BIG RECEPTION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17940, 7 December 1923, Page 9

BIG RECEPTION.

MR MASSEY AMONG NEW ZEALANDERS. DOMINION FINANCES. PUBLIC WORKS. traou ora owx coaxtsroxnwrr J LONDON, October 24. An unusually large number of the members of iho .Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club attended the lunch given yesterday in honour of Mr Massey. Sir James Allen occupied the chair. On his left was Mr L. C. Amery <,First Lord of the Admiralty). Others at tho principal tabic* were Dr. J. McNaughtan Chris- j tie, Lieutenant-General Sir Travers Clark, Sir Joseph Ccok, Mr i Alexander Crabb, Lord Decies, Professor "Wyndham Dunstan. Sir R. R. \ Garran, Sir John Grice, Sir 11. J. Mackinder, Mr J. McNeil (High Com- ] missioner for the Irish Free State), Major R. McK. Oakley, M. Henri j Spahlinger, Mr A. E. Twentyman, I Major-General Sir Fabian Ware, ! Mr W. H. Wavren, Senator R. V. Wilson, and Sir Newton Moore. Amongst others present were Mr G. iS Amos, Mr M. C. Barnett, Mr L. P. Blundeil, Sir Gordon Campbell, Mr John Campbell, Mr T. B. Ching. the Hon. Dr. Collins,. M.L.C., Mr P. R. Davies, Mr Moss Davis, Mr Ernest Davis., Mr H. E. Davison, Major Harry Dawson, Mr F. W. Doidge, Mr J. H. Estill, Mr J. W. Fair,'Mr E. H. Fitter, Mr Percy.S. Fitter, Mr S. H. Fitter, Mr R. S. Forsyth, Captain J. E. J. Fox, Mr G. A. Gribbin, Mr J. C. Hanna, Colonel C. C. McDowell, Sir D. MeG&vin, Mr "VV. McHutcheson, Dr. MeKeddie, Mr E. J. Michaelis, Mr 1?. D. Michaeiis, Mr Roy Michaelis, Mr J. Metzger, Dr. J. A. Newal), Mr A. D. Paterson, Mr A. G. potter, Mr J. A. Potter, Air I. W. Raymond, Mr J. R. Rooper, Major A. G. Rose, Captain Donald Simpson, Mr G. G. Tegetmeier, Dr. F. Garcia Webster, Captain J. Bell White, and Mr C. J. Wray. Sir James Allen, in proposing the toast of "Our Guest," said that Mr MaSsey was unique in more than one way. In the first place, instead of going out to New Zealand as a young man to make a home he had allowed his parents to go out to make a home for him. But he was only six years of age then. He followed his parents and became a very successful farmer. No occupation in New Zealand was esteemed more highly to-day than the occupation of a good farmer. He came into political life in 1894, and had remained in the New- Zealand Parliament ever since. Since 1912 he had occupied the very honourable position of the Leader- of the Government, and had brought the country through the most trying time in the history of New Zealand. He had now been eleven years Prime Minister, and was likely to remain at the head of tho Government for as long a time as the late JL- Seddon. Another unique record he possessed was that he had been to London five times as representative of the Dominion, and he did not think there was any other Prime Minister who was nrore loyal to tho Throne and Flag. Ho was the only surviving Premier who had seen the war through. In proposing Mr Massey's health, Sir James expressed his desire to .couple with it the health of Mrs Massey, who. he said, had always been, such a good helpmeet to him and such a benefit to New Zealand. "For He's, a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung with gusto, and from on 3 table came the woll-known "Ako ako kia toa." » Position in New Zealand.

Mr M assay first paid a, tribute to the work Sir James Allen had done as Defence Minister during tho war—a positiou more onerous than that of Premier throughout tho awi'ul yours they had experienced. Sir James had done New Zealand full justice, and,his work was something to be proud of. Tho Prima Minister then went on to explain the financial position in New Zealand. During last session, which ended at the end of August, he was able, he said, to induce Parliament to reduoe taxation by a very considerable extent. For instance, 20 per cent, of income-, tax; the abolition of tho farmers' in-come-tax, which had been in operation since the commencement of the* war and which had been imposed for war purposes, the abolition or the customs' duty on tea, the reduction of amusement tax by a'bout 50 per cent., f one penny "postage again brought (into operation. Taking all the reductions together, what was dona last Session was a proof that the country was in a good financial position and, so far as it was possible to judge, the outlook was satisfactory? . . The depression in England, if it lasted, would undoubtedly affect the producing countries overseas. If it was possible to assist in bringing the depression to an end, and restoring prosperity to this country, it was their auty and business to do it. Whatever might bo done with regard to proposals which wore now being considered by the Economic Conference, Great Britain w&a our best market, and it was in our interests as well as the interests of British citizens on the spot, to a&sist in getting rid ol' the depression as soon as possible. They had to remember that iu such • oases unemployment produced unemployment. Depression ___ always meant the restriction of credit, and ho did not Puppose what was taking place in Britain was suy exception to the rule. He was pleased to see the statement made by the Minister of Labour and by the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently, that arrangements were being made to find work for many of those who would otherwise be unemployed, and if carried out, he-was sure the proposals would have a particularly good effect. If it was possible to reduce taxation iri Britain, he believed is would do more than anything, else to 'bring the country back to prosperity, but with its tremendous liabilities, he was afraid no considerable reduction in taxation could *ue expected for some time to come.

Expenditure on Public Works. A suggestion had been made by the President of the Board of Trad© timt financial assistance might b© given to oversea countries for carrying on works that were now in contemplation, so th'it more employment might "oe given to industries, such as foundries and metal works generally. In compliance with a request from himself ha had been notificrl by the Minister of Public Works ia A'ew Zealand of the approximate requirements in the way of appliances for railways, bridges, hydroelectric works, and also po3tai and telegraph requirements for the next two years. Soma of theeo works were in progress now, and others might "be talcen in hand almost at once. Mr Massey then read n list of public works to bo undertaken during the next two years, and gave the approximate amounts to be spent on these, making a grand total of £4,000.000. In addition, they were asking for tenders

at present for about"B3 miles o£ railway construction on the csst coast of the North Island. If a reasonable tender were received, the work would be undertaken in that way instead of by the co-operative svstem. In regard to hydro-electricity, it would be of number of years before the works in hand or contemplated were completed, and the Minister of Public "Works had set down a million as his requirements for the next two years under this head. All these things went to show there was very little, if any, depression now in New Zealand, and they were developing the country and preparing for increased population. The local authorities throughout the Dominion were each and every one developing the districts which were in their charge. Settlers going on to new lands must be supplied with access; roads and bridges and telephone lines must be erected, r.a well as school buildings for the benefit of tho rising generation. Production of Beef. Perhaps no industry has felt the_ depression more in Britain than sgricUiture, and he was afraid the fanners generally were finding a difficulty in making both ends meet. Here agftini a number of factors have been brought into operation. A tremendous impetus was given during the war to the production of moatNin South America, and the South American cattle man looke.i to England as the best market for his produce. Ho did not need to sav that they in New Zealand had felt the effect of" the Argentine competition verv acutelv during the last few > cars. Ho "could imagino the feelings of the British farmer on the subject. The New Zealand grower of beef had to look round for some other direction in which to utilise his energies. lie had taken to fattening lambs or to the production of butter and cheese rather than beef as was formerly tho case. In 1921, 5,188,172 quarters of beet, frozen and chilled) were shipped to tnis United Kingdom from South America, while from New Zealand wo exported 629,852 quarters. In 192'-, f>,l-<,S3a quarters came from South America, but the corresponding figure from New Zealand had fallen to 267,530 quarters.

Sattlemont Conditions. Kegarding settlement conditions he had hoard complaints at times about people being induced to go to 2*ow Zealand and being uuablo to find employment afterwards. There might have been such eases. Ho coma only gay that where a new settler was industrious, with or without an industrious family to help him, he was bound to succeed. He had never known such a man fail. In the dairying districts particularly, where there was always plenty of employment for men and boys, lie was right in saying that nine out of ten of those who were successful and prosperous dairy farmers to-day, commenced without capital, but this had onlv been achieved by industry and tenacity. Thrift* and energetic people, who were physically and mentally capable, need have no doubt about coming to New Zealand. "As citizens of countries belonging to the same Empire we have got to make up our minds that w© must assist each other far mors than in .the past* and if wo bear this principle m mirid and act up to it, wo shall not be troubled with serious or lengthy depression. lam convinced that oft® way out of tho present difficulty, and I believe the only and proper way, is th© settlement of those areas in tho oversea countries of tho Empire by people of British stocls. New Zealand can do with such people, and never shall we be found- turning our backs upon our fellow-citiwjius .from the U}* 4 " ted Kingdom. A great responsibility in this direction rests upon New Zealand and Australia, taking them to-., gether. I have beard it suggested that a spirit of jealousy had grown up between them. I can only pay I bare no knowledge of it. As far as trade and commerce are concerned, the veciproi cal customs agreement! arranged beI tween the two Governments about IS months ago is working satiefaotbrily, and will do a tremendous amount of trood in bringing Australia and New Zealand very much closer together. The Imperial Confereacft. "As far as the Imperial Conference , is concerned, I have no 4°uht it tvjH have good results, but it will not do everything that xequiree to bo do««. As a matter, of fact, I believe the timd at our disposal will probably not jpermit of all the business "that should ho attended to being dealt with. Person- , ally, I believe that the Conference should meet not less'than every two years, and should be given ft definite status. I think as far as tho econowe side is concerned) there will be aom®. definite and satisfactory results# especially as regards .meana of comjhunK*-? tion. In connexion with JJefew®, we havo to remember that a*.fir»t-cwss Umpire requires any neglect ip this respect Jmay h* ve very serious consequences, We hnYJ to look at the possibilities of the future, and accept willingly and cheerfully the responsibilities which , devolve upon us as British citizens. I do not expect any change with regwu to the constitutional position. Personally, t should like to go further tritn the idea of partnership, though I thiijk in that respect when occasion tho Empire should speak with (jjie voice and with no uncertain sound. At present there appear to be two schoolg of thought—those who look with equanimity to the possible disintegration of the Empire, and I am hound to say that their number within the Empire is not great: on the other hand, tb<> great majority we people who d«ir<> to promote the unity of the Empim ' and strengthen the ties that keep ifc : together. I scarcely need to Bayth&l; New Zealand stands with the latter every time." Mr Massey ended with a quotation: "V7e have sailed wh«r«ver chips cau ssil, \V« h»v.» fouwitd many a mighty state; I'-iay 604 our greatness may Through craven fear ol being great."