FOR TAURANGA SEAT.

Shannon News, 20 March 1923, Page 4

FOR TAURANGA SEAT.

ONLY TWO NOMINATIONS

RECEIVED.

CASE FOR REFORM. Sir Joseph Ward anil air McMillan are the only nominations received for the Tauifanga scat, states a Wellington message. MATAMATA, Last Niglit. The news that only two candidates, have been nominated for the Tauranga seat has been received with great satisfaction. It is generally agreed that as tnerc is to be a straightout contest the chances of Sir Joseph Ward will be more favourably re‘garded. Sir Joseph continues to meet excellent receptions, and is receiving encouraging messages from all parts of New Zealand. Telegrams are pouring in ,and all classes of people are expressing their great satisfaction at Sir Joseph’s candidature. Sir Joseph addressed four meetings to-day, the last at Matamata, where a great crowd assembled and gave him one of the finest receptions of his tour.

MR. MASSEY’S DEFENCE.

WANTS TO AVOID DISSOLUTION.

TAURANGA, Last Night. Hon. W. F. Massey entered the Bay of Plenty* portion of the Tauranga electorate to-day. He addressed- a large, audience at Katikati, and was accorded a cordial welcome. He spoke for over an hour in refutation of the statements made by Sir Joseph Ward and in defence of the Government. At the conclusion of Mr Massey s address, a vpte of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. Mr Massey then left? amidst enthusiasm for Tauranga, and was well re. ceived by the settlers along the route. Mr Massey arrived at Tauranga at 5.30 p.m. When hearing the centre of the town he was met by many local supporters. _, . In the evening Mr Massey addressed the electors in the Town Hall, which was filled to overflowing long before starting time at eight o clock. As the Premier entered the hall he was received with cheers. The Mayor. Mr B. Dive, presided. , . Mr' Massey paid a tribute to the late Sir William Herries, whose memory would be honoured and revered in this country. He believed this byelec cion was the most important yet held in the history of New, Zealand. Any change in the representation of the Tauranga electorate would reduce the Government majority to one, and his Government would not carry on with a majority of one 1 . He was there to support the candidature of Mr McMillan. Mr . Massey quoted from a speech made by Mr Holland in favour of nationalisation, and maintained that Mr Holland’s party were out for a policy of revolutionary socialism. Mr Massey wanted to serve his country m the crisis through which it was passing. He referred to the difficulties encountered since the beginning of the war. If his party could not carry on none of the other parties could. The three members who caqie over to his party deserved -credit for adhering o their pledges. He wanted to avoid another election, but if necessity arose he would not shrink from seeking a dissolution. He referred to. the heavy expenditure incurred on account of the war.' He admited. taxation was high, but the Government had reduced taxation and intended to reduce it still further. Sir Joseph Ward, . speaking a few nights ago, had stated that New Zealand was the highest taxed country, except Great Britain. He did not know where Sir Joseph Ward got his figures, but they were wrong. Sir Joseph Ward had stated that our ‘taxes per head amounted to £1!) 0/9. Mr Massey said Queensland’s taxation, Federal and State, to. tailed £l4 10/9, while the taxation per head in New Zealand on June 30th last was £l2 1/31, and it Avould be-less now on account of the latest reduction on land and income taxation. Mr Massey said he was going to take the risk of reducing taxation this year to the extent of two millions,. and this country wanted the reduction of taxation. Sir Joseph Ward had said the moratorium should have been removed immediately after the Avar. If the moratorium , had been removed hundreds of thousands of men would have lost their property. Sir Joseph Ward had suggested the issue of bonds for the prosecution of public Avorks, but Mr Massey contended that it was an objectionable form of borrowing. The Government was now getting public works done for half Avliat they cost some years ago. They had the Waiuku railway trotted out the other night. The Waiuku railway was surveyed in 1885, but Avas not commenced until 1913. .. He had not the figures of the revenue of that raihvay, but could say it was doing very well. Sir Joseph Ward had criticised the Government for having borrowed £6 8,000,000 since the Avar closed. Mr Massey said that £36,000,000 Avas lor war expenses. There was a heavy expenditure for railway rolilng stock, machinery, pub. lie works, etc. If this country could get its exports up to £50,000,000 annually they would be able to make ends meet. He referred in detail to the fight for the freehold Imperial purchase of New Zealand produce during the Avar period, the establishment pf the Meat Control Board, the Reform Party’s humanitarian legislation, and many other matters. He admitted we had a heavy debt, but against that we had assets totalling £110.000,000. Mr Massey made a strong appeal lor the support of the Reform candidate, Mr C. E. McMillan, concluding amidst applause. Several questions were asked and satisfactorily answered. A vote of thanks and confidence Avas carried by acclamation. Qheers followed for Messrs Massey and McMillan.