MR MASSEY IN LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 7

MR MASSEY IN LONDON

THE DOMINION’S PROSPECTS DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES. MEAT TRADE UNSATISFACTORY. Prat* AimclAtloQ —By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, October 23. Sir James Allen presided at % luncheon given by the Australian and New Zealand Club to Mr Massey at the Hotel Cecil.

Mr Massey, in replying to the toast of his health, indicated the reductions m taxation which had been made last session in New Zealand, and claimed that these afforded proof that the country was during countries overseas. He said he believed that the outlook was satisfactory. Mr Massey expressed regret at finding that so serious a depression existed in the Motherland, which, if it lasted, would undoubtedly affect the producing countries overseas. He said oe believed that if it were possible to reduce taxation in Britain that would do more than anything else to bring the country back to prosperity; but with ;ta tremendous liabilities he was afraid that no considerable reduction could be expecte'd. The requirements of New Zealand m the way of materials for public works during the next two years, continued air Massey, amounted to' £4,000,000, which proved that there was little depression m the dominion. They were developing the country for an increased population. Perhaps no industry in Britain, he said, had felt the depression more than agriculture. It had experienced the competition of South American meat production. New Zealand, too, had felt tins competition acutely in the last few years. “ The plain fact is,” Mr Massey declared, “ that unless something is done to remedy the present difficulty New Zealand will have to go out of beef production. What is going on in connection with foreign competition raises the question of migration. We could always do with bard working, industrious migrants. Anyone with such Dualities is bound to succeed. There is always plenty of employment for men and boys in the dairying industry. The agricultural class is the one which laid the foundations of the overseas dominions, and such people are now more than ever necessary for the development of these countries. As citizens of the same Empire, we have got to make up our minds that we must assist each other far more than we have done in the past. If we carry out this principle we shall not be 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, amJ would bring these countries closer together. Mr Massey said he thought that the time at the disposal of the Imperial Conference would not permit of all the business that should be attended to being dealt with; but he was hopeful that good results would emerge irom the deliberations. Personally he favoured the conference meeting every two years, and it should be given a definite status, tie said he was sure that satisfactory results would follow the Economic Conference, especially as regards communications, it had to be remembered that a first-class Empire required first-class defence, and he added : “We must accept willingly and cheerfully the responsibilities which devolve upon us as British citizens." Mr Massey said he did not expect any change in the constitutional position. Personally he would like to go further with the idea of partnership. "When the occasion requires it, the Empire should speak with one voice and with no uncertain sound.” There were two schools of thought. One comprised those who looked with equanimity to the possible disintegration of the Empire; the other included those who—and they were in the majority—desired to strengthen its unity, xle scarcely needed to say that New Zealand stood with the latter.—A. and N.Z Cable.

PROGRESS OF NEW ZEALAND. ARTICLE IN ENGLISH REVIEW. LONDON, October 23. A ten-page historical and economical review of the progress of New Zealand by Mr Massey will appear in the November number of the Nineteenth Century.— Sydney Sun Cable.