THE PRIME MINISTER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1921, Page 1

THE PRIME MINISTER

SPEECH AT HAM’ERA. FINANCE AND DEFENCE. HAM'ERA, April 7 In a speech at Hawera this evening the Prime Minister (the Hon W. F. Massey) dealt with the Imperial Conference. He read Air Lloyd George’s telegram, which he said he regarded as almost a command. ITe did not personally want to go, hut he considered it his duty. If anything happened, the .Ministry was quite competent to deal with it. The Empire had hoped that the war would lead to an alliance of the English-speaking nations, which would do more for peace than anything else. What, was wanted was an Imperial executive to meet any emergencies that might arise. He would not forget the Dominion while he was away. He always put the country’s interest before tiie party’s, and he wanted less party and more patriotism. Supposing it were possible to turn Massey out, and get Holland at the head and M’ilford at the tail, where would the country be. A voice: You would he in heaven. Continuing, Mr Massey said that the Dominion was under a cloud but not a permanent one. At the conference there would be the question of a closer Empire. He was in favour of a strong, united Empire every time. The conference, lie believed, would be the most important in the Empire’s history. He lully supported the league ot Nations, but lie thought more of a league of the British Empire for the. interests of the Empire. He was prepared to admit (.hat with very heavy taxation no coun-

lry could he prosperous. They must reduce taxation as early as possible. Last- year taxation was reduced to small

innd-holdcrs. Lp to the present, the Government had saved the countii 11600,000 through legislation of last session. The Government was a partner in the Bank of New Zealand, which meant about £200,000 per annum to-

wn ills revenue. They were cutting out mbsidies, and reckoned that this would •ave a million and a half. It so, then they would reduce land and income tax.

Ic warned people against tin* State lank proposal. Me could not imagine lie success of such a bank. Ihe haulm n New Zealand were absolutely sale. Mr Massey referred to the Morator-

ium Act, which, he said, was necessary U> save hundreds ol men being tinned nit of their homes. The Act had been ■xtended to money at call. Call moneys were dangerous when a pinch came. Moneys locked up and goods could not meet sudden calls. Currency was becoming exhausted and there was a danger of many firms closing their doots.

it was the most serious position, any time since he entered Parliament. H reminded him of the 1 crisis in 1894. In soldiers’ settlement, the Government had done its duty. He would do it again, if necessary. The Government was not going to lot a single industrious man down. The people were under difficulties now, but it they kept their courage up, they would win tlnough. Ho refuted statements recently made by Government opponents that the Argentine had got three times the shipping space Australasia had secured. Mr Massey claimed that New Zealand had got a fair deal right through. Dealing with aggregation, he said that the critics were always those who know little or nothing about land or agriculture. In Paten, 288 large pronerties had been divided into 595 since 1910. The Government bought land for cash, because it was the cheaper way. They could not possibly have taken land for soldier settlement. The Government had made some mistakes, hut altogether it had made good, bargains. Government expenditure in Auckland was smaller than that taking place in Westland. Auckland was the very hist province to have large public spending, though being so prosperous it needed roads and railways. From Nauru Island, the Government expected to get, seventy thousand tons of phosphates this year. The island would he worth millions to New /calami.

Reverting to Imperial matters, Mr Massey said that Britain had many

enemies. Every country which sent troops to the war had enemies to-day. They wanted to see the Empire broken up. We must do everything to prevent that effort. Something should be done for the proper defence of the Empire, which was not at present properly protected. Fortunately, the navy had been able to keep the Empire’s communication open. We must he in that position again. M’e could help by preference within the Empire. They should induce British emigrants to come to Empire countries. The ex-service men coming to New Zealand would be good settler's. Everyone coming became taxpayers. That helped out the people to hear taxation.

X|io British mercantile marine navigation laws were somewhat like the American laws. He personally thought that it was excellent that we had in New Zealand one of the greatest naval experts. He accepted the opinion of Lord Jellicoe before any other. Lord Jellicoe favored capital ships, which were more than a match for submarines. In regard to aeroplanes development, lie trusted Dint the British would keep the lead. He did not fear aeroplane opponents to capital ships. II he thought our connection with the League of Nations was going to interfere with our relationship with the British Empire, then he would not he a party to it. When he went to the Imperial Conference, lie would go as the representative of a thoroughly loyal people. He realised his responsibility and lie appreciated greatly the confidence given him by the people of New Zealand. The speech was frequently applauded. Motions were carried with acclamation congratulating Hie Prime Minister on his invitation to attend the very important Imperial Confer-

once in London this year, placing on ,-ecorcl high appreciation of Mr Massey’s services to the Dominion and the Empire, while occupying the position of head of the Reform Government,; and expressing continued confidence in the Prime Minister and his colleagues.,