MR MASSEY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9138, 6 May 1908, Page 5

MR MASSEY.

SPEECH AT GISBORNE. Press Association. Gisborne, May 5. Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, addressed a crowded audience in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. tie criticised the Government policy, and claimed that the Opposition had not only performed useful work in checking and amending bad legislation, but had also propounded proposals amounting to a policy which had actually been placed upon the Statute Book. lie dealt fully with the Arbitration Act and Socialism, and in regard to the matter agreed with the Premier that there must be some provision for tbo classification of the men. The present dead level system must "be amended. He favoured an Appeal Court to which appeals from the Arbitration Court on points of law could be made. He considered the discouragement of apprentices by Unions would cause the colony in the future to have to import its skilled labour. In regard to Socialism, he favoured State assistance, but not taking the place of private enterprise. He strongly urged Unionists to recognise that their interests were not identical with those of Socialists, whoso propaganda if given effect to would prevent the worker from bettering his position. Mr Massey dealt fully with the land question, and criticised the Government’s financial methods in terms of former speeches. Mr Herries, M.P., was also present, and with Mr Massey, leaves for the South to-morrow morning.