POLITICAL GATHERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1863, 18 September 1906, Page 3

POLITICAL GATHERING.

STRONG SFEEOH BY MU MASSEY

I’KNSS ASSOCIATION Now Plymouth, lust night, Tho Thoalro Jtoyel was crowded to overflowing to-night on tho occasion of tho piosoutation of n purso of sovereigns to Mr H, J. Okov, Opposition candidate for Taranaki elcciornto in tho late general election. Tho preiontaticn was made by Mr Massey, lender of tho Opposition. There woto also present Messrs .Tnmos Alleu, Hardy, nud Moloolm, Ms U.U In the oomsn of h s remarks Mr Massey referred to Mr Okey es n politician nftr-i his own heart, nod hoped ho would yet represent Taranaki. Ho had naticoi i; stated that ho would lay down a new policy for tho Opposiliou that night. That wssuotso. At tho last oleotion the Opposition had been badly beaten; hut they aid net t k ’.he boating lying down. Thoy had hern button by suporier organisation, m a epiosoi t t on, and implied promises of gamts c.i public money to diatriots which reumid Government supporters. Ntxt election tho Opposition would bo hotter prepared, and tho people would understand their policy hotter, amt know Due misrepresentation of the most genuine form of Liberalism. Tho Opposition be™ ovrd in equal opportunity to all. Ho referred briefly to tho death of tho Premier, which all regrotsed. Tho eurno party was in power, but with n fresh administration, A very interesting paint io iho Opposition in the Government Pokey Was the fact that many Opposition proposals had b-’tn adop:ed. Ho referred particularly to placing tho revenue of soma of the moat impoitaut departments of the State under •he oontroi of tho Auditor - Genorai, provision for sinking funds for mmproductive loans, and paying tho up-keep of main roads cut of the revenue, instead of out cf the publio works fund. Government also, by passing a sort of “ Mental Appropriation Aot,” accepted tbe Opposition scheme of naiional annuities. The party in power had strenuously opposed these proposals for years, and now put them forward ai their own policy. Tho Opposition would support Government in these proposals. The Opposition had more proposals in stock, and more demands for reform, whioh would bo forthcoming at tho proper time and plaoo, Dealing with tho land question, ho strenuously opposed tho Land Bill, whioh under the pretext of setting a-Pe endowments, o!oar : y intended to in ,ka it impossible for tho Grown seller to acquire tbe freehold. The freehold was to be abolished, also tho optional and LIP, systems, and wa3 to be substituted by a 66 year lease with revaluation. That form of tenure would not suit tbe sturdy settlers of this ooleny. Men would not go on the laud under suoh conditions. There was no eeourity of tenure. Ho felt certain that what was proposed would do more injury than anyChiDg that had happened in reoont years. The jE60,000 limitation proposal would affeot very few—only two estates in Auckland and Taranaki. He would not take up time criticising tbe proposals to limit holdings to 1000 acres of first-o'ass land. Government had surrendered to leaseholders and land nationalisers, and the policy was in the interests of tho latter, not of the whole. There should be I no subdivision at any time that would cause injustice or hardship to landowners. He believed in the freehold, (Applause.) Lst every mao have a chaaoa of beoomiog his own landlord, Had the present lined proposals been law, settlement would have been retarded and the colony poorer in consequence. Although the Government had adopted some of the Opposition proposals, there was still much left for the Opposition to do. It was their duty to keep an eye on expenditure. They would not sell their principles at any price. They wanted to S9e the colony governed honestly. They wanted to see both Chambers of the Legislature direoily representative of tbe people, appointments to the public service according to fitnßss, native lands opened up and settled by Europeans arid Maoris, and the latter raised to a higher scale of civilisation than seemed possible under the present system. A oapabie and vigorous Opposition ought to bo appreciated by the country. Mr Massey concluded amidst great ap-<

plause. Mr Allan, oritioised the Go~ vernmont’a action in raising the interest on money lent under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, oonsidoriog shat it should be lowered so the lowest possible rase, the colony bearing a share of the burden. They warned an aoiuarid investigation imo the euperannuation schemes. A man in the country had more right to the freehold than a man in sown. Mr Hardy talked platitudes about beautiful Neff Plymouth. Mi: Lbwis deplored the increase in tho number of purely professional politicians in the House, the winning eiders. At the same time he recognised that no New Zealand Parliament would be complete without some of the most advanced thinkers on the Badicai and L'bu-al side. Mr Maciolm said the Opposition had never been out of sympathy with the honeatness of the working mao. There were eeveral looal speakers. The meeting was enthusiaslio and sucoe ssful,