THE OPPOSITION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 7

THE OPPOSITION.

PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE

DOMINION.

PROSPECTS OF COALITION. A BRIGHT OUTLOOK. Mr. R. R. Martin, organising secretary tf tho New Zealand Political Reform League, arrived in Wellington last week from aii organising tour, and was interviewed by a representative of this paper. ' On being questioned as to the small mini-' ber of Opposition members returned at the last general election, Mr. Martin said that, as it had been necessary for him to visit several of the electorates in both islands, he had had excellent opportunities of ascer- ■ taining tho views of his party supporters. ' Thoro was a general feeling that eympathy ' for the lato Premier over tte voucher question, the wholesale promises of expenditure of public money, and tho very exceptional or- ' ganising ability of Mr. Seddoa, who had man- , aged to reconcile certain opposing interests ' and secure support from all, were tho priu- ! cipal factors in the securing of so many seats. COALITION. "I mot people," said Mr. Martin, in rcpry' '■ to a question regarding the suggestions'" of a coalition, " who woro of opinion that the ' moderate men on tho Government sido and the Oppositionists must eventually join forces, so as to check the ultra-Socialistic « party, which appeared to havo inspired much of tho legislation of tho present session, and , which would prob'ably make a strong effort , to strengthen itself at tho next election. v Others woro very strongly opposed to coali-fi tion, on tho'ground that tho supporters oK tho Opposition policy are numerically ver?' much stronger than tho general public reak 1 iee. I consider, there is a good deal to bil said in favour of this view, as the numbej of votes which were required to give the Opposition an actual majority at the last election was far less than many imagine.**The aggregate numbers of votes recorded h'j"

each party were as follow:— -<ii For tho Government candidates .;. 206483 For the Opposition ... 157,193 > "So that had the latter party been ■represented in Parliament in proportion to' their voting strength Mr. Massey would, have had thirty-one supporters under his leadership, and Sir Joseph AVard forty-three, exclusive, of course, of Maori, members." : THE NEXT ELECTION. , ■It was too early yet to attompfc.to prick tho card for the next election,' continued Mr. Martin, but ho had no hesitation in pre^ l ' dieting a gain of a number of seatfe to the Opposition.- "Tho result of the two byelections in tho Nort\) Island has been most encouraging to our supporters." In the Manukau electorate last.Decomber, Mr. Lang . practically doubled the majority secured by ; Mr. Kirkbrido at tho general election; Tho actual majority waa 1248, as against 646 the previous year; whilst'in, taranaki Mr, Okeyj. who was defeated at tho "general election' by. 219 votes, was returned last May with a majority;of 364—and thte'»iil ; an electorate,' which tho Government looked upon as one' of their strongest seats.

GAINING'STRENGTH. "Then you consider the Opposition an gaining strength?' , "Yes, certainly. ' I found throughout Hie Dominion an intenso feeling of admiration for tliQ splendid, fight Mr. Massey and Ins supporters in Parliament havo put up since tho Land Bill was introduced last session. I havo found also determination amongst tho farming community to do their utmost' to strengthen tho Opposition, and in several instancos on ; the part of mon who had pro-r. Viousiy given their support to Government' candidates." ,