NATIONAL MINISTRY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14156, 19 April 1916, Page 6

NATIONAL MINISTRY.

MR MASSEY IN REPLY TO CRITICISMS.

A FINANCIER'S SUGGESTIONS

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, April 18. Speaking to-day at the annual meetintr of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Massey, referring to the National Government, said that Ministers while objecting to misrepresentation' welcomed criticism. The Defence Department had lately been subjected to more than a fair share of criticism. lie- asked. Hadn't the Defence Department delivered the goods? It had, and tho goods had been of the highest quality and delivered on contract time, lne Government had been criticised regarding the cost of living, but >t was not responsible for the increase The cost always increased in tune of war, but the increase in New Zealand was less that) in any other part" of the British Dominions. There -v> as less exploitation here than-elsewhere.. ; Mr. Massey-referred to Njpw. Zea-j land's remarkable, trade expansion, and; gave the following comparisons or" trade; per head of population-*— ' £ c. d. New Zealand-... ••• 4*>' 6 6i [Australia- ... ... ... -•• 25 11 2 Canada ".•.: ...,..,... 2ff 7 2 United Kingdom ... ...<... 26 12 8 Mr. Massoy expressed the. I'.dpe that something would be <ioi.<- i/> prevent the enemy ever again securing tho place in British dominions trade that they did before the war. "He trustee'1 \h->\, the recent Paris Confftren.ce wouM be- tho forerunner of .similar cvi fore-nee; in the future, and thr.t New Zv;il:'-:d won Id be represented at them. The chairman (Mr .Invrf-s Afin^n+^s-.i) while dep'T'^iti'ig r-i-i.tfr'i.vni of fjt<« Government. tlioii'. ; ':t !:utt '.'.-•■''<: i suggestions might I.I*.- i.-'.'.ule to it. \: ■ .^i gypped that the Govwnn'CTit r.h'^ud !:<-v?n iv eye on the Inmo nrr-rjinulrttioi! oj' nnvnto funds, nnd see tlsnt the •"•por.diture of pubhV •money on .".ny 'out v.ar purposes should ceaso.