PREMIER'S TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 57, 9 March 1922, Page 7

PREMIER'S TOUR

IN THE BAY OF PLENTY

« "ERA OF CHEAP MONEY ;| COMING^".

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PIU'SS ASSOCIATION.}

OPOTIK]!' This Day,

Mr. Massey.arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday from Gisborue. A large crowd assembled to attend the ceremony of unveiling a monument to, fallen soldiers, erected at a cost of £2200, and bearing over one hundred names. There were many floral emblems. Eetumed soldiers and other units paraded, the returned soldiers providing a firing party. Mr. Massey, in a vigorous speech, recalled the heroic deeds of the soldiers and sailors in the war. He said that the same elements were at work to-day that caused the war in 1914. He hoped that if in the future war again came it would find the Dominion prepared to defend, the Empire as in the late war.

Mr. K. S. Williams, M.P., and the Hon. J. B. Gow, M.L.C., were amongst the other speakers.

The Premier left at 7 o'clock for Whakatane, but owing to the shortness of his stay ho was unable to receive deputations, a fact which caused keen dis-. appointment.

WHAKATANE, This Day., The Premier arrived at Whakatane last evening. He received several deputations at .Taneatua regarding railway extension, a police station, and schools. At Whakatane he was entertained at the Whakatane Club, and delivered an address. He said he had learned much about roads in the last few days. He never saw a road »with so many corners as the Motu-Opotiki-road, Discussing finance, he said an era of cheap money was coniing. Tte national finance was improving, but there was still an anxious time ahead. The meat pool was going to work. It had already had-.beneficial results. The time before beef \>vas not so bright, but the pool would better it. Lamb ought never to sell at less than a shilling a pound. Pony beef would sell on the London market, and it might be good policy to 'Cultivate two-and-a-half-year-old meat. There was a shortage of sheep in the world, and wool must be all right. He had met many soldier settlers on his trip, and was immensely pleased at their determination to "stick it out." If any soldier was a trier", he would not be pushed oft for arrears of interest.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Mr. S. Williams, Mr. F. Hockly, M.P., and the Hon. J. B. Gow, received a very warm welcome. He leaves for Te Puke this morning, after meeting several' deputations on county and borough matters. .