THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1911. MR MASSEY'S SPEECH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10281, 8 July 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1911. MR MASSEY'S SPEECH.

Although only twelve lines were sent to the country newspapers, of the Dominion concerning the speech delivered by Mr W. F. Massey, ■ Leader of the Opposition, at Wellington, the city papers have considered it of sufficient importance to devote columns of their valuable space to it. It would appear, from the reports in dttbe Wdlington. newspapers, that Mr Massey reoewied a great ovation. His iramarks were punctuated with applause, and, at the conclusion of his -speech, there was a scene of marked enthusiasm. The policy enunciated by the Leader of the Opposition was not dissimilar to that announced by Mr Henries at Palmei-aton North. It contained, however, several new •planks which deserve commendation. In the first place, Mr Massey demand® a thorough investigation of the finances of the country, with a vaejar: to keeping borrowing within reasonable limits, and of preventang wasteful extravagance. He also Bug-

gests a reform of the fiscal system, in, order to lessen the cost of living. This is surely a democratic proposal, and one which wall commend itself to the people. The exercising of reasonable economy in administration should effect a sufficient saving to enable the duty to be removed from quite a number of the neoessairi.es. of life, without imposing taxation in other directions. The clear and concise exposition, of the Opposition's land policy will awaken enthusiasm in the rural districts, for the reason that it offers what the country meeds for the speedy, settlement of the land. The proposals of Mr Massey for opening the Native lands for .settlement bear the impress of statesmanship and common-sense. The demand for a reform of the Legislative Council will find an echo throughout the constituencies, for the Chamber, as at present constituted, is a sham, and a delusion. The suggested reform of local government, in the direction of extending the powers and assuring the finance of local authorities, is not new. It has, however, so much to recommend it that it is almost beyond criticism. An important item in the. platform of Mr Massey was. that reducing the ago at which women may qualify for old age pensions to sixty years. Tins would, no doubt, involve an increased expenditure; but that it is a liberal and humane proposal, is at once apparent. Another democratic and Mghly important suggestion was the promotion of legislation in favour of compulsory insurance against sickness and unemployment. Tins will at once commend itself to the masses of the people; for the reason that the cost of living at the present time aggravates the desperation of those who are unemployed. The final proposal to reform the economic system, in order to promote industrial peace and restore l public confidence, has everything to recommend it. Taking the platform announced by Mr Maasey in the aggregate, it strikes one as a masterpiece of democratic reform, pregnant, of possibilities, capable of realisation,, and comprehensive in. detail. The Opposition, can no longer be reproached with Conservatism!. It can no longer be accused of being without a policy.- It has risen high above the suspicion of being reactionary. It has earned the title of "Liberal" in its truest and besrt sense. The country has now to choose between a i party of progress and economy, and j one which has developed from the democracy into a titled" aristocracy, { and is absolutely and positively bankrupt of a policy.