MR MASSEY ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7913, 29 September 1909, Page 4

MR MASSEY ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 28. Speaking at a social to Mr F. W. Lang, M.1., to-night, Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, referred to the approaching session. They were, he said, going down to Welling- j ton for the session when they should j really be closing it if they had commenced at the usual time, but that was not his fault or that of anyone there that night. They were anxious to do their duty, but he did not get a chance of doing it. The responsibility was not theirs/ and they were told that the session they were just on the eve of commencing was to be a very important and a very interesting one. He believed that such would prove to be the case. They would have to deal m the first instance with the report of Sir Joseph Ward on the Imperial Defence Conference. He had no doubt that this would be discussed at great length. Another matter, said Mr Massey, which would have to be dealt with was that of finance. He was sorry to say that the financial position of the country was more unsatisfactory than it had been for a very long time past. It was quite possible that proposals would be made for the increase of taxation, and he might tell them that there was nothing so detrimental to the interests of this country, or of any other country, as piling up the burden's of the people. Then they would have to consider the retrenchment scheme which had been brought about by political and unsatisfactory control of the

public service. He saw that they were to have a consolidating-measure dealing with native lands, but they, wanted more than that; and'what they .wanted was some measure ■ which, while doing no injustice to the natives, would open up the land for -European settlers. What he was: sure of was that m the rush a great many things would be overlooked, and it might or might not be the case—but he hoped that by Christmas they would overtake arrears which had been accumulating. In many respects, concluded Mr Massey, New Zealand, m comparison with other countries, was going back. We were not holding our own on account ot our land legislation. That this was so was proved by the fact that last winter several tiionsands' of the pick of our population were attracted to other countries, because, perhaps, they thought that the conditions of life wore easier there. Whether we should get back the population that left our shores last winter still remained to be seen. He sincerely hoped that we would, but it seemed to him that the first thine; Parliament had to do was to make the necessary provision for our people to remain by opening up the land on a satisfactory tenure, and so provide work for those who were anxious to obtain employment. \\ hat was really wanted was a policy such as was likely to send the dominion ahead, but this was a policy we were.not likely to get. ' '