Speech by Mr Massey.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1922, Page 1

Speech by Mr Massey.

Tl! ,\I)E AND' FINANCJ^.

[by -mjcumuwi—rial tfiiEss association]

INVERCARGILL, June 1. The Prime Minister delivered a political address at the Mtliileipnl _ Theatre to-njgltt to- & very large qnditnec l .’Air Massey, who lin'd a cordial -reteptioo, dealt with the ilnaiieinl position of the country on the linr-s of his; Feilding speech. He said .the problem before them was to reduce cost of Government, the cost of production and the cost of living; and alao to ltgiut’e taxation. The public debt had ptactically doubled owing to the war. They Were aide to carry out their obligations, however, and were determined to do so’. The speaker quo fed returns showing'wliat the counf rydti’i! doin' l’fitrv wi’tiriied soldiers, _ a great majority of making good. Retrthiehtnent was most unpleasant' trot k. Much had been done but mtieii' remained to be done. The tirtaP u a-.U-iiitigS' effected amounted to ■Co,f)-1d,835 for-the year, against -wliieli there were increased charges o! C537,127. .Mr M.ajse.v quoted a coinpnrison of ineoiiVp fax,7showing that New Zealand taxpayers fared linieli better than those in the Stater, of the Conimon-.wea-ltli and in Bvitairi; ' The eoididenee of British financiers in Nov. Zealand way ahown by the .success of the last loan. The corner had been turned, and lie predicted Jpdiep, pi-u-i- s tor w 00l next season, the accumulations having practically disappeared, lie thought tintime" was npt very distant when the broad acre Would again be the most popular security for investment and money would be cheaper. The Premier expressed himself satisfied with the rebate in land ami income tax which worked like a charm, money coming as freely as before the slump. He did not know what course would be followed next year, but possibly the rebate scheme would he retained. If he could give reductions equal! to the rebates he would he pleased to do so. He hoped the. taxation committee would he able to make useful suggestions. Tie gave credit-for much of the improvement in the national position to the working of the Meat Pool Board. Rtf-erring to the. coming general election Air Massey quoted a speech by Air H. Id. Holland, AI.P., in which he said lie would help the Liberals to put the Government out; ' but that if the Liberals did not do as Labour dictated, he would help to put them out also. He (Mr Af.asse.vi would not consent to hold office for two minutes by support of the extremists. On their record of administration, ho'submitted tliat-the present Government was entitled to a further term of office.

Tl.-e Premier was accorded a vote of 1 hanks for his address.