King Country Politics.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 88, 26 June 1908, Page 5

King Country Politics.

—,— MR. MASSEY AT TE KUITI

Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, delivered a speech at Te Kuiti on Wednesday evening. Major Lusk, Chairman of the Waitomo County Council, presided, and there was a very large audience, many settlers from the out districts being present, despite the inclement weather. The Chairman, in introducing Mr. Massey, requested a fair and impartial hearing for the speaker, who would deal with the political questions of the Dominion from a somewhat different standpoint to that of the Premier, who addressed an audience at Te Kuiti the previous week. Mr. Massey, who was greeted with applause, said that it was not his first visit to the district, he having some years ago made a journey through from Waitara in winter. Since that time the King Country had made considerable progress, but the real and permanent advancement of the district would only come when the Government in office was impressed with the primary importance of suitable land tenure, and having good roads to travel over. Mr. Massey then proceeded to deal with the subjects treated by Sir Joseph Ward in his recent address.

TAXATION. The Premier had stated that as far as taxation was concerned only one taxation measure had been imposed by the present administration, and that was the graduated Land Tax, for which all the Opposition members voted. Such a statement was right in the letter, but entirely wrong and misleading in the spirit. Taxation had not directly been increased, but the unimproved land values had been forced up, and the land tax had increased a hundred thousand pounds in the year. Death duties also contributed to the increase. Between 1898 and 1907 the taxation of the country increased from £3 10s 5d to £4 9s iod per head, and it was stated, unofficially, the amount for 1908 would reach over £5. It needed little discernment to see that the farming community suffered heavily in such a form of taxation. As long as the country was highly prosperous the burden was not felt, but the smallest financial trouble would be serious, and a wise Government should certainly make provision in the time of prosperity for lean years that were bound to come.

ARBITRATION ACT. The most absorbing question of the day throughout the Dominion was : " Has the Arbitration Act broken down?" Mr Massey said he would not go so far as to say that the Act had absolutely broken down, but if it was to remain a useful measure drastic alterations would require to be made. At present there were several highly objectionable features, notably the want of an appeal court. The system also made for mediocrity, and there should be a classification of workmen to give proper reward for effort and ability, and encourage men to do their best. As to the question of apprentices it seemed as though in years to come we should have to import our skilled labour, instead of having young men who were thoroughly qualified. The industrial legislation of the Government undoubtedly tended to keep capital from being invested in our industries, and this was bad for any countty, more particularly a young country such as ours.

LAND SETTLEMENT. Mr Massey dwelt at considerable length on the land legislation !of the Government, and condemned the renewable lease as being practically land nationalisation. The first land bill brought down by the present Minister for Lands was an infamous measure, and would remain a monument to the memory of a young New Zealander, who attempted to foist such a bill on to the people of the country. The old. Li.p. tenure had not many friends perhaps, but it was infinitely better than renewable lease. The endowment scheme he denounced as ridiculous, regarded as a means for providing for old age pensions and education. The rent was fixed for 66 years, and these expenditures had to be met in the meantime, as the rents from endowments were not a tithe of what was necessary for pensions and education. The general feeling in Parliament was that the endowment bill was a bad one, and it was only carried because it was a party measure. The o.r.p. tenure was the only satisfactory one for the settler, and notwithstanding the cry of unearned increment, some people were so fond of making, the increment of the pioneer was very hardly earned and thoroughly deserved.

NATIVE LANDS. Mr. Massey said he considered the settlement of the Native lands one of the most important matters in the whole country. The Auckland district in particular would benefit, and had the greatest interests at stake. After considerable thought on the subject he had come to the conclusion that some of those who posed as leaders of the Maoris were really obstructing jjthe settlement of the difficulty, and as long as the Native Office remained the same trouble would be found. Millions of acres were lying idle, and the Natives were without an objective. Invest them with the same rights and responsibili-

ties as the Pakeha, and the difficulty would soon cease to be a difficulty. As to the tenure of towns such as Te Kuiti, Otorohanga and Taumarunui the position was a disgrace to ali concerned. Under such conditions the progress of the place was astounding. Whatever he could do to improve existing conditions would be heartily rendered. He was sorry to see there was a prospect of the flower of our young men flocking to Queensland, and the exodus which threatened was undoubtedly due to disturbing legislation, which was detrimental to a country in every respect.

FINANCIAL. Mr. Massey agreed with the Premier that a borrowing policy was necessary in order to develope the country, and only by judicious borrowing and expenditure could we hope to progress. However, there were many questionable methods employed by the Government. Parliamentary grants, for instance, were used largely for political purposes, and with such an avenue for influence there could hardly fail to be mistakes and wrongs perpertrated. Parliament should cease to be a huge Board of Works, and extend fuller powers and an assured finance to local bodies.

Mr. Massey, who was frequently applauded, also dealt with old age pensions, and advocated the establishing of a universal system of pensions. Superannuation and classification were excellent features of the Government policy, but in order to be consistent the scheme should be extended to embrace not only the civil servants but the individual members of the State. In dealing with the policy of the Government, Mr Massey described it as a system of compromise, and instanced the Land Bill, Gambling Bill, and other measures adopted during the past session, as indicating the uncertain policy of the Ministry. The Opposition platform was a progressive one, and advocated the establishment of a Civil Service Board, security 'of land tenure, the opening of Nativ% Extension of the powers of local bodies, systematic roading of the out districts, and the education of the rising generation coupled with equal justice to all parts of New Zealand, the encouragement of industry and freedom from unnecessary restrictions. (Applause).

At the conclusion of the speech a vote of thanks for the address and confidence in Mr Massey, as Leader of the Opposition, proposed by Mr R. Cashel, and seconded by Mr H. Mussen, was carried unanimously by acclamation.