Eve of the Polls

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 300, 7 December 1922, Page 5

Eve of the Polls

PREMIER'S FINAL MESSACE.

APPEAL FOR STABLE GOVERNMENT.

[Per Press Association.]

Wellington, Dec. 6. The Rt. Hon, W. F. Massey issues the following message to the people o: New Zealand:—

It is again my privilege and duty to appeal to you for a renewal of the confidence you were good enough to bestow upon myself and those who were associated with me in the general elections of 1914 and 1919. 'lhe strenuous times through which we have since passed have eased considerably of late, and the results of the last eight months more particularly have shown that we are once again on the high road to prosperity. But there are still grave problems confronting the country upon tile solution of which very much depends, and the electors will be called upon to-morrow to make very important decisions which, for good or ill. will affect the future welfare of tho country. The more or less artificial divisions which affect the moderatelyrrmded section of the community included in the Reform and Liberal parties may conceivably hand over the government of the country to the Extreme Labour Party, which glories in, the Red flag and the principles of revolutionary Socialism. In the face of almost unprecedented difficulties the Government has earned on the business of the country in a manner which has won foY it the cordial support and sympathy of those who have the,real interests of the people at heart. Its record is before you, and will, I believe, meet with your approval; but I would remind you that a strong Government is the supreme need of the day, and that only can be assured on the Reform side of politics. The Liberal vote suffers everywhere at the hands of the Labour candidates, of whom the greater number belong to the extreme revolutionary class and are tied hand and foot to the party machine. They make no secret of their intention to vote against the Government on a no-confidenop motion, and it is evident the Liberals can only hope to govern the country with the help of these extremists. Under such a combination the nation would inevitably suffer. I can only appeal to you, therefore, to strengthen the hands of the Government by returning the official Reform candidates who are standing for election, and to thus give it a decided majority over all other parties in the State. W. F. MASSEY. December 6, 1922.

AIR,. MASSEY AT DANNEVIRKE

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING

IMPROVING FINANCIAL POSITION

DOMINION’S CREDIT HIGH.

Dannevirke. Dec. 6. Mr. .Massey delivered his final address in the political campaign at the Dannevirke Town Hall, which was parked to the doors long before starting time, a big crowd overflowing into the streets. The Premier said lie did not intend making predictions, but he hoped that the choice of the people would be acceptable and satisfactory to tho majority. He then outlined his policy and what he had done regarding reduction of taxation. Incidentally, he Raid that if we con 10 get the interest on the £26,000.000 indemnity owing by Germany it would be a ‘splendid thing, even if we had to let Germanv have 40 years in which to pay the reparations. He referred to the improvement m the financial position for tho first eight months of the financial year, and said he believed it would continue until the end of the financial year. If so. the balances would be on the right side. He mentioned that he ‘nad recently received a cable from London offering half a million at three per cent. He had cabled back to make it £1,000.000 and had got it. (Applause). 'Pho credit of the Dominion was the highest of any country in the world. He predicted that we would see wool steadily increasing in price tor the next eighteen months. K.A.A. wool would shortly be exhausted and then the demand would exceed the supply. We could look forward to the future with confidence and look the whole world in the face and pay our way. Referring to soldier settlement he said he expected to lose a little in the readjustment to be made, but the tune would come when by the increased values of properties they would have a splendid asset in the country against the £25,000,000 involved. He thought the chattel security loan scheme would be a great success. The money would be lent at one per cent more than it cost the Government to provide for administration and sinking fund expenses. After dealing with other subjects on familiar lines, he said the issue was in the people’s hands, and if thev earned out their duty wisely then they would send Reform back.

A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the. Massey Government wa s carried by a big majority, and the results of the Maori election were received with cheers by the audience. An enthusiastic meeting concluded witjj the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and the National Anthem.

GREAT RECEPTION AT PAHIATUA

Pahiatua. Dec. 6. Mr. Massey was accorded a tremendous reception at the King’s Theatre bv an overflowing audience. He spoke about an hour and a-half and a motion of thanks and confidence in the government and Mr. A. McNicol, the Reform candidate, was carried enthusiastically.

A DISORDERLY MEETING. AUCKLAND CANDIDATE HOWLED DOWN Auckland, Dec. 6. Seldom has an Auckland candidate had to face so ill-mannered and uproarious an element as that which to-night attempted to break up Mr. Glover’s meeting at St. James’ Hall. The meeting was one of uproar and. confusion from start to finish. The majority of the audience appeared favourable to Mr. Glover but strength of lung and sheer rowdyism *on the part of the agitators prevailed. The row started before the chairman was allowed to sav a word. The caudidafe struggled valiantly through a recital of what he had done in Parliament The conclusion of the speech was lost in an ear-splitting tumult of chiregs for Labour and counter cheers for the candidate, whistles, groans and the sound of a mouth organ.