MR MASSEY AT STEATFORD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13207, 14 February 1905, Page 6

MR MASSEY AT STEATFORD.

(Fan United Press A3socution.) STRATFORD, February 11. Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, addressed a largo meeting hero last night. Ho dealt at length with tho laud question on tho lines of his recent spoechs. Hβ said that tho land's purchased at the end of tho financial year had cost £274,000, tho settlers placed thereon representing acost of £1170 apiece. He did not thinkthat the Royal Commission on 'the la-nd question would complete its labours in the stipulated time, and (ho members would consequently bo unable to draw up an unbiassed report from the evidence. White several anti-freeholders were included in the commission, not a single member was sound , on tho freehold. He criticised the appointment to tho commission of Mr J. T. Paul, of Otago, a member of the Trades and Labour Council, who had moved a resolution at the last conference of the Trades Councils in Christehurch pretesting against tho sale of Crown Jands, and of Mr Forbes, who was an unsuccessful candidate for the Hurunui scat afc the last general election. The latter was also a declared champion ef tho leasehold. The commission would cost the country £5000 or £6000, and its report would not be worth threo farthings. He deprecated the action of tho Government in delaying the Public Works Sattement till tho dyiug hours of tho session, and spoko strongly against late sittings. The Government had been taken to task for ite failure to reform the Upper House, appointments to which wero only secured by strong Government supporters, newspaper proprietors, or men .of influence. Mr Massey expressed tho hope that when replying to him along tho coast Mr Seddon would speak on the land question, which' was always scrupulously avoided. The speaker had a good reception.