TAURANGA TO DECIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 8

TAURANGA TO DECIDE.

REFORM OR SOCIALISM.

ISSUES CLEARLY STATED.

THE TIRELESS CAMPAIGNER.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER, 0 TE PUKE. Wednesday. •1 am not going to take a spell in this campaign until midnight next Tuesday, declared the Prime Minister at Lower Papamoa this morning, to the delight 01 a largo attendance of settlers from the surrounding hills and valleys fronting the placid Bay of Plenty. "There is too much at stake on the result of this exceptionally important byelection," continued Mr. Massey. # The issue is clear. The big question is still the same as it was at the general election. Is New Zealand to be governed by the revolutionary Socialists? To is absolute nonsense for Ward and Wilford to fight us. .... ... "The real fight in the politics of this country is against revolutionary Socialism. There is no question aboul that, and heaven help the country that is governed ty it. Mr. Holland, as Leader of the Labour Party, has been quite definite and perfectly straightforward about the situation and Labour's policy. Briefly, it is this. Labour is willing to help the 'double Lb' (Liberal-Labour Party) to oUsl tho Massey Administration, but only on condition that Labour dictates the policy. Such is the question for Tauranga electors. "The Government is still the dominant party in politics, though its majority is small. Sir Joseph Ward, probably with the best intentions in the world, has decided to attempt a further reduction of the Government's majority. It has to be assumed thac he will help the Opposition parties to defeat the Government oh' a wont-of-confidence motion. I don't know his intentions, but probably he will. If Sir Joseph be returned, » the Government will not be able to carry on. That ought, in the best interests of the country, to be avoided. It is for Tauranga to decide." (Applause.) Mr. Massey expressed his belief that if such a result were avoided, the Government would not only retain its majority of three, but could increase it. "I believe," he added, "that there are two or three more members patriotic enough to help the Government to carry >on the business of the country and maintain a firm grip on national affairs." (Cheers.)

"THE DISSOLUTION BOGEY."

SIR JOSEPH WARD IN REPLY.

fBT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] TE AROHA, Wednesday.

'* Let me now deal with the dissolution bogey," said Sir Josoph Ward in the course of his address at Manawaru tonight. He said that anybody would think that he had the settling of this matter in his own hands, and" he asked how many of his hearers alter the recent general election looked upon the Government as strong enough to carry on. That was before their late member, Sir William Herries, passed away. Everybody, including Mr. Massey and the members of Parliament, knew that they could not carry on without some reasonable co-operation between the sensible men of the House. Yet, some people in the Dominion, said Sir Joseph, were " screeching out and asking him what he was going to do. " I propose, when I am your member, to exercise the brains which the Almighty has given me, and with other men to see what we can do to help the country."