POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1425, 27 April 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

PROGRESS OF REFORM. A TALK WITH MR. M.ASSI-Y. "SOLID AS A STONE-WALL," Mr. W. F. Masscy, M.P., Leader of the.,. Jvoforin .party, returned yesterday" IVt.ln ; Ins visit to Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, and will go on to Auckland - to-day. Interviewed yesterdav, lie jcS'S, 1 ' imraensel y "Wed. his .. „T 1 A°" lv ?, ' Wellington," ho said, I had no idea that tho trip would las «» low, or that wo should L calkV on ™„ V 1? 60 " mily M "'res, but owin- to' " ments th ct ! n 'l" lra , l:u : e| y recent, developIn !i Hi interest m matters political in tho southern districts is just as kt-en imr- f" >,S '? cforo ( , 110 flections. In mim. ber.- of instances 1 was congratulate,l -on the \ery strong position which the Reform party in Parliament occupies today, ns compared with what would have been tho case had the want-of-confidencc p„°fn°n EOIW f ttlo ' I!u ' t . v ' s favour. Tho Rofoini party is now the strongest political party in tho Dominion, while tho Government is disintegrated, and, so far th .°,|' ] ' rcsont . l«ocutivo is concerned, is not taken seriously. The idea of tho " present J mne ) Minister leading, or prev*!,! pn t ' I ". cll J'' c ? lr - I.tiurenson Mi. Lil, and most of the others, would be regarded as a good joke were it not clt that serious mischief may be done before the House meets. I was repeatedly _ asked how the present Ministers attained to the positions which thev at present occupy, anil the question is one easier to ask than to answer. ' Very few thought it possible that in a British community a set of men could seize tiio reins of office and administer-the'attaint of government without being compelled to submit themselves for approval to tho representatives of the electors, or with-' out a majority behind tlioni, and tho : irony of tho position is that these: are Jii®., people who call themselves Liberals, with a capital "L.," Even.,., in Canterbury, which has lx*cn given ' four Ministers, their uction is coiufemncd as undemocratic and improper." And what of the prospects of the-Re-"'-form party? "I am quite satisfied that, when ' another election comes along, the. Reform - party, will have a very much larger ' number of candidates than it- has had on any previous occasion. •* In connection with elections one of our troubles is that we have been handicapped for want of funds, and elections cannot bo run without the sinews of war; but-in my recent -. trip 1 met a number of people''who fx-;,': pressed themselves as willing to contribute in proportion to their means, so that even in this respect I expect that matters will bo much better than they were before. "Our opponents misrepresent us .b,V..I'S;.. ferrmg to us a3 the representation of wealth, but a few days I.was shown the; balance-sheet of a comparatively small : organisation, which, I may 'say, _ does' not support us, nnd for one provincial district last year it collected more funds from its members than the Reform party;' had lit its disposal for electioneering purposes." Do you expect to have a majority in', the House next session? 1 "1 express no opinion as to what will; happen when the House meets. The Reform party is strcng, and solid ns a stono-' wall, and we shall do our duty,, whatever cumos along." Will you be inclined to support Mr.. Mackenzie's plea for more paid Minis-, ters? _ .. "No, I think there nro o sufficient number of Ministers to direct the policy of the different Departments. The real work is done by the permanent heads,, and, if the right men are chosen ns Ministers, there should bo no difficulty in dividing the responsibility. We liavo to think of the taxpayers as well as party interest, and tho convenience of Ministers for tho time being." Mr. Massoy's attention was also drawn to tho Prime Minister's remarks on tho Public Service. "Yes," ho commented, "I noticed that Mr. Mackenzie had expressed himself practically in favour of promotion at the sweet will of Ministers, and I was sorry ho had dono so. I can remember when his ideas went in tho direction of promotion taking both merit and seniority into account, and leaving political influence on one side. Justice should be dono to every individual in, the employ of the State, and justiceshould be done lo the State itself, an; these ends can only be attained by no party or non-political control. "POLITICAL COMIC OPERA." MINISTRY'S MANY-COLOURED COAT. (By Telcjrraph.—Spccial Correspondent.) Auckland, April A somewhat remarkable feature of the speeches delivered in various parts of this . province during tho past week by tho Prime Minister and tho Iloa. Messrs. Myers and Russell is their unanimous chorus as to the necessity for tho inauguration of reforms that the Reform party iought so hard l'or at last election, anil that were resisted to the uttermost and denounced by tho Ward Government. Ihm ii\ct is ftt once. i\ tribute to tho statesmanlike policy of Mr. Massey, and. a vote of censure o:i the last Cabinet. "We must have the Crown and Nativo lands opened up and railways and- roads pushed ahead," says Mr. .Myers. "We must have ;i shake up in the Civil Service, and we must get. the lest surveyors and pav them adequate salaries and got the land opened," said Mr. Mackenzie. "What the fcountrv wants i< speedy development, prudent ihinnce, and economical borrowing," said Mr. Russell. What more complete adoption of some of the planks (he Opposition lias urged so long could be hoped fori' And if the ind'.'iiendenis and the pledge-breakers who voted against Mr. Mas-ev and I ha; policy now vojo tiff Mr. Mackenzie ruul the «une policy, where do "thev stand? Mr.'Myers's happy agreemei'it with the deputations urgim; railway ■ reforms that Mr. Millar xi rep.-ainlly declared an unnecessary end extravagant waste of money, Mr. Mackenzie's cheerful adoption of tlie Opposition's land policy, and Mr. -annexation of the Opposition's- finance ai giinienls. surely constitute a scathing reply to Ihe fireworks of the Wan! iiartv's exit fruni office. In fact, Auckland has'been treated tn tlie richest bit of political comic opera in its history. The only logical conclusion is'ih.it tho three Ministers should resign and contest; their seats again as converts to the Reform - parly. ...... Mr. Ma'sey is expected to deliver a big political speech here before the session, and when lie starts to deal with' verted Ministry he should have some good-.-. political fun at their expense. The crown-,I .ins attempt-to sweeten Auckland came last ■ night at tho rccption to Mr.'Myers. Mr. Ru«.«ell said, "We are deli,»h(ed with tho

projjross tou are making. We watched not ~ with jcntonsy but villi pride Hip mnguifi-; cont strides your city lias made in recent years. We recognise (hnf- in Auckland there is tlic Sydnev of Xew Zeal.r.id." Tliii wntimcnt was eclipsed by tlio eulogy of >fr. Mackenzie. who likened Auckland lo .Tprusnlom of old. "beautiful lior situation, the joy of the whole earth." LABOUR MEMBERS' VIEWS. ATTITUDE TOWARDS THK Ml MSTIJf! r (Dy Telesraph-J're-s Ast-oi-iation.-' Auckland, April Jti. Two Labour M.l'.'t. whose mime, fiswell'-" prominently in (lie Parliamentarydebut'cV during the political crisis of Messrs. Kobertson (niemboi 'for Oliiki)'" and W. Veilch (member l'or WangnnuiJ.v nro ut present on a visit to Auckland. On being seen by a press representative ' this morning llioy had something interesting to say conccniing (ho present .'political situation.Asked what fate ho thought there \\,v? in storo for tlio Mackenzie t'invcrnnu-nt, Mr. Kobertson said he. confidently expected it to livo.through' the next «•'>.' ' sion, and quite possibly until the end el" it 3 term in 1914, provided Hint it pursued I a progressive policy, ami did .nolliing to j antagonist) Labour. He saw no reason why tho Labour mombers should not. eon- ■ tinuo to support tlio iiroseiit.Admiui-tni-' tion. Labour was not anxious'to see anothor appeal to the country ju.-t, yet. Tlioir party folt that their time in Nesv Zealand was oomipg very soon, but for " a wliilo they wantod breathing space iii whioh to porfloot (ihair organisation, l'er- ' noaaUy, addod Mr. Robortson; he had Jj«a d bifaklne hia election

pledges, but the more lio reflected upon his action on the no-confidence division, the more convinced did lie become that lie had acted in tho ■ best interests of Labour. Ho hod in his election pledges promised to support neither Ward, Millar, nor Massey, and in making a clean sweep of the "Ward Administration, and • at the same time keeping the Massey party out of office. Ho was convinced that he had used his vote in tho right way. His constituents, when ho rcturn-ed-to them, had eudorsed his action. Tho Mackenzie Government had now to be given a trial, and in his opinion it was the most Radical Ministry that had ever been formed in Xow Zealand.- It was possible, in his opinion, that it would reinaiu in office until replaced by a truly Labour' Administration. Mr. Veitch was also of opinion that tlio Labour members in the House would be justified in giving tlio Mnckonzio Government a fair trial so long as they brought down legislation of which they, as Labour representatives, could approve. Any attempt at legislation antagonistic to, tlio Lalionr element would, however, nt once precipitato an upheaval. With Mr. Robertson, Mr. Yoiteh agreed that Labour would be better served by having timo to organise throughout tho Dominion before another election. Ho was not quito so confident as tho member for Otaki as to the fate of the i/jickeuzio Government. The possibility of trouble might arise, not so much from the possible attitude of Labour members, as from a rift within the Liberal party itselfWith tho material of the new Cabinet, Mr. Veitch expressed himself as well satisfied, and he thinks that Mr., Mackenzie has surrounded himself with -the best Administration that he could have selected from the ranks of his party. Questioned as to the activities of his own party, and tho view ho took of tho action of syndical organisation, such as had been nt work in tho recent Mayoral election in Auckland. Mr. Veitch said that the New Zealand Labour party was dend against the strike principle. They were out to preach the doctrine of political action ns against strike methods. The weapon of (he strike could, and should, only )«? used when every otjier effort had failed. The Lalxiur party was endeavouring to rdiicare. tho.citizens of Xow Zealand into an understanding that it was not with them a question of the worker against his employer,'so lhiich .as" useful people' of Xew Zealand against monopolies.

CHANGES IN TAXATION

LARGE FAMILIES AMD THE : DEFBXC'E ACT. • <Uy Telegraph—l'ress Association.) ' ;;; Auckland, April 2G. Tim 'changes iu taxation which rumour has itjflmt the Mackenzie Government intends to introduce wore mentioned to the Premier this morning by a reporter before lie left Auckland, and he said it was junto true that they intended to go in for increasing Hie graduated land tax. They would possibly Ijegiir with an increase iu properties -worth about .£30,001) on the .unimproved valuation. "It 1 is also.our intention," said Mr. Mac"to between earned and uuearncil-'mconie, - ami' . concessions ahould.ijo'jiiade ;.iil the ease-of heads of families. This question of'families must be very fully considered in connection .with the defence of the Dominion. A mother-put her case very clearly before liio the other day. She said: 'I have leared five stalwart sons, and I beliero i h every youth being trained to defend liis country," but what I object to is that lily; sons may be called upon and shot for defouding tho property of men who will not marry, and of wealthy men who have nirchildreii. I don't mind all my.care, nelf-deninl, and economy for my sons, but something should be dono to make those who have wealth and 110 families do more for the 'defence of the country.' There is a lot "of force iii that, and we must fully take into our consideration this matter- of making concessions to those who have done inestimable service to the State by Tearing large families." .Speaking of his future movements, Mr. Mackenzie said he intended to speak at Balclutha on May 4. 'When talking the other day at Wyndhani, Mr. Massey isFO.tfd ft challenge' to the Prime Minister, which the ■ latter has' accepted with alacrity. Tho Leader of the Opposition demanded that Mr. Mackenzie should either give his authority for tho wail of despair that a certain financial paper at Homo had said was sent from New Zealand, and if lie could not do so he should -withdraw and apologise. "Before I liavo finished," said the Prime Minister, "I think I will have satisfied Mr. Mnssey that I am not in tho habit of using expressions that require apologies."

'• MASTERTON NOTES.

- (From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton, April 26. At tho annual meeting of the AVairatapa Gun Club, Mr. A. I'. AVhatman was ' elected president, and Mr. B. J. King secretary and' treasurer. Tho following committee was appointed for the ensuing year-.—Messrs. H. Long, J. AVhittaker, T. H."'Harvey, J. Uunii, W. AVooding. Itwas resolved to make a levy oil the local guinea medal for the best aggregate over ten' shouts Much satisfaction was expressed over the club having the clay-bird championship of New Zealand allocated i for here. . Tho season was opened yesterday w'itli a seventeen-bird-- sweepstake. Messrs. A. lorii'p, AV. Taplin, and IV 'i'apliiL tied l'or first place, with fifteen birds each. \ ' At tlio annual meeting of the Masterton Horticultural and Industrial Socioty next .week a resolution will Ire proposed in the direction of increasing the membership fee. : : Mr. E. ,T. Eton, chairman of the AVairaTapa Hospital-am! Charitable Aid Board, hay, at the mfnest of the Hon. G. AV. r.usscll,; convened 'a meeting of local bodies of the AYairarapa, to be held here on May 8, at which two delegates will lie appointed to represent the district at the conference to be hold in 'Wellington next month, to consider the Local Government Bill. . . The sheep in some parts of-this districthave been directed with foot disease!" This is supposed to be due to the excessive rainfall experienced. The hockey seasoii was. opened, yester-. (lay, when the Post_and- -Telegraph Club defeated the Excclsiurs after . a closelycontested game". The annual meeting of the local tirnnch of. the V.M.C.A. is being held to-night. The report to be presented shows that satisfactory, progress has.been made during. the past year.

Mr. ,T. 11. Pauling has been elected unopposed" as president of the AA'airarapa. Caledonian Society for tho ensuing year. • Pheasants and ducks are reported to bo numerous in the AVairarapa this year," and local sports arc looking forward' with pome anticipation to the opening of the Shooting season next month. '