MR T.G. MASON'S TRIP HOME.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8021, 17 December 1904, Page 5

MR T.G. MASON'S TRIP HOME.

Some Observations and

Deductions.

A Hopeful View of the Future.

Mr T. G. Mason, who recently returned to Masterton after an extended visit to the Old Country, attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday, and was welcomed back by the Chairman, Mr C. E. Daniel!.

Mr Mason, in the course of some brief remarks, observed that he was very glad to get back to New Zealand again. Notwithstanding the immensity of America and the greatness of Old England, the Colony could hold its own with.cither... It was quite a treat to get back and see the green, healthy-looking country. The only drawback to New Zealand was that it was rather small. The poverty in England to-day, he said, was simply appalling. The sight of poverty-stricken people in the streets was heart-breaking to anyone coming from a prosperous country such as this. Things had never been in s.uch a bad way before. The people lived in grooves, and could not get out of them; nor could they understand why anyone.going Home should be anxious to return to the Colony. Mr Mason referred to Mr Chamberlain as a young-looking man of greao energy, and ventured the opinion that if he was spared for two or three years a great change would come over England. Those who were opposed to Mr Chamberlain's views argued that our forefathers had succeeded for so many years under Free Trade, and the system should be good to-day. But they seemed to forget that there was greater competition now than ever before. The working classes seemed to have had every trace of ambition stamped out of them, and their lot was a pitiable one. In England, Australia was looked upon as an almost ruined country, doomed to bankruptcy. A much higher opinion was held of New Zealand; " and," added Mr Mason, "we only want another half a million of population to be able to outpace -them all." As Jong as the Government did not follow a reckless borrowing policy, there was a bright future before us.