PRESENT DAY POLITICS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 156, 18 June 1912, Page 5

PRESENT DAY POLITICS.

PREMIER’S NORTHERN TOUR

DECREASED LAND VALUES PREDICTED.

Whangarei, June 17

The Premier ended his North Island tour with an address to-night before a large audience. Apart from the recapitulation of recent remarks, Mr. Mackenzie said that the Liberal party had put taxation on the shoulders of those best able to bear it, hence the squealing which was heard from the moneyed classed. It was true that it took ten millions per annum to run the country, but five millions of that came from the public service. Profits could not be regarded as taxation, notwithstanding that the members of the Opposition said this was “God’s own country, but had a devil of a Government to lead it.” Prosperity was growing more and more marked. Regarding the land question they were not a band of leaseholders, nor were all those opposed to them freeholders. The Government aimed at giving tenures in accordance with the pockets and other circumstances of those desiring land. He was going to restore the compulsory clauses of the Land Settlement Act. If he remained in office he would go in for a big scheme of utilising waste areas. If they failed agriculturally all the other interests in the country would fail. The farmers’ outlook was excellent and assured, but he advised them not to buy lands at present at high prices which he predicted could not be maintained. He would endeavour to establish a central land bureau, where a register of any property for sale with full details would be kept for the benefit of intending purchasers. Referring to the political issue he said he felt assured that the people of New Zealand were Liberal at heart, and if the present Government had an opportunity of going back to the country he had not the least doubt that it would return to power with a majority of eight to ten. If the system of American politics was going to continue it would drive from Parliament all the conscientious and honourable men. He would like to know any man who could put up a greater record of work in the interests of the New Zealand farmers than he had. In reference to education, he said that board administration was better than central administration.

Mr. Mackenzie received a vote of thanks and confidence.

BIG SPEECH TO LITTLE AUDIENCE.

“WHAT WE HAVE DONE.”

Dunedin, June 17

The Hon. G. W. RusseU addressed a public meeting of about 150 persons at Port Chalmers this evening. He dealt with the political history of the past 25 years and referred to the Liberal party as having, during the past 20 years, developed a steady policy that could be seen in its legislation. At the last election the parties had become nearly balanced, which he attributed to bad organisation, bad management and attacks made upon Sir Joseph Ward by the Conservative press. Referring to the accusations made against Mr. Payne and Mr. Robertson of having broken their pledges, he said Mr. Payne and Mr. Robertson had been returned pledged to support the Liberal party and had since pledged themselves to abide by the decision of the caucus and follow whoever was selected leader. Now. Mr. Massey was hoping these men would go over to his side and so break two solemn pledges that they had made. There was no one going to do it. The speaker replied at some length to press criticisms, and justified the setting up of three Royal Commissions. It was possible that the Civil Service Commission would save the Dominion £50,000 or £lOO,OOO a year, besides providing the Government with suggestions for the better working of the service in the future. The Cost of Living Commission would ascertain where the remissions of Customs duties granted for the benefit of the people some years ago had gone, and if it was ascertained that trusts had kept these from the people the duties could be rcimposed and some other means found to give the benefit to the people. As a result of the inquiry the Government might send to gaol, if necessary, the men who had created these unholy trusts. The Education Commission would no doubt produce an illuminating re port. It might reduce the expenditure, but that did not manner if the education of the people could be improved. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried.