MR. MASSEY’S BURDEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1922, Page 2

MR. MASSEY’S BURDEN.

FACING A DIFFICULT TIME “ PROSPERITY AHEAD. Christchurch, August 7. Speaking at Green Park to-day in connection with, the opening of e. soldiers’ memori&l hall, Sir Heaton Rhodes said that he did not want to retire from politics at the present time because it was a most difficult period .foi* the Minister of Finance owing to the stress that was being experienced. If he sat in Parliament for another term it would mean that he would hwve represent the Ellesmere district for a quarter of a century. After that he might take a back seat in favor of someone else, perhaps the son of some pioneer. Mr. Massey, he said, fusing a most difficult . time. Kd - Minister of Finance had ever faced . aharder time, but he w»s stout of heart and was fired with enthusiasm. He Was optimistic that the Dominion would pull through and come again—io- days* of prosperity J but to get safely through this difficult period the strictest economy was nOeeSsary, and retrenchment had to be carried out. With regard to the Forestry Department, which he (•Sir Heaton Rhodes) had been, given to administer, he was certain that if if, was put on a sound basis it would be revenue producing, but unfortunately retrenchment was necessary here as in other departments. Sir Heaton Rhodes spoke optimistieaHy regarding the market prospects for wool, cheese, butter, and lamb. He felt certain that within a year the Dominion would have turned the corner and be on its way to prosperity again. ‘Of course the individual would be the first to get the benefit of the recovery, but in a little while it would be reflected in the conditions of the country. He thought that the early settlers, if they could speak to the farmers in the district about the privations they were undergoing, would advise them to bear them as cheerfully as they had done themselves.