MR MASSEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 376, 29 April 1910, Page 5

MR MASSEY.

THE OLD, OLD STORY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hokitika, Last Might. Mr. W. F. Massey, M.l\, delivered a political audress at Hokitika to-ni'dit lasting two hours. He received a hearty reception. The speaker criticised at length the administration of the present Government. The matter of tile financial adviser's appointment was traversed ;also the linancial position of the Dominion, demonstrating that for tile past two years the public debt and taxation had increased by 33s per capita. He claimed to have lirst initiated the Advances to Workers Act, for which the Government claimed the credit, which iwas always the case, as they had no policy 01 their own. His original proposal*was knocked out at the time, but the members on the Government side had clamored until the Premier introduced a Bill in which was embodied his idea. The Premier was told to say that that particular department was now doing good work, in regard to the Land Act, he believed in giving the people the right to have the option of making their holdings freehold. The people had been told that the freehold system conduced to the aggregation of lange estates, but this was not so if it was governed by proper legislation. In connection with native lands matters, he strongly advocated that the natives should be placed on exactly the same footing as Europeans. He considered it most unfair that the natives should reap the benefit derived from the reserves, not by their own industry, hut owing to the expenditure of public money. The matter of Parliamentary grants came in for severe criticism, and Mr. Massey stated tlmt members of Parliament were unaware of the amounts to be allocated to the districts represented .by other local governments. Government reform was absolutely necessary, according to Mr. Massey, who said he would be very glad if he never again heard the word "road" or "bridge'' mentioned in the House. He condemned the present Act by which the local bodies were put to increased expense in the Avay of loans. The speaker dealt with the retrenchment scheme, the new Defence Act, the water-power question, the methods of the Government Advertising Department, and various other matters pertaining to the administration of the Government. He concluded by saying that he was of the opinion that his side would win at the next election. Mr. Massey, who received a good reception throughout his address, was ac- ! corded a vote of thanks or his able and statesmanlike address, and for the valuable services rendered by him for j many years in the Parliament of New ' Zealand. The meeting closed with acclamation.