PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 7

PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED

AETER-WAR PROBLEMS

INDUSTRIAL TROUBLES

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

••By Telegraph-Speolal Correspondent.

Auckland. Augrat 5. Mr. Massoy and Sir Joseph Ward landed in Auokland from the Niagara shortly after ten o'clock this morning, and drove direct to the Grand Hotel,, where they received a hearty welcome home from a number of personal and political friends.

. At a representative gathering of members of the Keform Party, which assembled in Mr. Massey'e room, speeches were made expressing confidence in Mr. Maseey's leadership, Mr. Massey replying in 'suitable terms. Hβ recognised thi.t there were difficulties ahead, but ho wae going to face them, and felt confident that they would bo overcome. He said he relied on the good sense of the majority of "the people of New Zealand, and he believed that before many months had passed the Dominion would occupy a stronger position than ever. Mr. Mas-, eey was heartily applauded. Industrial Unrest In Britain. After the gathering had dispersed a representative of ThhDohiniok had a short conversation with the Prime Minister with reference to the Peace Conference and other matters. In reply to n question regarding the-industrial outlook in Britain Mr. Massey said that serious unrest prevailed, but tho position had greatly improved during the'. few weeks before his departure from Palis, nnd ( the leaders of public opinion were then looking forward to a still further improvement. It was generally thought that the signing of the Peace Treaty would soon be followed by the restoration of normal conditions, but reform would have- to he mado where reform was necesswy. Matters would be 6ettled in Britain, as in New Zealand, in accordance with that good common sense which was one of the characteristics of our race.

Outlook for British Shipping. Eoferrine to the outlook for British (shipping, Mr, Massey said the need for a big shipbuilding effort was fully realised in , Britain, and there was great activity in all tho leading shipyards. Many of tho ships damaged during the war period were being repaired and would soon ho ready for use. It would take some time to provide sufficient ships to meot all requirements, but the task could and would be accomplished. There .was a movement on foot, with the approval of tho British Government, to have tho principal trade routes of the Empire controlled by an Iniporial organisation. Thie did not necessarily moan State-owned services, but would probably givo tho Empiro the best possiblo services at reasonable rates, both for passengers and cargo. Such an arrangement, if brought into operation, would prove n- most important factor, in increasing the solidarity of tho Empire.

Cost of Living Problem. ' A question regarding tho cost of living • problem elicited from Mr. Massey the statement that people in New Zealand had very little idea" of the cost of living lin Britain and Europe as compared with this Dominion. Ttin cost of living in 'England was moro than double the cost in New 'Zealand. It was estimated that '■£3 103. a week at tho present time would go no further than £1 10s. before tho war." In France it was probably 50 per cent, more than in Britain. He did not know how many people in France couSd make ends meot. A slight reduction in the cost of living had recently taken place both in Britain and in. France, but a further reduction wa? urgently require/1/ not only in the interests of the' people feeling the pinch, but) ' also in the. interests of good government.

i The Leaguo of Nations. Referring to the.effects of the Peace Treaty Mr. llassoy said ho did not believe that tho League of Nations would make war impossible in th© future, but it: would make the risk less frequent. If ti nation rushed into war it would have at least the moral and economic forces of the League of Nations against it. He was in full sympathy with the main objects of the League, and he believed it would do much fjood, but it would be a mistake to imagine that when it had 'been formed we would have done everything possible- for our own safety and the security of the Empire. The League of Nations lied not solved the problem of Empire defence. Admiral Jellicoe had been 6ent round the world in older to obtain the necessary information for a report on this question, and when matters had got back to normal a representative Imperial Conference would be held for the purpose of koibr My into the whole matter and formulating a policy for the future. i

The Mandatory System. Mr. Mossoy is of opinion that the man-' datory system wi'.l work. He had to decide at rather short notice whether New Zealand would accept or decline the mandate for Samoa. Hβ thought we should accept the responsibility. He _did not think it would involve any serious difficulties after the initial arrangements had been made. He had more trouble in regard to the island of Nauru, but he thought tho agreement ultimately arrived at would prove satisfactory to New ■ Ztailand. It would prevent exploitation, and gi?e us all the phosphates' we required at tho iiowest prices. New Zealand's Share of Reparation Money. : Mr. Massey said he was unable to say at present what amount Germany would have to pay to New Zealand as reparation. A commission had been set up to find what amount Germany was able to pay, and its report would probably be ready in May of next year. When it was known what Germany was able to pay, it would be possiblo to estimate what New Zealand's share,of the reparation money would be. Work at the Conference, Speaking more generally of his work at the Peace Conference, Mr. Massey said the Conference was very interesting at first, but it became very irksome while they were waiting to know whether Germany intended to sign the Treaty or not. At one etage he felt inclined to leave, but when he seard that Germany would sign he determined that the Treaty, should bear his signature, even if he Diad to wait another month. The commander of a British destroyer promised to place him on board tho Mauretania, even if he had to ohaso her half-way across the Atlantic. Mr. Massey said be had a great opinion of tho British Navy before ho wont to England, and he came home with a still greater admiration for it. We belonged to a maritime Empire and he believed New Zealand y.-as destined to be a great maritime nation.

The Session and the Election. Mv. Massey naturally spoke with considerable reserve wlien questioned about New. Zealand party politics. He said Ihe had been kept jnformed of the development of events in a general way, but he wanted to make himself more fully acquainted with details before making any pronouncement as to tho future of the party of which he was leader. Before he could make any definite statement ho would have to confer with tlho members of the Reform Party. He intended to meet Parliament as soon as the necessary arrangements could bo made. The session was not likely to bo a long one, but some important business would require to bo done. Parliament would be given an opportunity of expressing its approval of the Peaco Treaty. Tho oleclion would take place beforo the cud of the year, but it, was, of course, impossible to fix tho dato at present. The Policy of the Country. In concluding his reference to tho political situation, Mr. Massey said:— "The policy of tho country must ba a policy of progress. To carry out a vigorous policy _of reconstruction and development : n n time like the presont there must bo a strong Government. There must bo a Government rtbat will place the interests of the country bofore party and every other oon.

elderation. What >s wanted is a solid combination of patriotic, progressive, and practical members of .Parliament, conscientiously representing the people in a desire for national progtess-a combination of earnest men whose democratic instincts, honesty and ability con relied on. I do not look for perfection' in politicians any more than in any other classi but the.times are so serious and the outlook so uncertain that a much greater responsibility than ever before rests upon the olectore to see that the men to whom they entrust tr.e management of their public affairs will in all tests and circumstances unflinchingly do their duty, and thu9 do justice and credit to the positions they aro intended to occupy. Many Problems to be Solved. "There will be great issues to be dealt with and settled during tho period on whioa we are entering, and i.'u:iy problems to be solved on which tho prosperity of the country and happiness of the people for many years lo come must depond. We cannot afford to make mistakes. Industry and' energy must be maintained and encouraged. Vhero must bo equal opportunities for nil. I hope that in many respects we tliall protit by the lessons of the war, nnd learn from what has taken place that as citizens' of ono country we should, to speak, be members of one family, ready to help each other when assistance is required/ and when heip can oo given. States, liko individuals, have their temptations and their times of doubt and diilioulty. Let us hope that Xow Zealand will always chooso the better part, and do the right tiling- in ali circumstances. If we are to be successful in the conduct of our public affairs, the interests of the country must come before party or personal advantage." The Coal Crisis, Mr. Massey expressed regret at tho inconvenience to the piK>ple rauwd by the coal crisis. He felt sure that a way out would be found, but the difficulty could not be settled in a day or two. Tho Prime Minister concluded the conversation by declaring that he was very glad to get back to Sew Zealand. Ho was anxious to do his duty and to take his share in the task of overcoming the difficulties whioh faced.the Dominion and of solving the Berious problems which were facing the nation.