LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15521, 31 January 1914, Page 9

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

SPEECH AT TE AROHA.

REVIEW OF LEGISLATION.

l»T TEUSCIUPH.— COIUIESrONDKNT.]

Te Aboha, Friday. A political address, delivered by Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., Loader of the Opposition, in the Theatre Royal to-night, W M listened to by about 900 people. Mr. ">• L. Somers, Mayor of Te Aroha, presided. Prior to the commencement of

proceedings .Sir Joseph was presented by members of the Te Aroha Liberal League w 'tl) .1 loyal and congratulatory address. The Hon. Mr. Hcrries, Minister for Railways, was present at the meeting. In tho course of Ids address, Sir Joseph reviewed the political events of the last low years, and emphasised the beneficial nature of the legislation passed by the Seddon and Ward Administrations. Ho brought forward figures to show that the annual expenditure and taxation had now increased greatly, as compared with the last year'B administration of the Ward Government. He. declared that the present Government had increased taxation by 10s 3d per head. The Ward Administration spent £100 for £160 received: the Massey Government £63 for every £47 received.

Sir Joseph dealt at, considerable length w 'th the recent great strike, and he delied emphatically that the Opposition 1 arty was, in any degree sympathetic with tho Federation of Labour. He personally bad not parted the strike; but he was always in favour of settling tho dispute °y an appeal to reason rather than by an appeal to force.

Sir Joseph condemned tho action of the Government m repealing the Second Ballot Act and substituting nothing therefor ; and recapitulated the measures which had been passed by his Government for the benefit of settlors and farmers generally.