THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5736, 3 November 1905, Page 6

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

■VRTXTCISM OP TUB GOVERNMENT. I»r!F.HS ASSOCIATION. PirKKKOUK, November 2. Mr Massey, apeaking at Hukukohe, had a Hplondid reception, the Masonic Hall being crowded. Ho wan presented with a moinorial hearing 1900 signatures. 87 nor cent:, of whom wero men, staling that he had the electors' full confidence. Mr MiKi-.ev *aid lie had been sorry to hoar that in connection with Uio electorate—more so, perhaps, than in connection with any other-slander* and misrepresentations had been circulated. ,1 le was proud of the fact I hut during his twelve years of Parliamentary life no one could say that he over used his position for his own private benefit, or that he over used his public position for the pur-poe-o of getting any relative or connection of his intv a public service. (Applause.* He had no doubt lie had many political ononiitfj, but they were not going to get rid of him yet. ■ (Cheers.) Although a "party man” whenever any pioposai wan brought forward fie buopurotd it if he thought it of benefit to the cHinlry. (Applause.; As long as the present system obtained there must Pc two parties in Parliament and the stronger the Opposition the boiler for Iho Government and the •country. JJe deplored the tendency on the part of Uio Government to go upon lines which people h;nl been accustomed to read about in connection with American municipaPtios, where Uio political 7t lio e «” actually fanned out the different iloparlmonte. ifo believed tho incipient Tarn in any ism that was beginning to show .b>«o)f would receive such a chock that it would md recover lor many years to come, (Cheers.; He wanted to see clean government and honest administration* and departments properly and carefully administered. 110 was sure the people of the colony would support him to that ond. The Opposition wore tho true Liberals. Ho had voted against tho Advances to Settlers Hill twelve years ago foccauHO ho was elected on a non-borrow-ing pledge, hut he hud voted for the amending measure ever since. Mr Soddon had voted against Mr Macandrew's h : li to lend money to farmers at 4} per cent. 'Tho Opposition would gi v 'e settlers taking land under tho leasc-in-porpctuily system the option of acquiring tho freehold. (Cheers.; He asked which was the more liberal proposal his or the Premier* ? Healing with the Workers* Homos Act, ho sa : d tho amendments lie had secured in tho twenty-fivo years’ elauso and his amendment in tho fortyIwo years’ clause—nt first rejected by iho House, but afterwards adopted by tho Premier bad made a workable measure. Who was the more liberal ? (Voire* ? "Massey.”) The Hoddonvillo State coal miners had approached him and with the assistance of Mr If. McKenzie he got a Commission jiet up. Ho mentioned these points to show that the Opposition members were moT* liberal than those who sat on the other tide, and wore Windsor uniforms and cocked hats on every possible occasion. (Laughter.) 110 urged tho people to elect men they could trust, and to choose are carefully as they would trustees under a will. Many people believed wo were borrowing only a million a year, but in five years £12,2G7,000 had been borrowed. Ho believed in a 'Hive” public works policy, but tho Government borrowed for a great many other purposes, some useless. He believed in a vigorous land policy, but instead of going on borrowing, the proper thing was to givo tho tenants an opportunity of acquiring the freehold, and by so doing, it would not bo necessary to borrow to the present extent. There had been an increase in borrowing to tho extent of £500.000 for investment in Bank of New Zealand shares, but if that sum had been expended in roads and bridges it would have been of more benefit to the country. He quoted the items of the Alapourika trip and condemned tho action of tho Hon C. H, Mills in drawing 00s X lO1 ’ day for travelling allowance. The Government appointed a Land Commission of nine Government supporters and one Oppositionist at £3 3s per day each. Ho could not get a return, but believed the total cost was £15,000 to £20,000 for a report which no one would give 10s for. It was a wicked and wanton piece of extravagance. (Loud applause.) He condemned expenditure on public buildings and tho High Commissioner’s increase of salary while roads and railways were required.