DEFENCE AND TRADE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13972, 19 April 1916, Page 9

DEFENCE AND TRADE.

SPEECH BY .THE PREMIER. (Per 1 res? Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Speaking ydsterday , at the annual meeting of tho Wellington Chamber of Comiiier'ce, Mr Massuy, referring to tl^e National Government, aaid the Ministers, whilo objecting Uo misrepresentation, welcomed criticism. The Defence Department lately had been subjected to more than a fair share of criticispi. He asked had not tho Defence Department delivered tho goods? That the goods Ivad been of tlio highest quality and delivered on contract time. Tho Government had been criticised regarding the cost of living, but it was not. responsible for tho increase. Tho cost always increased m timo of war, but the iiicreaso m New Zoalaud wa« less than m any other part of the British Dominions. There was less exploitation than elsewhere. .- .

Mr.-Massey- referred to New Zealand's remarkable trade • expansion, and gave the following comparisons of trade, iier head of population: -New Zealand, £49 6s 9d ; Australia, £25 lis 2d ; Canada, £26 7s 2d; United Kingdom £28 12s 3d: ■, ■ ' ■• •*.'■■■•

• Mi* Masesy exjjrassed, the hopo that something -would be done to prevent the enemy -ev<r again securing tho place m the, British iDoniinions' trade that ho d'd before tho. war. He trusted tho lans conference, would be tho forer tinner, of Similar conference m the future and that New Zealand would be represented tho're.-

The. chairman (Mr James Maclvinlxish) ■while deprecating- criticism Of the Government, thought anyone with ideas that ninight -be- useful should .suggest fiiem to'the Government. In that sj-irit he suggested that the Government should keep' an eye on the "large aecuimilations of priyntc -fund?, and see that the expenditure ol public money on any . . but war^ purposes should cea^e.