THE LAST WORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1922, Page 5

THE LAST WORD.

PREMIER’S FINAL MESSAGE. GRAVE PROBLEMS AHEAD. ■STRONG GOVERNMENT WANTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey issues the following message to the people of New Zealand: “It is again my privilege and duty to appeal to you for a renewal of the confidence you were good enough to bestow upon myself and those associated with me in the general elections of 1914 and 1919. The strenuous times through which we have since passed have eased considerably of late, and the results of the last eight months more particularly have shown that we are once again on the high road to prosperity. “But there are still grave problems confronting the country, upon the solution of which very much depends, and without exaggeration I think I may say that electors are called upon to make important decisions which, for good or for ill, will affect the future of the country and the welfare of its people. There are unfortunately divisions affecting the more moderately minded section of the community, included in the Reform and Liberal parties, which might conceivably hand over the government of the country to the extreme Labor party, which for all its more moderate platform and counsels of recent date glories in the red flag and the principle of revolutionary socialism. That is the great danger to be guarded against—the splitting of votes.

“In face of almost unprecedented difficulties the Government has carried on the 'business of the country in a manner which has won for it the cordial support and sympathy of those who have the real interests of the people at heart, and the Government’s record proves that it is entitled to the confidence of the country at large. A strong Government is, however, the supreme need of the moment, and that, I submit, can be only secured on the Reform side of politics. The Liberal vote ie being everywhere cut into, and must suffer at the hands of Labor candidates, of whom the greater number belong to the extreme revolutionary class and are tied hand and foot to the party machine. They make no secret of their intention to vote against the Government on a no-confidence motion, and then to make the Liberals do their bidding, should they succeed in putting them into power. “I can only appeal to you. therefore, to strengthen the hands of the Government by returning the official Reform candidates who are standing for election, thus giving the Government a decided majority over all other parties in the State, and I leave the matter with confidence in your hands.”

PREMIER’S FINAL SPEECH. GOOD MEETING AT DANNEVIRKE. Dannevirke, Last Night. Mr. Massey delivered his final address in the political campaign to-night, in the Dannevirke Town Hall, which was packed to the doors long before starting-time, a big crowd overflowing into the streets. The Premier said he did not intend making predictions, but he hoped that the choice of the people would be acceptable and satisfactory to the majority. He then outlined his policy and what had been done regarding a reduction of taxation. Incidentally, he said that if they could get the interest on the £26,000,000 indemnity owing by Germany, it would be a splendid thing, even if they had to let Germany have 40 years in which to pay reparations. Referring to soldier settlement, he said he expected to lose a little in the readjustment to be made, but the time would come when by increased values in the properties they would have a splendid asset in the country against the £25,000,000 involved. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the Massey Government was carried by a big majority. The audience was enthusiastic, and the meeting concluded with the singing of “For He s a Jolly Good Fellow" add the National Anthem.