MR. BUCHANAN AT GREYTOWN

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 849, 22 June 1910, Page 8

MR. BUCHANAN AT GREYTOWN

POLITICAL ADDRESS. DEFENCE MATTERS' AND THE FREEHOLD. An address to his constituents was delivored by Mr. "W. C. Buchanan, M.P. for Wairarapa, on Monday evening, in th© Town Hall, at Greytown. Tho chair was occupied by Mr. D. Pi Loasby (Mayor of Greytown).' Mr. Buchanan dealt with the defence question among other matters. Ho stated that the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) before ho loft for England was not in favour ,of compulsory military training, though the Opposition had always advocated it, on tho ground that there was no other means of creating a proper homo defence. But when Sir Joseph Ward came back he fell in with the Opposition's views, and brought in a Bill for compulsory training which the Opposition strongly supported. Mr. Buchanan made favourable reference to tho Land Settlement Finance Act, though he said the Opposition would liko an amendment winch would provide for a .living survey instead of tho completo survey now insisted upon beforo intending purchasers could secure the approval of the Government, which, after all tho expense, might not be forthcoming. Air. Buchanan, went on to oxpress appreciation of tho improved hospital administration, and also dealt with the Native lauds question. Ho stated that though there were over 400 clauses in tho Native Land Act, it was passed in eight hours. This sort of thing was a farce. It was legislation by exhaustion, because there was no time to go through the clauses or to understand them. No doubt there would bo a. Land Bill next session, and ' such was tho influence of the Opposition that tihero were fifty-four members of tho House in favour of the freehold. If the Opposition had done nothing elso than create this public opinion, it had proved itself worthy of existence. The Opposition intended to stick to its guns, and to insist on the freehold being granted with limitation. They would fflis&t upon justice for all, and would accept nothing short of tho frer-liold for the tenants of tho Crown. Mr. Buchanan! hoped the Govannnoint would mot proceed with its sclicmo for utilising the wa-tca- power resources of the country, because there were no engincoirs in. the country who conM bo trusted with tho expenditure of £500,000 per ajLiMim in experiments. Private enter-' prise, with proper safeguards, would bo. a much better plaji. Mr. Buchanan, in concluding his address, announced his intention of again, contesting tho Wairarapa- seat at tho next general «Jo".ticni»