POLITICAL DIFFERENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14689, 25 May 1911, Page 6

POLITICAL DIFFERENCES.

MR. MASSEY'S STATEMENTS,

REPLY BY HON. G. FOWLDS. [BY TELEGUATO.—OWV COBHTESPONDEST.] WEr.LisriTOM, Wednesday' A reply to statements made by Mr ty p Massey (Leader of the Opposition), when ii Auckland, was made by the Hon (< Fowkls (Minister for Education) to Zealand 'limes reporter. Referring 0 -Mr Mary's "nuts to crack," the Minister*!* ' he had advocated an inrrease of the land tax without exemption, using the revenue so received for the remission of other op preg .' sivo taxes through Customs,'etc. '• I j,,,. 1 1» T , ■ > 11 civ (J .shown, he continued, " that such a pro . posal would mean a large reduction in the amount, of taxation paid at present by all the small settlers of New Zealand. T d remember, and with satisfaction, too, that 1. have frequently voted fn Parliament against proposals made by Mr. Massey, and it was fortunate for the fanners of the country that then* was a majority in p aT I liamont voting against him when he Was opposing the passing of the Advances to Settlers Act, sneering at the proposal as the setting up of a State pawnshop. Id 0 remember condemning the attitude of some fanners in Parliament who wore contending that only farmers should bo on the Lands Committee, believing then, as Ido now that it was desirable that tho interests of the landless workers of this country should be protected by the presence on the committee of some of their representatives in Parliament.*'

in conclusion, the Minister said he would like to state that.when a. majority of tho people of this country thought that Mr. Massey and his friend? could give hotter value for their £1200 a year. and travelling expenses than himself and his colleagues in the. Ministry, he would be quite willing to relinquish his position without feeling envious; that, until then, he must stick to the post of duty. "And," added the Minister, "when Mr. Massey comes along with some more of his alleged nuts, we will crack them for him also.'"