GOVERNMENT AND THE PRODUCERS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1925, Page 4

GOVERNMENT AND THE

PRODUCERS

.UK .MASSEY REPLIES TO CRITICISM.

WELLINGTON, February 1

Certain recent criticism attributing to the Government lack of sympathetic consideration of producers' interests were brought under the notice of the Prime Minister during wie weekend. Speaking on the subject to a “Times” representative yesterday Mr Massev said:

“I have seen the statements reported in the Press, but they contain no new arguments. They are merely a reiteration of old generalities. Without attempting to go elaborately into detail I can enumerate at least a dozen matters in which the Government, since coming into office in 1912, has handled in such a way as to promote the prosperity not,only of the man on the land, but also of the country as a whole. Some of these, lor example, arc alteration of the system of land tenure irom leasehold to freehold, also the selling of more than £10,000,000 worth of New Zealand products to the Imperial Govrnment during the war period at satisfactory prices. The Government, moreover has provided very liberal concessions to payers of income tax, especially to mortgagors. The fruit industry bas been assisted by tbe guarantee of a minimum return to exporters. The meat industry, likewise the dairy and fruit industries, have all been' organised to the immense advantage of all concerned. We have purchased immense quantities ol Nauru and Ocean Island phosphates lor the farmers of the Dominion. The butter tax. which had been imposed during my absence in England, was refunded. A •moratorium was provided for during the war period and the maximum limits for advances to settlers under the State Advances Department wore greatly extended, whilst the amount which coukl be advanced to fruitgrowers for purchase or establishing storage of fruit and canning works was increased fiom £.3000 to £9OOO. The Government provided legislation protecting the rights of Crown leesees to improvements on the laud they occupied and also has set up the machinery for comprehensive revaluation of holdings of our soldier settlers.

“This list might he extended ad infinitum,” concluded Mr Massey, “hut anyone wko has been taking notice of what lias been going on knows perfectly well that nothing has been left undone by the Government or mysell that would assist the producers in their business.”