THE PRIME MINISTER

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 144, 16 December 1919, Page 9

THE PRIME MINISTER

SPEECH AT NAPIER.

(BY KLEURA.'-H. Kiss ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, Isth December The Premier addressed about 2000 people in the Municipal Theatre tonight. Mr. Massey was well received »y a large section of the audience and i few gave him a mixed reception. He was subjected to considerable interruption and occasionally found it necesGary to pause during the temporary uproars. However, he was frequently loudly applauri_d and oheered. In the course of his address the Prime Minister spoke of the urgent necessity for increasing production to meet the increased indebtedness that had come about as the result of the war. Ho urged the necessity for the same determination and tenacity as had been displayed in meeting tho problems during the war, and said they must be applied to meeting the present conditions to increase production^. Mr. Massey insisted upon tho necessity of increased settlement, extended rail-

ways and roads, utilisation of water power. All these things would have his attention in reasonable time. He would not say next year or the year after. There would not be a home in the country without electricity. Mr. Massey dealt with the question of the Meat Trust, which he. said he would never allow to become established in this country, and referred to legislation passed making it necessary for exporters to obtain a license. The question of shipping was mentioned, Mr. Massey stating that the Government intended to see that sufficient shipping was available to export our produce and if necessary vessels would be purchased. He had received a telegram stating that ten insulated ships would be available for February. These, after allowing for dairy produce, would carry 915,000 freight carcases. There was space available in January for 477,000 carcases, making a total of 1,392,000 for two months 7 This news would be welcome all over New Zealand-

The legislation passed during the last session was reviewed by Mr. Massey, and he outlined most of the points of the Reform Party's platform. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was carried amidst overwhelming cheering and applause.