THE PRIME MINISTER

Wairarapa Age, 20 November 1919, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER

ADDRESS AT EMHAM

{By •olograph—Press Association) , ELTHAM, Last Night. The Premier addressed a huge meeting in the Town Hall this evening. There were many good-tempered interjections, but Air Massey had a splendid reception. He said he had been engaged for a long time past in important business in Europe, and had not had an opportunity to meet his constituents. He proceeded to explain the dissolution of partnership of the Coalition Government, pointing out that while war problems bad "" solved there remained other problems of an almost equal importance awaiting solution, including reconstruction and repatriation. The National Government found it, necessary to do many unpopular things, and now had to face the

tstmsequences. iljese i-hey would face unflinchingly, ile expressed regret that so much party feeling had been Introduced in the country, and also fh« tacS that Sir Joseph Ward had issued his manifesto immediately on his MVeranco from the Government. Tha Government had, however, carooa on, and put through important legislation, Samoa and Kratulcies. ' fae hoped the latter would all be paid before Christmas. One of the most pressing needs was housing accomrtiodawon. In th© cities the people were being turned upon the streets. They hau passed legislation to prevent this, and liad provided £750.000 for ■£he provision of homes, also £250,000 for homes for Civil Service employees, and £250,000 for railway employees. People were also enabled to build their own homes at

what was really 4| per cent. Money was also lent without security. 'He believed this would do a tremendous lot of good. The Premier tben referred to the danger of the Parliamentary Labour Party holding the balance of power after the forthcoming election. He believed it must, if the Liberals obtained a majority. Therefore, he appealed to the electors to send his party back with a working majority. The workers and wage-earners were as much entitled to representation as any part of the community, but the Parliamentary Labour Party had alienated all sympathy by its lack of patriotism during the war period. He gave a pledge that rather than be dependent on the vote of the Parliamentary Labour Party, or one member thereof, he - would walk off the Government benches. If those wen got into power, God help New Zealand.

The taxation would have to be r#vTsed. He hoped to afford relief next session. Married men with large families would receive consideration.

Mr Massey tlidn spoke of the great value of phosphates to the farmers of Now Zealand, and detailed the history of the mandate over the nihilities* Land Aggregation must importance.

In regard to land settlement, legislation had been passed in favour of genuine settlers, giving them the freehold title to second and third' class lands at present unoccupied. He said they must increase fcher producton to meet the enormous ment, including pensions nad gratuihe stopped, and immigration assisted. Labour was required for public works. Soldier settlement was proving successful, but they must expect some failures. He believed the soldiers were sntisfied with their treatment, includin pensions and rrratuiCies. j'he Gnvern'—'er!* was doing all that was possible, which was their duty. The Meat Trust constituted r> grefit dnpger, and must be kept out of fhe Dominion. Natieinlisat'Vm was often referred to. Nationalisation was justifiable to prevent profiteering and for encourneing Industries, buT n&t in oomoetitlon with private fmterprise, "which -ras of benefit t-> Tii" rount.rv aa well as the individual meeting concluded with .a vote ot GLanErs and confidence.