THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17624, 29 November 1922, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER.

STRENUOUS TRAVELLING ON WEST COAST. (SPECIAL TO "THE JPBESS.") GREYMOUTH, November 28. The keenest interest has been aroused on the Coast in Mr Massey's visit to-morrow. He will have a strenuous day. He will leave Nelson at 6 o'clock to-morrow morning by special motorcar, and is expected to pass through Greymouth at 4 p.m. He will speak at Hokitika at 6.30 p.m., and immediately afterwards will motor to Greymouth, arriving in time a deliver a speech at the Opera House at 9 p.m. The party will stay at Greymouth tomorrow night, and will leave by the Otira express on Thursday. Mr Massey will give a short speech at Otira and will then go through the tunnel to Arthur's Pass, and then on to Christchurch. VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. The Prime Minister will address a public meeting in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. The meeting will be presided over by Mr H. D. Acland, chairman of the executive of the local Reform Party. Very complete arrangements have been made to control the crowd at the Theatre Royal. The meeting is open to the public, as all Mr Massey's meetings are, and no tickets' are being issued except for seats on the stage. The doors will be opened early, and as soon as the seating accommodation is occupied, and the City Inspector is satisfied that all the available accommodation is occupied, the doors will be closed, and no further persons admitted. The dress circle will be reserved for ladies and their escorts. SPEECH AT NELSON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. (SMCIAI. TO "THB FBESB.") NELSON, November 28. Mr Massey adressed a crowded meeting at the Empire Theatre this evening. The Theatre Royal had previously been engaged, but owing to the great interest the largest hall in the town was booked. The building was crowded long before 8 o'clock in spite of the fact that it was a stormy, wet night. It was one of the largest and most enthusiastic political meetings ever held in Nelson. Mr Massey received a great reception. The Mayor (Mr Lock) presided. , In the course of his remarks, the chairmap said Mr Massey had shown qualities of true statesmanship. He had worthily represented New Zealand as a statesman in Imperial affairs. (Loud applause.) Mr Massey said the reason why he had not visited Nelson and many other places during recent years was that he had to proceed to Europe four'times!in five years in connexion with war and. Imperial matters. This, combined with a busy Parliamentary session, dfid not leave much time for visiting the various parts of New Zealand. Portions of his own. electorate he had, not seen for seven or. eight, years, and did not know why they went on electing him—(laugh-, t ter)—hut he was very proud of it. Mr, Massey made a very strong, point in reference to dealing fairly with returned soldiers who were in difficulties.; These men had done their duty by the. country and the country would do its duty by them. Mr Massey said hie felt, that one of the greatest compliments had been paid to nirn at Blenheim Jact, evening when, after his meeting,, returned soldiers pulled/his motor-car; round to the hotel at/the double. Massey received an excellent hearing throughout.' Mr J. L. Chine, in moving a vote of thanks- and l confidence, said he was sure. Mr Massey not only held the confidence 1 of the people of New. Zealand but also of the TEmpire. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by the Mayor of Richmond (Mr W. E. Wilkes), who said it was absolutely essential that the Government of the country shovdd continue in strong, capable hands for the next three years. The motion of thanks and N 'confidence was carried. :(...■• (press association telegram.) NELSON, November 28. Mr Massey addressed a crowded meeting at the Empire Theatre this evening. In spite of it being a wet night, the building was packed long bafore 8 o'clock. Mr Massey received a splendid hearing; from one of the biggest political meetings ever, held in Nelson. In the course of liis remarks Mr Massej predicted a steady return to better times. Last October, for the first time in eighteen! months, the revenue showed an increase, the amount beine £440,000. For the seven months or the present financial year there wai a falling-off in expenditure of £2,220,000. These two facte combined helped to improve the position. The Government was endeavouring to. further reduce taxation, which nominally was paid by the man at the top of .the ladder, btrfc. really was paid in most instances by the man at the bottom. Mr Massey paid a great tribute to the returned soldiers- for the manner in which they werei coping with their difficulties. Inn Government would deal fairly with them. The returns showed an increase of 40 per cent, in this season's production of butter-fat compared with last season's. The dairy farmers had done much to help to bring New Zealand through her troublous times. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved, and declared carried by the carman. There was a big volume of sound both ways. -