THE OPPOSITION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 290, 1 September 1908, Page 8

THE OPPOSITION.

MEETINC AT PAHIATUA. SPEECHES BY/MR. W. F. MASSEY AND MR. J. ALLEN. (by TELEGnArH—SrECIAIi HErORTEIt.) Pahiatua, August 31. A political address was delivered this even, ing in tho Olympic Theatre, Pahiatua, by Mr. W. 1. Massey, Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Massey, who journeyed to Pahiatua by tho morning express from Wellington, accompanied by Mr. James Allen, received a cordial welcome at the railway station from a number of supporter's of tho party. In tho afternoon he was driven in a motor car to flooaville, and .was entertained by Mr. Bolton. Keen interest appeared to bo taken in tho visit, and tho address was delivered to a crowded hall, many ladies being among tho largo audience. Mr. D. Crewe (Mayor of Pahiatua) presided, and, several leading residents occupied scats on tho platform.

MR. MASGEY'S SPEECH. Mr. Massey, who was very cordially received, said ho regretted that a throat affection and influenza had prevented him speaking at Pahiatua tho previous week as arranged., On this occasion Mr. Allen, ono of his lieutenants, had como, with him in case ho found himself unable to proceed. He said it was a pleasure to seo a healthy public opinion, and also a pleasure to see Pahiatua prepared to do its duty in that. respect. Speaking of tho visit of the American Fleet he expressed approval of tho welcome that had been accorded' it. Though the people of tho .United States wero under a different form of government, and their flag- was not our flag, still the colours of that flag were the same as ours, and tho two peoples wore kin. We had welcomed them on' behalf of the Empire, and as-i strong man would greet his kinsmen. Ho did not take the view that we would wtnt their . assistance' in the futuro. It was , right that ' we should be on friendly terms '• with a nation that was true to us,, and not, of course, forgetting our duty in the 1 matter of defence. . Still tho Empire was .."strong enough to stand alone, and was increasing in strength day by day' with the growth of tho colonies. '

The Coming Election. Mr. Massey referred to the coming, election, and to the responsibilities that rested with the electors and those elected. . Men of honesty of purpose, and ability and'integrity of character should be chosen, who would do their best for the country as a whole: Ho . deplored the use of public ' money for. party purposes, which was not unknown in this country. (Hear, hear.) The.' maiu issue was that ,the best' men. possibld ' were wanted to manage the" affairs of tha country. Hn had no sympathy with the ■ gospel of idleness that, was being preached in somo quarters, believing in a gospel of work. "We should look ahead in legislating, and shape our course, say, 'for fifty years'. hence. ■. "We should avoid . the ' grindingmonopoly on the one hand, aiid the levelling down influence of Socialism'on .the other. (Applause.) There: should be an assured reward for labour, whether it be 1 of the brain or the hand,-and the industrious man'should not bo called upon by legislation to sharo the result of his industry with-either- the ; drone or the sharper. (Applause.) He said 1 that a great deal of .the time, of Parliament was taken,up by speeches' to electors through either tho press or Hansard. Membors were not found introducing-and holding to legislation likely to cause ■ friction \ with ; prominent sections of the public. \ ■ Labour Matters. Touching on Labour matters, h'e referred to, the failure of . compulsory . arbitration, and the prevalence of > strikes. It was ill tho interest of • the employer to treat his men, properly, and on the other hand tho employer . should get a fair interest on money invested. He advocated' opportunities for both.sides to come' together by their .representatives, so that they might disouss matters amicably and not drift into hostile camps.. (Applause.) The energies of employer and employee should be united against outside competition. .."(Applause.) Liberal land laws were wanted in the country. A man-should be able to get tho freehold. (Applause.)

Soma Needed Rcferms. Other reforms mentioned as desirable were:— , • . . That both Houses should be directly representative of the-people. The fostering of a National Imperial spirit. , Free education from the primary schools' to the universities; - Economy of administration. . • Encouragement of industry : and freedom : 'from restriction. « • A Government was wanted, able to put forward a definite policy which they would carry out. These were all Liberal proposals. Ho recalled Liberal measures that the Opposition had .initiated: The Education Act, by the Hon. Bowen. Female. franchise, by Sir John Hall. National annuities, ,by Sir Harry Atkinson. : . The Government Advances to Workers Act, by the speaker (Mr. Massey). Deferred payment sj-stem and perpetual lease, by Hon. W. Bolleston. ' ' The Opposition had been compared to a brake. Mr.. Massey preferred to compare them to an engine governor. They , had kept the pace steady and sure, infusing energy, and yet checking any wild tendencies that, would shake the machine to pieces. (Laughte.'.)

Flnancc; . Briefly touching on financial matters, Mr. Massey, though admitting the necessity of roads and bridges and a certain amount of borrowing, spoko against depending too largely , on borrowed money, and any tendency to extravagance in borrowing and spending. (Applause.) Ho also said that last year £500,000, was voted for roads and bridges, of which only £300,000 was expended. This year (an election year) it, was proposed to raise tfeo vote by £250,000, and it would bo interesting to see how much, of this money would bo expended after the elections. Ho did not hesitato to say that the local borrowing of the Government had been responsible for the increase on the rates oi moneyiby.at least'l| per cent. ' ' :

Socialism. Mr. Massey spoke at length on Socialism, differentiating between it and' Liberalism. Some, people quoted' the founder of Christianity as tho first Socialist, but Christ's teaching was: " What is mine is thino." Socialism said: "What is thino is mine." Ho mentioned the importance of keepingthe young men in the country, by making the reward of labour and industry just as . safe as in Queensland, Argentine, or other place 3 to which they seemcJ inclined to go. In conclusion, Mr. Massoy dealt with a matter which has been creating tome interest locally. It concerned tho salo of the Pahiatua " Herald" to a local resident by; its previous owner, Mr. Hawkins, »x-M.H.R. Mr. Massey's explanation of the small part ha had played m the matter w* well received by. tho audience, and on resuming bis seat immediately afterwards he was loudly applauded. ■ Throughout tho whole of his speech ho had the audience with him. REMARKS BY MR. J. ALLEN. Mr.' James Allen followed with a strong general criticism of . Government methods. Ho dealt at length with defence matters, stating that the volunteer forco was not what it should be, and complaining ' strongly that tho Government were . not' accepting their responsibilities in initiating 1 radical reforms. Tho Colonial Conference , had given them the plans for reform, and "shown them their responsibilities, which 'were' not, however, put before tho people. _Mr. Allen dealt with industrial and financial matters, the raising of taxation in the last ten years'to £1 per head, and . the increasing burdons on the people. Sir. Allen, like his leader, had an excellent hearing throughout, and was well applauded. Vot«s of Thanks.' ' ■ .' On tho motion of Captain J. B. White, seconded by Mr. J. M'Farlane, Mr. Massey was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, cheera also being callcd for and given. A similar compliment was paid to Sir. Allen.