MR MACKENZIE'S SPEECH.

Grey River Argus, 25 September 1909, Page 1

MR MACKENZIE'S SPEECH.

THE LAND QUESTION. THE LEASE IN PERPETUITY. The :Hpn. T. Mackenzie remark«d , that ■ not only did he travel, on the deotdoneering tour at his own expense but he wouJd.jaot draw a penny of Ministerial salary, eoitiher in reply 5 to Mr Massey's, sneeaft that he did 1 not kno\y itihe difference between a Southdown and a Suffolk punch, he would ask his heaters \vihat thoise farmers ' who seat him; to represent them at the Pastoral Conferences thouglhfof his knoiwredge of ■• a^cuteral ■ mat-- ; texs? The president ctf the Farmers' Union had wxibten thait.; the speaker's revision of the : /d^yAir^^latic>ns| : ,-.if carred out, would' mean" a' mollion a' year to the conwnuiuty. By reference tcr documentary proof} he - showed how he iiad ffiven the producers of meat and wool accurate advice re-g-axding- the future prices of their products.; When he-came to Rangitiked he was itold that the question he fjeared to face was the land question, "'but a Mackenzie was never afraid to face anytihing. They were told thai this : 'wais a leasehold Government, but now could it be a leasehold .Government vihen all the Crovm lands opened! for setClemeiit — exceipit endowninents — were opened under ithe optional . clause es? The country seititlers had much to tfiank the Goyerament- lor in its ,effo.fts to priyide'/ a g-ood tienuure for the settiems, tjju-t : lie adniitited .ijv^theife I "was tiot maich ":\ to .tihank-lhem^f or in | eskin^r tihem' :toexdKange he- 099 yeaard lease for atthifyy^lhiree iy«iars' ldase. i jHe maed no secret of \vikatweret liis in'tenrtflonis. He Was r ©rigln n a^y a le)asehx>l'der in .respect to- that partidulot •system, ibiit he was not so now- for maiiy feasoois -He •- was perfectly prepaTed to fiive Chose who held lands under the land'! for sertrtleinients "syste nuthe freehiolid:' „ ','■'■„.■,.,/•■■ '■„. ■,.,/•■ ..--■■■■ A voice: Is Mf Miliar? Mo: Mackenibie: "I speak for myself." Tlhe Gojvemment desired -to see the mosit initense cultdyatibn o£. New Zealand's landis. It Wias ibeexming im-> peraitive that tha laind should be: as closely settled ais passiibile : \ ;. ..'.".VVhyr don't you thirow open the Grown lands f" sihouted a listener.' The 'Minister: : "JDo you know' that 646 peciD>!« took .tup landis under .the bijtional tenure la's* y.oar, and thlat at no time ift "tiie'coiinitry's History, considearinsr the dimiiiislhiilg' area.:; of I Grown lands, bias settlement/gone ' on s-o rapidiv '/" In order ithlat; survey ing should be ra/pidfly puis(h«d . oa all trenched einployeeg:o(f;;t!he Roadis|&epaiitmenit.Twihk> would- take- up tMs -work

"• - had been put on. , If his hearers .;-.' cared to. listen.; to the fixtures he could show them that similar anterprise was beingf shown ia» jrecard to our native ' lands, and if lie came to Ranfritikei ( next election, he. would be able to de- - mo'nsitravc' that "'%bait he said was fact: I It had been msg&ked that Mr SmitE f had altered hi s .polidoal principles, i If men 'dh&iiTg«d with . the r Rpirit of : die facveai 'tihay ware justafied i in- doinfi 90 (< f A|>plad se) . - : DEFINITE CHARGE WANTED. ' He joined Mr ,MiKar L in asking that ' a d^nitfe ""tilar^o whould b«e made • by Mr Mtta£>«7 His own experience ' as 4-^Miiid^te* showed that no set of • mop 1 wei^ moire .detexmined to do rififnit 1 and ..jJhiait ebonof>sr"vrais carefully prac--1 tis&J -, "Thft. fac* M,' concluded Mr ; Macken'W :^'^i.esr tnjur our virtues more than tlhey dread uus vices." (Lauiffhter and chteis). , ; (Upon., A* m<rjtf!b.n «j* Mr ; James Smith seconded by Mr McGoTimick die speaker* were cordially thanked for their and when the. motion was beingf put tSe audience insisted U)poi» 44d|fngr an expression of ' confidence it?, (the Governmem. TIKe meetii^iamcluded-witih rouaihg ' cheers for tibe Govcrnanent and the" Liberal candidate. ' -