THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

West Coast Times, 23 March 1910, Page 3

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

ARRIVES IN WELLINGTON. PUBLIC ADDRESSES CONTEMPLATED. fBY TELETIKAPH —I’Jlt PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, March 22. Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, arrived in Wellington from Auckland yesterday, and will he here for a few days. Ho intends shortly after the holidays to deliver a number of public addrescs in different parts of the Dominion, including Wellington City. “I had been hoping,” said Mr Massey, to a “Post’ ’reporter to-day, “that some member of the Government would follow the usual custom and deliver a policy speech, but whether they speak or not, I intend to address the public as soon after the Easter holidays as arrangements can he made.” Mr Massey added that his addresses wotdd range over a wide field of criticism, of the policy and administration of the Government, “and:,” he added witji a smile, “there are very many things that require criticism.” Alluding to the question of internal defence, the Leader of the Opposition said he was opposed at present to increasing the age for compulsory training beyond 21, Any proposal to make the age 2o or 28, as had been suggested by Lord Kitchener, would be sure, he thought, to cause a revulsion of feeling and might endanger the retention of the advance that had been made. He though the present law in respect to the age (21 year's) should he given a fair trial. Speaking of the difference of opinion as to the route that should he adopted for the North of Auckland railway, Mr Massey t,aid tlur position he took up was this:—The Government had decided to set up a commission to report on the best route to be adopted after the line had readied a certain point. If there was any doubts as to the route from the present terminus to the point fixed by the Minister of Public Works i that section of the proposed line should i (in Mr Massey's opinion) also hp jn- ; chided in the scVpe of the Commission, which should consist of experts.