SPEECH CRITICIZED

Southland Times, Issue 21580, 18 December 1931, Page 7

SPEECH CRITICIZED

GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

DISCUSSION BY CANTERBURY

MANUFACTURERS

(Per United Press Association.)

Christchurch, December 17.

A recent speech by the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, on the subject of secondary industries in New Zealand was criticized by Mr F. L. Hutchison at a meeting of the Executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening. The matter was discussed in committee and after members had expressed their views no decision was reported when the meeting resumed. “I want to refer to the speech of the Governor-General at Stratford. 1 speak on this matter with a great amount of diffidence,” said Mr Hutchison. “The Gover-nor-General spoke to the Chambers of Commerce some time ago and he was taken to task in a most dignified manner in the National Review'. lie has offended again from our point of view and he has been saying things that I consider, in all deference, that a Governor should not say.” At this stage a member suggested that the matter be taken in committee and the suggestion was adopted. The GovernorGeneral spoke at Stratford on December 11.

In a speech at a civic reception in Stratford his Excellency urged people to' buy New Zealand goods where quality and price were right, otherwise to buy British. He condemned land speculation and expressed the hope that after prosperity returned “action would be taken to prevent undue profits being made by people not actually engaged in winning wealth from the soil.” He also strongly advocated increased production.