Address by the Leader of the Opposition

Southland Times, Issue 14331, 27 April 1899, Page 2

Address by the Leader of the Opposition

(By Telegraph.) Hastings, April 26. The Hon. Captain Ru.sell addressed a crowded meeting to-night in the theatre here. He commenced by saying that no one regretted more than he did that he had not been able to meet his constituents before this, but he contended there was yet ample time for himself and other Opposition members to expose the misdoings of the Government, and this should certainly be done in due course. He gave an absolute denial to a statement repeatedly made by the Premier that he (Capt. Russell), if he got into power, would repeal all the Acts passed by the present Government, and said there was not a shadow of foundation for such a statement. If he got an opportunity he would honestly strive to administer the Acts on the Statute Book. He advocated freehold tenure and the cutting up of the land held by the Assets Realisation Board. He strongly condemned the railway management-, the Wrigg scandal and the Jones scandal, which latter he said was disgraceful and would have to receive the attention of Parliament. He denied that he was opposed to the old age pensions scheme, and said the Opposition had done their best to improve the bill, which they considered a crude, ill-digested measure. He severely criticised the departmental administration of Ministers and their extravagance in travelling round electioneering at the expense of the colony. The people were taxed on the necessaries of life to provide a surplui to expend on public works, whilst the realised wealth of the colony was not taxed in fair proportion ; the wealth of the colony having increased 33 per cent since 1890, whilst the taxation on it through the land and income tax had only increased 7 per cent. He referred at considerable length to the land question and the railways and twitted Mr Seddon for attacking what he called a breeches pocket policy, whilst the Premier must have been fully conversant with the fact that at that very moment the Liberal Associations were sending out circulars asking for subscriptions to fight elections. What he (Captain Russell) had stated at Mr Buchanan’s banquet at Wairarapa was that if the elections were to be won there must be organisation and organisation could not take place without money. The Premier himself was an adept at organising :at the last election canvassers, paid by the State, were actually sent round his (Captain Russell’s) constituency to get people to vote against him and he believed the same thing occurred in every district of the colony. There were several other matters he wished to address them on, but as the Premier would no doubt come there and deny every word he had said he would have other opportunities of meeting his conitituents later on. A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously passed to Captain Russell and tho meeting broke up with three cheers for him.