MR MASSEY’S EXCUSES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17035, 8 May 1923, Page 7

MR MASSEY’S EXCUSES.

FOR APPEARANCES AT BY-EL ECTIONS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Mr Massey, referring in tiie course of an interview to the criticism of Ins participation in the recent by-elections at Janranga and Oamaru, suia that when he m-st stood lor l arliament axil by-election, tne tnen Prime lUimster, Mr iseuuou, ana two colleagues visited a number of centres of ins electorate. Mr ciedclon, aim later s»ir Joseph Ward, visited his district on other occasions without any objection on his (Mr Massey s) part. So iar as Tan range was concerned, theie was a direct challenge to the Government, whose existence depended upon the result of the election. The question at Oamaru was whether stastability oi the Government was to be increased, enabling it to do many important things, wincli in the interests of the country require to be undertaken. The Government must deal with the moratorium, which ends in tne not distant future, and also'arrange for the £(5<5.000.000 public debt failing due in the next seven years, and representation at the Imperial ConferI.ii these circumstances Mr Massey felt it his duty as Prime Minister to put his position before tin* electors. He therefore need make no apology for coming before them at the by-elections.