POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 67, 28 June 1910, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

MB. MASSEY AT TAUMARUNUI. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. Mr. Massey addressed a meeting at Taumarunui on Saturday night He condemned the Crown Lands Act as a relic of barbarism, and said that to meet' the rapidly increasing debt of the country a progressive land policy was aosolutsly necessary, but it was impossible unless the freehold was granted. Canada, the Argentine, Queensland, and ■ West Australia gave the freehold, and , New Zealand would never hold her own in the race of nations if she did not I adopt this tenure. ! He admitted last year's act greatly (simplified the law with regard to native land but legislation was less important I than administration, and did anyone J seriously look for energetic adminatra- | tion from the gentleman who controlled : the Native Department? The solution I of the problem would be giving Natives /the same rights as Europeans. Native* ; should be encouraged to occupy their | own lands, and where they failed to do I so should be subject to the same rates i and taxes as Europeans. This could not be done till the present complicated restrictions were removed. The Native Minister would not go an inch further than Parliiuiient pushed him. Mr. Massey said that owing to the / popular vote at last election the opposition was growing in strength, and before long the voice of the people would , summon those who mismanaged tlnir affairs to hand the reins of Government to better men. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation, and subsequently Mr. Massey was given a banquet at which a : large company was present. THE COMING SESSION'S WORK. Wellington, Monday. Judging from remarks by Sir Joseph : Ward in an interview, a big effort will lip made during the session to pass a '.<■ Bill providing for the expenditure of half a million yearly on developing the water- >• r"-iurees of the Dominion for the supply J . of electrical energy and lighting.. Also a ■ measure designed to prevent the crea- ■ tion of trusts and combines to carry out proposals for the establishment of j sinking funds for the repayment of all loans, past and future, and to prevent * nnv Government using those funds for anv other purpose than the repayment... of those loans. There arc, of course, ' main- other important legislative proposals, such as elective harbour boards, prison reform, post audit of public nc- 1 counts, and national annuities, but Bir' Joseph Ward says that if the water supplv , sinking funds, and anti-trust legislation is carried out it will be sufficient to make any one session memor-