OPPOSITION PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 142, 10 March 1908, Page 8

OPPOSITION PLATFORM.

• : —* : —'. • SOME OF .THE " PLANKS." (BY TSI.EGtti.PH—SI'EOUL COUttESPONEKNT.I j Auckland, .-March 9. Tho organiser of the Opposition party.(Mr. R.. R. Martin), in a speech at'lvawakawa," enumerated , and : enlarge : dupon some of tho "planks" as shown in tho constitution■ of tho Political Reform League To secure businesslike, .prudent, arid honest administration.' ' ; • • *' , The' restoration of true Parliamentary government—government. of all by and through their ■ representatives freely homing atcd and elccted without interference oil the part of the' Ministry of 1 the day. : ' " ; ' The restoration of. Parliamentary control, of'tho public finances, arid to this end .the repeal of the ' obnoxious ' provisions of the Public Revenues Act, 1900.'/ ■ The abolition-of the methods of presenting 'tho public accounts in use. ' Tho'refbnri of.the Legislative Council! The." reform of ..the method , of'mating, ap'ppi'ntments 'to the. public ~ service so as 'to,, ! ex'cludoi "political" influence ..in making such appointments' •" . ... , Local, government reform,' assuring .V the equitable distribution of Government moneys instead" of. Ministerial ''grants arid doles. Land . laws reform _ (including the honie- : stead system and option of freehold to all, and provision to prevent'large.holdings). . r .'.Native land settlement. ~ • ' " .Improvements in jtlie, education : system.: " ' Recluctisri; of duties', on thenecessaries ot life. ' .. ■; '|\ ' : "■ Reform of administration of justice,, especially by file raising of the atatus i and emoluments of .' wardens and stipendiary . magistrates.' . '' '-. ' ,V ' The amendment'of the .law of libel in re-: porting public meetings. The proriiotion of such social and industrial reforms as are] demanded by justice and consistent with, liberty. ; To advance and encourage by every proper means the candidature for Parliament of honourable and capable men,: arid' to ' cooperate with all others' having similar ends in view. ' ' " . ■■■■■". Mr. Martin referred to the private occupations of the Ministry, and asked,-how could it bo expected that a' Cabinet, without a single practical farmer among them 'could do justice, to. the farming interests of/this country? : — ......