THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12750, 23 March 1910, Page 4

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

[United PBEfls Association.] Wellington, March 22. Mr W. F. Massey, th® *f j^ e ;"\ ot the Opposition, arrived in Wellington from Auckland yesterday. He will bo here for a few days. He intends shortly after the holidays to deliver a number of public addresses m aitferent parts -of the Dominion, including Wellington City. "I had been hoping," said xMr Massey to a Post report^ to-day, "that some member of the Government would follow the usual custom and deliver a policy speech, but whether they speak or not, 1 intend to address the public as soon after the Easter holidays as arrangements can be made. Mr Massey added that his^ addresses would range over a wide field of criticism of the policy and administration of the Government. He added, with a smile, "There are very many things that require criticism." Keferring to the question of internal defence, the Leader of the Opposition said he. was opposed at present to increasing the age for compulsory train-ing-beyond 21 ; any proposal to make the age 25 or 28, as had been suggested by Lord Kitchener, would be sure, he thought, to cause a revulsion of feeling, aud might endanger the retention of the advance that bad been made. He thought the present law in respect to the age (21 years) should be given a fair trial.. Speaking of tlie difference of opinion as to the route that should he adopted for the North Auckland railway Mr Massey said tho position he took up was this: The Governmeut.had decided to set up a commission to report pn^Ehe best route to be adopted after the line had reached a certain point. If there was any doubt as to^ the route from the present terminus to the point fixed by tho Minister of Public Works, that .section of the proposed line should, in Mr Massey's opinion*; be included in the eeppe of .the commission, which should consist of experts.