RAILWAYS AND TAXATION

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 2

RAILWAYS AND TAXATION

PRIME MINISTER FORESHADOWS

REDUCTIONS.

HOUSING SHORTAGE,

GOVERNMENT BUILDING SCHEME TOO COSTLY.

The Prime Minister on. arrival at Fairlio last evening was entertained _by the Mackenzie County Council at an informal dinner. Afterwards he addressed a public meeting, tho' county chairman presiding. Mr Massey, who met with a cordial reception, dealt mainly with matters touching country interests. Deferring to tho moat pool, he outlined the scheme which it bad become necessary to promote to copo with exploitation. He believed the meat prospects would have a good effect on meat marts at Horne. He did not claim the whole credit for the recent rise, but quoted figures showing an increase of over TO per cent, in both mutton and lamb since proposals were mooted, representing a total of two and a-half millions. Freights, freezing charges, and storage in London had also been reduced. Ho did not think the board could get into operation this season, but would be ready for next season. It was not proposed to form a corner in exploiting the public at Home. On tho contrary, the Government was tryinn' to prevent tho producers hero being exploited. The board was clothed with very largo powers, but he felt that the men appointed would give a good account of Regarding the slump, consequent upon the war, the Prime Minister said the Public Debt in the war period had been increased by about £100,000,000. He scouted tho idea of repudiation. Civil servants had to receive increased pay in the shape of bonuses, which amounted to £4,500,000, Retrenchment had to take place, and would take full effect in a year’s time. Ho hoped that tho last half of the bonus would not have to be taken away. In any case, tho civil servants would probably shortly find themselves in as good a position as formerly owing to tlie decrease in the cost of living. Tho financial credit of tho country, tho speaker said, was good. A loan would be raised before the winter set in. Money was coming down in price, and he hoped to raise the loan at 5 per cent. Touching upon railway matters, tho Prime Minister acknowledged that there was much room for improvement. Ho acknowledged that freights were too high; but money had to bo secured. Ho hoped to make reductions during tho nest few months and to improve the working system. Ho urged further development in the country, and instanced forestry as one line that should be pushed. The land must bo brought under cultivation, and cultivated land must bo made to produce more. Immigration must bo encouraged, and tho opportunity now presented of getting the pick of people from the Old Country should be seized. Hydro-electri-city must be fully utilised. Referring to the housing problem, Mr Massey said the Government scheme was not a success. Government building cost too much. Tho policy now was to lend money to those who wished to build. Every head of a household should be encouraged to become his' own landlord. Dealing with taxation, tho speaker stated that taxation was too high. This was one cause for unemployment, and ho wished to reduce taxation, as well as railway charges, as soon as possible. He justified tho rebate on tho land and income tax, and pronounced it to he a distinct success.

Referring to Imperial matters, the Prime Minister advocated a continuity of the conference, and the right of representatives of the various portions of tho Empire to a scat at the Council of State at more frequent intervals. After speaking for a couple of hours the Prime Minister resumed his seat amid warm applause. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.