REFORM PARTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19198, 14 June 1924, Page 7

REFORM PARTY.

MR MASSEY’S NORTHERN TOUR. PROSPECTS VERY BRIGHT. (Fbom Oue Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. Juno 13. Mr Massey returned to Wellington today from a visit (o Auckland and Taranaki. He had a most cordial reception wherever he appeared, even in cases where there was no previous announcement of his visit, “While I was not out on party business,” said Mr Massey this afternoon. “I can honestly say that I do not believe that I was ever received with so much enthusiasm as on mv recent run round the country. Ido not believe that the Government over sloni! so well with tho electors as it docs at present, Mv reception in Taranaki was extraordinarily cordial. Tho Prime Minister made a. flying visit to Wanganui on Wednesday, and there was a big rally of Reform Party supporters to meet him there. He was given an enthusiastic ovation, which concluded with cheers. After expressing hi s appreciation of the cordial welcome that had been extended to him. Mr Massey went on to make informal reference to matters _of political moment. In conclusion be intimated that it was Ills intention to take tho earhestopportunity of speakipg to tho people oi Wanganui. Mr \V. Glenn. M.P., who represents a considerable port inn of the. local electorate, expressed bis gratification at what in the circumstances was described .by . a local paper as a remarkable and inspiring attendance. On rising to leave, Air Massey was again enthusinslically cheered. ■ Interviewed at Tlawero., Air Massey said it: was all nonsense for the to say that they wore not getting a fair share of the money advanced by the State Advances Department. Kveryone was clamouring for money, the workers for money to build homes, and tho farmers and local bodies for advances. A, very largo amount had been advanced, and there was a great congestion of applications before the department. Sometimes there werey urgent claims which had to ho given priority, but tne advances bad always equitably distributed. ’there was a groat shortage of money for lending purposes, but instalments kept coming to band. Ho had arranged that £250,000 should be advanced cverv month, making a total of £5,000.000 a year. In the last 10 months £7,000,000 had been advanced to SOOO borrowers. With regard to the outlook for produce and farming, Mr Massey said that keener competition could be exported on the Home markets. He did not think there would be any drop in prices this season, which in any case was practically finished.

“Other countries are coming into competition, but I am not scared or tnifc account.’ New Zealand produce, _ erpeciaHv ( .hcese,” be remarked, “will hold its own. lie 'expressed gratification that for the year ended April. 50 the value cf the dairy produce exported reached the enormous fig,ne of £18.000.000. “And it will go farther than this,” he added.