MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 4

MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED

PR(ASPECTS OF THE LAND BILL

The present Parliamentary session lias, in the opinion of Air W. F. Alassey, Leader of the Opposition, been most unsatisfactory, and productive of very little work "of any importance. ‘As a matter of fact,” Mr Alassey remarked to a “New Zealand Herald” representative 'when visiting the Auckland Show, “the session has been completely spoiled by being postponed from June to October. There have been no obstructive tactics during the present session,” Air Massey continued; “on the contrary we have given the Government every facility to get on with the business' and every encouragement to put tlieir proposals forward. There is a certain saying about giving some people enough and a certain result will follow. AVe have now got the Government’s policy, so-called, and find that it includes serious increases of taxation in four directions, including seven methods of increasing the burdens of-the people; a land policy, stolen for the occasion, and which I believe they do not want to give effect to, which, in fact, they are now unwilling to bring into operation, and which I think they dare not give effect to. The excuse for the increases of taxation is that money is required for defence purposes. That "may he, but, even if such is the case, the amount of increase should be limited to the amount required for this particular purpose, and should not be collected until it is wanted. But tho increase of taxation will commence almost at once, and, so far as I am able to judge, it will be more than double the amount required for defence.” “What do you consider are the methods bv which the burdens of the public are being increased?” “I consider they are these, Air Massey replied:—(l) Increase of Customs duties, (2) increase of income tax, (3) 2£ per cent, on gross revenue or racing clubs, (4) increased death duties, (5) increases in railway fares, (6) repeal of part two of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, by which in future the local bodies will have to find their own sinking funds, instead of having them provided from the Consolidated I* and, and (7) repeal-of the Crown Tenants Rebate Act.” _ . “Do you think that the Land Bill will come before the House tins ses-

sionP” • , ~ , “I doubt’if it will,” was the reply; “but, if it does, we shall endeavor to improve on it, so as to, give the option of freehold wherever possible and without any complicated or unfair conditions. As for the lands, which were locked up by the Act of 190/, because thev are supposed to he endowments. I believe the optional system /Should

be extended to lands and the moneys received therefor used-for purchasing land in cities or suburbs, and these Tatter kept as endowments. By so doing settlement would be encouraged and public . interests would not suffer, but would probably :be greatly bcI1L “How do v ou regard the native legislation now before Parliament. •“It is a step forward, Mr Massey remarked, “but I am afraid it is rather in the nature of a sop to Cerberus than a remedy for the many evils connected with the native land system.” _