STILL GOING STRONG

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 60, 4 December 1919, Page 8

STILL GOING STRONG

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR i GREAT MEETING AT OAMARU STRAIGHT ,TALK TO LABOUR EXTREMISTS n RAILWAY AND POSTAL SERVICES \ 'By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. ■ : Oamaru, December 3.

This evening the Primo Minister gave a publio address in the Town Hall, Oamaru,' when there was a very largo attendance,which included many settlers from districts adjacent to tho town. A number of ladies and' gentlemen occupied seats oil the platform, all other portions of the houso being crowded. Tho chair was- takon by tho Mayor of Oamaru (Mr. J. M'Diarmid), who, in introducing Mr. Massey, referred to his spleudid and robust Imperialism. (Applause.) ' Mr. Massey, who was. welcomed with warm plaudits, spoko first of all on the privilege he had had of representing New Zealand at the Peace Conference. So far as the Peace Conference and War Cabinet were concerned, ho had done his best and . given of his best in the interests of tho Empire and of tho Dominion. (Applause.) After referring to New Zealand's war efforts, Mr. Massey went on to say that New Zealand was moro prosperous than any other part of the world, and slio would recover from tho war more quickly and with greater ease than any other country. We nuist, however, have increased production. A 50 per cent, increase was needed. There would always be a demand for our produce so long as the quality was there. Land was being opened lip and more closely settled every day. and" this policy would have to bo continued. Railway construction would be pushed on and roads and bridges made, so that young fellows who were waiting to go into the hinterland and carve out homes for themselves would be encouraged to do so. Hydro-electricity would also Toquire to be developed. There was not a country in the workLso well pro- . vided with water as was New Zealand, 'and we were only beginning to realise how valuable was our undeveloped water power. Canterbury, with its supply of electricity, was leading the way. and was showing an example to other parts of tho Dominion which they would not be slow to follow.

End to Party Politics. 1 "I' am sorry," proceeded Mr. Jlassey, "that I am. compelled to hoist the party banner. I have seen enough of party, with its extravagances and even iniquities, which is a strong term, and I trust we shall never get back to party government as we knew it a few years ago. When -we get back to normal times it will not be my fault if there Is not a great improvement as coronared with the party Fv'tem of the past.' f ' An elector: Ward will' he Premier then.

Mr.. Masse?: "I think the wish is father tn the thought ■ We havo not. many pro-phets-in Oamaru, and this gentleman is not one of them." (Apnlanse.)"Referring to taxation, the Prime Minister said there was need for an amendment in this respect, as at present a man was taxed on his debts (in the matter of a mortgage) and this should not be. Mr. Mnssey explained the necessity for the loan last rafted, and justified the using of accumulated surpluses to reduce ' the amount of borrowed money. Money had been borrowed for settling soldiers on the land, and homes had been found for OOflfl of th n returned men. In the now legislation affecting taxation he hoped to be ablo to ease the taxation on, married men with families.

Cutting Up the Land. When lie was .'out in the country that day ho. saw the Hakatarame.a land, and he hoped, beforo long the Government would 1m ablo to secure that land, now held on lease, for soldiers. It' might also be possible to purchase some of . . tho freehold _ land. There was another block in the district to which his attention hntf been

called, and it was his intention to call the attention of the Land- Purchase Board to it in order to ascertain if it could be purchased at a reasonable prico so that- soldiers could make a living 011 it in fair conditions. J

v The Meat Trust.; Alludins. •to the operations of the, meat trust lie said he hud seen a sort of apologetic letter in the Press from a gentleman connected with the trust. This writer was candid enough to admit thft ft'xistence of the trust, but he claimed, there was 110 such'tiling as a trust. "I don't believe it," said- Mr. Massey, amid anolause.) "There' were five huge t.rusta. in America in the .meat- trade. ,I'hey mako up the trust, and these five firms control U5 per ccnt. of the sales of meat in the United States.

A voice: It is in operation here now. Mr.. Massey: Yes, I know it is, but we have it under control. We put legislation on the Statute Book tile session before last providing that 110 license can be issued for a freezing works as a meat export slaughter house unless oiiicers of tbfi Government are satisfied that the applicant for the liceneo is not connected with the American or any other trust, but is engaged in fair business, running on ordinary competitive lines. Already a license has been efused to a representative of the meat trust' from the United States. (Applause.) From what I know of what took place in America, in Areentii'c. and in same parts of Australia. I have no hesitation in saying that one of the worst things than could happen to the producers nn<i the wholo of the public of Now Zeajand would be to allow the Meat Trusti of the United , States to get a footing, here. (Applauso.) Go Slow.

Mr. Massey said the go-slow policy in tho coal mines was unpatriotic and oiHit to como to an end as soon as possible. (Applause.) Coal-mining was dangerous and unpleasant, and therefore should bo particularly well paid, and miners should livo under the best conditions, but Then demands wero made that if given effect to would seriously increaso tlifl cost of living, it was tims for tho Government to draw'tho line, and that was the position to-day. He had thought two or throe waeks ago that they were 011 tho evo of a settlement, but apparently they v»ro not. The Government would have to take the matter in hand, and appeal to tho rightthinking sections of the citizens to assist in connection with what w&? a serious difficulty so far as industrial matters wero concerned. (Applause.)

Plain Speaking About Labour Extremists Mr. Massey next dealt with the Parliamentary Labour Party. Tho title, he said, was not a proper one. It implied that tho party represented Labour, and it did not do so. He himself represented Labour as well as other sections of the people.

A!voice: Look at tho "cockies" at tilie back of you. (Laughter.) . . Mr. Massey said there was no "goslow" about the "cockies." The prosperity of tho country, depended on tho "cockies" moro than on any other part of the community. He only wished the country iha.d moro of them. Mr. Massey referred in strong, terms to tho Parliamentary Labour Party. When tho National Anthem was sung in the House ocrtain of these men left their 6eats. As n matter \)f fact members of this party had qualified for Parliament by serving terms in gfiol for sedition. (Applause.). It 'was becoming a qualification. lie asked the intelligent, rightthinking and patriotic people of this country to think x out where wo were getting to. Were these things to continue, or were the.v to bp stopped once and for all? (Applause.) fhijs Parliamentary Labour Party desired tn dictate the policy of the Government of the day, and there was only ono way to prevent it; that to giv6 the present Government a working ninjori'v. (/Minimise.) Presently, he believed, .New Zealand would bring into operation. a (Srhenio of'■lmmigration. The Dominion 6adly wanted more people, but they must be people of the right sort. It he was in power, no disloyalist would come

in. (Applause.) Mow Zealand must bo kept a loyal community, and ii was a loyal community, with the exception of a noisy tow, (Applauaa.) The Railway and Postal Services, Regarding tho railway oervico, lio eaid. that the system under which tho men were dealt with was unbusinesslike.. In ordcT to satisfy the men and at the samo time to do the right thing by the public, he had suggested tho sotting up of a wages board to go into the whole question of salaries, wages, and cost of living. That proposal had been agreed to, and each branch of the Department would bo represented on tho board, with Mr. Justice Stringer as chairman. Tho Government wished to do what was right towards the men, because if they were to havo a satisfactory service they must have a satisfied service—(applause)—and he believed tho position would be better solved by the appointment of this 'board than by any other method so fai - suggested. If the board proved ' a succoss it would be made permanent. As for the postal service the position waa very peculiar. Tt was said that at a social a promise of a bonus was made to tho service, but there was no record of it, ana' nothing definite to go on. Besides which, the promise, and lie was prepared to admit some sort of promise was made, was allowed to remain ill abeyance for about twelve months from date of promise until after Sir Joseph Ward's retirement from tho National Government. Nor was it known definitely what the promise was, arid even Sir Joseph, Ward had" oifficulty in saving what it was. But in this matter also the Government wished to do what was fair, and in his opinion a Commission of Inquiry should be appointed, consistine of one or two well-known men to so into the matter and make a recommendation. It would then be for Cabinet to say what was the right course to take under tho circumstances. The Government wished to get at the facts, and whether they wero obtaineo' before the Christmas holidays or not did not matter very much.

Mr. Massev also touched on a number of other questions, and was rapturously applauded on resuming his seat lifter speaking for over two hours.

Mr. T. Kingan moved: "That this meetiifg accord the Eight Hon. Mr. Massev a heartv vote of thanks for his address, and express confidence in the Government lie represents." Mr. Ward seconded thp motion. Mr. Campbell moved, and Mr. Simkin, seconded, that Mr. Massey be thanked for his address. The amendment was supported by only a few. and tho chairman declared the motion carried practically unanimously.