"ONLY KITE-FLYING."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 569, 26 July 1909, Page 8

"ONLY KITE-FLYING."

DR. FINDLAY'S, RECENT UTTERANCES. COMMENTS BY MR MASSEY.. (By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.) Auckland, June 24. Mr. W. F. Massey, Lcadei of the Opposition, made somo caustic comments upon Di Fmdlav's lecpnt uttcianccs m Dunedin, in the course of air interview. with your representative.

■■). Tho .first' point he had noticed, Mr.Massoy said,: was in-the opening remarks 'of.thp. Attorney-General, wherein he expressed the opinion that "this country is-in advance of most other countries in progressive legislation." "■.': ;'.' .''; ..'.;.'•' .'.■ ; • ■*..-. ■''

"On that point," remarked the: Oppositiori;Leader, "I.do not agree- with the lion, gentleman. As a matter of fact, if thiscountry - were only level with . most other countries in. the way of progressive legislation, Dr. Fiiidlay might riot be a member of the Legislature, because he is not in any sense of the word a representative of tho people. If this country wero level with other countries, the 'public . service would be appointed and controlled by another and. a better method-'-than".that of political influence. If this country; were level with othor ! countries, its lands could-not be lying idle, and its population .leaving it, as is the .case now." '•:. Mr. Massey produced a letter he had re-ceived-a day or two ago from a friend in Now "South' Wales. ■ He" thought it spoke for itsolf., ; The -writer said: :.. ', . ; .:■

; "I am jetting you know; that your immigration, scheme ;is flowing over. You are only populating New South Wales- Hundreds are arriving by- every boat, including .whole families', assisted, b> New. Zealand. .This 'is. having .'a. very .bad effect on : New' Zealand, v I thought you. had plenty of Native land, to .put them on.", . .'. '■'..'•.

' : .'■'According'-.to my. way.of thinking," continued Mr. Massey, "our trouble has r been, caused; by_ ; ; the fact that, .jfche. Government havo administered the' affairs, of the country for.'a long .tune past -utterly regardless of the first, principles of political economy;' : Hence the extreme scarcity; of capital and consequent in most ,of tho large centres: ;., :■.':-; -] v<'/..; -.. .'.-■•."■.•;'. . ;'' ;.•■ "Dr., Fiiidlay talks at'.a time, like this of the State providing music and art and proper theatres, libraries, art. galleries, and so on. It reminds me. of Nero ifiddling while Rome was burning. . It seems to me to be the. first duty -of the State .at 'this present juncture to bring about a. demand for labour, and to stop the * exodus ;tliat.';is- going on. Let. .Us' hay.o the .necessaries of > life first, ■and- when "'we .are in > possession 'of them, it will be' , ' quite time enough: to talk, of - increasing taxation , with the ..object of. providing ■luxuries." ':. ..■'"•"■''V'"'- ■■; '"," : " ■''./ ■.'•'.'-'■'•'. " '

: Mr.: Massey did not care to say anything ;at present about, the' proposed increase of deatlr duties. ..-.•'•.'.■.'. V'■'-■ '. ..'. •

'; "The Hon.' Dr. Findlay,". he remarked, "is only. kite-flying just yet,' but," he wont on, laughingly,' : "it- looks' as ,if ■' they felt- tHey. were approaching the end when the doctor of the .Ministry recommends his colleagues ■. to ■seriously consider, the subject of .death duties," . \ ..-'"■ ,-.'.-. ,■ , ,-'-,':'.■ '■■'■' '■' -.-". ..■■■■'