Mr Massey in Reply

Southland Times, Issue 19550, 3 May 1905, Page 2

Mr Massey in Reply

THE OPPOSITION'S PLATFORM

CHRISTCr|URCH, May 2

Mr Massey, loader of the Opposition, addressed n crowded audience in the theatre to-night. His speech was mainly nn the lines of his recent speeeh in Dunedin, but he also dealt with the Premier’s speeeh nt Rahiatuu. Mr Seddon had said that his (Mr Massey's) statement that under the Public Revenues Act the balance of one vote could b'e transferred' to another wps fills?, b.Ut he quotetl the section of tho Act to show that moneys may be transferred in aid of any other vote in the same class. It was true, as the Premier stated, that the Stafford Government had transferred balance pf votes, but these balances were in respect to votes the particular work in connection with which ih»d been completed. The provision for referring disputes between the Audit Department and the Government had been repealed by the Chrey Government, and remained repealed until 1900, when the present Government revived ft. Regarding the Cnancos, he said that if public accounts were leept as a business man keeps books there would be no surplus to transfer to the Public Works Fund. Speaking of Legislative Council reform, i.o said that men like Sir John Hall should be appointed to the Upper House. '.Prolonged applause and cheers for Sir Juhn Hall.) Speaking of the Lands For Settlement Act, ho advocated tho adoption of a system of submitting to' the House all proposals to resume connpulsorilj any particular estate. Ho condemned tho Premier’s methods, of electioneering at the expense of the colony. The policy of tho Opposition consisted of a proper audit of the public accounts and the repeell of the Public Revenues Act, 1900 ; reform ot the Legislative Council ; the establishment of a Public Service Board : economy and sound finance ; local 'government rtform : sinking funds in connection with future loans ; Option of ttile freehold to settlers on Crown lands ; independency of the magistracy ; Parliamentary business to he done la reasonable hours ■ and an equitable settlement of the native land question. Mr Massey spoke for two flours, and had a very favourable hearing. At tho conclusion he answered a number ssfig'nestions, and was accorded a vote of thanks.