THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2183, 6 May 1908, Page 3

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

MR. W. F. MASSEY AT HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

a large audience listens to a strong indictment of GOVERNMENT.

THE opposition policy enunciated

The lender of tlio Opposition, Mr AV. l'\ Massey, ALP., delivered an address in His Majesty s Theatre last evening upon the work of tlio partv in Uarliament. Ihe 'building was crowded to excess by an audience of both ladies and gentlemen who frequently showed their appreciation of the speaker's remarks -by enthusiastic applause. The Mon. Captain Tucker. .AI.L.G., occupied the chair, and iin introducing Mr Massey, said it was the first time the present Leader of the Opposition had honored Gisborno with n visit, and ho could assure him and Mr Herries, M.P., a most hearty welcome to the district. It was valuable to have occasional visits from members of Parliament, for when the requirements of Poverty Bay were mentioned in the House of Representatives the members would have a knowledge of the districts and their requirements and' could assist Air Carroll in trying to got all that the district- needed. Air Herries many times had given great assistance, for lio was well acquainted with the ih*quiroments of the East Coast. It must not ihe thought that the. Opposition .was always against the Government. ‘lt-often lent very great assistance to the passing of Koine of the measures that wove placed on. tho statute books, but it was the duty of the party in opposition to criticise and keep watch over the actions of the party in power. It the measures introduced were good, criticism would l do uo harm, but if they bad, the Opposition often assisted to make them good, workable, and beneficial Acts. _ The Opposition members wore in reality tho friends of the Government. They pointed out their weaknesses and often.. saved them from falling over a legislative precipice. One result- of Air Alassev's and Air Herries’ visit would be tlm opportunity for them to become acquainted with the fertility and soundness of tho Poverty Bay district, and' the small amount o-f Government money that -was spent there upon roads and bridges. It was necessary that members of Parliament should have a knowledge of these requirements and ho could assure them that this part of the colony got totally inadequate grants. No matter how the question was looked at he could not heln coming to the conclusion that the amount of .money spent here was insufficient. Ihe ioverty Pay contribution- to tho Government chest was increasing continually -from all sources, - arid yet there was no increase in the amount of the grants. Although it -was only natural that some or those -piesent should differ with Mr Massey on many political questions, and would be.'unable to see eye to eye with him all «. the time, yet if ho -would help them to obtain more Government assistance for the district, they would surely agree with him on that point. If Mr Massey 'would urge upon the Government to put the railway forward lie would also have the entire agreement of the .large audience present. (Applause.) Milt MASSEY’S ADDRESS.

THE ARBITRATION ACT. He had not boon travelling around tho colony without closely watching the offeft iif the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and tho great tendency towards socialism that existed in many parts. There was a general opinion that tho Arbitration Act was on the point of breaking down, blit ho hoped it would not. lie preferred tho underlying principles of tho Act to- strikes and lockouts, but if tho Arbitration Act was to be of any use it would lie necessary to Imvo more conciliation, loss irritation, and less exasperation. (Applause.) Even the Prime Minister had so far -progressed ns to see that, something would havo to be done towards tho classification of workmen. 'l'lie mon who now suffered most were the expert workers who, in most cases, had to accept the common rate of wages. There .was nothing to prevent the employer paying good workmen more than tho wages-prescribed by tho award, but ns some workmen were worth less, they evened matters by paying good and bad alike. Tho difficulty also pressed harshly upon the workman who was not- equal to his -follows or who was getting into the- sere and yellow leaf of life. Ho was placed in a most humiliating position, and often had great difficulty in getting a permit to work for less- than the wages awarded to his trade arid was cast adrift to seek co-operative employment or to work on farms and stations ns an unskilled workmen and was not, in such a ease, as well off as if he was employed at his trade. He recognised that every -man had a right to work, and a right to earn his living, and a man should not he paid less than. his work was worth. (Applause.) APPRENTICES. The conditions controlling tho -indenturing of apprentices were very unsatisfactory. At the -present time only one apprentice could be employed to a certain number of journeymen. The Arbitration Act did not allow premiums to bo paid, but it was well-known that premiums wore paid, and so placed the sons of -poor persons at a. disadvantage as compared wit It the sons of the rich. The Government -frequently made the statement that all the youths -were well employed. They must not look merely at the present but also to the future, and. i ftlie present system of discouraging apprentices' continued, they would find they would have to import skilled workmen from other countries while their own native-born sons would have to he satisfied with inferior positions and would look back with disgust upon the legislation that made them unskilled laborers instead of expert artisans. . LABOR LEGISLATION. Then there should he some way of appeal 'from the decision of the Arbitration -Court, not on industrial differences, blit on points of law. If that was possible, Air. Dixon, of Drury, would not now be within the four walls of a prison. There was a useful settler and good citizen lying in gaol, who would always have the finger pointed at him because he would not submit to a law that should not be tolerated -by a free people. The Government was aware of this defect in the Act- and -last year a Bill was prepared to put the matter right, but a storm of opposition was raised in certain quarters and it was dropped, and because of that decision a man was lying in-gaol. It was impossible to put a law on the statute hooks to make a man -work who would not work, and an Act that forced harassing conditions upon employers and - employees was not good for tho country as a whole.

The Leader of the Opposition, on rising to speak, was greeted with a great outburst of applause. He said that he was on 'his first visit to Poverty Bay, and by the kindness of his many -friends had- made, the best of his opportunities and, during the ■few clays lie had -been here, had probably seen more than many persons iwlio" had dived in the district for years. . Gisborne and the Poverty Bay district exceeded liis most sanguine expectations. The country was good, and the people were prosperous and progressive, but they wanted a Government in office that would recognise the needs' of the district and wouid push the railway on to Motu, Opotiki and thence to Auckland. (Applause.) They also-needed the native land question settled, and the land made available for European settlers. (Applause.) The settlers in the outlying districts should be given good roads and reasonable access and egress. If . those things were done, he was certain Poverty Bay -would, go ahead by leaps and bounds, and -when he next paid a visit, lie would 'be able to congratulate them upon the improvements in these respects. The Opposition party stood for progress and would at all times be willing to assist the East -Coast members to advance the district, not only for the sake of the district, but for the good of the country as a -whole. (Applause.) THE OPPOSITION PA-JITY.

WANT OF CONFIDENCE. The Arbitration Act also had the effect of showing a want of confidence by capitalists to embark upon industrial and commercial enterprise,' and if industries were not established to keep pace with the growing population, a time of depression would surely come. That time could be avoided by foresight and wise administration. GOVERNMENT MISREPRESENTATION. Tho Opposition Party had been continually misrepresented by Government newspapers and Government supporters in Parliament as being antagonistic to labor ; but he would tell them that lie had always been an advocate- for tlie assisting of the -working man. When he stood .as a candidate for Parliament the first time he was supported by the “Knights of 'Labor” and that organisation had done more for the -uplifting of labor than anything he knew of. He (Mr Alassey) had been thanked scores' of times by labor organisations and individuals for what he had done to improve their positions. He wanted to see every man get fair wages and fair value for his work, and men and women workers able to enjoy life and make provision for a rainy day, whether that rainy day was sickness or old age. He wanted to see the workers improve their positions and to see every son of a working man given tlie same opportunity to attain a high position as the .son of a rich man. (Applause.) Tlio Opposition was not against the workers, as some Government papers made out, but was just as anxious, and more anxious, for their welfare than tlie Government members who knew their value at election times when they bad votes to record. (Laughter-.) , THE LAND QUESTION.

He was going to speak on behalf of the Opposition Party. During the ■lnst three months they had been visited by three or four ministers and it was only right they 'should hear both sides "of the question. During his address lie -wis'hed it to -be understood that -when- he referred to any 'Minister of the Crown lie relerred to him as a member of the Government, in his official capacity and not’ in -any personal way. The Opposition Party had been continually misrepresented by the Government and by the Government Press, -but tlie people were 'beginliing to realise* that they (the Opposition) had done good work. They had criticised the Government proposals and had prevented from becoming law many -undesirable measures that would have had a most disastrous effect upon tlie country. Hie Party had also done.a double duty; they’ had advocated many measures and principles from the public platform, and had the pleasure of seeing manv -of those -principles become law. Ho would merely mention two examples to prove dps statement. One was the proposal that all Cron n ievenue should 'be audited by the Audi-tor-General, so that Par .ament cot. d •keep a check upon public -expendture. The proposal originally emanated from the Opposition, 'blit each time an attempt was made to \nn rt about the reform,.it was defeated. However, last ,session the Government incorporated the ” a measure and it was naseej -into law. The 'Opposition had aim ailvocated the- providing of a sl,lk "'p k "’j for some of the .loans, not fo all loans, because all loans did not it quire to be determined, but. the Party which lie led advocated tlie providing of a sinking fund -for certain loanerand last year the proposals put forth were adopted. The Opposition had also protested against the construction of roads out ol capital account and urged t wit tlje consolidated funds should be used ifoi that purpose. They had also suggested a reduction ip tho rate of .tot™ loans to locai bodies and t'lnu the sheep tax should be abolnshed a.n ■understood the sheen tax had been collected for tlie -last time, (Applause.)

One of the most important questions to every New Zealander was that o-f the land tenure. They would remember that the Government had. some three years ago, appointed a Royal Commission, known as . the hand Commission, to make inquiries and reuoi-t upon the question. Ihat Commission travelled around the country at great expense, and altei hearing a large' number of witnesses, the members could not agree among themselves. The late Air feeddon was then -Premier and a report was presented to Parliament. Some time afterwards tj.ro, Ward. Ministry .came into power, and late in the session of 1900, Air It- 'AlcNab, -Minister for Lands, brought down a Land Bill. The Bill came before the House of Representatives with a great flourish of trumpets. The Government stated they had nailed their colors to the mast, and would stand oi fa with the -Bill. But they neither stood foil- they ran at the first attack. S “t,r .S Sto-P ,Tta H»™° ‘id as the .previous one, hut 'ban enovi'di. The first measure made it imt 0 S 1 c bl iieiv°.neasure C made uni,'lilt to set aside some oijit o £SO,m i W&n&’WSS"** njdlv increasing, the ■ “l of these lon&for \ clJ iutlo use* for -revenue purposes, but was a -useful subterfuge to introduce Bill^was "first intiducil. a member S I constituency in the North moved Kr* ttw’to'ta™ <S?r%*£ bud nationalisation debted JJ," "itouiht r»nd n.tionali»U->»

INTEREST IN THE AV-CMMCEEvS. The Government took to themselves a, great deal of credit '°r helping lo hotter the condition of the workers, hut the -Oinxisition thirty had tlie welfare of the worker* «» , aC heart as nuv member of the Government. When the ■■ Advances to feettlera Act was before Parliament, he ■said jt would 'be of great benefit to the workers* jo lend money at a low rate of interest■ R* holders of a .tectum. When the Bill was m comn'.’.tti ho moved to Hint effect and he had no doubt the -proposal wo-n.il have been carried, but the Premier promised to introduce- a clause to the aame effect within a fcw days. When tlie. Bill was re-iutroduced lie noticed that the Act was intended to only apply to the larger towns and cities, and" not to men living in the country. He thought that was a groat hardship upon the country settler and moved to have the clause etruek out. That wax done and ho was pleased to nay the Act had proved useful to -many workers in tlie count-iy districts, (Applause,)

was good for the country, but. riot good enough for their own districtLast session a change enmo over tho scene, and there was a wonderful Jack of the independence that was so apparent during tho previous session It was rumored that the Alinistor. for Public Works (Mr, Hnll-Jones) was ill and was not likely to re.suino office and the measure was put through without resistance.

“But it lias taught mo a lesson,’' added Air Massey, jokingly. “If over.l am Prime Alinistor I will take care that one of my colleagues is always ill, and not likely to resume office.” (Laughter.”) A great many people, tho speaker went on to say, think tho land question is settled, but it is not settled and will be 'brought on again. The Minister of Lands had missed a great opportunity, for if ho had given every settler the opportunity to acquire tho freehold, tliei'o would liavo been such a boom in land settlement as was never hoped for or anticipated. But he had been influenced bv land nationalisators socialists and such men as Mr Iveir llardio who had visited tho country. SOCIALISM.

A good many people did not know what socialism -was. Well ho would tell them a lit-tlo story. Two -Irishmen were talking ono day and ono told tho other that ho was a socialist. -Pat asked Alike what tho word meant, “Well,” said Alike, “To see, if a man has anything ho has to give mo half.’ Pat thought that a splendid idea and said lie would join tho party. Turning to Alike ho said, ‘lf yo had two motor cars, would yo. give mo ono?’ ‘1 would,’ said Alike.’ ‘lf yo had two farms would yo give mo one?’ ‘Yes,’ said .Alike. ‘lf yo had two pigs would ye give me one?’ again questioned Pat. ‘Ah, now,’ -said Alike, ‘No yer don’t; ye know l’vo got two pigs.’ (Laughter.) Last session tho Government abolished the lease in perpetuity system of land tenure. It was not a good tonuro for either (ho .people or tho Crown, hut what they had got in its stead was not as good as the lease in porpotuity. They had now the leasehold on the 60 and' 33 years temiro with the -right of renewal at a revaluation. But -settlors knew that when they improved their land the Government- Valuer would come along at the end of the period and -up would go the rents. That system was no encouragement to industry and each settler should have the option or tho opportunity to acquire tho freehold, for settlers would make moro successful 'farmers when they were able to get the freehold as against being content with the leasehold. Air AlcNab had shown his tendency to socialistic ideas. Socialism as defined by All- Keir Hardio was “Socialism had only one aim : to converge land and industrial capital into public property.” The definition of socialism given by the Fabian 'Club, one of the leading’ Socialistic organisations of England, was: —“Socialism aims at the reorganisation of society by the emancipation of land and industrial capital from individual and class ownership, and the vesting of these in the community for the general benefit. Tho society accordingly works for the 'emancipation of -private property in land. The society works ■further for the transfer to the comnui’nity.of the administration of such industrial capital as can be managed socially—if these measures can he carried out without compensation though not -without such relief as may seem fit to the community.” - They said without compensation, but not'without relief. He (Air. Alassey) did not believe socialism was possible, but unless it was fought, a great deal of harm would be done. Socialism and Liberalism were not- ono and the terms were not synonymous, though socialism tried to capture unionism and labor organisations. Individualism had built up great industries and commercial systems, and-before the people did away with the present .system they should seo they had something to depend upon and not trust tho foolish theories of socialism. 110 was going to express an opinion—and he did it advisedly—which was that a great many of tho Government supporters in Parliament wero ready to accept socialism as defined by Air. Iveir Hardie. (Hear, hear.) Some members honestly believe in socialism, and were justly entitled to credit for their opinions, but others wero ready to accept socialism rather than forfeit their positions. He saw . a great difference between State aid to private enterprises and tlie establishment cS State industries, and it was right the State should assist private enterprise, but should not take its place or enter into competition with it. The members of the present Government said they wero not revolutionary socialists, _ but what was a revolutionary socialist? AVas there such a thing in the country? Tho Alinistors said they were evolutionary socialists, whose aim was one of steady progress. Tho creed of the evolutionary socialist was to got what lie could to-day and come back to-morrow for more. Evolutionary socialism was steady progress towards land nationalisation, and the Government was spending £500,000 a year in buying estates and leasing them to settlers, and that was socialism pure and simple. This would be stopped if tho settlers had the right to acquire the freehold, but the Government would not grant the freehold because they said the State should get the unearned increment. He (Air. Massey) thought that if there was any increase in value to tho land, tho settlers wero entitled to it. (Applause.) In most cases it was not unearned increment, but hard-earned increment. Some socialists quoted the founder of Christianity in support of their theories, but whereas He said, “What is Mine is thine,” the- socialisk said, “What is thine is mine.” The best system was that which gave a man the right to possess property so long as lie acquired it honestly and used it fairly and properly. He would remind the workers that socialism meant, no improvement in their condition. Y orkers they would commence, and workers they would remain until the end of their lives. Under the present svstem their condition was always capable of improvement, for three masters out of every four had risen from the ranks. If they adopted socialism, it was good-bye to improvement, good-bye to position, advancement and freedom. Lord Rosebery, an advanced Liberal, had issued the following warning against socialism; “Socialism is the end of all tilings Empire, religion, faith, freedom, and .property. Socialism is (he death-blow.” ‘Sir Joseph Ward denied being a socialist or a singletaxer, but a tree was known by its fruit, and a man by the company he kept. Ono member of tho Government said he was a socialist, and was proud of it, whilst another declared himself an advanced single-taxer, and that- if lie had his own way all exemptions under the laud tax would bo struck out and the land tax doubled. Air. AlcNab’s Land Bill had socialism written in every line., while .another member of the. Government wished to pass a measure that when the holder of a 990 eyars lease died, the leaso reverted to the Crown. That was socialism anil lancl nationalisation oi the worst .'kind. He did nob know Air. Carroll’s views', but if he was not a socialist he kept the company of men who had leanings m that directloU* NATIVE LANDS.

Last session the .Qovernuient made an attempt to solve the native land ciucstion. A commission was set up, and was now at work inquiring into tlm position, and for that reason criticism to any extent should bo suspended. Ho did not intend to say very much, except that ho thought the commission would do very little Lod and that all the lnlormation Lev’were seeking should have been known to the Lands ,Department. Ilie. progress and prosperity ol New lealand had been greatly hindered bv the delay in settling the nativo lands auest-imi. The Government had put tlie country to great expense, m them nttonmt at a solution, but lie could find men, and lie had no doubt there were men present, who were capable of settling the difficulty . in six months to the satisfaction ot the 11aHves and the benefit of the country. Tf the native race was to progress and £ advance side by side with the European, tliev must be given some security over their lands, and some factors

in life to huluce them to undertake their responsibilities. There were, some native leaders who were satisfied with the present system because it suited them, but it the natives thought Parliament would permit any lingo system of landlordism they should get the idea out of their heads lor it would not be tolerated, but lie would do all lie could to safeguard their interests and seo justice done. No one had done more in this respect that Air. Herries, who had worked hard to see the native land question settled in a way that was lair- and just. (Applause.) The whole attitude of tlie Government was one of compromise. The original Land Bid was intended to nationalise the- whole of the remaining Crown lands, hut the second Bill provided for only half of the lauds to bo leased -and the other half disposed of on the Ireehold tenure, thus pleasing land nationalism's and freeholders at .the samo time. Then came the tariff last session. The Government took tho duty off sugar to appease the Ireetradcrs, and placed -a duty on milling and agricultural machinery to please the protectionists. The native lands proposals set asido half the lands as inalienable lor tho natives, and the balance was to be disposed of, hall on the freehold and half on tho leasehold tenure. At the urgent wish of tho anti-gambling party, the Gambling Bill was introduced and’gambling at sports was abolished, thus appeasing tlie anti-gambling party. On top. of that came n provision that racing clubs shall license, bookmakers and admit them to their racecourses, thus pleasing tlie gambling fraternity. Last session he quite expected to see a Liquor Bill introduced, and one-half of the Government voting for whisky and the other half for water, or ono half to weaken tho whisky and tho other half to strengthen tho water. (Laughter). It was the old story of trying to please all and pleasing no oiio. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. . He was no.t going to say the country was -in iui unsound financial position. The -prosperity of New Zea'land ivas too great for any Government to ruin, but the position was far (from satisfactory. During tho last seven years tho national debt had increased hv .616,000,000 or over £2,000,000 a year and the taxation since 1595 by 616 per head; or in that year the* taxation nor head was £67 9s anil in 1907 £o7.' lie knew the country could not do without borrowing, blit

was value .being got for the money? The short lived debentures were now falling due, and the Treasurer would ilia vo to provide money lor eon verting them. It was not a difficult thing to do at present but could they always do it? Tho price of wool and other products were falling and . a policy of economy should -be practised. The fact that tho Government borrowed -large sums locally, affected the money market -for other -investments and capitalists were not so ready to lend money upon, land or other securities. This had a tendency to utid'diy raise the rates of interest for private undertakings. Here was also a tax of 3s Id in the £ on mortgages -which amounted to £3l 5s on every £IO,OOO, whereas the income tax on the same amount was only £lO. CONCLUSION. All- Alassey said that when the Public Works estimates were brought down the country found there were two lean years and one fat one and the fat one was the election year. He also thought a Public Service Board should he established and 'appointments made by examination and not by political influence. The Legislative Council 'was not representative of the people and- should be elective arid responsible to the people only for the measures they passed. The Opposition-Party had a platform that was truly liberal and one measure lie would advocate and which , lie 'hoped to see on the Statute Book was to make the wife the legal partner of her husband so that the home could not be sold or mortgaged without her consent. (Applause.) QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions, Air Alassey expressed the opinion that the estab-lishment-of the State Fire Insurance Department had -been quite unnecessary, .particularly in view of the fact that at tho same time as the State Fire Inr-.urance Act was passed, Parliament- was making provision for tho formation of Mutual Insurance Societies. Such an one was now in existence in Ilaw-ke.s Bay and had reduced its premiums to 5s per hundred. Under these circumstances the money sunk in the (State Eire Insurance Department might more profitably have been spent in other ways. He had always opposed tho so called Fair -Rent Bills which were merely attempts on tho part of land nationalism's to smash up the -Leasein perpetfiity and lie would never be a party to break existing contracts. He would not favor the rating upon unimproved values being made- compulsory upon municipalities, which should have the option as at present. iHe favored the -free introduction of raw materials that nvere needed in the manufacture of goods in this country.

Dr Collins then rose to move a vote of thanks to Air Alassey, .Air Herries also being jnel-uded in the motion. The speaker said it was a great privilege to be permitted to .stand on the platform with one who had so capably emmiciated the policy of the O-pposition. 'During the course of his rc-maflcs Dr Collins stated that in addition to the matters dealt with by Air Massey it might -interest the audience to bear of some other .subjects which had been warmly supported in the House by tlie -Leader of the 'Opposition. Amongst these were : an Imperial Preferential Tariff, the appointment of a Public AVorks Committee, the All-Red route, an increase in the naval subsidy to the Imperial navy, freedom lqr New Zealanders from alien immigration, etc. He concluded by urging those members of tlio 'audience who were in sympathy with the views expressed by Air-Mas-sey to arrange for an effectiveorganise lion to support an Opposition candidate for the local seat at the coming elections. Air AY. Morgan seconded the motion. and in -doing so exprcKod (lie opinion that tlie coining elections would note a great increase in .tlie number of Opposition candidates returned.

All- -Herries was called upon by the audience and made a few brief remarks. He said he bad been a near neighbor to tl;e Gisborne electorate years, but tlie dmijgc of boundaries, bad caused him to move westward. However, lie could assure liis bearers that this.would mean an additional member to work for East. Coast interests as he would always do the utmost in his -power in that direction. The vote nf thanks was enthusiastically carried and a similar compliment to the Chairman closed the meeting.