THE OPPOSITION POLICY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3675, 27 February 1899, Page 4

THE OPPOSITION POLICY.

The Oracle lias spoken. ’ Mr George Hutchison ; has addressed his constituents, and there is no longer any need t .i call for the policy of the Opposition. Also, there is no fear of the Government stealing that policy, as the nominal Leader of, the Opposition was afraid would be the case. The .programme ■which the member for TPatea has.arnounced is one for the conversion i f State leaseholders-into freeholders, and the rapid sale of all remaining Crown lands, so as to find money for the prosecution of road and railway construction without borrowing. “The gcncval election would, he said, he fought under that banner, with every prospect of victory.” Let us examine, the prospect. .It cannot he denied that the love of a freehold is deeply ingrained in human nature; and Mr Hutchison probably thinks he is certain to secure the support of the fifteen thousand State tenants all over the colony, whose votes would bo sufficient to turn the scale in ten or twelve districts,,-and thus give the Opposition a majority .in next :PiV> liament. The plan ijs well conceived; but even “the best-laid schemes o’ mice and men” are : apt to miscarry. Has the author of this plan of campaign made allowance, for all facts and probabilities ? Has he, for instance, ascertained that as many as one thousand State .-lessees are in a position to convert their tenure into freehold ? ,W e doubt it, and it is also doubtful if he has calculated the extent and influence of land nationalisation and single-tax sentiment in this country. Much less, wa venture to think, has he made allowance for the popularity of the present, Minister of LandSj whose Liberalism, honesty and capacity are almost elevated to.the position of fetishes. The' new Opposition policy means the abandonment (f the war against “Seddonism” in favour of a campaign against “McKenzieism.” The success of such a campaign is more than doubtful. . Mr McKenzie has Ir.s limitations, he has “ the defects of Iris qualities,” and.his land policy is capable of improvement; but we believe that, the people of New Zealand would prefer to - have the' reform of land tenure io the hands of the present Administration rather than those of-a Cabinet ‘compr i ■;- ing. the members for Hawke’S' Bay and Patea. It . is, however, premature to discuss ,rhe Opposition policy, nutd know whether Mr Hutchison is accredited as the . advance agent of Captain Russell, or if he is endeavouring In wrest the leadership of the party. Ip may prove that the ambition of Inc member for Patea and his well-known personal antagonism to the Minister of Lands are the moving forces behind his so-called declaration of. Opposition policy.

that there is any likelihood of carrying l-.is party to victory by a; campaign against the- McKenzie, policy of land settlement. And, with all his defects, the present, Leader of the-Opposition lias a sufficient idea of discipline to make him resent having his hand forced, or his authority undermined by one of the least trusted of his lieutenants.