tax on all- estates of the value of £30,000 and over. The good effect of this was becoming ap-

parent in the number of subdivisions. From the Ist of Anrfl, 1912, to June 30th, 1914, the total number of subdivisions of rural land and land made available for closer settlement was Gl9O,

representing 1,125,678 acres. .Ten estates had been acquired for closer settlement. Altogether during the time the Government had been in office.

1,943,763 acres in both privately-owned Land and .Crown lands had been subdivided and settled. During the year 1913-14 the area acquired by the Government, for settlement was 141,062 acres as against only 13,399 acres in 1910-11, 'during the regime of the late Government. The total number of the selectors who had purchased the fee simple of their leases under the Acte passed by the Massey Government was 14! the total area involved being 262.792 acres, whilst the sum naid was £236,958. (Applause.)

REFORM GOVERNMENT'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

The Prime Minister went on to refer to the eettiug-up of the Commission to enquire into the working of the Valuaton Department. What the Governmen sought was taxation on fair valuation of property, exempting the improvements. If it was found that this was not being done, now, he would take care, if he was-returned to power, that i<; was done in the future. (Applause.) Since the Reform Government , came into office they had set up a system of workers' rural homes. Some of these were in occupation, and in many cases the occupiers were doing well. In all there were four settlements in handtwo in the North, and two in.the South Island. " , ■

Referring to local bodies, Mr Massey said it was proposed next year to give municipalities and counties the opportunity of borrowing from the State for the purpose of workers' homes. The previous Government had in cix and a quarter years erected 209 workers , homes at a. cost of £146,622; the present Government by the end of the financial year, March 31st next, would have erected 345 workers' homes in two and three-quarter years, at an expenditure of £101,632. As in the case of land eottlement, therefore, ho thought his Government's record was a particularly good one. (Applause.) The present Government had naid for Native land in 1913 the sum of £61,020, and in 1914 £257,711. NEXT MONTH'S LIABILITIES.

Tho Prime Minister proceeded to deal with the financial position, ehowing how tho Government had improved it sinco they came into power. Next month, ho said, tho Government had to find £3,000,000 to pay to creditors in London , who would neither convert nor renow their loans.

A Voice: We'll iind it. Mr Massey: "Wo hare founcj it." Theso lenders wero speculators, who wanted to forco tho Xew Zealand Government, into tho open market, but they were not going to bo forced into the open market. Ho could not tell them yet where the Government had got it, but they had got the money, and tho London creditors would bo paid that £3,000,000 on tho due dato next month. (Applause). Keferenco followed to the Government's action in raising the limits of tho borrowing powers of settlers. Owing to the war theso had had to be cut down, bu'fc from now onward tho limit to settlers would bo £750. and Jie believed that in a few weeks it would be possiblo to raise tho limit to £1000. (Applause). ; AMOUNT LENT BY ' GOVERNMENT. In tho seven months from April 7th last, the Government Advances Department had lent to eottlers the sum of £833,570, to workers £223,730, and to local authorities £135,325. In addition there were sums advanced by the Public Trustee and tho Government Insurance office. Tho Prime Minister then briefly reviewed his Government's legfelation for the workers, mentioning jthe mtreaso of i'l£o,ooo per annum in wages to railway servants, and of £%000 to public servants. '

CHOICE BEFORE THE ELECTS Concluding a speech of ab^Jill s^/-~ d mrw -l uari < ; rs J , AlrTSm "Wo aro now on tho ct* «c general election, and i t » j&# People, to choose "r], o d>3? W duct public affa^ 0 «*>£ "men-aWe Fv *' **5| and "Prigiu—who^iiavo 1 cised. but with whom noiSLSR can bo found who are not perfect, fo r tW made nmtakes-and y OU h|S**choose between thesn men aj/ft*fairly and well." (R en Vis dj? CONFIDENCE HEARTS EXPRESSED A roio of thank, to the Ulster and of MuMcnc* in hhS* in the Government, was morJu!? member of tho audience, andSiSfi seconded -and loud cheers testKK tho popularity of the motion A venturesome person who caliattL three cheers for Sir Joseph Wan* J?' energetically bowled down, JSj*