POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 147, 14 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

MR MASSEY AT MASTERTON.

(For Press Association.) Masterton, August 13

Mr W. F. Massey, leader of the Opposition, addressed a crowded meeting in the Town Hall last evening, and met with a cordial reception. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradino). Mr Massey, on rising, was given an ovation. After dealing briefly with local affairs, he expressed the opinion that the party which was at present in the minority in Parliament was in every way capable of managing the affairs of the country. This was a .time for political stocktaking. The past five years, though years of good seasons, high prices and the expenditure of loan moneys, had been prosperous in many respects. However, matters were not satisfactory. Mr Massey proceeded to refer to the land question, stating that the present Government had practically destroyed the optional system, and by the renewable lease had made settlers tenants for all time. His party would give the settlers the right of purchase of an estate, whether large or small. The renewable lease was in many respects worse for the country than the lease in perpetuity. The Opposition approved of money being raised by way of loans for land settlement, and roads and bridges. Authority had boon given by Parliament for the raising of £500,000 annually for the acquisition of land for settlement, and for some years this was expended. Last year, however, only £158,796 had boon expended from the amount authorised. There had been neglect and want of energy in prosecuting settlement of land, which did not reflect credit on the Government of the country. It was a groat mistake having as a Minister of Lands a Maori who had no practical knowledge of the business, and good settlers were leaving . the country because they could not get land to suit them. “Give us settlement,” said Mr Massey, “and the country will prosper.” (Applause.) In reference to roads and bridges which were urgently needed for the of the country, a sum of £595,684. had been asked for and appropriated last year, and only £255,983 expqnded. This was not fair to settlers who hsd to face bad roads in the winter months. Mr Massey contended’.that the estimate for public works should be brought down earlier in the session. Dealing with finances, the speaker said that during the past five years there had been an increase of £2,220,763 in the amount extracted from the pockets of the people. This was out of all proportion to the increase in the population, and was a ktrong indication of extravagance on the part of those at the head of affairs. (Applause.) Labouring classes, though receiving higher wages in certain eases, were in actually a worse position to-day than five years ago. Railway fares were higher to-day than five years back, and, the increase was largely in second-class fares. The national debt of the Dominion had increased from £67 per head in 1906-7 to about £Bl per head last year. He stood firm as a New Zealander and was proud of his country and its potentialities, but there was something wrong with the administration when the national debt and railway fares, etc., were increased to such an extent in five years. (Applause.)

, THE MOKAU CASE. Mr Massey then proceeded to deal briefly with the Mokau case. He claimed that the statement laid before the House by Sir James Carroll did not touch any of the' assertions he bad made in Auckland 'relative to the transaction. He said that the consent of the Governor-in-Conncil bo obtained before a larger urea than 3000 acres of native land could be parted with, and yet the confirmation of the sale of the Mokau lands to private individuals had 1 eon completed seven days before an Orfhr-in-Coun-cil had been issued. Fifty-three thousand acres of land rich in mirtials had been sold at 10s per acre, and now the Acting-Premier proposed that an enquiry be made by the Native Affairs Committee, which vis comprised of nine Government maulers and three Oppositionists. “I can sit down and write the report of that committee now,” said Mr Massey amidst laughter. “But I’m going on in after it.” (Loud applause.) Mr Massey referred to the fact that the block of land at Kawhia had boon advertised for sale on optional terms, but after the people had come from all parts of the Dominion to view the land, the Government had withu-awr the optional tenure, because the land was supposed to possess minerals, which should not be parted with by tho State. Yet the same Government allowed the Mokau lands and mireials to go to speculators. (Laughter) Referring to the proposal in the Laud Bill of last year, Mr Massey said it had been made a penal offence for a person owning over 333 acres of firstclass land to acquire a further area. Yet an area of 53,000 acres < i native lands could bo disposed of to speculators without the slightest risk of imprisonment. “If that is Liberalism,” ho said, “it’s not Li he-a'ism as I :m----dortand it.” (Loud appla-mo.) THE OPPOSITION’S POLICY.

The speaker proceeded to detail the policy of the Opposition, as outlined in his Wellington speech, dealing with finances, the fiscal system, the reform of the Legislative Council, reducing the ago limit of old age pensions to women, the reform of the Civil Servants, etc. Ho claimed that the moneys of the Government savings banks,' instead of being borrowed by the Minister of Finance, should be made available to borrowers in the Dominion for the development of internal resources. This would ensure increased interest to depositors andasbist small settlers and others. (Ap-

plauso.) Mr Massey strongly ciiticised the withholding of information concoming the fust of mising the .i\c million end other loans, and said this was not fair to the rep’'jscnti: : 'vs of the people. (Appla-ui • He did not i,eliove a five million lean would have i.con ra sed last yoir nub-ss the Co- •, enriif i t wanted plent v oi money m the. t:■ ca ground >vi:.i wlncli to influonce tlie elections. Eoferrmg to the death duties, the speaker said these affected small estates as well as large ones. No country on earth could he claimed to bo made prospeious by increased 'taxation. (Loud applause.) In dealing with the land policy, Mr Massey said his party desired that the leasehold h<k retained as a stepping stone to the freehold, which every tenant should have the right to acquire if so disposed. He believed there should be limitation of area. Healing with native lands, he stated there were hundreds of thousands of acres up north producing nothing, and contributing nothing in taxation. He admitted that some slight movement in the settlement of native lands had been made under the Act of 1909, but this was not sufficient. my should give the natives every encouragement to occupy and work their own lands, but if they did not do so, the lands should be utilised for European settlement. (Apphuise.) They should do everything possible to break up the communistic system of living, which was a curse to the country and to tbo natives themselves. Dealing with borrowed money, Mr Massey reiterated his former statement ,and exhibited official documents in support of his contention that only 63 per cent, of the loan irioncy had been, expended upon what was known as “reproductive works.” The balance of 37 per cent, had to be found from the pockets of the taxpayers, and meant a substantial increase in taxation. Sir James Carroll had said that 130 Europeans owned thirteen million acres of freehold land. That was utter nonsense. There was not a single European owner in. the Dominion owning 130,000 acres of land. (Applause.) In reference to the Legislative Council, Mr Massey said this at present was infinitely worse than the House of Lords at. Home. He advocated the election of Legislative Councillors, on the proportional representation system over largo constituencies. Mr Massey resumed his seat after speaking for nearly two hours and a half, with a strong appeal to the electors to return to Parliament men of honour and integrity, irrespective of party, men whom they could trust and whom they would consider themselves justified in appointing trustees in their estate. (Loud and prolonged applause.) On the motion of Mr J. C. Cooper, seconded by Mr S.R. Edwards, the following resolution was carried by acclamation and without a single dissentient“That this meeting heartily thanks the leader of the Opposition (Mr Massey) for his able address and the declaration of his policy, and is (f opinion that the time has arrived when a change of administration would be in tie best interests of the Dominion.” Three lusty cheers for Mr Massey tnrminated what the leader of tho Opposition considered one of the most successful meetings held in the Do-

iririon Mr Massey speaks at Pakiatua to mo'jow night.

NOTES BY THE WAY. “The sheep returns are very Hfeavy to prepare,” said the Minister of Agrigulture to Mr. Witty, on Friday, “and it is not usual to bring them down until about November, but I shall endeavour to bring them down earlier tais session.” Mr. Fisher desires to know whether the Minister for Defence is aware that the medical examination, under the Defence Act of those whose services are required for defence purposes, is disclosing a somewhat extraordinary condition of affairs as regards the physical condition of the examinees. He also asks that the Minister should lay before the House any information upon the subject that is obtainable.

Among other amendments of. the Tramways Bill which Mr. Davey has given notice to move in committee is one “That all new tram cars shall he constructed so that conductors shall collect fares' from inside the car instead of from an outside footboard as at present. Further, that 5 per cent, of the cars now in use shall be annually, similarly converted.” Mr. Fisher intends to ask the Minister for Defence to obtain for members complete information regarding the results disclosed by the medical examination of the Territorial Forces.

An extension of the allowance paid by the Department of Education for children who have to be driven to schools is being sought by Mr. Anderson. He suggests that similar assistance should Do given to those children who ride on horseback to school. The member for Geraldine (Mr Buxton) suggests that the Prime Minister should endeavour to secure an ■equalisation of the tariffs between Australia and New Zealand on agricultural produce. Education Reserves. The law relating to the administration of education reserves is to be amended in a number of directions by a Bill introduced by the Hon. G. Fowlds on Friday. Extended leasing powers are given to high school trustees, who are declared to bo leasing authorities under the Public Bodies Leases’ Act. The rents received may be used for any of the purposes to which the income of the trustees is properly applicable. Power is taken to set apart any portion of education reserves or endowments as sites for public, secondary or technical schools. This is to be done on the recommendation of the controlling land board. Transfers, subleases or mortgages in connection witli any reserve or'endowment have to Ire approved by the land board, before they become valid instruments. The boards are to deduct the expenses of maintenance and upkeep of reserves, as well as a sum for administration, from the revenue derived from the land, and pay all into the public account, where it will form part of the consolidated fund. What the Engir.amen Want. The Now Zealand Locomotive Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association telegraphed to the Minister of Pailwavs this week that they wore quite willing to accept the Now South Wales and Victorian conditions

and rates of pay, on condition that the scale of pay was in the same proportion above that of labourers as was the case in the Now South Wales railways. This offer lias (says the “N.Z.' Times”) been declined by the Minister of Railways, who says that the increased cost involved would be such that no railway system could stand it without making material increases in the goods and passenger rates. The proposal meant that Now Zealand engmemen would have to, bo given an increase of 5s 4d per day in the first grade, bringing them up to 17s lOd por day, as against 15s, the highest wage paid in New south Wales, and 14s, the highest paid in Victoria. The cost would bo in Class A (on the basis of 7s per day) £25 157 per annum, and in Class 13 (on the basis of 7s 6d a day) £17,489, while corresponding increases would have to be given to firemen and cleaners. This would, bring the total expenditure up to £7l,Bid. “if those arc the demands of only a small .section of the railway service,” added the Minister, “the public may realise what tfiev have to face.”