OPPOSITION POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6137, 18 February 1907, Page 5

OPPOSITION POLICY

SPEECH BY MR MASSEY CRITICISM OF THE LAND BILL.'' UPPER HOUSE APPOINTMENTS.' PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, February 17. A compliment-ary garden parly was tendered to Mr Mafsey, M.H.R., leader of tho Opposition, at Pukehooon Saturday by tins Polit’cal Reform League. Despite threatening weather nearly 2500 people were present, including a largo contingent-from Auckland, tho Mauukau and Waikato districts. Tho visitors from Auckland went out by special train. THE LAND BILL. Mr Massoy, in replying to an address of welcome, referred to the position taken up by tho Opposition party last session. Ho said that tho Opposition had exercised an important influence for good on the legislation then placed on tho statute hook. It was generally understood that tho duly of the Government was to lead’ Parliament, but tho present Opposition on many occasions had led tho Government. As instances, he quoted t-ho-advancos to workers' scheme, tho measure for the proper audit of the pub-’ lie accounts, and others., It was only the determined stand taken up by tho Opposition that had prevented tho Government’s obnoxious Land Bill being forced upon tho country last session. Had it not boon for tho Opposition’s attitude the lands of tho colony would have been “MoNabbcd"—> (laughter)—and successful settlement would have been impossible. They had' lot the Government, understand that if they proceeded with Iho Land Bill they might make preparation for eating Christmas dinner in Wellington. This prospect did not appeal to tho Government—and they knew the result. Ho held that a proposal which involved nationalising tho

SEVENTEEN MILLION ACRES of leased and unloased Crown lands and making it impossible for tenants, and their suecossoi-s in all time to acquire tho freehold should not be passed; until tho doctors bad been consulted. (Hear, hear). That was the position) the Opposition had taken up, and, they; wei-e prepared to adhere’ to it. (Ap-i plausc.) The vessel launched in Wellington Inst, session with n blast of trumpets and beating of drums and; with the title “Lnpd Bill, 1906,”' painted in big letters across Iter bows,, turned out to be not a battleship but a scow—(laughter)—and Admiral Ward and Lieutenant McNub showed that they wore more inclined to cut and, run than to advance to the attack. (Laughter.) Tho dictum that the de-- 1 feat suffered by the Opposition at last' election would prove a crushing one had not been verified. Thb Opposition, party, or tho Moderates—if ho might use the expression—were now much stronger in the country than they had been Tor tho last dozen years. This was proved by such a large gathering that, afternoon in spite of tho unpropitious Weather. If they wanted, another proof they had it in tho presence amongst them that day of Air Lang, M.H.H. (Applause.) In spite of tho efforts of Ministers, who had. come up to the Mnnukau electorate fits' the public expense, and tho assistance, of the whole following of leaseholders, land nationalisers and single taxers, Mr Lang had won the election. (A-p plause.) That eternal vigilance was tho price of liberty was ns true now as ever. Those who believed in the should remember ’that tho other side was working quietly and silently, and working all the time. The people of the polony were simply being played with in connection with, tho Crown and native land questions and public expenditure, especially tho public works expenditure ? and appointments to tho Legislative Council. (Hear, hear.) Referring to these ap-. pointments, he said that’he was no supporter of a system which allowed one man or a set of men to appoint! legislators for the whole community. "Whilst, however, this system obtained it was the duty of the Government for the time being to recommend theGovernor to appoint the men who wqro tho .best fitted to occupy tho position. (Hear, hear,) He would not refer to any individual cases., but he would say. that men had been appointed to THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL who had not the slightest chance of, being elected to the Lower House — men who had never been of tho slightest use to' their foll.nv-colonists, and who never would be. (A voice: “They are of the right colour.’’) Yes; they wore of tho right colour, it ,was true,, but -hey would he of no use to lint colony during the seven years for which they were entitled to draw £2OO a year and travelling expenses. Men had been appointed to the Legislative. Council who had vainly appealed time after time to the electors. It seemed to bo a case of “If you can’t get in bythe golden-gate, get over the gai-don-wajl." ’.(Laughter.) The present system of appointments, .under* which the. power of .appointment was used for party purposes, was a Mot upon democracy. The -appointment of some nt the men included in the last batch was nothing less than a positive affront to the electors. (Hear, hear.) Bo hoped that tile electors, assisted by the press, would.help the Reform party in Parlinnunt in bringing about a state of affairs more in keeping with democratic principles. There was, he was glad to say, still a strong party in tho country who believed in honest Government and in a genuine democracy, and who were anxious to do the best possible for the iieople as a whole. A COUNTRY PARTY,

Speeches were ijjado by Messrs Lang, Berrios, Bollard, Mander, M.H.R.’s, B. Monk, and O. J. Parr. Mr Kerries, in the course of his siieech, said th*» time was coming when it would not be a question of Ward or Massey, but of a strong country' partv, under too leadership of Mr Massey. ’ A presentation ol a handsomer feather boa was made by, the ..idles committee to Mrs Massey, as a mark of esteem and appreciation of her has band’s services.