THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Otago Witness, Issue 2728, 27 June 1906, Page 32

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

{THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION INTERVIEWED. THE WESTLAND SEAT. (FBOlf OTO OWH COMtBST-ONDENT.) WELLINGTON, June 24. Though small in number, the Opposition play an essential part in the parliamentary work of the colony, and the views of the leader of the Opposition (Mr W. F. Massey) on the political situation will be read with interest. Mr Massey wished it to be understood that on most of the subjects which are interesting the public mind at present he preferred to express his opinion after the House met. The question of the suggested adjournment of the House, he said, was one for the Ministry to consider in the first instance, and one with which ho had no right or intention to interfere, except in a constitutional way, across the floor of the House when the Premier submits his proposals to Parliament. *Do you think, he was aslied, that the expected reconstruction of the Ministry will affect your party? ' "Not in the slightest," said Mr Massey, who went on to remark that whether the mantle of the late Premier eventually fall upon Sii' Joseph Ward pr Mr Hall-Jonea the necessity for a parliamentary Opposition remained the same. The country always needed a set of men who would look after public expenditure, and insist upon certain reforms that were absolutely necessary in connection with parliamentary procedure, and tho ordinary public business of the colony. When you speak of reform, do you mean by way of legislation? ... „ "A certain amount of legislation, replied Mr Massey, " will be necessary to effect what I have in view. I have felt for a lone time that Parliament has not the control over the moneys of the people of the colony that it ought to possess, and j as the population increases and the revenue and expenditure increase oroportionately, tho necessity for a change becomes more and more urgent. In his opinion, he went on to say, the method of account-keeping should be simplified, so that any citizen of ordinary intelligence might understand what was being done, and there should be a fall report of Parliament showing how every shilling of public money had been expended during the preceding year, . and who received it. "I believe in publicity in connection with public business, ' he added. Aaked if he had any idea of the business likely to be dealt with this session; Mr Massey replied that under the circumstances it was impossible to say. The initiation of all important measures rested with the Government, but there were many matters waiting to be taken in hand. The system of local ' government,' for instance, required to be remodelled, and brought up to date. In the Customs tariff a large number of anomalies had grown up, and those anomalies it should be the duty of Parliament to .remove. An amendment of the Valuation Act was also required, providing for an' alteration in the constitution of the Assessment Courts, and giving the local bodies some say in fixing; the values. Then there was the land question, which had not yet been settled, and he added, " I should like to assist in doing something to reduce the burden of taxation, which is beginning to press very heavily on many of the people of the colony. There is much to be done if Parliament can only get the opportunity to do it." "It goes without saying, continued Mr Massey, in answer to a further question, "that at the present juncture some additions to our party ■would be welcome. But there is the fact to remember that, though the Opposition in the House is small, its supporters in the country are very numerous and our responsibilities are all the greater in consequence. Though we were beaten badly so far as the number of members returned is concerned, there was really not a great difference between the number of electors who supported the Government and those who voted for Opposition candidates." Finally Mr Massey was asked if he had anything to say about the new organisation, of what will be known as the Liberal Reform League. "Only this," he replied, "that the organisation will go on. There is at least as much need for it as ever there was. We are fighting for certain principles, which we believe to be in- the best inter«tvi« of the whole people, and whatever changes may take place in the Executive the necessity remains for unity and watchfulness on the part of those who look forward and who desire the progress and the real welfare of the community. THE. WESTLAND SEAT. Mr T. Y. Seddon, the second son of the late Premier, who is to be a candidate for the Westland seat, is not yet 22 yeai-s-of age. He is still a student at Victoria College, and has not yet passed his law examinations. He is exceedingly popular with all who know him here, but nearly everyone, including many of the late Premier's friends, think he is making a serious mistake in entering politics at the present juncture. HOKITIKA, June 23. Great satisfaction is expressed locally at tho candidature of Mr Tom Seddon for the Westland seat.