THE OPPOSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1444, 3 May 1905, Page 3

THE OPPOSITION.

MB MASSEY UNFOLDS THE POLICY.

6 [(Her Press 'Association.) Christchurch, Inst night. Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, addressed a orowdod audience in the theatre to-night His speech was mainly on the lines of his one in Dunedin, but he also dealt with the Premier’s speech at Pahiatua.- Mr Soddon had said that his (Massey’s) statement that under the Public Revenues Act the balance of one vote could be transferred to another was false, but ho quoted a section of the Act to that moneys may be transferred in aid of another vote in the same class. It was true, as the Premier had stated, that tjo Stafford Government had tcansfovrod the balance of votes, but those balanoas were In respect to votes the particular work in connection with which had been completed. Tho provision for referring disputes between tho Audit Departmout and ■ the Government had been repealed by tho Grey Government, and remained ropoaled unsil 1900, when the present Government revived it. Regarding the finances he said that if the public accounts wore kept as a business man kept books, there would be no surplus to transfer to the Public Works fund. Speaking of Legislative Council reform ho said that men Jike Sir John Mali should be appointed fcs the Upper House. (Prolonged applause, and cheers for Sir John Hall). Speaking of the Lands for Settlement Act, ho advocated tho adoption of a system of submitting to the Houso a proposal to resume compulsorily any particular estate. Ho condemned tboPromior s methods of electioneering at tho expense * of the colony. He stated that tho policy i of the Opposition consisted of a proper audit of public accounts and tho repeal of i the Public Revenues Act, 1900, reform of the Legislative Council, establishment of a t Public Service Board, economy and sound i finance, local Government reform, sinking i funds in connection with future loans, the t option of the freehold to settlers on Grown i lands, indepsndency of the Magistracy, 1 Parliamentary business to be done in reasonable hours, and equitable settlement of the native land question. [ Mr Massey spoke for two hours and had i a very favorable hearing. In conclusion i he Eiinswered a number of questions, and i was accorded a vote of thankt.