MR. MASSEY IN CHRISTCHURCH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 8

MR. MASSEY IN CHRISTCHURCH

DEPUTATION FROM PROGRESS • LEAGUE, By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, November 25. The Right Hon. W. P. Massey, arrived in Christchurch this morning, and received a largo deputation from the Progress League concerning Canterbury affairs. Ho stated that the Government desired tho speedy completion of the Otira-Tunnel, and would do everything possible in that direction. Tho new railway time-tablo in course" of prepare; tion would givo considerable improvement) in the Canterbury sorvicos. Work on the South Island Main .Trunk line would be proceeded with. The difficulty was that there was not sufficient iuiour in the Dominion to carry-ou,the public works that ought to be proceeded with energetically. A | Minister of Commerco was to be appointed, and he believed, there should oe a-separalo Department of Commerce. „ Later. In the course of his reply, Mr. Massey said: "We have got to f aco the bringing to this country of suitable immigrants, men and women. I am not speaking of any. class in particular. Wo must follow the example of other countries'and seo that we do not bring the wastrel, the imbecile, or the disloyalist. (Loud applause.) Otherwise, we welcome to this country British citizens,. and we 'can do with a great many of themito assist us in carrying the burdens of war and to.bettor their own social position.". ' ■'-■■, Mr. Massoy said ho had heard of the •proposed exhibition, and ho had 'expressed tho approval of the Government towards it. He hoped' it would bo a very great success, and that tho Government would be- able to assist. Ho promised it would not get less assistance than had'been given to Auckland. Ho was a strong believer in Imperial preference, and anything possible ought to be done to assist other parts of the Empire. Mr. Hunter: How about making it a State enterprise? Mr. Massey: I will place it before Cabinet. I could not commit the Government on the point.

In conclusion, Mr. Massey said. tho. little unrest there was a few months ago was vapidly disappearing, and if the present spirit of the people continued there would bo little difficulty in meeting the country's liabilities and maintaining its prosperity.