THE HON. W. F. MASSEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 62, 18 March 1913, Page 7

THE HON. W. F. MASSEY.

IN CANTERBURY

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, March 10

Unusually strenuous was the lot of the Prime Minister yesterday. He and party left town at 8.30 a.tn., and did not arrive back till midnight.

Mr Ma'ssey motored about 100 miles in North Canterbury, and was entertained at luncheon and dinner. .He delivered two political speeches and met a number of deputations. Apart from replies to deputations, be made eight speeches. Everywhere Mr Massov was welcomed most enthusiastically, ■ and he himself stated during the day that the kindness that had been extended to him during the last few days in Canterbury had never been exceeded in any other part of the country. The tour included Belfast, Kaiapoi, a trip, down the Waimakariri river, Ilangiora, where he was entertained at luncheon, Oxford, and the' back country. He was entertained at a banquet at Oxford, and afterwards gave a political address, dealing largely with the land question. He was acorded a vote ot thanks and confidence. He then went on to Cast, where ho delivered another address late at night. He referred to the difficulties in

the way of finance which had confronted the Government on taking office. One great trouble was with regard to tire '-public works fund, because just before the last elections various local bodies had been promised loans to the extent of £750,000. Largo local bodies, ho said, should not bo encouraged to borrow from the ; Government, because they were in a position to receive almost as good | term’s themselves. As far as the Go- < vennnent was concerned, tire last loan of the old Government cost £5 2s 9d, and this money it was intended to lend at £3 IQs, so that the difference was an absolute loss. Parliament, however, had passed an Act to provide that local bodies should have money at cost rate to the Government, but this did not find money. Ever since the Government had been struggling to overtake their liabilities. Local bodies would receive } their money, but dountry bodies would get theirs first, and in the case of new districts, where the money was wanted for reading, a rebate of , one per cent, would bo allowed. The 'cioVernment, was, putting things in ,a sound position, and he believed that 'in another three months it would have overtaken its liabilities. Loan boon, and would ; i ?e provided jf(]i; loans, to workers who I dpfjired homes. The Government would build them and allow the men twenty*fevi‘ years* ■ to' become. their own, jland'|Orels. The*Government.was, going to trxtend this tiling and do a great deal * iHi’e in ‘ the country . tjppi had. beqn done in the past. I They; wanted to, encourage people to go into the country,• and desired to give them some of the comforts of civilisation. 1 hey meant, well in this 2 respect, but of course all came back to the question of finance.

in jhe G.pjvppnment tlohig‘it6 level /writ to provide land for those who ■required -Just i prior to leaving Wellington:.fhfti! had instructed the law draughtsmen to have all ready for him, which would iillow the Cioul to ‘ advance /money to associations of fruit-growers for thfe purpose of cool storage and ifianning factories. That had nhVori.beert done before in the country, mud it.i was an earnest of the Govbrnmcut’s intention to encourage the people to go on the land. .• t ‘"■

IN THE SOUTH

Tirnaru, March 17

Tile Prime Minister visited Geraldine to-day. He received a cordial welcome from the Mayor, Mr Kennedy, and Mr Dennistoun, chairman of the County Council. He received a number of deputations with a request for financial assistance for local and district objects. The, borough has a reserve close by, including 67 acres of native bush, ami asked for help in keeping down noxious weeds, or as an alternative that the Government should take it over as a scenic reserve. Assistance was promised. The Prime Minister attended the sports, and is being entertained at a dinner at Temuka to-night.

The Prime Minister had a cordial reception iat Temuka this evening, the Dominion Theatre being crowded. During his remarks, he said that he had heard that the aggregation of estates was going on in this district. That sort of thing must he stopped. Agriculture was the mainstay of the country, and must be fostered in every possible way. Colonel Hayhnrsfc, who presided, said that be would cut up some of his land for disposal on terms as easy or easier than the Government could offer. Mr Massey hoped that others would follow that example. The Cabinet, at its next meeting, would consider tbc means to be adopted to assist localities to give a good reception to the New Zealand and to see the ship.