SPEECH BY MR. MASSEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1448, 24 May 1912, Page 6

SPEECH BY MR. MASSEY.

» COUNTRY DISTRICTS LOSING THEIR J'RIVILEGES. (By Teleeraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 23. Speaking at the .animal dinner of the. Farmers' Union to-night the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Massev) remarked upon the tendency to deprive the country settlers of their privileges and to increase their financial responsibilities. 'Mr. !Massey said for same reason the papulation in the towns greatly exceeded that in tho country districts, and that was neither a healthy nor satisfactory condition' in a country whose prosperity was dependent upon the agricultural and nastoral industry; - An instaiute of his "contention that the country'districts were losing their privileges was to ba found in the increased cost of State leans to local bodied Formerly they were' obtained at 31 per cent, including sinking fund, for a period of 11 years, but the old Act had been repealed and now local bodies were fortunate in securing loans at 5j iier cent for a period of JiBJ years, while their borrowing powers were limited to .£SOOO. Such a condition was not in the interest of .settlement, and ho considered the old Act should be reinstated. Reference was made by Mr. Massey to the Local Government Bill, tind he urged the conference to give some expression of opinion upon tho proposal to alter tiie present county franchllse in the direction of giving a vote to every person with residential qualification, at the same time abolishing plurality of votes among ratepayers. Mr. Mnssoy mentioned the need for spine amendment of the method of taxation. Not only was an adjustment needed in valuation of improvements, but an amendment of the law was also needed that would remedy the position niider wlilich many people were actually payiii" taxation ou their debts. ' ' "