SPEECH BY MR MASSEY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 5

SPEECH BY MR MASSEY

COUNTRY SETTLERS' ALLEGED . GRIEVANCES. PUSS ASSOCIATION. . AUCKLAND, May 23. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Farmers’ Union to-night the leader of ■ the Opposition remarked upon the tendency to deprive country settlers of their j'rivilegss and to' increase their financial r responsibilities. Mr Massey said for some reason population in the towns greatly exceeded that in the country districts. That was neither a healthy nor satisfactory condition in' a country whose prosperity was dependent upon the agricultural and pastoral industry. An instance of his contention that country districts were losing their privileges was to be found in the increased cost of State loans to local bodies. Formerly they were obtained at Si per cent, • including sinking fund,' for a period of 41 years. Hut the old Act had been repealed, and now local bodies were fortunate in securing loans at 5i per cent, for a period of 36i years, while their borrowing powers were limited to Such a condition was not in the interest of settlement, and he considered-, the old Act should be reinstated. Reference was made by Mr Massey to the Local Government Bill, and he urged the conference to give some expression of opinion upon .the proposal to alter the present county franchise in the direction of giving a vote to every person with a residential qualification, at tho same time abolishing plural voting < among ratepayers! There was need for some amendment of tho method of taxation. Not only was adjustment needed in the valuation of improvements, but an amendment of the law was wanted that would remedy the position under wh'ch many people were actually paying taxation on their debts.