MR MASSEY ANXIOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1924, Page 1

MR MASSEY ANXIOUS.

|_BT TELEGRAPH —PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.J PALMERSTON N.. February 21. Mi Massey was accorded a civic welcome to-day by the Mayor (Mr 1. J. .Nathan), and prominent citizens, and tl.ic' evening was entertained at a smoke concert. In speaking of the Imperial C'onference on lines similar to those he delivc:ul elsewhere, the Premier said that bis visit to England was not so happy as those made previously, on account „f the depression in Britain. He said: “.ft lias been going on for years, and there is no sign oi an improvement, which will not conic from any political change, but from the people theiii-elves ■. and this is going to take some time. The great Exhibition wilphring a few millions into circulation, but- this is a stimulus hut for a few months. Tt cancel last.’’

fie deplored the unemployment dole, which had a degrading influence on a eottaiu section of the people. A gieat number of the people were going to other countries, and to countries titidet Hags other than that of Britain. The solution of this difficulty would he for the people to he sent to settle in places where there was plenty of room lor them, though nothing could be done in a hurry. This Dominion required people who would he able to adapt themselves to any work allotted to them on arrival here. The Prime Minister declared that one of the paramount considerations j,. the stabilisation of industrial venditions was trade preference. 1 hey had had trouble between the Parties, and there was too much Party, and not enough patriotism; but when he told thorn that at Home, they had resented it. He had attacked free trade, which, |,y averred was killing British industry, and he declared that, if the depression continued, New Zealand could not iomain prosperous. If we could n**t get a market in Britain because of her reduced purchasing power, where were we to get it. We could not provide a remedy here. It must come from Britain herself.’’