MR. MASSEY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17731, 3 December 1919, Page 5

MR. MASSEY.

ANOTHER BIG MEETING.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT

WAIMATE,

(Per Press Association.)

WAIMATE, Dec. 1

The Prime Minister addressed a meeting at Waimate to-night in a packed hall. Many people were unable to gain admittance. Mr W. E. Evans, the Mayor, was in the chair. " Mr Massey was warmly greeted. Mr John Bitchener, Reform candidate for Waimate, occupied a seat on the platform. Mr Massey said that for two years out of the last four he had been representing the Dominion at Home, and he took the welcome accorded to him that night as a genuine welcome. (Applause.) NO TIME FOR WRANGLING. It was no time now to indulge in party wrangles. The country was up against a critical time. The problem of the war had been solved. Now it had to solve the problems of peace and deal with tremendous responsibilities taken up in the last five years. With direct war expenditure and pensions for soldiers and dependents, the country's debt was now approximately two hundred millions. He -eferred to thu reasons for the formation of the National Government. To an interjection lie said he would not go back on anything done during the war period and was prepared to explain why all the war measures had been carried out. DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED. After dealing with the Imperial Government commandeer of produce, on thj lines of his North Island speeches, Mr Massey said that New Zealand to-day was more pros-pe-ous than any other country in the British Empire, and he was confident that New Zealand would recover from the war more quickly, and with less trouble, than any other country engaged in it. Recovery was in the people's own hands, but the country must have assistance by development and extension in roading and railways. Plenty of men were ready to go out and develop primary industries, bu. land, roads, ouildings, and railways must be made ready for them. Also, if necessary, the State should find shipping for the exporting of the country's produce. (Applause.) Hydro-electricity must be developed all over New Zealand. The necessity for that Had been brought home to the mind recently by the scarcity of coal. Every man knew that coal was scarce because of the "go-slow" policy in the mines. (Uproar and applause.)

Mr Massey: I thought that would fetch them. I wanted to see where the "go-slows" were and I found them. Every man must take his coat off and work if they are to do their duty '.. i themselves, citizens, and country. The miners had been misled by men who" were not patriotic. He began to think there were very few New Zealanders among the leaders. (Dissent and applause.) Mr Massey proceeded to deal with nationalisation proposals on the lines of former speeches and went on to speak of the present political position and what led up to it. When the National Government was formed Labour was offered representation, but it would not have anything to do ~rith it. A voice: Quite right. Mr Massey: "That is what you think. Well, I suppose you would not take any part to help win the war either." The passing of conscription was approved by the majority of the people but a section strongly opposed it. The National Government also had to increasetaxation. Such necessary measures did not lend ,to make the National Government popular. A voice: Why did you not conscript mcney too? Mr Massey: Do you know that loans were forced loans right through the war. A voice: Can you tell me any? Mr Massey: I can tell you scores of cases. Interruptor: I doubt your word. Mr Massey: You can doubt my word if you like, but those who know me never doubt it. SOUND GOVERNMENT WANTED. Continuing, Mr Massey said another unpopular act was the stopping of public works but it could not be helped, and yet in face of all these unpopular measures which were absolutely necessary the National Government survived and carried out the war work. The best elements should have continued on together to carry out the work of reconstruction, and in November, 1918, the Reform Party in caucus, unanimously agreed to such a. proposal, but the Liberals said they would go to the country with a separate and distinct policy from the Reform Party's. ! Mr Massey proceeded to explain the work of last session, and was subjected to persistent interruptions by a youth at the back of the hall. A movement was made to put the interrupter out, but the Minister said: "Don't put him out. I don't mind his interruptions. They only annoy the audience." The interjector was silent for the rest of the meeting.

"The question now before the people,".said Mr Massey "is by whom is it to be governed, and how is it to be governed? Is it going to be governed by a handful of extremists? Suppose Labour had 12 members returned, and neither the Reform nor Liberal Parties had an absolute majority, what would be the position Mr Holland said the Labour Party would join the Ward to oust Massey, but would not support him unless Labour got the legislation it was fighting for. The Parliamentary Labour Party would sell itself to the highest bidder. If the people did not want a few extremists to get the reins of power, if they did not want things to happen in New Zealand which had happened in Queensland lately, the electors would \ return the Reform Government to power with an absolute majority. (Applause.) The Liberals could not catch up without taking into their party extremists.

COST OF LIVING

The Prime Minister next took up the subjects of wheat growing and cost of living, and said that the rise

in the cost of meat, sugar, flour, and butter had teen checked by legislation. The cost of living had cone up mostly in the way of imported articles. New Zealand Lad the satisfaction of knowing that the cost of living here was less than in America or any other Allied country. In New Zealand it was 100 per cent, lower than in England and 150 per cent, lower .than in France. Except for tea, taxation had not been increased on any necessaries of life. The small man had been saved every time it was possible to do so. He did not know that New Zealand had escaped profiteering more than any other country, but last session the most drastic Bill ever passed in . a British Parliament had been passed to prevent profiteering and a man now caught profiteering had two things in front of him—one was a j heavy fine and the other was gaol. He had received communications from nearly every Government in the British Empire asking for copies of the Profiteering Bill, showing that New Zealand could still lead the world in legislation. (Applauses) Speaking of taxation, Mr Massey said that an alteration in the law should be made so that a married man with a family would get a larger exemption of taxation than single men. (Applause.) OTHER QUESTIONS. Some Opposition candidate had recently said that the Government had neglected the opportunity to get the meat contract with the British Government extended. That was incorrect. As a matter of fact the contract with the British Government continued till June 30th next. He did not know if the Imperial authorities would take the contract for another year after that, but if they did he thought the producers would be wise to accept the offer. Samoa must be held, as it was one of the keys of the Pacific. It was a fertile country, but could not be worked on white labour. No one liked the idea of indentured labour, I but in the case of Samoa it was necessary.

In concluding an address which lasted a few minutes beyond two hours, Mr Massey said that so far as the future was concerned, and as far he was concerned, he would not profess that any arrangement could be brought about by legislation to give better prices, better means of* living, higher wages and shorter hours, and to profess such a thing would be absolutely ridiculous, and he would be a political humbug if he suggested that legislation could effect such a state of affairs. New Zealand was now up against a hard problem, and there was only one way to face economic difficulties caused by the enormous responsibilties incurred in the war. The people of this country should be made happy, but could net have happiness without contentmerit. It was industry, pluck, tenacity and enterprise which made the pioneering people from the Old Country overcome their difficulties, and with th~ same spirit shoAvn by the people the country could meet and overcome all the difficulties the country was now being faced with. (Loud applause.)

A vote of thanks to the Prime Minister was unanimously carried, and Mr Massey was cheered.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS

KROW, December 2

The Prime Minister left Waimate yesterday morning and motored through the Steward Settlement to Duntroon, where he addressed a public meeting in the" Drill Hall. Despite inclement and wintry weather the hall was filled. Mr Massey had a fine reception. A vote of thanks and confidence was can fed unanimously, and enthusiastic cheers were accorded to the Premier at the conclusion of the meeting.

Mr Massey afterwards proceeded to Kurow, where he addressed in the evening an overflowing audience. The meeting was one of the largest and most enthusiastic held in the township. Aat the conclusion of a vigorous address a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Massey's adc^inistration was carried with acclamation.

The Prime Minister travels to Oamaru to-morrow, where he delivers a public address in the evening.