COMPLETELY CHANGED

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 156, 20 March 1923, Page 6

COMPLETELY CHANGED

POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE AT TAURANGA WONDERFUL RECEPTION FOR MR. MASSEY BY TELEGRAPn.—SmCIA-L CORRESPONDENT. Tauranga, March 19. The political atmosphere of Tauranga was completely changed to-night by the Prime Minister's visit to the headquarters of the electorate and his animated policy speech in support of the Reform candidate and in defence of the Government. Enthusiasm was the dominant feature of Mr. Massey’s reception, which excelled by far the demonstration at the opening of the campaign by Sir Joseph Aai d last week, and eclipsed all previous records in respect political meetings in the Bay of Plenty. The Town Hall was almost uncomfortably crowded, the eager audience being packed closely wherever there was seating or standing room. The enthusiasm bin sb like a flood as Mr. Massey appeared on the crowdrul platform, and the cheers became as a tumult of welcome when Mr. B. Dive, tho Mayor, introduced the Prime Minister to.the expectant audience. It was clear from the outset of his address that Mr. .Massey was in good heart for a spirited contest, and he immediately carried the war into tho camp of the enemy, completely silencing two or ..three men in dense ambush at the rear of The hall who had odvcntuied into interjecting. From tliis on to the end of a speech aS rapid as machine-gun fire, Mr. Massey held the interest of .the great assembly. The first quarter of his speech was devoted to Correcting what were described as “Sir Joseph Ward’s errors,” these including the assertion that New Zealand’s taxation was the hdghclst in tho Empire., ecccepting Britain, and, that the burden per head in the Dominion was. £l9 os. 9d., as against £4 14s. 3d. in Queensland. As a matter fact, eaid Mr. Massey, the per capita taxation in New Zealand was £l2 11s. 3d. at June 30 last, as compared with £l4 10s. 9d. Federal and State taxation in Queensland. “Frenzied Finance.” As for Sir Joseph Ward’s advocacy of the issue of New Zealand Government bonds bearing interest at 5 per cent, for the financing of railway construction and public works, Mr. Massey said that it was the only financial proposal ever put forward in New Zealand politic* to which was applicable the description “frenzied finance.” it was a most objectionable system of borrowing, and he felt certain that Parliament would not look at it for one moment. (Applause.) There was only one defect in tn. effective speech—it was too rich in detail. After fieveral questions had been satisfactorily answered by the Prime Minister, a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was proposed hv Mr. J. H. Beale, and seconded by Mr. W. W. Jones, and .carried by acclamation followed by ringing cheers for Mr. Massey and the Reform candidate.