MR. MASSEY IN THE SOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 83, 7 April 1924, Page 2

MR. MASSEY IN THE SOUTH

THE PEOPLE HAD "BAILED HIM UP."

(EI TELBGRAPH.—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.)

INVERCARGILL, sth April. lhe Prime Minister arrived at Invercargill by this afternoon's express, and was accorded a civic reception, at which he was enthusiastically received by a large gathering of people. Replying to- a Mayoral welcome Mr. Massey said that on his return from the last Imperial Conference he found the country in a state of depression. The price of produce had gone down by €0 per cent. The position was a serious one, and the only thing to do was if) face it. Ho had retrenched and people had "bailed him up,'1 >but things began to improve. The country had never looked back, and New Zealand was now oiie of the most prosperous countries within the bounds of the British Empire. (Applause.) Industry, energy, climate, and good soil had made for the prosperity of the country. There was a satisfactory surplus, and their credit stood second to none with the "bi.r guns" -of finance in London. The exports for the last financial year had constituted a record, either bein- a little over or a lttle under £50,000,000. New Zealand i'n?n '" j mu' aculous -progress since 1840 and the British Empire Exhibition would give the British people and others an opportunity of seeing what they could do With £18,000,000 worth of butter and- cheese they expected i n a. year to beat Denmark and Holland. On account of the slump, many sheep-owners had had to reduce their flocks, and because of this the Government had had to restrict the shipment of mutton. Now they were 750,000 sheep better off than previously, _ and he hoped the position would continue to recover. The Government was not going to restrict people in connection with the Exhibition and he hoped the people of Southland would do their duty. Mr. Massey also dealt with several points of policy referred to in the North. .Mr. Massey subsequently opened the fcical football season, and then inspected the Sandy, point Domain, where afforestation is being carried on. .On Sunday afternoon he will unveil a war memorial at Bluff, and on Monday will deliver a policy speech at Winton.