New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 65, 19 March 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND’S DUTY. SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER. THE COST OF THE WAR. Per Press Assoc iax ion. Wellington, March 18. The Prime Minister was the guest of the New Zealand Club to-day, when, in the course of his remarks, Mr Massey said he did not think that in the years tq come New Zealanders would have reason to be ashamed of the part the Dominion had taken in the present crisis. New Zealand was a small country, with a small population, “but we offered to do our best and we have done it,” he declared amid applause: “We were the first of the Dominions to get our troops away, and our soldiers were the very first to take possession of foreign territory. I mean Samoa.” (Applause.) “And as we have begun so we propose to go on.” , Mr Massey went on to emphasise the necessity for keeping up the volume of our exports during the present crisis, and added that he expected New Zealand would, during the current season, send away five million pounds’ worth of frozen meat. Unfortunately, for the first time in the history of New Zealand there had been a shortage of oats and cereals. As a matter of fact, in New Zealand it was not necessary for the farmer to grow wheat, as other crops were more payable, and until the farmer could bo induced to sow a large area in wheat the shortage now being experienced would recur annually, with a corresponding increase in the price of flour.

Ho believed that farmers in New Zealand were, sufficiently patriotic to grow wheat. It had become an Imperial necessity, and he believed that this was the last of the “short” seasons for many years to come. He also bejieved that the worst was over, as far as the present season was concerned. At the present time wheat was worth 6s 9d a bushel in New Zealand, bpt would soon cost 8s to land here. New South Wales had a surplus, therefore that State was not a lie subject of comparison, but lie would point out that in Melbourne wheat was from 8s 3d to 8s Id a bushel, and 8s 6d in Tasmania, so that we in New Zealand had not much to complain of. He would like to add that the duty on wheat would not be reimposed until we had a surplus. Referring to the new arrangement under which all meat exported is consigned to the Imperial authorities, Mr Massey said that everything was work, ing smoothly. There had not been a single hitch in the operations. Dealing with other matters, Mr Massey referred to the steps the Government is taking to assist the kauri gum industry, and the improved prospects of the flax industry. As to the timber industry, the Government'had done all it possibly could to assist it. A very large number of workers’ homes was being erected, and some £12,000 of £15,000 was going to be expended in constructing huts at Trentham camp. He also spoke of the splendid response New Zealand had made to the appeal for relief for the Belgians, and for other patriotic purposes. As to New Zealand’s war expenditure, he said it amounted to about £300,000 per month, or £3,600,000 a year, and it will be more,” he declared. “We have to face it. I do not think it is too much. I doubt if we are doing enough. Personally, I would like to do more, and if the Imperial authorities would indicate some direction in which we can do more I am quite sure the Government and the people of New Zealand would be glad to accede to the request.” (Applause.) “It is our fight,” ha concluded. “We have to see it through, and do everything we possibly can, whetlier the Imperial authorities ask it or not, to ensure what I honestly believe will be an honourable peace, a peace that will last for a ong time to come.” (Loud cheers.)

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. Palmerston North, March 18. At a representative meeting of farmers held here to-day for the purpose of discussing the matter of the arrangements made by the Government for the acquisition of meat supplies, the following resolutions were carried unanimously:—“That this meeting of beef producers of the Manawatu, Hangitikei, and Horowhenua districts, while agreeable to the prices arraujged for meat, emphatically protests against the arrangements made by the (Government with the freezing {companies for the ' purchase of meat for army supplies, inasmuch as the i arrangements were made without 'consulting the producers, and on account of the difficulty of securing freezing space to sell f.o.b, to the Government the freezing companies have practically a monopoly of the buying at their, own prices.” “That in the opinion of this meeting it is considered advisable that the Government control the freezing works in order that producers'may not lie so exploited by such companies refusing to freeze on owners’ accounts,”