MATTERS POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3556, 22 June 1912, Page 7

MATTERS POLITICAL.

OPPOSITIONISTS AT DEVONPORT.

“WE CANNOT CRITICISE THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY—HAS NOT COT ONE!” MR. ..MASSEY AND THE LAND QUESTION.

- (Abridged from Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 21.

Adherents' of the Reform Party turned out in force to a rally held at Devonport to-night. The chair was taken by Mr E- AV. Alison and tile speakers included the Leader -of the Reform Party, the member for Wellington Central (Mr F. M. B. Fisher), the member for Wellington Suburbs (Mr M. H. D. Bell), the member for Marsden (Mr F. Mander), and the member for the district (Mr A. R. Harris). Mr A. E. Glover, member for City Central, was also present, and at the invitation of the chairman took liis seat upon the platform. Air Fisher, in his speech, said that at the present juncture it was impossible to criticise the Government’s policy simply because there was none. The Government at the present time was talking very loudly about the necessity for breaking up monopolies, but the question naturally arose why did they not move in this direction in the Parliament of 1906-1908, when they had a majority in the House of 48 . and could have carried any measure they liked ? They were fond also of talking of the Reform party as a collection of antiquated Tories, blaming them for policies evolved and words spoken when many of the present party were in their cradles. The party contained a young and progressive element and only two of the members had been in the House more than 20 years. Upon rising to speak Mr Massey received something of an ovation. He desired, he said, to reply to some of the points raised by the Prime Minister at Albany. He had no objection, as Mr Mackenzie seemed to think, to Ministers going about the country holding meetings- The more they did so the better for the Opposition , and as far as he was concerned they were welcome to do so as much as they liked. Touching upon the land question he said that the only definite pronouncement yet made by the Premier was to the effect that- upon the death of land-holding bachelors the Government would take their property and sub-divide it for settlement. This was the only thing in the shape of a policy to which he had given utterance. and this, in face of the fact that millions of acres of land were lying idle and that some of the best sons of the soil were leaving the country in despair and the people were showing an ever increasing tendency to crowd into the towns.

Tlie land policy of the Opposition, on the other hand, was clear and definite. They stood for closer settlement and for security of tenure. — (Applause). AA 7 ith reference to the £4,000,000 loan Mr Massey reiterates liis previous pronouncements about the cost involved in raising it and the unsoundness of short-dated loans. A resolution was carried that the electors of AA'a’temata express tlielr appreciation of the splendid and whole-hearted services rendered by Mr Massey in. the highest interests of the State and its entire confidence in the Reform Party and the hope that during the coming session it will receive the support of a working majority in the House.