THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS CRITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3742, 30 January 1913, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS CRITICS.

MR MASSEY AT HASTINGS

CAN AFFORD TO IGNORE THE “FEDS.”

PEOPLE WITH THEIR OWN HOMES.

WHAT THE REFORMERS DESIRE

[TEES3 ASSOCIATION TELEGEAMI HASTINGS, Jan. 29. This evening in the presence, among a large crowd, of the Premier, Horn W. H. Heines, and Messrs Pearce and •Buick, M.’sP., and Sir tYm. Russell, Mr C. H. Williams presented Mr Campbell, M.P., with an illuminated address on behalf of his constituents and to mark their appreciation. With the exception of that of the Premier, the addresses were of a com-; plimentary nature to Mr Campbell. The Premier, who was given a hearty reception by the crowded audience in the theatre, recounted the work done last session and claimed that as far as time permitted the Government had worked hard to- redeem their pledges. Speaking of the land policy he said they had given thousands of settlers the opportunity of becoming their own landlords. What they were doing for settlers in the country they intended also to do for workers in the towns—provide them with the means of owning their own homes. Hawke’s Bay had not been forgotten in the matter of land settlement, and more would have been done bad they had the money.

Referring,to comment in the Opposition press stating that some settlers in the South had got their land below its value, he said he had not received an official report cf the matter, but. he added, even had a dozen men got land at less than its value, if would not prevent the Government giving the settlers what they had been asking for for so long—the opportunity t.> make their holdings their own. Regardiiig the civil service, he said that the Government had good men as Commissioners, and in future civil servants’ advancement- and promotion would depend on their own ability and merit, and not on their friendships with members of Parliament. Regarding electoral reform he said that both Houses were now agreed to the principle that- members who made the laws cf the country should be elected by the people who have to obey the laws.

He regretted the financial committments left as legacies by their predecessors. At the present time then' were committments amounting to £500,000 outstanding. Xo one could find fault- with the present financial position of the country. The revenue was never more flourishing, hut the difficulty lay in obtaining lean money. Mr Allen was now in London- and he believed he would he successful in his mission.

He refuted the statement that the Government was pledged to sto-p borrowing. What they were pledged to was to see that borrowed money was expended properly. The country was never more prosperous than it was at present, and he was confident that the bulk of the people had confidence, not only in the country, but also in the present Administration. There were a few who did not believe in his Government. He instanced the "Red Feds.” and the "Brown Feds.” and said they could afford to ignore them both. All they wanted were sensible, industrious, and loyal men on their side and they had them. They were going to do the best they could for the country, and whether their term was long or short that was a matter for the electors to decide.

He hoped that when the time came for them to go out of office they would be leaving the country in a much better condition than it was when they came into power.