THE OPPOSITION.

Southland Times, Issue 14032, 13 February 1909, Page 5

THE OPPOSITION.

AN ALL-TARANAKI GATHERING. MR MASSEY ON THE GOVERNMENT. A GENERAL CRITICISM. •BOIJipOSSV BSOJJ p3}|Ufl JOJ HAWERA, Feb. 12. An important gathering was lield at Hawera to-night, when about 120 people met to celebrate the Opposition victory in Taranaki at last election. Messrs Okey (Taranaki), Hinc (Stratford), Hive (Egmont), and Fearco (Ralea) were present; also Messrs Massey, Buick, Newman, W. Fraser and Gulhrie.M.P.'s; Messrs .1, G. IVilson (Farmers’ Union), R. R. Martin (Opposition Organiser) and representative men from all parts of Taranaki. Mr James Davidson presided, anil the proceedings throughout were marked by great enthusiasm. Numerous apologies wore received, including some irom it. Heaton Rhodes, .1 as. Allen, Noswurtliy, F. W. Lang, ,i. Bollard, W. Harries, Hardy, .). Dulliie, G. Anderson, .John Deryoe, and Sir IV. Russell. The letters contained expressions of “regret at the writers’ absence ami hearty congratulations to the Opposition members ut Taranaki who were returned. A prominent feature of the decorations was a bust of Hie lale Sir Harry Atkinson, whose memory was honoured. DEFENCE MATTERS. Mr Newman, M.P., in proposing “The Army and Navy," said that in ten years £2,000,000 had been spent in New Zealand defence, and an outstanding feature at the present time was the dominion’s absolute unpreparedness. There were within three days’ steam 000 million people antagonistic by sentiment, instinct, origin and religion and who were excited by our restrictive laws. lie strongly advocated military training, but said tit ut compulsory conscription, as understood in Europe, would never do here. The Government had been very remiss, anti after twenty years in oiliee had made our defence position no bettor oil'. Not a port could defend itself against a single battleship. Mr Buiek, in reply, said Hint the Government had assisted Cadets, but greater encouragement was needed in volunteering. Still, our greatest bulwark was the British Navy, and efforts in New Zealand should be directed towards supporting it. Mr Martin, referring to a statement recently made by the Premier, said that if a Defence Council were given a free hand in defence matters would soon lie put on a proper footing. "REGIME OF QUACIvEHY.” Mr R. C. Bruce (ex-M.P.), in proposing "Parliament," said that lie believed that the present Government was the best since the so-ealleti Conservatives went out of ofnee. He paid a high tribute to Mr Massey for never trimming sails, and for rendering signal service to the dominion. The great principles of titc Opposition would Jive long after the present regime of quackery had passed into absolute oblivion. PEOPLE AND BORROWED MONEY. In replying, Mr W. -Fraser. M.P., said Hint llu; electors were ehielly to blame for the wasteful extravagance of money which had occurred on roads, bridges, and so on. U was not fair to throw the blame on Parliament. The golden shower was coining to an enu; borrowed money was not going to lie so easily obtained in the future. The interest and capital would presently come out of our pockets by taxation, and the people would soon be awnltened to a realisation of their position. Mr James Davidson proposed "The Taranaki Members.” He. said that the banquet was a marriage feast to celebrate tlie political union of northern and southern Taranaki, which had hitherto been divided. Mr Okey, in replying, said that there was a good deal of washing up iu do, and expenditure had to lie tail down, tie repealed that a strong Opposition was iieces-ary to produce. Hie best legislative results, and tile Opposition now in Hie House eouid and would help the Government to put its house in order. Mr Pearce denied that the dairy regulations were responsible for the increase of Up-position members. The cause of (he Government defeats was the labour legislation, which dis.-aiisned not only employers but workers themselves. (Applause.) Mr Iline atirihuied his victory chiefly to tlie electors’ disappointment with Hie Government's land legislation, lie said that if tlie freehold were secured as Hie result of tlie increased opposition. Untight at last election would lie justilied. UNITED TARAX A Ki. Mr Dive thought that if a United Taranaki secured some measure ol political reformation, other comdi (tteticies would follow suit. Mr D. Hawkc-n (Ralea) proposed "The Leader of the Opposition," warmly congratulating Mr Massey on bis pluck, resourcefulness, energy, capacity anil laid. The toast was enthusiastically drunk, Mr Massey receiving rounds of cheers. Mr Massey thanked Taranaki for sending four sta)wart representatives to assist in lighting tlie battle of trei-dom ami reform. Tlieso wore jviiroi-ionla-lives of Hie people of Ini' soil who wished to see Hie country properly and economically governed, a condition that had not boon the case for many years past. The privilege of the freehold win a precious .sentiment in Taranaki, and there was resentment and suspicion against a Government containing a sin-gle-taxer and a leaseholder. The Oppo silion party was now coming to its own. Never for Hie past Ilf teen years had he seen so much interest shown in public affairs as at the present time. In going through Hie country he had found that a cunning and systematic attempt hail been made to slander and libel members of the Opposition, whose speeches had been misrepresented. The motto ol the Opposition was: "Wo tight on tor ever and ever." They had fought the Government not unsuccessfully ou the land question, against improper expenditure of borrowed money, against such attempts ns the dairy regulations. The Opposition was now stronger than it had been for the past eighteen years, and would give a good account of itself. Referring to the re-constructed Government Ministry lie said that its .success was impossible. Gould Messrs K. Mackenzie and Hogg work together, or Messrs T. Mackenzie ami Fowids go in double harness’.' They would find that a House divided against itself would fall. The record of Ward administration was back down and compromise on tlie laud and tariff bills, the gag clause, die dairy regulations, the mining trouble and Hie Gisborne leases. If the Government’s principles did not suit people the Government wifs prepared tc alter them. He drew a sharp dinorenee between the Government and the Opposition. The Government governed in tlie interests of tlie party and friends, while the Reform Party wished to govern in the best interests of the people of the country. Patronage and public expense on behalf of Hie Government ut elections, also bribery by Uto expenditure of public moneys, the promising of billots and of scats in tlie Legislative Council were strongly denounced. Referring to Mr Ngata's appointment to the Cabinet as representative of the Native race, Mr Massey said that when power was given to make such appointment it was never contemplated that the Native representative would be given important departments to control. Yet that had been done with Mr Ngata. Mr Massey strongly 'hold that those do partments should be administered by tlie representative of a European constituency who would bo responsible to tlie people if his administration wont wrong. (Applause.) He advocated native electors being placed on the European roll. In reference to public service Mr Massey said that civil servants sbou’d b( given to understand that faithfi j. -arvice was a better warranty oi u&

meat than political wire-pulling. A Civil Service Board was what he advocated. The speech was concluded amidst loud applause. Otlier toasts were: “Dairy and Farming Interests” and “Commercial Into rests."