POLITICAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3028, 27 October 1908, Page 6

POLITICAL.

MR MASSEY AT FOLDING. By Telegraph—Press Association. I-'EILDING, October 26. There was an overflowing audience at the Drill Hall this evening, when Mr Massey replied to the recent speech delivered by Sir J. G. Ward. Mr Massey received a cordial reception. He explained that the Opposition policy comprised the restoration of Parliamentary control of the public finances by improving I the system o* public audit and by restricting the power now possessed by the Ministry of the day of expending upon one object moneys voted _by Parliament for another; the estabhshment of a civil service board with I the object of excluding political inihionop, in making public appoint-

merits; the establishment of a sound and assured system of local Government finance with a view to the equitable distribution and economical expenditure of public money; the encouragement of land settlement by restoring the system of granting Crown lands upon the optional plan with cower 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 race the privilege of disposing of their land to the best advantage in the open market, but subject-(1) To a sufficient area of good and accessible land being reserved in alienably for the support of each native and his descendants; (2) to the same restriction to area to be acquired by any one settler as pertains to Crown lands with the object of preventing the aggregation of large estates; the maintenance and improvement of our national system of education, and in .particular by increasing the minimum remuneration and raising the status of country teachers.; the reduction of duties on the necessaries of life; the reform of the system of carrying on public works with a view to assure efficiency and economy; amendment of the Arbitration Act, such as will provide a sufficiently powerful deterrent against strikes or failing that to secure simple means of conciliation;

the reduction of duties on the necessaries of life, and appliances required in the Dominion's industries; the encouragement of immigration of the 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 vitality and the independent character of fchs perple. Mr Massey admitted that concessions had been made it. the tariff on some articles but had been put upon others, particularly agricultural and mining implements. In 1898 the taxation per head was £3 10s sd, and in 1908 £5 0s lid. He condemned the Government's proposal for new buildings for Parliament, etc., saying that they would cost altogether £500,000 Regarding native land not a single acre had been settled as the result of the operations of the Native Lands Commission. The Opposition were willing to assist the Government on the question if given the opportunity. He generally condemned the Second Ballot Bill, and spoke in support of the volunteer system. Mr Massey concluded a two hours' speech in a perfect furore of applause." After several questions had been satisfactorily answered a cordial vote of thanks for the honour done to the town by Mr Massey's visit and confidence in the Opposition was carried by a large majority.