MR MASSEY RETURNS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 7

MR MASSEY RETURNS

PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED TO WELLINGTON IMPERIAL AND ECONOMIC CONFERENCES THE POLITICAL POSITION IN ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND’S SPLENDID REPUTATION Tlie Prime Minister (Hon W. F. Massey), looking very fit and well, arrived at Wellington on Saturday, after his return to the Dominion from England, where he attended the Imperial and Economic Conferences. He met with a very eordial reception from a large and representative gathering, and was officially welcomed by the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright) on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. In the course of his speech, and a subsequent interview with a representative of the “New Zealand Times,” the Prime Minister expressed his gratification at the cordiality of his welcome. Regarding the conferences he expressed the opinion that nobody could tell at present what would happen to the work they did—-“ The future is in the lap of the gods,” said Mr Massey with a smile. Regarding the political situation in England he said the Labour Government was entitled to fair play, but as regards' labour itself he expressed the opinion that there was no country in the world where labour was so well off as in New Zealand. i New Zealand stood high in the opinion of England. Its credit was good, and its financial position was sound. A progressive policy would be carried out, and whether any further remissions of taxation would be fivert could only be determined when the accounts were examined at the end of the financial year. As to when Parliament would meet, Mr Massey said that also would be determined in consultation with his colleagues, but from his remarks it could be gathered that Parliament will assemble at the usual time—probably in June.