AN OFT-TOLD TALE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13054, 23 April 1910, Page 6

AN OFT-TOLD TALE.

VIR. MASSEY AND HIS PARTY

Prospects “Bright.”

(Per United Press Association ) ASHBURTON, April 23. - In the course of an-interview to-day, Mr ilassey, Leader of the Opposition, who is spending a day in the district, said so far :s the party with which he was connected ias concerned, lie might say matters were i lighter than they had been during the iast 15 years. Referring to the Govornnent’s promise to bring down a Bill prodding an amendment -in the .system of ooal government for the country districts, 'lr; Massey said he sincerely hoped their ■romisos would be kept, because the prejent system was very much behind the 'imes and required to be brought into line vith existing bodies, giving much work n connection with roads and bridges and -vould be much better done by men oil tire ■ ; pot. He did not know what the Government intended to do in regard to the land niestion. They brought down a Bill last ossion but abandoned it, very much to he amusement of the Opposition and the thci of the Government’s own supporters. -Ir Massey expressed the opinion that the nirnmg question in the North was really ho settlement of native lands but much is he would like to sec the question added, he doubted very much whether it yould be done next session. He considered t was a. shameful state of things that mil■ous of acres of land—good, bad and ia-hffqrent-should be allowed to’lie idle "aying neither rates' nb’r taxes, and improving in value through the making of oa.ls and railways and the industry of ne European settler on the adjoining ands, while settlers, were actually icavinothe country because they could not get and Regarding the retrenchment scheme dr Massey said they wore looking forward vuii interest to the details of tli« retrenchnont_ scheme. A cumber of interestinoquestions had cropped up during the recess which had been only partly dealt "2™ last .session. For instance, that of’ ytlicia. advices in London,; the disclosures ;n .connection with the < High ‘ Cpnunisnoner’s office; different, enquiries’ held in Wellington-an regard to iho working of the Land and Income Tax Department; md the Znyvett case. All these questions and many others must be dealt with during the coming session, and Mr Massey .bought it quite safe to predict that next session, would; bo quite lively and intern’ - in gto -those interested in politics.