MR. MASSEY IN THE NORTH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18443, 29 March 1922, Page 5

MR. MASSEY IN THE NORTH.

SPEECH AT KAWAKAWA. CHEERFUL STATEMENTS. BETTER TIMES AHEAD. (Per Press Association.) KAWAWAWA, March 28The Prime Minister, acknowledging a toast in his honour at Moerewa Freezing Works to-day, congratulated the Farmers’ Freezing Company and the northern settlers on the establishment of the works. More and more production was necessary to carry the burdens left by the war. It was necessary to produce more wool, mutton and Jamb. Ihe number of sheep had gone down two and a half millions. This was serious, and it should be their aim to get back to what they possessed before the war. The price for their commodities was dependent upon the capacity of the people in Britain to buy them. Early next year he intended to place a loan on London for development. New Zealand’s credit was good. Since Christmas a change lor the better had come. Wool was much better than it was, and we were not nearly at the top price. He made this prediction without reservation. Meat was better, with the exception of beef, which suffered because of Argentine competition. He believed the. time would come when preference to those, within the Empire would take practical shape. If Mr Lloyd i George would give one farthing a pound preference in shipping freights he would ask the New Zealand Government for another farthing and make it one halfpenny. They had strong competitors, and it was their duty to see they produced the best quality every time. He was glad to see our producers were impressed with the necessity of 'organising, not only here but also in London. Cost of production must be cut down if they were going to compete with some American States. The reduction during the last three months in storage, freight, and shipping charges, insurance and storage in London were equal to a saving of three millions per annum.- They had rea«m to look forward with confidence. In future they must be more co-operative in spirit and less selfish. Referring to new markets, Mr Massey said they had them in Manchester, Hull, Liverpool Glasgow and Bristol, all of which had invited New Zealand to exploit their markets. New Zealand was a small country, but the solid fact remained that it sent more and better lamb and mutton to the London market than any other country. Referring to communication. he said they must have better services to Britain, and better internal communication. They would have to consider whether it was worth while to build branch railways, considering the introduction of motor lorries. They should have good roads to feed the railways. They must expect the Government m the not very far distant future to improve the railways.

In the afternoon the Prime Minister received deputations at Kawakawa, and in the evening was entertained at dinner He was the guest of Mr Vernon Reed, 31. P., at Paihia for the night.