POLITICAL QUESTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15563, 21 March 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL QUESTIONS.

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER. FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. A CORDIAL RECEPTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Greymotjth, Friday. The Prime Minister, the Hon. W. F. Massey, was greeted by a very large and enthusiastic audience in the Town Hall to-night. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perkins] occupied the chair. On coming forward, Mr. Massey was heartily cheered. He stated that he was pleased to be able to address such a huge audience. At this stage, a Federationist, who -was making repeated interruptions, was ejected by the police. Dealing with the financial position, h< said that when the Government assumec office, it found that promises had beer made for works for £770.000, while then was only £17,000 to meet them. Thej raised a 4$ million loan at 3£ per cent, nominally £5 2s 9d per cent., for th< purpose of meeting the short-dated deben tur«s. The reason why the. new loan wai so readily subscribed was that the peoph in Britain had confidence in both thi country, and the Government of Nev Zealand. They would still require to raisi money, and, no doubt, would be able t< raise it very cheaply. Dominion's Greatest Enemies. In dealing with the late . strike, he sai< that the- Government was not worthy o its place if it had not taken up the atti tude it did. He did not blame the mei who went out on strike, but their leaders Mr. Massey aaid he tried his best to \ settle the strike. The Government met and discussed the position, and came to the conclusion that the police force was insufficient. They appealed for special constables, and they came in hundreds. Workers have the right to obtain the highest wages they can, but they have no right to interfere with a man who is willing to work. He hoped that industrial peace would reign for some years. The strike had ended in a revolt against the tyranny of the offending organisation. The greatest enemies that New Zealand lias had are the men who have been travelling about causing trouble, and New . Zealand could do very well without them. Wages lor Farm Boys. In connection with the recent importation of farm boys for New Zealand, the conditions of employment contained a minimum weekly wage of 7s 6d and clothing; but the Opposition Party, when in office, brought out the boys and made a mimimum wage of 6s per week. This showed that the Government was not out for reducing waf«s. The public works was the next item of the address. Mr. Massey said that all the requests for railways and roads could not be complied with, but the (lovernment said that the settlers could build a line or a road and the Government would do its part. The Prime Minister spoke of the Second Ballot Act. which, he said, was introduced for party purposes. He eaid that in all his experience, he never heard such drivel as was indulged in by the Opposition during the debate on the second ballot repeal. If the Bill had not gone through, they would have gone to the country. The Prime Minster was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks and confidence.