MR JAMES ALLEN AT MILTON.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13980, 1 March 1911, Page 8

MR JAMES ALLEN AT MILTON.

We welcome the early appearance of Mr James Allen on the political platform, not merely because it will be interesting to henr -what Sir Joseph Ward lias to cay in reply to ais critic'sm of the Government's policy, particularly with regard to the Dominion's finances, but because it is the earnest of a vigorous Opposition campaign during the coming months. The Prime Minister, making the utmost of the short time at hie disposal before ho leaves for London, has been displayTng remarkable activity in delivering political addresses in various parts of tbo Dominion, but without making much impression, so far as one can gather, upon the public mind, whita his avoidance of certain important matters, notably the land question, has left loopboles for comments uf •which far less acuto critics than the loaders of the Opposition Party could hardly fail to take advantage. Mr Massey has prosecuted a lively little campaign in the far north, and Mr Allen's address is a gratifying proof that the Leader of the Opposition is not to be loft to carry on single-handed the task of educating the public aa to the results of the Government's administration. A good deal of work of this kind will have to be done during the next few months, if the Opposition are to improve their position, for they can appeal only to the intelligence and common-senso of the electors. They cannot indulge in the cheap luxury—cheap, because carried out with public money—of promising here a bridge and there a new post office, an improved telephone service to one township and a vote for a road to another. In the. end, however, com-mon-senae usually prevails, and we are confident that the public are realising that the process of being bribed with their own money is unsatisfactory and expensive, and that a Government which site so consistently on the fence, which borrows its policy so largely from its opponents, and which displays such a lamentable lack of courage in dealing with dobateable questions, is undeserving of support. Mr Allen's speech last night was characteristically thorough and pointed. Fewmembers of the House approach him in ability to grasp the intricate details of the Government's financial methods and to point out its weaknesses and fallacies. His clear analysis of the Prime Minister's figures shattered the arguments of which they formed the flimsy basis. Sir Joseph. Ward's boast.

that the great increase in the revenue was not due to increased taxation was shown to so utterly inaccurate that if Sir Joseph really believed what he had said, he would have proved himself to be an even worse authority on finance than we think him to be. As a matter of proved fact, the increase in tho revenue, in so far as it is.not duo to causes for which the Government was no more responsible than it was for the latest earthquake, is the result of the increase in the bunion of taxation which tho Government have been piling on to the shoulders of the taxpayer, who would have had a good deal more to say about it if it had not been that good times have helped him to carry the load with comparative ease. "When the accounts for tho financial year close at tho end of tho current month we shall doubtless hear plenty from the Ministers left in New Zealand about the wonderful results of tho Government's administration, and wo shall look forward then with pleasure to Mr Allen's ruthless exposure of tho true facts of the position, so far as they are given to the.public. In the meantime, his references to the growth of the cost of interest on our indebtedness, to the hollowncss of tho Government's promises of public works, and to the cost of raising loans, particularly the five-million loan of last year, may bo read with profit. They indicate the other side of the picture that Sir Joseph Ward painted in such flattering colours at Ashburton, and if the result is not so pretty, it is at least a faithful and holiest representation of tho matters dealt with. We hope that Mr Allen will be induced to speak in Christehurch before the session opens; a few such addresses would do much to stimulate that interest in political matters which is so desirable, and at present seems to be dormant-