NO LEAP IN THE DARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18357, 24 March 1923, Page 10

NO LEAP IN THE DARK.

WARNING BY MR. MASSEY.

INTENTIONS OF LIBERALS.

IBT TELEGRAPH.— SPECTAT, REPORTER ] „_, . MATAMATA, Friday. What is the real policy of the LiberalLabottt olrcranisation in regard to, the political situation if Sir Joseph Ward be elected member for Tauranga? I s a coalition of the present divided party in the now Parliament contemplated for' the ! purpose •erf ousting the Government?" These pertinent questions emerged from an instructive address by the Prime Minister this morning at Kiwitahi, where quite a hundred settlers gave Mr. Massey a great reception and assurance of sturdy support for the Government. ' I notice," said the Prime Minister, that Sir Joseph Ward still refuses .to say definitely what is going to happen if ho is returned. It is obvious that the Government could not adequately carry on with a majority of one. Now supposing I resigned and the Government simply walked out of office, what would happen then? The Governor-General would probably send for Mr. Wilford and give him a couple of days or so to form a Government. But ho could not do it without the assistance of the party referred to by the Labour leader himself as the Revolutionary Socialists. " You will have noticed that very little is being said on the other side .of this campaign in the way of criticism of the Revolutionary Socialists. Then that party has not put up a candidate, although it has asserted that every seat should be contested. It would have been very interesting if that party had been represented. It is an extraordinary political crisis and a very interesting situation. It is for the electors of Tauranga to think over the position very carefully and to avoid taking a leap in the dark." (Applause.) As on previous occasions in country districts, Mr. Massey had to devote a long time to the interminable task of setting right many of the distorted statements made during the campaign with regard to taxation, indebtedness, the moratorium, and advances to settlers. When the appreciative meeting understood the real position in its simplicitv, a unanimous vote of thanks and confideride uvas accorded with acclamation. Mr. J. Bell, a member of the Piako County Council, presided and the motion in support of the Government was submitted by Messrs. A. J. Walker and N. E. Mikkelsen. In the afternoon the Prime Minister motored from Morrinsville to Matamata.