THE PREMIER'S POLICY SPEECH
OPPOSITION REPLY. (Per Prese .Association.) Milton, Last Night. Mr. Jwmes Allen, M.P., addressed A meeting of his constituents to-night, this being the lirst of m series of addresses by him in reply to the Prime Minister's Winton speech. He repelled Sir Joseph Ward's charge of the Opposition misrepresenting the political situation. The Opposition had pointed out the extravagance of the Government, and proof of their contention ■was found in the Premier's admission that the Government could save a quarter of a million yearly without impairing the efficiency of the Civil Service. The Opposition had represented that these were improper charges made on the Public Works Fund, and proof that they were correct was that these charges were gradually being transferred to the Consolidated Fund, where they ought always to have been. As to alleged misrepresentation for political aims, the Opposition denied tlhe charge altogether. Indeed, "the boot was on the other leg," Then, it was the Opposition who suggested to the Government that the graduated land-tax was the proper means of compelling large estates to 1» divided up, with the result, so for as they were personally concerned, that large "landowners who had been their supporters dropped them altogether. Mr. Allen also referred to the action of the Opposition on behalf of local bodies, and pointed out what they had done in the way of improving the Oldage Pensions Act, the Land Settlement Finance Act, and the Workers' Homes Act.
On the subject of defence, lie differed from the Minister of Defence on details, but on general .principles he would support him. He admitted it would be difficult to select 20,000 men out of the 65,000 available 'between the ages of 18 ana 25, but tKis solution was to make exemptions fairly extensive. The increased cost on account of defence proposals amounted to about £320,000, but the increased taxation asked for in the Budget waa £448,000. He believed if reasonable core had been taken with regard to expenditure, and some sense shown in remissionsof taxation, there would have been no occasion for further taxation at all. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Allen for his address, and the meeting expressed continued confidence in him as member for Bruce;
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 37, 24 May 1910, Page 4
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373THE PREMIER'S POLICY SPEECH Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 37, 24 May 1910, Page 4
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