THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2768, 24 March 1910, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

MR. MASSEY ON THE WAR-RATH

rPmi Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, March 23. Mr. W. F. Massey, leader of th Opposition, arrived in Wellington from Auckland on Monday, and will be here for a few days. He intends shortly after the holidays to deliver a number of public addresses in different parts of the* Dominion, including Wellington City. “I had hoped,” said Mr Massey to a “Post” reporter, “that some member of the Government would follow the usual custom and deliver a political speech, but whether they speak or not, I 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, and,” he added with a smile, “there are very, 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 25 or 28, as had been suggested by Lord Kitchener, would bo sure, lie 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 years) should be given a fair trial. . .

Speaking of the difference of opinion as to the route of the Auckland railway, Mr Massey said the position ho 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 reached a certain point. If .there was any doubt as to the route from the present terminus to the point fixed by the Minister of 'Public Works, that section of the proposed line should, in Mr Massey’s opinion, also he included in the scope of the Commission, which should consist of exports.