POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Mataura Ensign, 1 November 1911, Page 3

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

MR MASSEY AT ELTHAM. A FORCIBLE ADDRESS. FEB UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION ELTHAM, October 31. , The Leader of the Opposition addressed a public meeting at Eltham Town Hall last night. About 800 people W'er© present, and the Mayor (Mr G. P. Wake) presided. Mr Massey received an excellent hearing. He said that the big question of ihe polilng day would be "Does the Government retain the confidence of the people?" He was glad to say that the whole of Taranaki Province was represented by men on the Opposition sidle, and it would continue to be so represented. Opposition members , offered honest and willing service, and he believed that the time was coming when men of greater energy and ability than those now in power would be required to manage the affairs of the , country. They could not go on piling ( up debt and increasing taxation, as in the last few years; but would have to ; keep expenditure mucin nearer our income than was at present the case. Referring to the Financial Statement, Mr . Massey contended that it showed no ; hint of reducing taxation or the cost of < living. 'Fhere was no evidence of a : land policy, of reform of Legislative Council, of improved methods of appointment to the public service or of ( dealing with, dissatisfaction in the railway service. It was an electioneering , Budget without any policy worthy of the name. He would only go back five years since the time the present Ministry took office. He dealt at length with the unsatisfactory land system and criticised various Land; Bills brought down by the Government. Despite the immigration system, arrivals scarcely balanced departures, as settlers could not get access to land now unoccupied. He supported Sir John Find-lay's suggestion that natives should be placed on the same footing as Europeans in regard to their land. He urged the right to acquire the freehold! and safer security of tenure. He complained that the Government did not exercise the authority granted in regard *to the purchase of land for settlement. The only farmer in the Ministry was Hon. D. Buddo, and they did not give him the portfolio of lands, as he had repeatedlly expressed himself ' in favor of the freehold. And so Sir Joseph Ward, who knew nothing about land, had to hang on to that portfolio. Mr Massey adversely criticised the Mokau transaction, contending that every facility was given for speculation as against the ordinary settler. He held that anyone voting for a Government candidate would express approval of the Mokau transaction. Mr Massey was not against borrowing. He admitted! that the country had favorable assets; but the indebtedness was increased at too great a rate. While the Government was anxious to do all the financing of the country, when New Zealand money could not be invested in the country there must be something; wrong. He complained that details of the cost of loans could not.be obtained. People bad a right to know ihow money was expended. He strongly urged reform of the Legislative.'Council, making it an elective body on the proportional system. Though the public service was a .good one, political influence prevailed, and New Zealand lagged behind other countries in this respect. Regarding public works, he favored something on the lines of the English Development Board, without political influence or pressure. The local government system was out of date. The money voted for roads and bridges in any one year should be spent in the j'ear. An extraordinary increase to railwaymen had been made just on the eve of the election. He objected to functions of Parliament being handed over to Ministers. He quoted the proposals under the last Tariff Bill giving a Minister power to decide whether articles were dutiable or not. Taxation had increased on articles required in the dairying industry. The Minister for Public Works had power to take away money voted for certain work and spend it elsewhere. Salaries fixed by Act should not be altered except by Act of Parliament, Increasing the payment of judges appointed to commissions was tampering with the judicial bench. He was proud that New Zealand was the most- Imperialistic Dominion in the Empire; but he considered that Parliament should have been consulted about the Dreadnought instead of the Ministry usurping the functions of the representatives of the people. The amounts paid to Government and Opposition papers for advertisements were mentioned. The proper system would be to give advertisements according to the newspapers' circulation. He quoted criticisms of the Government by Messrs Ross, Graham, and Barclay and urged the electors to vote for the reform candidate at the coming election. A vote of thanks to Mr Messey and 1 of confidence in the present member for Egmont was carried. Mr Astbury, one of the candidates at last election, desired to move an amendment, but would not rise until the chairman proceeded to put the motion.