THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 October 1908, Page 7

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

SPEECH AT FEILDING. OPPOSITION POLICY STATED. PROGRESSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC. (By telegraph,—special correspondent.) Feilding, October 26. Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, arrived in Feilding from the North by the three o'clock express train, and was received by Mr. Lethbridge, M.P., and prominent members of the Opposition party. He was then taken to the Oddfellows' Hall, where a reception was given by Mr. and Mrs. Lethbridge. There was a large and representative attendance at the gathering, and the reception was one of the most enjoyable functions held in Feilding. During the course of the afternoon, Mr. Lethbridge, in a few well-chosen words, introduced Mr. Massey, who was received with hearty applause. Mr. Lethbridge stated that it was his intention later on to take an opportunity of saying good-bye to the electors of Oroua, and to thank them for "putting up with him" for such a long spell as twelve years. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Massey suitably replied, and thanked Mrs. Lethbridge for the kindly thought that had prompted such a pleasant gathering. His work had much in it that was arduous, but it had its compensations, and this function was one of them. He was meeting many new friends in Feilding, and he had also that afternoon met four ladies from his own constituency. On the motion of Mr. A. H. Atkinson a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lethbridge was carried by acclamation.

ENTERTAINED AT DINNER.

Mr. Massey also met a very large company (some 60 or 70) at dinner, at which Mr. Hugh Burrell (president of the Feilding A. and P. Association) presided. Some of those present had journeyed twenty-five miles to meet Mr. Massey. Mr. Lethbridge proposed the health of the guest, "than whom there was not a harder worker in or out of Parliament." Mr. Massey said he regretted the loss of Mr. Lethbridge, but hoped Feilding would sent another good man to fill the vacancy, and he hoped that the people of the Dominion would send a stronger Opposition party into the new Parliament, for a party of sixteen was not strong enough to work, effectively in opposition. The dinner passed off very enthusiastically. MR. MASSEY'S SPEECH. When the Leader of the Opposition took the platform at eight o'clock the commodious drill hall was packed even more closely that at the Premier's meeting last Tuesday, and that was a record crowd for Feilding. Mr. Massey was received with prolonged applause. The Mayor of Feilding (Mr. Trewin), who presided, introduced Mr. Massey in wellchosen terms. Mr. Massey, after thanking his big audience for having given him such a rousing reception, expressed his regret at the departure of Mr. Lethbridge from the political arena. Mr. Lethbridge had been a most popular and useful member of the House. (Applause.) The Opposition Policy. Mr. Massey then enunciated the Opposition policy, which, he said, progressive and democratic, and was summarised as follows:— The restoration of Parliamentary control of the public finances by improving the system of public audit and by restricting the power now possessed by the Ministry of the day of expending upon one object money voted by Parliament for another. The establishment of a Civil Service Board, with the object of excluding political influence in making public appointments. The establishment of a sound and assured system of local government finance, with a view to the equitable distribution and economical expenditure of public money in place of the present system of arbitrarily varied Ministerial grants and doles. The encouragement; of land settlement by restoring the system of granting Crown lands upon the optional plan with power to all existing and future tenants to acquire the freehold upon equitable terms, but subject to provision for preventing the creation of large holdings. The settlement of the Native land question by the rapid individualisation of all Native titles, and by affording to the Native race the common privilege of disposing of their lands to the best advantage in the open market, but subject (1) To a sufficient area of good and accessible land being reserved inalienably for the support of each Native and his descendants; (2) To the same restrictions as to area to be acquired by any one selector as pertains to Crown lands with the object of preventing the aggregation of large estates. The maintenance and improvement of our national system of education, and in particular by increasing the minimum remuneration and raising the status of country teachers. The reduction of duties on the necessaries of life and appliances required in the Dominion's industries. The reform of the system of carrying on public works with a view to secure efficiency and economy. Amendments of the Arbitration Act such as will provide a sufficiently powerful deterrent against strikes, or failing that, to secure simple means of conciliation. The encouragement of the immigration of the right stamp of British settlers. The improvement of the defence forces of the Dominion by encouraging every citizen to take a personal share in the defence of his country and his home. The encouragement of private enterprise and individual effort, and the opposing by every legitimate means of that tendency to Socialism and dependence on the State which is sapping the virility and independent character of the people. The promotion and encouragement by every proper means of the candidature for Parliament of honourable and capable men, so as to ensure purity of politics and honesty of administration. Land, Taxation, and Industries. Mr. Massey replied to the Premier on the land and taxation questions along familiar lines, and passed on to industrial matters. He charged the Government with hurting rather than helping our two greatest industries, mining and agriculture. He thought the proposals regarding the Parliamentary Buildings was one of the wildest and maddest schemes ever presented to Parliament. He felt that the time would come when we would be sorry that we had not kept a tighter hand upon the purse-strings. The Government's Native land policy came under review, Mr. Massey saying it was a thousand pities that so much material (land and Maoris) was going to waste. The problem should have been solved long ago. The second Ballot Act. The Second Ballot Bill was explained. It was a surprise sprung upon Parliament, and nobody asked for it. It was rushed through Parliament with the object of preventing Labour being represented in the new Parliament. Mr. Massey advocated proportional representation, which would come to New Zealand yet, and the sooner the better. He would have supported proportional representation. A reference to the "gag" clause was received with a shout of laughter. He believed the Second Ballot Act would be a ghastly failure. Defence. He did not think the Prime Minister was dealing either fairly or firmly with the defence problem. Volunteering was in a bad state, but the Government would not face the question. The volunteers were not being encouraged, rather, they were snubbed. He did not believe in conscription but would develop the cadet military training for young manhood up to 21 years. They should have military instruction, drill, and be taught how to handle the

rifle. He was not so sanguine as the Premier regarding possibilities of attack. It was not a raid we had to fear, but an invasion for permanent occupation. New Zealand was a great and prosperous country, and if wo lived in it we should we prepared to fight for it. We should make it a hornet's nest for any invader. The Land Question. The Leader of the Opposition then quoted the opinions of Ministers on the land question, which was at the root of all prosperity. He feared that the exodus of our capital to Queensland would be followed by an exodus of our young men. Wo wanted more population of the right kind, and did not want to lose our farmers' sons following fathers' capital to Darling Downs. The Dairy Regulations. He had been asked to refer to the dairy regulations imposed upon a very hard-work-ing section of the community. He explained that the Government had backed down on those regulations as on the Land Bill, for the enforcement of the regulations was postponed for twelve months. He believed that those regulations had done a great deal of harm to one of our most prosperous industries. Every practical man must declare the regulations to be absolutely impossible to comply with. Whilst it was right to go in for cleanliness, too many restrictions were proposed. The Workers. The Arbitration Amending Act was explained. He advocated fair pay for a fair day's work and a better feeling between masters and men so as to get rid of the continual disputes that had marked the past year. He believed that workers should have their unions and should have representation in Parliament according to their numbers. The Opposition had been jeered at by men who were not nearly as liberal as the Opposition party. Reference was made to the works of Mr. Bowen (education), Sir Henry Atkinson (readjusted finance), Sir John Hall (women's franchise), and the points were all taken with hearty applause. Mr. Massey explained his own liberal proposal regarding advances to workers, which proposal was rejected by the Government, and afterwards incorporated in a Government measure. Finance. Regarding finance he said we could not possibly do without borrowing money, but we were borrowing for things that we should not borrow for. He did not say it was always wrong to borrow locally when money was cheap and plentiful, but it was neither cheap nor plentiful unfortunately for some of us. (Laughter.) He did not like the Government going to Australia for money. They should go to London, where our credit should be good enough to get money at a fair rate of interest. (Applause.) Socialism. Socialism was attacked vigorously, and the speaker pointed out the attitude towards this question. It was right that the State should help individuals, but it was not right to go on nationalising the land in the insidious way in which Socialists in Parliament were doing. Roads and Bridges. The Government placed members in as awkward position regarding its roads and bridges expenditure. "What do I know about roads and bridges in Westland or Southland?" asked Mr. Massey. "Therefore we do not know whether these grants are being properly expended. Under the wretched system prevailing we have to go to the Minister and ask for roads and other works which should not have to be asked for. Local bodies should have assured finance, so as to save Parliamentary grants and prevent the use of improper influence. There is plenty of room for reform in this country, and I hope-we will have sufficiently strong members in the new Parliament to insist upon some of these reforms being given effect to.'' Some "Ifs." Mr. Massey, who was in his very best form, and was frequently applauded, concluded at 10 o'clock by giving reasons why you should vote for the Government. (Laughter.) If you believe in the leasehold and Maori landlordism, remember the Land Bill, and vote for the Government. (Laughter.)

If you believe in the Single Tax and putting all the taxation on-land, remember that Single Tax is represented in the Cabinet. If you believe in taxing the dairy farmers' cows—(laughter)—remember the proposed dairy regulations. If you want the drift towards the worst form of Socialism to continue, remember the statements of the Prime Minister and Dr. Findlay and the legislation of recent years. If you believe in waste and extravagant expenditure of public money, think of the scheme for rebuilding the Parliamentary Buildings and similar schemes. (Laughter.) If you believe in taxing the appliances for mining and agricultural purposes, if you believe in the Second Ballot Bill, with its "gag" clause, and underlying principle of allowing majorities to tyrannise over minorities and preventing minorities from having any representation in the Parliament of the country, then vote for the Government. (Laughter,) The Case for the Opposition. On the other hand, if you want satisfactory legislation and clean and economical administration, vote for the Opposition. (Applause.) If you want to preserve and encourage freehold tenure, if you want Parliament as a whole to be made directly representative of the people, if you want the Native lands settled with satisfaction to both races, if you want a better system of local Government and a more satisfactory expenditure of public money, if you want to see volunteering encouraged and the defences of the Dominion placed on a satisfactory footing, if you want to see the country prosperous and every man given a chance of improving his position in life—then vote for the Opposition candidate. (Prolonged applause.) After thanking the people of Feilding for the splendid hearing, Mr. Massey sat down amidst loud and continued applause. Questions. He invited questions, and the privileges was taken advantage of. In answering, Mr. Massey said he thought there would be eighteen second ballots instead of 9 as estimated by the Premier he did not believe in a further increase to old age pensions. He was opposed to a State bank. He believed the increase in the cost of living was due to the operation of the Arbitration Act, and people were beginning, to realise that statute law could not override the economic law. The way to benefit the working man was to keep the country prosperous, and he was dead against the compulsory licensing of bookmakers. It was a disgrace that we should give professional gamblers a status. He believed the Government should have the opportunity of granting the right to private companies to utilise our water power. On the motion of Messrs. A. G. Carty and H. Tolley (president of the Chamber of Commerce), a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Massey for his excellent and instructive address. Mr. Mexted moved that the meeting pass a vote of confidence in Mr. Massey and his party. This was received with prolonged applause and cheers, and the chairman declared this amendment carried. In returning thanks, Mr. Massey said that after such a great reception, and such a vote of confidence, he could assure them that this would not be his last visit to Feilding. Cheers and a vote of thanks to the chairman, moved by Mr. Massey, concluded one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in Feilding,