POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 234, 26 June 1908, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

; MR. MASSEY AT TE KUITI. TAXATION increasing yearly, [BY TELEGItAra. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, Juno 25. Mr. Massey, in a spccch at To Kuiti, replying to tlio Premier's recent utterances, said that a majority of Ministers woro prepared to accopt the Socialist platform, while probably not 25 per cent, of tlio peoplo of the country were in sympathy with it. Sir Joseph Ward's statement as to taxation was both right and wrong. No-direct taxation had been imposed, but tlio unimproved yaluo of land had been increased to a great degrco, and tho land-tax and death duties were increasing rapidly in consequence. An official return showed that taxation was increasing yearly. Mr. Massey contradicted a statement that'tlm Opposition was antagonistic to workers. It was thoroughly democratic and liberal, and anxious for tho wellbeing of tho country and tho people. Mi'. Massoy was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and wao subsequently entertained at a, banquet.

THE LAND QUESTION. (BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT). . Auckland, June 25. Speaking at To.Kuiti last night, Mr. Massoy. condemned tho Government/land settlement, policy, and strongly advocated the op-tional-tenuro for all lands opened for settlement. The policy of tlio Government ho characterised as strongly Socialistic, and tlio recent exodus of farmers to Queensland was largely attributablo to disturbing legislation. Despite the Prime Minister's assurance that revolutionary Socialism was not tho policy of the Ministry, revolutionary Socialism was the doctrino encouraged. The renewed leaso meant land nationalisation, and tho cry made about endowments being necessary to meet expenditure for pensions and education was ridiculous. The back blocks settlers deserved to get the inuch-talked-of unearned increment.' For years the pioneer had no increment whatever. Afterwards, what_ ho did get was very hardly earned. , The Primo Minister's recent experience,of King_ Country roads should do much to emphasise the fact that the increment was earned to tho full. The speaker warned settlors that the: nationalisation process was ■ going;- on ; overy year. They only liaa to consider tho per-, sonnel of tho Cabinet to know that attempts would be. mado to keep tho process going' stronger. Auckland would, suffer most as' a-result. i THE FRANKLIN SEAT. (by telegraph—rr.EFa association.') Auckland, June 25. Mr. J. T. Stenbridge, storekeeper of Hiuiua, has decided to contest the Franklin seat in the Government interests against. Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the'.Opposition, at tho forthcoming olection. OFFER TO LABOUR LEADERS.' , (BY TELEGRAPE.—rRESB ASSOCIATION.) Timaru, June 25. 'Mr. J. M. Twomey, ex-M.L.C., has offered' to supply tlio Labour loaders of, Christchurcli and JJunedin with what ho sayS .would mako their organisation the most popular in the Dominion, whilo it would do good to the workers, and would injure nobody. Tho Labour leaders, of, both cities declined on the ground,that Mr. Twomey's proposals might conflict' with 'somo of their long-cherished ideas. Yesterday Mr. Twomey challenged Mr. Tom Mann to debate Socialism; tho object being to givo the workers'a-better platform. : Mr. Mann cleclined. 1 .

TRAPES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. The Parliamentary ■ Committees of • the Trades and Labour .Council .reported to last night's meeting that, as yet, it 1 had'no, report to'make on Dr. Findlayls recent speech, or oniany Labour :,s «