OPPOSITION POLICY

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1417, 30 March 1905, Page 2

OPPOSITION POLICY

MR MASSEY REPLIES TO PREMIER

, '(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, addressed a meeting of between 3000 and 4000 people in the Drill Hall to-night, tho Mayor of Auckland presiding. After expressing the regret of himself and colleagues at tho death of Sir A. Cadman, he, Mr Massey, replied at considerable length te the Premier’s speech a fortnight ago. With reference to tho challenge that-the Opposition should formulate a policy, be claimed that they bad already put forward a substantial platform in proposing to give leaseholders the right to acquire the freehold, to make the Legislative Council elective, to place tho Public Service under an eleotive board, to replace public accounts under a proper system of auditi to settle native lands, to reform local government, a'Dd effect economy in the public expenditure. The Advances to Settlers Act should, ho thought, be applied to city properties. As regards local government, all arterial roads should he maintained by the Government,.and the system of parliamentary grants for local works should be abolished. The land tenure commission was a biassed commission, and was the laughing stock of tho colony. It was simply stonewalliog until the arrival of tho session of Parliament should interrupt its labors. The Government had retained them6oives in office by using public money for party purposes. Tho Opposition were fighting against heavy odds for tho political rights of the people, and the speaker strongly appealed for support for their candidates.

Replying to questions, Mr Massey said the Opposition had no intention to abolish old age pensions, but he considered it should be made either general or contributory. The Legislative Council could only bo abolished by an Act of tho Imperial Parliament.

A hearty vote of thauks was carried,