MR. MASSEY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 592, 21 August 1909, Page 6

MR. MASSEY.

NATIONAL TESTIMONIAL. / GREAT IN AUCKLAND. ' FIGHTING SPEECHES.' THE OPPOSITION AND THE FUTURE. (By Teleeraph -Special Correspondent) ' Auckland, August 20 To-night his many friends and admirers in all parts of Now Zealand, and indeed -* \ boyond these shores also, paid a oompbment l to the popular Leader of His Majesty's \ ' Opposition (Mr. W P Massoy), whose work [ throughout his Parliamentary eoreor haa [ , well merited the esteem of the people of \ the Dominion as a whole. Those who know t * Mr Hassey personally, whatever shade of , political opinion they may profess, will -cordially endorse the koynoto of the oon- , giatulatory speeches delivered, namely, the : «. absolute personal and political integrity of [ Mr Massey No one who had ever met the f ' Leader of the Opposition could over imagine P him doing or saying anything m which ho t did not conscientiously believe. Ho stepped j on to the stage of the Choral Hall to-night f , all his brisk, breezy self, a little grejer, J ' , perhaps, than when he succeeded Sir Wm I ' ' Bussdl in the Leadership of the party, but I - otherwise showing no sign of tho long stram ■ ' of the political battle which has never broken ; Ins spirit nor weakened his principles, and the rousing cheers with which he was re- ' oeived were a spontaneous tribute to the u ' sterling worth of a courageous and upright ', public man. The "grand battler," as he has, been termed, is tho iflol of tho freeholder, I and in the back-blocks of Auckland he has j won an amount of esteem that no other [ ' ( politician in tho Dominion can claim, for his I fight against /the Land Bill wilt never bo * ' forgotten by the settlers for whom that \ grand old orator, Mr. Richard Monk, one of 1 the most poetical speakers that ever sat in \, ' Parliament, spoke to-night. j> -A VAST ASSEMBLY. X Long before the proceedings commenced, I , the Ghoral Hall was packed to the doors i 'Auckland does not possess a building that I would contain all who desired to attend, and I amongst tho audience were representatives of f almost every district in this province, and a _i < Dumber of representatives of other parts of the Dominion Arrangements had been ttado to admit subscribers by ticket, and by 1 30 the hall was practically filled in this way, so that when tho outer doors woro ' opened, there was comparatively little rodm [*■ left for the ordinary public, so that the E v building was crowded and many had to bo i ■> turned away Tho presentation fund had £ f been' liberally subscribed to because, in adf dition to the. mam present of a I x cheque for one thousand guineas, there was a I grandfather's clock, an exceedingly handsome f timepiece for Mr Massey, and a gold and dia!t mond bracelet and a complete set 'of solid f table silver for Mrs. Massey Mr F. W > Lang, MP. for Manukau, occupied the \ chair, and amongst other legislators pror < eent weren Messrs, James .Allen, Bollard, I PhiUipps, Buiok, Hemes, Guthrie, Fisher, f Buchanan, and Mander. Many other pro- > jninent people occupied seats on the ,platJ /form. A pile of letters and telegrams Of opology, a foot deep, was placejl on tho , table. The actual programme was opened } with a pianoforte solo by Miss Madoleine • iWebb, followed h by a song by Miss Millicent t - lAickm, a recently-returned pupil of Mart chesi ' THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH;' . Y m The chairman then addressed the gather- , ' ing. He briefly reviewed the movement ( " \ which led up to to-night's gathering, and , < saidHhere was a rumour that the subsenp- ' tion was got up ( to pay Mr Massey's ex- , penses, but thi3 r was not so. It iwas an H additional testimonial to the Leader of tho t Opposition. (Cheers) In the Dominion of [ Canada the Leader of tho Opposition re- £ coived a salary. (A voice: So ho should ' - ' here,' too ) (Cheers.) Mr. Lang went on < to say many people did not realise that the E ' Leader of the Opposition only received the i ,6ame salary as an ordinary lIP., while the ) Ministers received from £1000 to £1800, and j Y travelling ,expenses Hβ (the speaker) did i not .think Mr Massey cared much about 1 ' this..,- In fact, a good many held the view l "that Mr. Massey would not long be Leader ' ' ofi'the Opposition, but would be Prime Mini , , inter. (Cheers:) He (Mr. Lang) felt that there was a general feeling in favour of f a change. There should be a stirring up. > >We wanted a sensible land'policy, which J would keep the young men hore, instead of i allowing them to go to other countries r —(cheers)—and a sensible Native land [ policy was badly needed (Loud J cheering ) The subscriptions had como in from all parts of New Zealand, showing how Mr. Massey's i sterling work, and his political oourago were ' otDCogmsed throughout the Dominion (Ap- ; plause.) "What greater honour could' any \ public man have than to know that ho had \ tbo esteem .and respect of all shades of I political opinion in his country (AppUuse.) The chairman thon read a selected few of i, the apolosies, the many cordial expressions I fof admiration for Mr Massey beinx received > ( with loud v applauso Mention of the great \ - fight against tho Land Bill especially was 1 greeted with prolonged cheers. [ THE PRESENTATION. ; - Mr. Jfts. Allen, MP., was then called % upon to mako the presentation, and was f greeted with loud applause. Hβ said he" felt the duty placed upon him was an honour both to himself and his constituents Hβ i did not know whether it was a tradition of the colonies, but it hod becomo tho practice [ for Ministers to travel throughout the coun- '. try at tho country's expense Eβ did not , say anything against their travelling, for f that was necessary, but they used tho opf portunity to carry out electioneering v ' If I that A\aa necessary in the mtorest of good [ ' governmont, it ivas equally nectbsary mat s . Mr. jMassey should travel throughout the J. Dominion at the country's expenso (Ap- \ plaus.o ) Mr. Massey, had dono so,, and did » it ont of\his own pocket (Cheers) fie I (Mr. s Allen) came from the other end of the I Dominion, and the telegrams on tho tablo ! wore only a few compared with he had i received from people in the South Island ' On behalf of his own constituents, he (Sir. f Allen) should have been m attendance on a , Minister who was travelling through Bruce, f but his constituents said. "Go to Mr I Massey's testimonial meotins We will look j * after the Mimstor." (Laughter and ap- { p\ause.) Mr. Allen read many tolcgrams J from prominent Oppositionists m the South i ' Island, and went on to sa> that from tho f , first day Mr Massey appeared m Parhar ment ho made his sturdy self-rolianco folt, ' and if the Government members of tho House i were to speak their minds to-day, they would t say that the country was tho betterfor hav ; ing him in Parliament. (Applause) Since £ Mr Massoy ' became Leader of the. party I ho had won golden opinions throughout the j<. Dominion, and when tho luturo history camo ' to be written, hje name would rank high I amongst the mo3t prominent men m that - history. In tho old days, a Ministry having I r decided upon its policy stuck to it to J the last. Ho would ask if that were bo 1 . now? (Laughter.) Nowadajs a Ministry i ; / could nail its colours to the mast and then \ pull thorn down again, and stick up some-1 r ✓ ono else's colours. (Laughter and applause) j The man who sat as Leader of tho Opposi- ' tion, without secretaries and without other i information than an ordinarj , member, had I to bo familiar with ovory detail of legislation j coming forward, on top of all his ordinary j duties. The Opposition had actually been called upon by tho Government to produco a [ policy, was a umquo thing for an Opposition to do, but Mr. Massey produced J a policy, and out of that policy tho Govoni- ; ment had gladly l soi7>ed hoW of several I planks. (Applause) Mr. Massoy was not t now a Minister of tho Crown, because ho , was lojal to party and loyal to the people • of New Zealand, and because ho would not f consent to becomo a Minister unless tho * policy he knew was in tho interests of tho people of tho Dominion was adopted (Loud apphusc) Ho (Mr. Allen) would tell them the reason that some of Mr Massey's party thonsht the reason Mr. Masses was not

Prime Minister, _ and that was because he had been too hones*. (Applause.) Had he accepted the advice given to him and from members of his own party ho (Mr Allen) regretted to say, and allowed the Government to push through legislation that was brought down with all its objectionable features, the people would have been so disgusted with the legislation that they would have kicked the Government out, and put Mr Massey into power. (Laughter l and cheers) Mr Massey had replied that he would do his duty. (Applause ) Mr Massey was a true friend of the worker, and a worker himself -(applause)—and his policy naa to encourage a vigorous land sett'ement policy, and he had imprinted his stamp on the legislation of the day The speaker went on to refer ttf-sotne of the planks in Mr Massey's polioy, >such as land settlement with security of tenure, and Civil Service reform; and concluded with references to Mr. Massey's own strong personality and vigorous ohampionship of the cause of the man on the land Mr Allen then made the presentations, the audience rising and cheering Mr. and Mrs Massey to the echo, and smgine "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow " MR. MASSEY , AS A LEADER. Mr 'W H Hemes, M P , followed with an address on Mr Massey's qualities as a leader, saying that their leader was also a great fighter, a man of tireless energy and indomitable courage, who sat through Parliament day after day and night after night, always keenly watching and never losing a point of all that transpired, ready at a moment's notice to challenge a statement on the opposite side with facts and figures (Applause ) It was not a party testimonial, and as far as he (Mr. Hemes) was concerned, that was not a party meeting There were people who differed from Mr Massey who recognised him as a true patriot, and the number of one shillina subscriptions showed that this was the most spontaneous testimonial that had ever been Given to a statesman in New Zealand (Cheers) There were COOO subscribers in all Compromise was a word that Mr Massey's \ocabulary did not contain The Bill, the whole Bill, and nothinobut the Bill, was the cry of reform, and Mr Massey called for the freohold, and nothing but the freehold—(applause)— and had nailed the colours of freehold to the mast. (Cheers) "RIGHT WORTHY." Mr Buchanan, MP (Wauarapa). spoke of the magnificent reception being given to a> man right worthy of it (Cheers ) He (Mr Buchanan) leferred to having sat in Parliament with three Premiers, and he ventured to predict that the time was not far distant when Auckland would have the honour of providing the fourth (Cheers ) Ho was sure if the people of New Zealand were given the opportunity to-morrow there would be no doubt of Mi Massey's return to pouer (Ap- V plause and cheers) If the people only knew what this Dominion owed to Mr Massey's principles, they would carry him and his party to victory without delay (AppUuse ) PLANTING SOME SEED. Mr Pisher (Wellington) said ho wanted to plant a little seed m the head of everyone I present, so that they would go out as agents of the Opposition,- and *so that by nest gene- | ral election they would help to carry all tho Auckland seats He asked the people to mark their respect for Mr. Massey by putting papers m the ballot-bax, and by taking ithe party by the scruff of the neck and sbakin* it up j He (Mr. Fisher) had ,tho opportunity of judging of Mr Massey's conduct very closely, and after four years' close study of Parliament from the inside, he declared for We. Leader of the Opposition (Applausii.) He had frequently heard the question asked. Was Mr- Massey a leader? His (Mr. Fisher's) own action was his answer. (Cheers) They asked a man to ead a paity and up to- the last election gave him twelve or thirteeri"men to lead against sixty-four, but what man in New Zealand could. say,,that Mr Massey did not lead that little band to noble purpose? (Loud applause ) How .well thSt little party fought the powerful Government on the land policy 1 (Cheers ) Referring to- 'the Ministry, Mr. (■lsher said tha,t lfyan'fino' went to the Ministry to settle a dispute, so used were th,ey to shuffling that if they were asked to decide between beer or lemonade they would say "Me them." (Laughter.) Was this country going to sit down and take any more of what ne called "shandygaff" legislation, or would it rise up and get rid of the men who were prepared to adopt any principle, provided they were not deprived of a salary of £1000 a year, withirhouse allowance and travelling expenses? '- They should ,make a strenpous fight fr6m .ndjr on till next election and make tie pace hot from the start. (Cheers) ' Mi Guthrie (Oroua) spoke of Mr-Massey as a man, straightforward and honeet in all his dealings, who did his duty to the people of New/Zealand loyally and fearlessly. (Applause ) ' Mr. Buick (Palmeraton North) advised the party to 4 organise at once for the next general .election Some people believed this Government would go out before the end of this Parliament, but anyone who saw the ranks of dumb voters on the Government benohes would never think that Mr. R. Monk thanked Mr Massey in tho name of the country settlers for the freehold policy, and spoko of a country in the future peopled by sturdy yeomen rejoicing in the possession of homes in which! no) landlord could poke his nose. (Applause) MR. MASSEY'S REPLY. Mr.'Massey, upon using to reply, was greeted Tuth prolonged cheering Hβ began by saying that he thanked the people of the Dominion, and thanked them from the bottom of his heart, for the handsome and valuable testimonial given Mrs. Massey anc himself He was glad to oe accompanied on the platform by member3 v of the Opposition party, men ho had stcod side by side with, shoulder,to shoulder, fighting for the good of the country' (Applause ) It was hfteea years 'since he entered Parliament, and he noticed amongst the audience some of the first of his constituents in Waitemata , When he entered Parliament he made up his mind he would do his best for the country, and tha'fc he Vould steer the straight course To that decision he had adhered (Applause) Hβ did not say he had not made mistakes, but when, he erred he honestly behoved it was not to benefit either himself or his party. (Applauso) Other speakers had said the,position of a Leader ot the Opposition was a difficult one, and that was so, but since he had occupied the position he had had tho assistance of some ot the best and ablest men that ever sat in Parliament— (cheers)—men who were pa'triots and statesmen —(cheers) —and, moreover, honest men—(applause)—and he would sooner stay in opposition to the end of his Parliamentary life with them, than sit on the Government benches without thorn. (Applause ) v Hβ was prouder to realise that ho bad the esteem and respect of so many people m the Dominion than of the handsomest testimonial that could ever be given him During last Parliament tho position of a Leadei of the Opposition had been a particularly strenuous one, for at tho previous elections the Opposition was badly defeated A voice. You got left at the post , Mr. Massoy But we are very near tho winning post now. fLaugnter and loud applause ) He ventuied to think that the country was very soiry for the mistake made then, but the Opposition had no idea of taking its beating lying down •• < > Kept the j Flag Flying. ( It fought on and on, and it kept its flag flying, aud those colours were flying now over the strongest and ablest Opposition that ever sat in Parliament (Cheers) The party had done its duty fearlessly, by freely and candidly criticising the proposals of the Government, supporting what it Relieved to be in tho interest of the country, and fighting against what it believed to be against the country's interest, restraining the Governmont when it wont too fast, and jogging it when it went too slowly, and the present Governmont was the slowest that evor sat on the Government benches (Applause), Last election tho Opposition was returned with a gTeatly-increased majority, proving that the people of the country wore satisfied with the attitude taken up bj the Opposition (ApplauEe.) He believed the people had good reason to be satisfied with the work tho part) had done, and well pleased that it had been able to prevent the mischief it did prevent. Ho bolioyed that onormouA gams of

money were eaved thie! country by the candid oritioism of the . Very, many of the Opposition's suggestions were accepted by the Government, and put forward as part of the Government'policy. (Applause). He .wanted, to..see. the, present Government remain in power long enouglv to-suffer for its own,sins and shortcomings. (Applause.) Ho wanted to. see; them remain long enough to show up their" own maladministration, and ho wanted to-toll the people of the Dominion that lie would never be satisfied until the party he; had the honour to lead was returned with a substantial majority in the House of Representatives. .(Cheers.)., The Opposition, Was a .party banded ; together for spoils of office. It ;\vas anxious to "leave the country better than-it found it. It had stood for the "rights and , privileges'of the, subject,. for honesty of 'administration*, .and for progress in the , best sense.of the* word— for progress in land-settiemout, and-.for the openijig up , of'the . country by roads and bridges. ; (Applause.); True Liberalism consisted, not' in placing all the burden on one 1 section., of -.• the' community, 'but' in making theburden; as light as' , possible, and distri- ■ .-.■.■ r;' : : '■■' : * *'"* ■''.'"■:.■ , ■.'" ■'"■ - ' f ■■'

'.buting.it asJeyenly-as ■.possible. ■■■ (Applause.) Ithad been mentioned that:the'country-was passing- tirough a '-'financial crisis, but.-wh'a-t. I ,w'as; Parlkmoni .doing to. remedy tho state ' •of affairs ?'. Absolutely ■ nothing, and ; tho mWbers , were given throe months' holiday. What'...were the.Minister's doing?.; One was acting as mouthpiece'for, tho rest, and delivering ;a lot of meaningless speeches.. The jwuDitry wanted a/Government that would do T^etbjng ?li or..,el» ; gej.,out : .6f\the;:!way...,. ~ ■ /; -Sick of Talk' and Talhpa. , . , 'It : seemed .to him that the 'country' was ■ . heartily -.sick ./of.'.the'-.pdlicy,-"':of ■'talk' iaiid taihoa.,. (Applause.) .What - the .country wanted was a Goyofnmont';th.af;!would open lup the' lands for,*:settlement,';and' increase' : the exports. (Applause.) ilf wo were going to increase the , population , .of the country' and the capital; invested, the policy.of tho Gov-; ' ernment in olfice must ibe 7 such as would give , oonfidenc©! riot only-here, but abroad. •(Applause.;) ■' He , spoke of the .■; necessity •. . for , opening .'. up- ;• : the . Qrown' and. V Native lands on, the (Optional tenure,' 'and said that -out '• -of/' 35 blocks ".of " country : lands allotted 'in Queensland, 25 ' \yere allotted to New'.Zealanders.,>;> This ■ wasa regrettable thing,■■ for it .meant-that :our .best young men were leaving,, us. Hβ was one' who.had. g^t'faith ; ;stirr..in : 'New : Zea'. land: Ho hoped, and beliovedy.it-would become a very important ..part of ( the Empire of theifuture, and.largely assist the, Empire in. maintaining th© supremacy of the sea.. (Applause.) ; He._was not' going to discuss whether our assistance should be , for 'Dreadnoughts or cruisers. He hoped.and'believed that for all-time Now Zealand would remain part/of tho.British Empire. (Applause.) The country., was passing. through.' a /-, financial crisis;; but it. would prove' , not an unmixed blessmg ; foritwould teach'.us that it could ;be 'possible; for the State; to undertake too many functions. About 130,000 people,-it was stated, absolutely depended upon the StateVfor a living in this.country,-,, with 'a population; of under a million, and that was a dangerous and improper state' of affairs; He feared it-was owing to that that the cent, drop'in -prices, was felt'so severely.;.; It seemed to him ! we were having too much State and not enough of the, individual. (Applause.)l 'The Ministerfor.Railways said he intended to; make the railways pay. He (Sir. Massey) 'applauded that decision, but said it .would .never be possible, under the pre-. : sent; system'of control' to' make . them : pay. Our railways. Wore , being constructed on, an. obsoletq syste_m, and this system'was adhered to because ,it\meant votes. In'conclusion, 'ho thanked this people",agam for .-.'their' l presents,. and said half of the credit of any use :he was able to >o was. due,to his'wife.. (Applause.), The Opposition would continue to do its duty fearlessly. , The meeting to-night had thrown ■increased responsibility upon it, but it would riso.-'to /the^occasion:: fearlessly,. , and. do its duty to the country as a whole. (Applause.) ."The height, of my ambition,";said : Mr. Jtfas-. seyvin .conclridiug, "wiirbe to.promoto the welfare of .this country, and .'the happiness,' and prosperity of its people. , ' ;.;>■,.'■'".-.' ■: - 0,..-;','■'/>'; '■'-■■■■'■' The.'- proceedings'' then- terminated '.' amid loud and prolonged cheering. ;■■:,..:. ■':'■<.*'■ .