(Per United Press Association.)

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11974, 18 September 1906, Page 4

(Per United Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, September 17

Tho Theatre Royal was crowded to overflowing to-night, on the occasion of the presentation of a purse of sovereigns to M>. H. J. H. Okey, the Opposition candidate for the Taranaki electorate at the late general election. The presentation was made by Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition. There were al«o prc&oat : Messrs. Jas. Allen, Lewie, Hardy, and Malcolm, M.H.R.'s.

In the courso oi his remarks Mr. Ma^noy referred to Mr. Okcy as a politician alter his own heart, and hoped he would yet represent Taranaki. Ite had noticed it stated that he would lay down a new policy fo - the Opposition to-night. That wis not so. At the last election the Opposition had been badly beaten, bnt they would not take the beating lying down. They had boon beaten by superior organisation, misrepresentation 1 , and implied promises of grants of public money to districts which returned Government' supporters. At the next election the Opposition would be better prepared, and the people would understand their policy better, and know them as representatives <}f the -niost genuine form of Liberalism. The Op] osition. believed in ecjual opportunity to all. Ho referred Briefly to the death of the Premier, which all regretted. The came party wae in power, but with fresh administration. Dealing with the land, Masscy opposed the Laad Bill, which, under the pretext of setting aside endowments, really intended to make it impassible for the Crown settler to acquire tho freehold. The freehold was to be abolished, also the option and L.I.P. systems, and there was to be substituted a 66-yeare lease with revaluation. That form of tenure would not suit the sturdy eottleiW of this coloiiy. Men would not p - o on the land linger sucji conditions. There was no security of tenure. He felt certain what was proposed would do more injury to settlement than anything that had happened in recent years. The iioO.OOO limitation proposal would effect very few — only two estates in Auckland and Taranaki. The Government had surrendered to the leaseholders aad lind nationaliaers, and the policy was in the interests of the latter, not of the whole colony. There should be no subdivision at any time that would cause injustice or nardriiiuu' to landowners. He believed in the freehold. (Applause.) Let every man have the chance of becoming his own landlord. A capable and vigorous Opposition ought to be appreciated by the country. Mr. Massey concluded amidst great applause.

Mr. Jas. Allen, M.H.R., criticised the Government's action in raicing interest on money lout under tho Loans to Local Bodies Act, considering it should be lowered to the lowest possible rate, the colony bearing a share of the burden. He wanted an aetiirinl investisration into the tiupoiannuation schemes. The man in the country had more right to tho freehold thjin the man in the town.

Mr. Hardy talked platitudes abou beautiful New Plymouth.

Mr. Lewis deplored the increase in tho number of purely professional politicians in the House.

Mr. Malcolm said the Opposition never had been out of sympathy with the honest needs of the working man. There were several other speakers. The meeting was enthusiastic and sucreeeful.