POLITICAL RRFORM LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13985, 19 August 1907, Page 2

POLITICAL RRFORM LEAGUE.

VISIT OP • ORGANISING SECRETARY.

Mr.R, R. Martin, organising secretary of the New Zealand Political Reform League, arrived in Dunedin on Friday evening. lii the course' of a"chat with him a reprc-' sontativo of this paper ascertained that lie has been at work in the North Island for the past 12 months, where he lias established branches and sub-branches in many of ,the electorates. Ho is now turning his attention to the South. One of the principal objects of the league is, said Mr Martin, to arrange for the selection of candidates to contest seats) in the various oleetoratcs in the interests of ihe Opposition party, and to consolidate as far aa possible (lie Opposition vote. Roplying to a. question a* to the reforms advocated >by. tlio league, Mr Martin stated that several had been adopted by the Government, such < as the auditing of thp revenue of the-' Railway, Customs, and Lands Departments by the Auditor-general, the institution of a sinking fund for the repayment of loans, and the maintenance of main arterial roads out of ordinary revenue, instead of Publio Works revenue. These were all the outcome of Opposition suggestions, and had been opposed by the Government in the past, but. were now adopted by it. ,Thc Opposition had repeatedly suggested a scheme of national annuities, and last seEsion a bill in this direction was brought forward, referred to the Public, Accounts Committee, but not proceeded with.

There were still, however, many reforms desirable, remarked Mr Martin, and the poliey of the Opposition whioh would be submitted to the people, at the proper time would bo found to be a progressive and a demooratio one, and in the meantime any legislation which tended to set class against class would be strenuously oppospd. Have you reason to bo satisfied with tho results of jour efforts in the North Island? asked our representative. > "Yes. lam very well satisfied," was Hit", answer. '" The by-elections in Manukau and Taranaki tend to show that the pendulum is swinging in the other direotion. The ,L<mkl Bill was, I think, the principal factor in tho Opposition victories. It was very suggestive that during the Manukau campaign the Minister of Lands delivered five addresses in the electorate, and that the' Opposition majority was greater in eaoh of those places than it had been at •tho general election. Notwithstanding the efforts qf the Native Minister, who spent some considerable time in Taranaki, and spoke on several platforms during the contest in order to assist tho ' Government candidate, tho verdict of tho people to with the Opposition." Mr Martin goes further south on Wednesday, his timo being somewhat limited owing to engagements in the northern portion of this island.