PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17114, 8 April 1921, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER.

SPEECH AT HAWERA. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) HAWERA, April 7. Tho Primo Minister had a great reception at Waverley this afternoon. Ho was heartily welcomed, and accorded a great hearing. He was cheered on leaving for Hawera, where he addressed a packed audience in the evening, somo huudreds being unable to gain admission. Mr Massey dealt first with the Imperial Conference, and read Mr Lloyd George's cable message, which he regarded almost as a command. Personally, he did not want to go, but ho had been ordered to go, and it was his duty. If anything happened while he was awav," the Ministry was quite competent. Tho Dominion was under a cloud, but it was not a permanent cloud. At the Imperial Contcrencc there would be the question of a closer union of tho Empire. He was for a strong, united Empire every time. All tho Emnire Primes Ministers would he there and it would be a thoroughl> representative gathering. He believed it would be the most important eontcrenco in the Empire's history. He believed in and fully supported the League of Nations, but he thought more of a League of the British Empire for the interests of the Empire. The Empire had honed that the war would "lead to an alliance of Englishspeaking nations, whicii would do more for peace than anything eho. 1 lieBritish, nation had, hitherto, been kept together bv sentiment, 'lhe War Cabinet's work had been most lmportant, and it had considered British interests, but what was wanted was an Imperial Executive to meet any emergencies that might arise. He did not believe- that Britain would ever make war. ~ ~ Mr Massey went on to say that he would not torget the Dominion white ho was away. He had always put the country's interest before that of'party.. We wanted less party and monvpatnotism. Supposing it was possible to turn out the Massey Government, and get Mr Holland at the head, and Mr Wilford at tho tail, where would the country be? X V voice: Whe.ro would you be then i Mr Massoy: In heaven! Mr Massev said ho was prepared to admit that'taxation in New Zealand was very heavy. They must reduce taxation 'as early as possible. Last year taxation had been reduced /to small land-nolders. The Government had already adopted a pvinciplo ot taxation. They did not want to turn men out of the public service. Iho Government were cutting out subsidies, and reckoned to save a million and a half by that. If they did that, then they would reduce the land and incometax. Ho warned the people against a State Bank. He could not imagine the success of such a bank. Tho banks in New Zealand were absolutely safe., Mr Massey referred to tho Moratorium Act, which was necessary to save hundreds of men from being turned out of their homes. The moratorium had been extended 'to money at call. Call money was dangerous when a pinch came. Money was locked up, and firms could not meet sudden calls. The currency was becoming exhausted, and there was a, danger of many firms closing their doors. It was the most, serious position of any time since ■ hO had entered Parliament, and reminded; lum of the Bank of New Zealand crisis in 1894. The Government had got out. of it well. . ~, , ~ In regard to soldiers' settlement, the Government had done its duty, and he would do the same thing again if necessary. He was not going to let a singlo industrious man down. The people who wero under difficulties obuld now keep their courage Tip and : win through. Tenacity only was necessary, • • ; .Mr • Massey , refuted statements . recently made by Government' opponents that the Argentine had got three time* the shipping Australasia had. He claimed that New Zealand had got a fair deal rig'ht through. . u Dealing, with land aggregation, he said the critics were always those "who knew little or nothing about- land or agriculture. In the j?atea electorate 283 large properties had heen divided into 595 since 1910. The Government had bought land for cash "because it was cheaper. The Government .could no*possibly have taken land for. soldier settlement' The Government had made .some mistakes, but altogether, they had made good bargains. The Government expenditure in Auckland was smaller than that taking place m Westland. Auckland -was the very last province to have a large expenditure, of public moneys. Auckland province, 'being so prosperous, needed roads' and railways. From Nauru and Ocean Islands the Government expected to get 70,000 tons of phosphates this year. Theso islands were going to be worth millions to New Zealand. It 'would not' take long before New Zealand would <?et its money tiack. -.'.'•-■ • ' Reverting to Imperial matters, and the troubles -throughout the' Empire, Mr Massey said they were' 1 troubles, which followed war. Britain had many eneniies in every country. These enemies to-day wanted to see the Empire* broken up. We had got to do cvciyMring to prevent that. Something should be done for the oroper defence of the Empire, which was not, at present, being properly protected. Fortunately, the Navy had been able to keep the Empire's communications open. They must be in that position again They could help by preference t wMun the Empire. That was the law in New Zealand and also in England. They should induce British emigrants to scttlo in Emnire countries. Ho referred to the ex-servico men who were coming to New Zealand, and said they would be good settlors: Everyone coming into the country became taxpayers, and trial would help our people to bear their taxation. They had got in Now Zealand one of tho greatest naval experts m the world. He (Mr Massey) would accept the opinion .of Lord Jellicoe before that of any other expert. Lord Jellicoe favoured capital ships, which wero more than a match for submarines. Mr Massey referred to aeroplane development, and pointed out that tho British machines in the latter days of the Mar weve superior to those of the enemy. Hetrusted that the British would keep the lead. Ho did not fear aeroplanes m opponents of capital ships. The Prime Minister went on to say that if bo thought our connexion with tho League of Nations was going to interfere- with our relationship to the British Empiroj ho would not be a party to it. When he went to the Imperial Conference, he was going as the representative of a thoroughly loyal people. l He realised his responsibility, and he appreciated the great confidence given him by tho people of New Zealand. . Mr Massey was frequently applauded during his speech, and on ?esuming his seat there was great applause, followed by three cheers. The following motion was carried by acclamation:— In congratulating the Prime Minister on his invitation to attend the very important Imperial Conference in London this year, this meeting desires .to place on record its high appreciation of tho services rendered t:tihe Dominion and the Empire- by Itlr Massey while occupying the position of head of the Reform Government, ' and, furthermore, to express its continued confidence in the Prime Minister and his colleagues. This, meeting also wishes Mr, Mrs, and Miss Massey bon voyage and a safe return to New Zealand. "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung, and cheers for Mr Massey concluded a great meeting. A motion was passed at Waverley similar to that at Hawera t