SPEECH BY MR MASSEY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 260, 27 October 1908, Page 2

SPEECH BY MR MASSEY

RJvPLY TO THE PREMIER. THE OPPOSITION'S POLICY. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Feilding, Last Sight. There was an overflowing audience at the Drill Hall this evening, when, Mr. Massey replied to the recent speech delivered by Sir »oseph Ward. The Mayor occupied the chair, and Mr. Massey received a cordial receptionAfter alluding in graceful terms to the retirement of Mr. Lelhbridge, lie explained that the Opposition policy comprised the restoration of party control of the public finances by improving the system of public audit; to restrict the power now possessed by the Ministry of the day of expending upon one object moneys voted by Parliament for another; the establishment of a Civil Service Board with the object of excluding political influence in making public | appointments; the establishment of a I sound and assured system of local gov-

ernment finance with a view to tni" equitable distribution and economical expenditure of public money, in place of theVesent system of arbitrarily varied Ministerial grants and doles; the encouragement of land settlement by restoring the system of granting Crown lauds for settlement on the option-.il plan with power to all existing and future tenants to acquire the freehold upon equitable terms, but subject to provision for preventing the creation of large estates; settlement of the native land question by the rapid individualisation of all native titles and by affording to the native nice the privilege of disposing of their lands to the best advantage in the open .market, but suuject (1) to a sullicient area of good and accessible land being reserved inalienably for the support of each native and his" descendants, and (2) to the same

restrictions as to area w "e «ii«»-« ] by any one settler as pertains to Crown lands, with the object oi preventing- the aggregation of large estates; the maintenance and improvement of our - national system of education, and in par-lii-ular bv increasing,-the minimum remuneration and raising the status of country teachers; the reduction of (luties"<ni the necessaries of life; the reform of the systAi of carrying on public works, with ji view to assure efficiency and -economy; amendments or the Arbitration Act such as will provide a sufficiently powerful deterrent against strikes, or, failing that, to secure sini;>''e means" of conciliation; the reduction of duties on the necessaries of life and appliances required in the Dominion's industries; the encouragement of the immigration of tie right stamp of British settlers; the improvement of the defence forces of the Dominion by encouraging every citizen to take a .personal share in the defence of his country and his home; the encouragement of private enterprise and individual effort, and the opposing by every legitimate •means of that tendency to socialism and dependence on the State which is sapping the virility and the independent character of the people; the promotion and encouragement by every .proper means of the candidature for Parliament of honorable awl capable men, so as to ensure purity oi politics and honesty of administration. He condemned the Minister for Edue'i- ' tion's statement that teachers would not receive higher increment than £:'>, ' which Parliament never intended. Ho 1 compared the land tenure optional ays- ■ teui with the present provisions, to the '■ advantage of the former; and ridiculed - the setting apart of nine million acres U as a national endowment, as a blind to I please a section of the community. Ho '' said increased taxation had taken pla;'u especially in the so-called unimproved . I values and in the Stamp Department.

He admitted concessions had been made in the tariff on some articles, but it liail been .put upon others, particularly agricultural and mining implements. In 1808 the taxation per head was £3 10s sd, ami in 1008 .ta 0s lid. He condemned the Government's proposed jiew buildings for Parliament, etc., saying they would cost altogether £500,001).

Regarding native land, not a single acre had been settled as a result of the operations of the Native Lands Commission. The Opposition were willing to assist the Government on the question if given tlie opportunity. He generally condemned the Second Ballot Bill. He spoke in support of the volunteer system, and urged the encouragement of cadet corps for youths under 21, who should be taught 'to use the rille and drill.

The dairy regulations he condemned as too stringent. The amendments to the Arbitration Act were improvements, but they did not go far enough in the direction of the Canadian system, lie referred to the liberal laws of the old .party, from Boweu to Atkinson, and condemned the Government for borrowing too much local money. They should borrow in Jx>ndoii. Local bodies should be allowed to do a great deal of work at present performed by Parliament, and should be given assured finance. Mr. Masscy concluded: "Support t'te liovermueiil candidates if you bclicv.: in the leasehold anil .Maori landlordism; if you believe in single tax (putting all the taxation en the laud). Remember ) that single tax is represented in the I Cabinet. Support the government if you oelieve in, taxation.. Dairy farmers, remember the proposed dairy regulations, if you want the drift towards the. worst form of socialism to continue, support the Government— remember the statements of Sir Joseph Ward and Dr. Fiudlay. Support the Government if you believe in waste and extravagance in the expenditure of public money. Think of the .scheme for rebuilding Parliament Buildings and other similir schemes. Support the Government if you believe in taxing appliances for agriculture and mining purposes; if you believe in the Second Ballot Bill, with its gag clause and its underlying principle of allowing majorities to tyrannise over minorities and preventing minoiities from having any representation in the Parliament of the country. On the other hand, if you want satisfactory legislation and dean and economical administration; ii you want Parliament as a whole to he made directly representative of the people; if you want the native lands settled with satisfaction to both races; if you want to have private enterprise and'individual efforts encouraged; if you want a better system of local government; if you waiit to see volunteering encouraged and the defences of the colony placed on a satisfactory footing; it you want to see the country prosperous and every man given a fair chance of improving his positini in life-vole for the Opposition candidate."

He concluded n two hours' speech in a perfect furore of applause, which marked the address throughout. After .several questions had been satisfactorily answered, a eorclial vote of thanks for the honor done the town liv Mi'. Massey's visit and ecniidciico in the Opposition was carried In a lame majority.