“NO SHAM FIGHT”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 156, 20 March 1923, Page 7

“NO SHAM FIGHT”

TAURANGA BY-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

MR. MASSEY ENTERS FRAY

VIGOROUS DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT

Mr. Massey entered tha Tauranga by-election contest on behalf of the Reform candidate yesterday. He vigorously defended ths Government and replied to many of the statements made by sir Joseph Ward in his speech last week. BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Tauranga, March 19. The Prime Minister actively entered the Tauranga by-election campaign today. Mr. Massey immediately demonstrated with exceptional vigour that thrf second .round of the contest 'was to be no sham fight. The gloves are off in defence of the Government against “frenzied finance” criticism, and in support of the Reform candidate. The receptions given, to Mr. Massey during his motor trip from Te Arolia to Tauranga were remarkable, and eclipsed anything exi>erienced in the district for a long time. It was clear that whatever else may be thought about the political position and parties, the popularity of Mr. Massey stands very high. The Prime Minister had inteir.ded only to muke a short stop at Katikati, but found on his arrival that virtually all the settlers of the district had abandoned their daily activities to wait upon him-and welcome him as a friend. -The local hall was so overcrowded that late comers had to take their pleasure through open windows. Mr. Massey was alrojst overwhelmed with the enthusiastic greeting accorded him, and responded to it with a most vigorous speech'. 'Mr. K. Morton, a veteran, supporter of the Reform candidate, presided, and introduced Mr. Massey with an anxi ous question as to the people’s desire to have something said definitely about some of tho so-called “extraordinary statements” made by Sir Joseph Ward last Saturday. As Mr. Alorton phrased it: “Sir Joseph Ward would like to borrow about eighty millions, including fifty to meet mortgages and thirty tor roads and railways.” Could the Prime Minister enlighten the district as to how this could.be done without increasing taxation. The shrewd country audience laughed heartily. In acknowledging the cordiality of the welcome, Mr. Massey first paid graceful tribute to the late Sir William Herries, “a comrade, a colleague, and wise counsellor, who was also a friend to everybody in the electorate.” “I have come to talk, politics,” said Mr. Massey, and forthwith proceeded to talk politics with plainness, and a refreshing vigour.

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT POSSIBLE The present by-election, he said, was probably the most important in tho political history of New Zealand. It might lead to a change of Government, it might very seriously affect the prosperity of the country, and it might also very seriously affect the Dominion’s credit. He detailed the position from the result of tlio general election in December until tho gaining of a majority of three during the test session of Parliament. Incidentally hereferred to the curse of the three-party system, and contrasted the situation of New Zealand against that in Britain, where Ihe Government had a’substantial majority over the Opposition party. Jle had decided after the test session to carry on the Government of the country with the narrow majority available, but the death cf Sir William Herries had very, materially altered the position. This . raised a very serious and a very important question. What would happen if the Government lost this by-election? .Its majority would be reduced to one. Ho had been long enough Tn Parliament—--20 years next month —to know tliat it was virtually impossible to carry on the Government of the country successfully with, a majority of one. What was the alternative? There was undoubtedly, of course, the possibility of another general election. Personally he did not mind that, for he had just enough of fight in him to enable him te enjov it. (Applause.) Rut that was not the point. The general election last year cost £BO,OOO, and if another were held a great deal more expenditure would bo involved. Indeed, if one.made allowance for t-lie interference with business, and industry it was reasonable to believe that a general election would cost not less than half a million. He did not desire to waste such a sum gt present.

WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? What was to take the Government’s place if it went out? He did not think it would go out. but the possibility had to be considered- What would happen if the Government did go out and the Opposition assumed office? He recalled the Westport speech of Mr. Holland to the effect that tho Labour leader had said that his party was willing to help Mr.'Wilford to oust Air. Massey, but would dictate the policy of the Liberal Government. In other words, Mr. Holland had said to Mr. Wilford, “The policy is ours and the position is yours.” Was it to be supposed for one moment that that sort of Government was going to do any good to the country? The country was particularly sound and prosperous to-day, and ho wanted to keep it in that condition, lie cited the numerical development of the Labour Party, and pointed out the possibility of that party so increasing its strength as to enable it to secure the Treasury benches. It was for the electors of Tauranga to say whether the Government could carry on. Ho had been nearly eleven years Primo Minister throughout the most strenuous period of the country’s history, and had had all the honours that he wanted. He was not out for honours, and had never been all that time. But ho was out to do his very best for the country and posterity. (Loud applause.) He added that it might be necessary for him to ask the Governor-General to grant him a dissolution. A voice: It will not be needed, Air. Alassey. (Applause.) FINANCIAL POSITION Discussing the financial position. Air. Alassey said that the country to-day was as sound financially as it had ever been for the last 20 years. His friend Sir Joseph Ward —there was no enmity

between them—had criticised the Government for having borrowed 68 millions since the w r ar, and had also said that it had not been raised to meet expenditure arising out of the war. “I tell you,” said Mr. M r »sqy, “that it was—nearly tho whole of it.” Ho detailed such expenditure, drawing particular attention to the necessity for meeting soldiers’ back pay, gratuities, and other charges, including tho bonus to Public servants to meet the increased cost of living, entirely due to tho effects of the war. No less than 36 millions out of the 68 millions was for purely war expenses. Nine millions went to assisting soldiers on tho land and providing them with houses. He also detailed the heavy expenditure on tho replenishment of railway rolling-stock and machinery for » public works and departmental activities.

RESPONSIBILITY NOT SHIRKED In reducing expenditure, he said, the Government had deliberately taken its political life in its hands. It had not shirked either the responsibility or even what might be called the penalties of such action, because it had recognised its national duty and performed it. He knew perfectly well what was ahead of Parliament. There would bo a howl for expenditure and j extravagance. A firm grip was essential without -stagnating the activities and enterprises of the Dominion. A great deal had been said against the moratorium. All that it was necessary to say about it at the moment was that it was necessary at tho time, and saved thousands of small farmers from being sold out and precipitated into ruin. It was the right thing to do. and he was satisfied that we wore going to got out of it all right. It was his intention as head of the Advances Department to increase the advances from £2OOO to £3OOO and to extend tho capital. Under the new legislation providing advances on chattel security, 212 applications had been received, and 200 of the total had been, reported as being all right. Incidentally, Air. Alassey drew attention to an absurd statement in the Auckland “Star.” that he had given a mountain-climber permission to name a peak Mount Massey. As a matter, of fact, what he had done was merely to agree-to the mountain being called Barnicoat Peak. Personally, he did not care if after he had gone they called New Zealand Masseydonia. (Laughter.)

TAXATION His friend Sir Joseph Ward had also said that New Zealand was the highest taxed country in the Empire except Britain, and- had quoted a contrast between the Dominion and Queensland. It had been said that our taxes per head amounted to £l9 os. 9d. as against £4 14s. 3d. in Queensland. It was nothing of the sort. Tho Queensland taxation. Federal and State, totalled £l4 10s. 9d., while the taxation per head in New Zealand on June 30 last was £l2 Ils. 3d., and it would be less now on account of the latest reduction in the land and income taxation. The Prime Minister shattered the contention that the Government had done nothing for the farmer, and incidentally mentioned that during the neriod when the whole of tho world’s machinery for the marketing of produce was tangled and broken the Government had made the arrangement bv which the New Zealand producers had received 160 for their products. (Loud applause.) THE COUNTRY’S ASSETS As regards the indictment respecting the Government’s excessive borrowing, Air. Massey drew attention to the omission of the assets which legitimately should alwavs be set against the country’s indebtedness. Briefly, these were Hallways, £40.000,000; sinking funds, £11.000,000- advances, £17,000,000; soldiers and housing, £20,000,000; Bank of New Zealand, £20,000,000; reserve fund, £2.000,000 : Nauru investment. £1,000.000: housing, £1,000,000: Native lands, £2.000,000 : swamp lands. .£2.000,000 • land for settlement, £20,000.000: sundry loans, £20,000,000 ; making a total of £120,000.000. All these represented assets bearing interest, and should in fatness be set against the. gross debt. He had noticed that the Liberal candidate had refrained from making any mention at all of those assets. (A-lause.) At the conclusion of the Prime Minister’s spirited address a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded, on the motion of Mr. W. J. Grav, seconded bv Air. N. Blomquist. The Prime Minister thereupon left immediately amidst noteworthy scenes of enthusiasm, and hurried on to accept exceptionallv pleasant receptions bv the way side, particularly at Bethleham, where the settlers and school children greeted him with extraordinary enthusiasm. Mr. Massey happily addressed the children, who as cheerfully pelted him with flowers. Mr. Massey lost his nationality on arrival in Tauranga. where a mile out from the centre of tho town ne had to transfer from his car to a decorated vehicle, which was dragged to the hotel, the great crowd stepping out merrily to the strains of bagpipes skirling “The Cock o’ the North.” On arrival at the hotel Mr. Alassey had to appear on the balcony, whence he addressed a host of enthusiastic .supporters. and counselled them to use the unique carriage in triumphantly driving the successful Reform candidate through Tauranga after the poll. (Cheers.) NOMINATIONS CLOSE BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. Tauranga, March 19. Only two nominations have been received for the Tauranga -by-election. Sir Joseph Ward is nominated by R. King, cf Te Puke ;*W.’ C. Kennedy, of Te Aroha; and J. G. Green and B. C. Robbins, of Tauranga. Mr. C. E. MacMillan is nominated by G. A. Ward, W. H. G. Allely, and E. Chadban. of Tauranga; J. B. Thomas, of Morrinsville: —. Thomas, of Alorrinsville; P. Quinlan, of Martoma fa ; and Thomas Stanley, of le Aroha.-