MR HOGG AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5597, 25 May 1905, Page 5

MR HOGG AT MASTERTON.

Special to the “Times.” MASTERTON, May at. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., delivered a pre-ses-sioual address at the Town Hal] to-night to a large audience. He severely criticised Mr Massey’s recent utterances at Mastorton. Mr Massey had revealed the Opposition platform unaltered. The same planks had done duty for years. Mr Geo. Hutchison, .when member for. Patea, had given the platform at Auckland in 1899. Mr Massey had adversely criticised the Leaso-in-pefpetuity and Land for Settlements Act, but no doubt he sighed for return of the days when land was locked against labour under systems such as "auction,’’ "gridironing,” "homestead,’’ and “deferred payment.” Mr Hogg was astonished at Mr Massey making tho statement that the Crown tenants, although pleased with the lease-in-perpe-t'nity at first, had found leasehold not so good as freehold; that the conditions of tenancy could not be complied with; that tenants wore harassed by land officials and if they failed to pay tho rent were in danger of having their section's forfeited. With regard to tho forfeiture of homesteads for non-payment of rent. Mr Hogg would like Mr Massey to point out a single’eviction in the Wellington district, With resnect to the Land for Settlements Act, Mr Massey had said ho did not like the compulsory clause, because it gave Mr Seddon too much newer in purchasing estates. The Premier and Cabinet bad no power. Without recommendation from the Land Purchase Board they could not purchase a single acre. The proposal to establish a sinking fund in connection with loans was ridiculous. The advances to settlers scheme, old-age pensions. State fire insurance, and other popular measures, the OnrmsiHon very generously promised not to abolish or repeal, hut only to improve. Tbev had tried to improve each of them when iu committee, and had they succeeded the measure would have been worthless. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the speaker.