MR MASSEY AT OTAKI.

Otaki Mail, 6 December 1922, Page 2

MR MASSEY AT OTAKI.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. The Prime Minister arrived at Otaki by the Auckland express yesterday afternoon. Ho was accompanied by MiField, M.P., and met by His Worship the Mayor (Mr Brandon) who extended to him a cordial welcome to the town. At 3 p.m. Mr Massey addressed a large and enthusiastic audience at the theatre. Mr Brandon, in introducing him, said ho was only voicing the feelings of all in according Mr Massey B cordial welcome. Mr Field also expressed pleasure that his chief was in Otaki, and stated that it was his first visit to the town to address a meeting, lie recognised the notice given was short, otherwise there would have been even a larger attendance. It had been said that Mr Massey had been brought to Otaki to assist him in his campaign, but such statements he could not help. He considered it was the duty of the Prime Minister to give addresses throughout. (Applause). 1 Mr Massey, on rising, -was greeted with much applause. He thanked all , for the hearty welcome and said it had been suggested he had come to help Mr Field. He was glad to help Mr Field. (Applause). Mr Field, he said, had proved a most useful member, and had j never been known to neglect his constituency. Mr Field was a man who I kept on asking if he wanted anything. lln touching on the condition of the

country Mr Massey said that depression was being left behind, and that everything now rested on the producer. If the producer did well then the country would do likewise. All would remember the slump, when it appeared that the bottom would fall out of everything, and many would remember how a conference was held, and a Meat Control Board set up. He referred to the good work accomplished. The Government, he said. w;ts willing to help the dairy-farmer in tin- same way, and thus help to restore the business of the country to prosperity. (Applause). Mr Massey referred to the slump during the war and the difficulty of making ends meet. Taxation was reduced as far as possible, and it was hoped to still further reduce it. He was looking forward to the time when they hoped to increase pay to incapacitated soldiers, and stated that after March Mist next the country would be on its way buck to prosperity. At present! the sheep-farmers were on a good wicket and would be for the next 18 months. Butter was down, but there would not bo a drop like last year. The difficulty of helping those on the land was the shortage of money, but it was hoped in the near future to lend to settlers. It had been said the Government had been extravagant. (Mr Ryder: What about our railways?") Mr Massey said there had been no extravagance on the part of railways. {Mr Ryder: What about the motor lorries.'). Mr Mussoy said

it would be a mistake to cut off motorlorries, which won- a benefit for shortdistance runs. It was admitted that the railways lost money but the loss was much smaller than in other countries. There was 110 railway in the world that was not running at a loss. Every railway in Australia lost money at a time when New Zealand railways were flourishing. He. believed they would get bad: to the lime whet) railways would pay. but the present ios = , he strongly maintained, was not due to extravagance. He hoped to see new railway.- completed, the policy of the Government being to get things finished. They must have increased production and to get this swamp-land had been drained and high territories irrigated. The output from land in consequence had increased considerably, and thus the prosperity of the country had gone forward. He predicted that last year's u.xporU would be easily beaten, and if they increased thoir exports the country would have no trouble in paying if way. In dealing with the State Advances he said money had been lent temporarily from this office because there was no demand there for it. He hoped on election day that NewZealand would follow Britain's example. The three-party system was alright, provided the majority was large enough to carry on. He did not favor Mr Holland's policy. Mr Massey made an announcement in regard to the financial position of the country. "For ,>':«v* ..™ .it „„A,. r ; n,..;.i.,.„ is 1;

the eight months ended October 61,' he said, "the net increase in revenu compared with the eight months ot th< previous year was £571,800 (Ap plause)—while the net decrease iu ex penditure, which i.- equally important . was £2,561,136. I Renewed applause) We talk about being round the corner I and having seen the worst of it. 1 think there is proof of it in those fig tires. Taking the eight mouths of the i financial year, there i* quite sufficient j evidence to convince the most pessiI mistic. I think by the end of the financial year. March 31, we shall be able to make a pretty showing." He y.ointed put, however, that under the heading of income tax, whiea was based on the previous year's income, tnei'e would be a very considerable failing off, amounting to about two millions. That was Hit particularly good news, but the Goyenimenr-was prepared t.~ face' it

-. j in yi&w of the nresehr position -A the oi j . • . - r .. j general revepue and the financial ar- . rangements which had been, made by - | the Government, He- thought that by ! March 31 next we would be well on the ' . c j way to prosperity. I The Prime Minister explained the n- j r . agriculture! back scheme, the, making ~) i>i sdvjmwg 13 £SQC op thafte! «.e-j !curity. and expressed rh/> hope that during the next Parliament provisiim | . v.-ould be made to pay another three | *. i millions into the Sitae Advances De- j _ par»me2r, which would lead the raoney j mostly to settler?. the i -, intended to make provision to.- grafting assißtance ic certain caeei at the j teraiiatioa of the raoratoriarn In J 1 that Tray it Tas anticipated.. J±at con- j I'iderable triable and hardship wenW h» j

avoided. He could not understand candidates coming forward who had no chance of being elected. They did vote-splitting and took away v otcs from men who were entitled to thorn by long service. By vote-splitting good men would be replaced by those who might do harm. Mr Massey said he hoped the electors of Otaki would vote for Mr Field, the Government nominee. (Loud applause). He had worked with Mr Field for many years and found him to stick hard to his drrties, known him to do a lot of good work, and if it was possible to get returns of the line work done said it would be an eye-opener to the electors. In conclusion he sincerely hoped .Mi Field would be returned by a substantial majority. (Loud applause). Mr A. A. Brown moved a in-artr vote of thanks to Mr Massey nud oj. pressed a hope that every elector would follow the advice given and vote solidly for Mr Field ou Thursday. This was seconded by Mr H. Freouinu and carried amidst much applause. Mr Massey. in returning thanks for the vote, which he said amounted to one of confidence, hoped his wishes would be given effect to. A vote of thanks concluded an enthusiastic meeting.