THE LAND BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3754, 21 February 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

OPPOSITION CRITICISMA complimentary garden party was tendered to Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, at Pukekohe, on Saturday, by the Political Reform League, Despite threatening weather, there was a large attendance, the number of people present being close upon 2500, including a large contingent from the Auckland, Manukau, and Waikato districts.

Mr Massey, replying to an address, referred to the position taken up by the Opposition party last session. He said that the Opposition had exercised an important influence for good on the legislation then placed on the statute. It was generally understood that the duty of the Government was to lead Parliament, but the present Opposition pn many occasions, had led the Government, He instanced the advances to workers, the proper audit of the public accounts and other measures. It was only, he said, the determined stand taken up by the Opposition that had prevented the Government’s obnoxious Land Bill from being forced upon the country last session. Had it not been for the Opposition’s attitude, the lands of the colony would have been “ McNabbed ” . (laughter), and successful settlement would have been rendered impossible They had let the Government understand 'that if they proceeded with the Land Bill they, might make preparations for eating their Christmas dinner in Wellington. That' prospect did not appeal to the Government, and they knew the result. He held that a . proposal which involved the nationalising of 17,000,000 acres of leased arid unleased Crown lands and the making of it impossible for the tenants and their successors for all time to acquire the freehold should not be passed until the electors had been consulted. (Hear, hear.) That was the position the Opposition had taken up, and they were prepared to adhere to it. (Applause.) The vessel launched in Wellington last session with a blast of trumpets and the beating of drums, and with the title, “ Land Bill, 1906,” painted in big letters across her bows, turned out to be not a battleship, but a scow, (Laughter.) And Admiral Ward and Lietutenant McNab , showed that they were more inclined to cut and run than to advance to the attack, (Laughter.) The dictum and the defeat suffered by the Opposition at last election would prove a crushing one had it not been verified. The Opposition party or the Moderates, if he might use the expression, were now much stronger in the country than they had been for the last dozen j'ears. That was proved by such a large gathering that afternoon, in spite of the unpropitious, weather., If they wanted another proof they had it in the presence amongst them that ' day. of Mr Lang, M.H.R. (Applause.)/ In spite of the : efforts of the Minister who had come up to the Manukau electorate at the public expense and the assistance of the whole following of leaseholders, land nationalises and single-taxers, Mr Lang had won the election. (Applause.) That ‘ 1 eternal vigilance is the price of liberty ” was as true now as ever it was. Those who believed in the freehold should remember that the other side was working quietly and silently, and working all the time. The people of the colony were simply being played with in connection with the Crown and native lands questions, and public expenditure, especially public works expenditure, and appointments to the Legislative Council. (Hear, hear.) Referring to those appointments, he said that he was no supporter of a system which allowed one man or a section of men to appoint legislators for the whole colony. Whilst, however, that system obtained, it was the duty of the Government for the time being, to recommend the Governor to appoint the men who were the best fitted to occupy the position. (Hear, hear.) He would not refer to any individual cases, but he would say that men had been appointed to the Legislative Council who had not the slightest chance of being elected to the Lower House, men who had never been of the slightest use to their fellow-colonists, and who never would be. (A voice; They are of the right colour.) Yes, they were of-the right colour, it was true, but they would be of no use to the colony during the seven years for which they were entitled to draw £2OO a year and travelling expenses. Men had been appointed to the Legislative Council who had vainly appealed time after time to the electors. It seemed to be a case of “If you can’t get in by the garden gate, get over the garden wall.’’ (Laughter,) The present system of appointments under which the power of appointment was used for party purposes was a blot upon our democracy. The appointments of some of the men included in the batch was nothing less than a positive affront to the electors. (Hear,. hear.) He hoped that the electors, assisted by the press, would help the Reform party in Parliament in bringing about a state of affairs more in keeping with democratic principles. There was, he was glad to say, still a strong party in the country who believed in honest government and in a genuine democracy, and who were anxious to do the best possible for the people as a whole. Speeches were also made by Messrs Lang, Herries, Bollard, and Mander, M.H.R.’s, R. Monk and C. J. Parr. Mr Herries, in the course of his speech, said the time was coming

when it would not be a question-6 Ward or Massey, but of a strong country party under the leadershi p ot Mr Massey. At the conclusion of the speeches, a presentation of a handsome feather boa was made by the ladies’ committee to Mrs Massey,as a mark of esteem and of appreciation of her husband’s services.