OUTLOOK VERY GOOD

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 162, 27 March 1923, Page 8

OUTLOOK VERY GOOD

MR. MASSEY ON THE FUTURE NO PATIENCE WITH POLITICIANS WHO WHINE BY Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Te Aroha, March 26. Practically tho full voting strength of Waihou, in the .Thames Valley, was represented at the local town hall tonight to welcome the Prime Minister, who delivered a campaign speech. Over one hundred and fifty electors were present, and responded with vigour to the invitation of the chairman, Mr. W. R. Johnson, to Mr- Massey with pride and pleasure and congratulate him heartily on the occasion of his sixty-seventh birthday. After paying a tribute to the late Sir William Herries, and urging combined effort to perpetuate the memory of the former member for Tauranga, the Prime Minister referred to the conduct of the campaign, and expressed the opinion that nothing had been done in it for winch anyone had reason to have regret. “I am not finding fault with Sir Joseph Ward's candidature,” added Mr. Massey. “It is his right, as it is the right of any man or woman to contest any vacant seat in Parliament, but I think , he has been ill advised to enter the campaign. I do not think that he will be elected, and in that case I intend to carry on the Government of the country. The responsibility is with the electors of Tauranga.” (Applause.) The audience showed lively appreciation of Mr. Massey’s explanatory reference to the Liberal “flying squadron” from the south. “It is an extraordinary thing, said tho Prime Minister, “that although this is a great agricultural and a producing district there is not a farmer in the party that has come to talk politics to farmers. (Laughter.) Among our friends who.have come to assist the Reform candidate,” said Mr. Massoy “are practical farmers.” (Applause-) Mr. Massey pointed out that it was his right as head of tho Government and the right of other members of tho party if necessary to help its candidate to retain one of its former seats. It had been done time and again by previous Governments, and as far as he had been concerned he had neither whined nor whimpered about it. (Applause.) Discussing the financial position, the Prime Minister emphasised the fact that the expenditure for the past eleven months had been reduced by two and a half millions, while the revenue had increased by two and a quarter millions. That surely was a creditable, achievement. (Applause.) The country was practically back to normal prosperity. All that was necessary was to keep a firm hand on finaneiaj affairs. He had no patience with the people or politicians who whined and 1 mned'about the bottom having fallen out of the country, but would not stand up to difficulties and do unpleasant tasks as a matter c* duty. It was curious lipyv some jkAple decried their country by way of demonstrating their desire and capacity to ’help it and set everything right. (Loud applause.) “I am able to strike a cheerful note, and I mean every word I say. I know what the country has passed through, and how it has regained its prosperity almost entirely through the increased industry of those who haio realised that whining is not the 'open sesame’ to better times. The outlook is very gcod indeed, and there is no cause for anxiety. AU that we have to do is. to go forward with steady industry and unwavering optimism.” ;Cheers.) The Prime Minister covered the full range of his previous addresses in regard to taxation, indebtedness, and interest-earning assets (which he noted had been completely ignored by the Opposition candidate), and the progressive and humanitarian legislation of the Government. Ho concluded with an appeal for the support of the Government candidate, and gained an encouraging response from the appreciative meeting. On the motion of Mr. H. Ross, seconded by Mr. G. P. Goodfellow, he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence with acclamation. Mr. Massey expressed his belief that the electors of Tauranga would record confidence in the Government at tlie poll. He had addressed twentyone meetings, and had been encouraged by the remarkable enthusiasm displayed at them all. He was very grateful. It was his intention to visit Tauranga the following day. The meeting concluded with cheers for the Prime Minister.