THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17610, 13 November 1922, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER.

A GRATIFYING TOUR. POPULARITY OF REFORM PARTY.

(special TO "the press.") WELLINGTON, November 12. The Prime Minister returned to Wellington to-day after completing a very strenuous week's work in the northern electorates. He covered at least a dozen meetings, received deputations at j various points and incidentally handled the mass of official work that always follows the head of the Government. Thousands of electors in Auckland, I'aranaki and Wairarapa received proot that the Prime Minister was in good fighting form. Mr Massey had every reason to be gratified at the receptions accorded him during his journey. Every meeting that he addressed was crowded and was most friendly in tone. The opponents of the Government, naturally tvere represented at the meetings, but the absence of any display of political bitterness was most marked. Warm tributes to the political work aad the personal qualities of the Prime Minister came from all quarters. Most of tht meetings carried votes of confidence in the Government, and in no case was a dissentient voice raised. Th* keynote of the speeches that the Prime Minister made last week was the U'ominion's need of strong, stable and experienced administration at the present juncture. Mr Massey emphasised the dangers of the three party system. He pointed out that neither the Liberal Party nor tho Labour Party had any chance or expectation of getting an independent majority m the new Parliament. The Opposition groups were hoping that they would be strong enough in combination to put the Government out of office, but it was clear that if the Reform Party did not have a majority, no party would have a majority and the balance of power would rest in the hands of the Labour extremists, "My journey has convinced me that the great majority of the electors aro understanding the position." said the Prime Minister to-day. 'The people are realising that we have many local and Imperial problems to face during the next few years, and that it would be absolutely disastrous to put political power into tho hands of men who preach the doctrines of revolutionary Socialism. A Government with a solid majority behind it is essential at the present time. Without such a majority during the last year or two tne Reform Government would have been unable to have put into operation the measures that were necessary to save the Dominion from financial trouble of the gravest kind. I believe we are round the corner now, but there are many , difficulties to be overcome yet before we get back to normal conditions, and no Government that was dependent for existence on the whim of a middle party could handle the national affairs safely. 5 ' Ihe Rrimta Minister said he had found- that the Government candidates were doing good work and were receiving excellent reoeptions from the electors. The popularity of the Reform Party was proving a little embarrassing in one or two electorates where Reform candidates were competing with one another and creating a danger of vote-splitting. It was not easy for a party leader to ask good men to stand down, but he believed that the loyalty of his supporters to their party, and their knowledge of the national interests involved were going to reduce the vote-splitting to a minimum. SPEECH AT MASTERTON. ; • AN ENTHUSIASTIC BEOEPTION. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) MASTERTON, November 12. What is generally admitted to be the largest political meeting held in Mastertoq was addressed by the Prime Minister on Saturday night, on his arrival from Bketah.una, where he briefly addressed a meeting en route from Palmerston North. Mr Massey was accorded an enthusiastic welcome at Ekotahuna. He dealt largely with the farmers' position caused by the slump, a State Bank, proportional representation, and the country quota. Addressing the meeting at Masterton, Mr Massey said that statistics showed that the number of sheep in the coun- j try had decreased by four million during- the last three years. That was because the sheep farmers were unable to pay their way without sacrificing part of their flocks. They were told that the decrease was due to increased dairying, but that was only partly true. The real trouble was the scarcity of money, which necessitated freezing and export to Europe. He hoped the position would soon be remedied, for the country could carry another five million sheep. As far as he could judge, this season would be good. At the last election a cry had been raised for a State Bank. "The country already has one," remarked Mr Massey. Four of the six directors of the Bank of New Zealand wero appointed by the Government, which now owned a one-third share of the institution. In a single-year the State received £580,000-from the Bank of New Zealand, whereas the Common* wealth Bank of Australia, which was held up as an example, contributed nothing to the State. Advocates of proportional representation, Mr Massey continued, asserted that the present Government was a minority Government. . When Sir Joseph Ward and he himself returned from England, they had to go to the country immediately. He did not trouble about organising, as there was no time, but took the candidates as they came. In fifteen districts, Reform was not represented. That meant that probably 90,000 Reform votes were not recorded. Yet the other side counted them against the Government. An English representative of the Proportional Representation Society had discussed the proposal, and informed Mr Massey that under the scheme the country quota [must go. I ' There were, unfortunately, threo parties in the House, Mr Massey proceeded, and a few were not attached to any party, and these were finding out that independence did not pay in these days. The danger waa that no party might be able to obtain a majority. He considered that 45 members were essential to have an independent majority for the dominant party to do ■ justice in the present difficult conditions. He read assertions of Mr H. E. Holland that the Labour Party would insist on dictating the policy if the Liberals got into power with their help. Dealing with taxation, Mr Massey detailed the steps taken to effect economies, and added that, as a result, the deficit was only £200,000, or a little over. The - Government had been compelled to purchase large stocks of coal amounting to £500,000, otherwise the balance-would have been on the right side. If the seamen V ' j (Continued at foot of next column.)

developed, as he . hoped it would not, the Railway Department had enough coal to run for five months. A number of election candidates in opposition to the Government were hinting at extravagance. He challenged anyone to point to a single case in which the Government had not clean hands. Not a single charge had been brought home, and if such could be proved, he would immediately retire, and let someone else have a try. , While dealing with immigration, Mr Massey was continually subjected to interjections. He said he meant New Zealand to remain a white man s country, and an influx of the coloured races would not be allowed. _ The law permitted them to come for six months for education, health, or business, and then they must return. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Massey on the motion of Mr W. H. Jackson, a retired Beform candidate.