THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 312, 11 June 1915, Page 6

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT WAITARA. J, DOMINION AND THE WAR. n SOME CURRENT PROBLEMS. o The tPrrmo Minister addressed a large a audienco at the Clifton Hull, Waitara, Jj on Wednesday night. The hall was j; packed, and Mr. 'Massey received an at- j tentive hearing, broken frequently by applause. Mr. E. Bcckbessenger (Mayor of Waitara) presided, and Mr. 'Massey was supported on the platform by Mr. H. Okey, ALP., and Mr. C. K. Wilson, the 1 Government candidate for the Taumaru- 1 nui seat. < In opening his speech, Mr. Massey | 1 Said that lie was taking part in the by-1 i ; election contest somewhat unwillingly. [He had said that in view of the Empire , I crisis it would have been better to leave < the elections to the candidates, but the case for the Opposition had been stated by members of the Opposition, and he felt it was necessary that he should reply to the statements made by them. Referring to the war, Mr. Massey said that no party had a monopoly of patriotism, and New Zealand was a patriotie country. In regard to the new legislation which became necessary owing to the war,- there was first the Moratorium Act. In the case of men with mortgages a serious depression was threatened, for there was a possibility that those men with mortgages would be made to pay up. But the Government passed this measure preventing men with mortgages being forced to pay up during the war, and so hardworking men were saved from what might have been a great difliculty. New Zealand was taking the war very well, and in spite of the conditions -was in a sound position. Much had been said albout the cost of living, and he was prepared to admit that it had gone up. Whoever heard of a country being en-. gaged in war when the cost of living did not go up? It was impossible to prevent it. Freights, for instance, had gone up three times as high as usual, and until the sea was cleared of German cruisers the insurance risk was unusually high. But in spite of these conditions caused by the war New Zealand was in an excellent position, for the financial position was particularly sound and the outlook generally bright. Mr. Massey went on to discuss the war, tracing the development of hostilitiesand explaining the position of Britain. HELPING THE EMPIRE. Mr. Massey said he took pride in the "ace that New Zealand troops were the first to go to the Empire's assistance, and within a few days they were on the water going to take enemy territory, and they occupied Samoa, being tlie' first Britishers to take enemy country. Australia was close up, but New Zealand was first. Up to the present New Zealand had sent 17,000 men to the Empire's assistance, and there were 7000 at Trentham, and a proportion of the men at Trentham were ready to go in

to the firing line at a moment's-'notice. "Recruiting has been splendid," added the Premier. ".When the next 2000 leave Trcntham we have 2000 to take their place, and I believe we could get another 2000 if necessary. The number of men which New Zealand will eventually send will be controlled only by our ability to equip them." This was not the only way in which New Zealand was'helping. The .Dominion had sent 09 nurses to the front, and another T» were going shortly, while a stationary hospital, with a staff of 100, including some of the most eminent medical men in New Zealand, had been set up, and another stationary hospital was to be despatched shortly. "I have been talking of the men, but we must not forget the women, who 'have done splendid service," added the Premier. "In every way in their power the women have helped, and lately I have received numerous oilers from women throughout the Dominion—some holding high so*eial positions in the community—to go to England and give their services in the production of munitions. And one or two ladies want to go Home and join the Aviation Corps.—(Laughter) .—Oh, you need not laugh, for they have just as much men, and would soon muster the mechanical part." In regard to recruiting Taranaki had dona magnificently, and the men which this province had sent were of a very flue stamp. "It is the duty of every young man who is of the right age, who is physically lit and who does not have to stay at home and look after dependents, to come along and register and he ready for service when he is called up," added the Premier. WAR TAX AND PENSIONS. Referring to the war tax, Mr. Massey said tha}, Mr. G. V. Russell, MP., had accused the Government of wobbling. There was nothing of the sort, and the Government had stuck to the same position right through. The. war expenditure of' Now Zealand is nearly £400,000 a, month, and as the war goes on it is bound to increase. Up to the present there, lias been no need for a war tax, but tin; Government lias realised all along that a war tax will b.i necessary sooner or later. Cabinet had not Anally decided ns to how much revenue it would .require from a war tax. but it was definite, that proposals for a tax would be laid before Parliament next session.

Another important matter to lie -dealt with next session would be a revision of the Pensions Act. This Act had been in force since the South African .war. hut it was felt that the pensions provided by tlii" Act were not generous enough to meet the present requirements.

Mr. Massey went on to say that Mr. Russell had said that the Government had increased taxation. .Since the. Government had been in office there had not been (lie slightest increase in Customs taxation, declared Mr. Massey, and the only increase had had taken place was a slight increase in the land taxation. The revenue, however, had been ir.crcaseil, for a large amount had been received recently Mirough. deatli duties. There had -oit '.een a copper increase in taxation affecting the general rank and file of the Dominion. "And when we put proposals before the House to ol)-

uiui increased revenue I hopo that thu increase will bo obtained without any hardship to the community," he said. Expenditure had increased, but Air. (Manbey asked how an increase in expenditure could be prevented in sympathy with the increase in population? The salaries in the publie service had been increased by a very large sum, and hewas prepared to take thu responsibility of those increases, because many of the services were greatly underpaid. Thu state was entitled to the services of the best of its own people, and if the best jnen were to be obtained they had to be paid in proportion to their abilities.

THE LAN© QUESTION. One of the clearest lines of distinction between the two parties was provideu by the land question. He was proud to say that there was a very substantial majority in the House at present in favor of the freehold. One set seemeu to believe in freehold for themselves but leasehold for the others. That wag the Opposition view. Tlie Government, how ever believed in keeping the freeholo for those who had it and for an ex tension of the freehold to others win required it. !He believed that a natioi of freeholders was a stronger natioi than one of leaseholders, and lie lookct forward to the time when New Zealant would he cut up «s Taranaki is cut. up There had been an enormous increase ii the value of exports, and he believet that this was due iu some measure t< "the policy of tho present Government. Referring to the £1,000,000 loan sane tioned by Parliament, Mr. Massey sail that while they could go to London fo: loans in connection with the war the; could not go for loans for public works but 'lie hoped that when the war wa. over no trouble would be experienced ii getting this money, and it would en able the Government to open up mud of the back country in 'New Zealand Referring to the .problem of big estates Mr. Massey said the Government allowed the owners six months to cut u] the land, but if they .could not do thi then they were told to hand it over ti the Government, who cut up the land It was a perfectly fair proposition. Th Government did not want to cut U] the land; their object was to see it wa cut up, so that closer settlement couli i be encouraged and the population in . creased and the prosperity of New Zea . land advanced. Mr. Massey was < • strong believer in the freehold, and hi ■ thought it should be extended to thi , towns as well as the country, so tha , everyone could become the owner of hii [• land. "When a man was industrious i , was the,-duty of the State to help him and it ijjaid tho State to do so. ,

THE COST OF LIVING. There was no doubt that the increase in freights had had a goo!" deal to do with raising the cost of living, but while the cost of living was greater than usual it was a fact that the prices of commodities in 'New Zealand were cheaper than in any other part of the Empire. A voice: .What about butter; it's Is Sd! Mr. Massey: Don't exaggerate, my friend; the price is Is 7d. The price of •butter is high, but this is unavoidable What would happen if the Government said makers were not to get more than Is 2d for their 'butter? They would stop making butter and would turn their attention to cheese. There was a good feature about this increase in the cost of living. It kept the prosperity of the Dominion and ensured high wages and a good demand for labor, so the working man should remember that while he was paying more for the necessaries of life the labor market was good and he was getting better wages. In regard to wheat, the duty had been removed from wheat and Hour, and the duty would remain off. Wheat has been imported and more is to be imported. Personally he preferred to enourage the importation of wheat in ■preference to flour, for this would assist towards keeping the mills working. Some time ago the Dominion was confronted by a Hour famine, and if something had not been done flour would have greatly increased in price. Steps were taken to obtain Hour from New South Wales, and it was got at a reasonable price, and came just in the nick of time. Mr. iMassoy encouraged fanners to go in for wheat, and they had followed his advice so well that if thore is a good harvest this year New Zealand will produce sufficient wheat for the requirements of the Dominion. As far as it is possible to judge, there is going to be a good crop, and farmers will obtain a fair price for wheat. SPACE TOR PRODUCE.

In regard to the shipping difficulty, Mr. Massey said that this was a problem which had affected Taranaki —in fact, it concerned all the producing districts of New Zealand. The trouble was inevitable. When war broke out the British Government took over ten per cent, of the world's shipping, and as the remainder of the shipping had to deal with an abnormal trade a difficulty in obtaining ships arose at once. The British Government had met New Zealand in a ■most generous spirit, and had handed back to the Government many vessels which had been commandeered, and for this New Zealand owed the British Government a debt of gratitude. At present there were thirteen ships on the water on their way to New Zealand, and they would shortly be available for carrying produce from New Zealand to Great Britain. There is at present produce in store valued at over £2,000,000, which cannot be sent away owing to lack of space. Then the New Zealand Shipping Co. lost two of its vessels engaged in the Dominion's trade, but they were providing new vessels as rapidlv as possible. .Snl'Xl) fIUMINIuN FIXAXCK. The financial position of the Dominion was next touched upon. The year had been an abnormal one, and they were abb- lo clo,c the year vt'itii a net balance of £l-I!UIW, and he doubted if any other part of the Empire could show such a result for the past year. In regard to the lending department the Government bad now put it up to the full limit, and directions in which the Government hail stopped lending were now receiving the full limit of loans. All these things were an indication of the strong position of the country. At present there were 'SOO more men emploved in public works than for the same period last year, and there was every promise that this activity in public works would continue. During tlie

past But months there nod been increased development in the Post Office Savings Bank, and deposits for one period of three weeks exceeded withdrawals by £100,009. And he found that the people who were displaying thin tendency to thrift were the country people—the people o" the land in New Zealand. It was the duty of the Government to give the people in the country better means >f travel and communication •with out- - iide. This was a policy of progress and this was the policy of the present Government.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with acclamation.

SPEECH BY MR. WILSON.

At the conclusion of the Premier's ad-1 dress, Mr. C. K. Wilson, the Government candidate for Taumarunui, briefly addressed the gathering. Mr. Wilson said ho had hoped that the by-elections would have simply been left to the people without the intrusion of campaigns, but he wished to take the opportunity of explaining the circumstances which led up to this by-election. Mr. Wilson then detailed the events which have taken place in regard to the Taumarunui seat since December. Mr. Wilson said that tho electors had given an indication of their support for Mr. Massey in the Bay of Islands by-election, and he hoped further proof would be given next Tuesday. END OF THE VISIT.

BEPUTATIONS AT WAITAUA. TWO MORE SPEECHES. The Prime Minister concluded his visit to Taranaki yesterday and will leave Waitara for Wellington this morning. Yesterday morning Mr. Massey received deputations at Waitara from the Waitara Borough Council, the Clifton County Council and the Waitara Harbor Board, after which he paid a visit to the harbor works. Then Mr. Massey, who was accompanied by Mr. H. Okcy, M.P., and Mr. C. K. Wilson, motored to Uruti, where he addressed a large gathering of settlers. Mr. Massey .spoke ou similar lines to his remarks at Waitara, and he received an enthusiastic reception. The party then -went on to Urenui, where Mr. Massey addressed a meeting last night, after which he returned to Waitara.

THE WAITARA POST OFFICE. The first deputation to wait on Mr. Massey at Waitara comprised Messrs Beckbeasingcr (Mayor), A. J. Arms, F. J. Brabant and the town clerk.

Mr. Beckbessinger drew the Premier's attention to the necessity for a new post office at Waitara, as the present building was insanitary and unsatisfactory. It was a disgrace for the officials to have to go there, and it was not right that people should be asked to go into such a building. The Premier: Was it not burnt down about twenty years ago? Mr. Beckbessinger: It is a pity that it was not.

The Premier: The district is worthy of a good post office. Mr. Beckbessinger said that a few years ago there were only the postmaster and two junior assistants, but now there was a staff of ten officials, and the business was increasing.

The Premier said that after what he had heard he saw that they had a good claim for a new post office, and he promised to place the matter before the Postmaster-General. IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS. The deputation also referred to the Otartioa road, a subject which also brought a deputation from the Clifton County Council. Mr. Beckbessinger said this Toad should receive more attention, and unless the County Council got more money to spend on it it would be a long time before the district around Tarata was tapped. The road was an important one, and if it were put it good order it would save the settlers much money.

The Premier mentioned that there would he a deputation from the County Council on the matter, and he would bear in mind that the County Council had the support of the Borough Council.

Tim County Council deputation comprised Messrs A. M. Bower (chairman), H. Sander, «. J. Kemiiiigton, R. 11. Pigott, R. T. Hicks and 11. M. l'urdic. Referring to tlie Otaraoa road, Mr. Bowers said that if the road were made good for wheel traffic it -would serve all the country around Tarata, and the road could carry a large quantity of wool which was sent from that district to Waitara. At present the wool was carted from Tarata to Tnglewood and then railed from Inglewood to Waitara. About fourteen months ago the Hon. W. Eraser (Minister for Pifblic. Works) had given a promise of £250 for this road, hut the Council had not received the money. The expenditure of £250 would go a long way towards making the road a good one. Mr. Bowers then referred to the road /over Mt. Messenger. He said tluit£sAOo for this road had been placed on the Estimates last year and a lot of good work had been done. But at present there, were only about seven or eight men at work on the road, and more men were required. The road was in a very bad state at present, and in some parts the mud was 3ft deep. And it had been like this for the pastt en years. If the road were half metalled by next summer it would be very good, but at the present rate of progress this could not be done. The settlers appreciated what bad been done, but the work was not being pushed on quick enough.

Other members of the deputation supported these statements. The Premier said that Mr. Eraser was a man of his word, and he. thought there must have been some misunderstanding, lie would remind Mr. Fraser of his promise and unless it was shown that there had been some misunderstanding the money would he provided. HARBOR BOARD LAND. Mr. James Hine, junr. (chairman of the Waitara Harhor Board) and Captain Thomson (the harbormaster) waited on the .Premier in regard to certain land owned hv the Board. Mr. Hine pointed out that the Board owned a certain strip of land on the river-bank, and the. Board could not lease this land, as in the Act it was deemed to be a wharf. Mr. Hine explained that the reason for this was that in the 'seventies masters of vessels coming to Waitara were in the habit of running their vessels aground on this land so as to avoid [laying wharf dues, and so the land was declared to he a wharf to prevent this. Tlie Premier promised that the matter would be put right next session.