HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11659, 25 October 1923, Page 8

HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

MR MASSEY ON N.Z. DOMINION AIMING AT LARGER POPULATION. FINANCES SATISFACTORY. By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Aeeooiatlon. LONDON, October 23. Sir James Allen presided at a luncheon given by the Australian and New Zealand' Club to Mr W. F. Massey at the Hotel Cecil. Mr Massey, in reply, indicated that the reductions in taxation made last session in New Zealand were proof that the country was in a good financial position. He believed the outlook was satisfactory. He regretted to find that such serious depression existed in the Motherland. If it lasted it would undoubtedly affect the producing countries overseas. He believed that if it were possible to reduce taxation in Britain it would do more than anything else to bring the country back to prosperity ; but with its tremendous liabilities he was afraid that no considerable reduction could be expected. NEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. New Zealand requirements in the way of materials for public works dur. ing the next two years, said Mr Mas. sey,- amounted to four millions, which proved that there was little depression In New Zealand. They were developing the country for an increased population.* Perhaps no industry in Britain had felt the depression more than agriculture. It had felt the competition of South American meat production. New Zealand, too, had felt this comftetition acutely in the last, few years. The plain fact was that unless something was done to remedy the present difficulty, New Zealand would have to go out of beef production. ROOM FOR IMMIGRANTS. What was going on in connection with foreign competition, Mr Massey continued, raised the question of migration. New Zealand <*>uld always do with liard-woi-king and industrious immigrants. Anyone with such qualities was bound to succeed. There was always plenty of employment for men and boys iii the dairying industry. The agriculturist cias6 was the one which had laid the foundations of the oversea dominions, and such people were now more than ever necessary for the development of those countries. “As citizens of the same Empire, we have got to make up our minds that we must assist each other far more than in the past. If we carry out this principle we will not bo troubled with serious or lengthy depression.” Mr Massey predicted that the recent reciprocal Customs agreement between Australia and New Zealand would do a tremendous amount of good in bringing these countries closer together. CONFERENCE PROSPECTS. He thought the time at the disposal of tlie Imperial Conference would not permit of all tho business that should ibo attended to being <frfi.lt with; but he was hopeful that good results would emerge. Personally, he favoured tho Conference meeting every two years; and that it should be given a definite

status. He was sure satisfactory re ■ulte would follow the Economic Conference, epecially in regard to communications. It had to be remembered that a first-class Empire required a first-class defence. They must accept willingly and cheerfully toe responsibilities which devolved upon them as British citizens. A SINGLE VOICE.

Mr Massey said he did not expect any change in the constitutional position. He would like to go further with toe idea of partnership. “When occasion requires, the Empire should speak with one voice, and with no uncertain sound.” There were two schools of thought, those who looked with equanimity to the possible disintegration of the Empire, and those who in toe majority desired to strengthen its unity. He scarcely needed to say that New Zealand stood in the second class. REVIEW OF PROGRESS. (Sydney "Sun” Coble.) LONDON, October 23. A 10-page historical and economics! review of the progress of New Zealand, bv Mr Massey, is appearing in the November number of the “Nineteenth Centqry.”