REFORM CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1148, 8 June 1911, Page 4

REFORM CAMPAIGN.

"THE TIME HAS COME IrORl r OR A CHANGE." (By TclccrauU.-Succial Corresaondcnt.l Auckland, Juno 7. Sir. \V. I\ Mnsscy, Leader of the o|l* position, is well satisfied with the results of the political campaign "Inch ho Ins just completed in Otago, Southland, and Canterbury. Speaking to a reporter josterday, lie said:— . , . "1 can say that from my point of view, and Hint of I lie parly, the tour was oxeoedingly s-atisl'aciiry. lu <ivcry centre i visited I met a very large number ol people who expressed themselves at (lie public meetings and elsewhere as boms in strong sympathy with tlvn party at lire-sent in opposition. In hundreds of instances the opinion was expressed that the time has como for a change of Government, and (hat it would be in the best interests of the country that the ehango should take place at the forthcoming election. All the meetings 1 ln>ld during tlio recent (our were very satisfactory indeed. I thought those at Oamaru and Invercargill particularly so. I mention these two because they were larger than other meetings, and in each case the majority of Iho audience was very strongly with mo in the opinions I expressed, and evidently heartily approved of the position we had taken up "in Parliament, and ol the reforms which we consider necessary for the future. I think 1 can say, perhaps partly as the result of the visit of Mr. James Allen and myself, that there will be Opposition candidates for Oamaru, and for every electorate* in Southland. In Canterbury, if I am able to judge tlio position, the feeling is rapidly changing ill favour of our party. I mot quite a number of peoplo who only recently vers quite apathetic so far as tlio parties aro concerned who are now keenly anxious that strong Opposition candidates should contest every electorate. Until the new boundaries are definitely arranged, however, it is quite impossible to say what will happen. Still I'can say that since t have lind experienco of politics I have never known so many Rood men offerin? on behalf of what is sometimes called tho Reform party. I have not, hoivever, quite finished with the south yet, as I have promised to visit Canterbury again, either before the House meets, or very oarly in tlio coming se.wion. I propose also to sneak in Auckland City, and in a few of (ho smaller centres ill tho North Island.*' MR. HERBERT AT MASTERTON. tliy Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Masterton, Juno 7. Mr. A. H. Herbert, one of the Reform 1 candidates for tlio Masterton seat, addressed a large audienco in tlio Town liall to-night, and met with a good reception. lie announced himselt as an out-and-out opponent of the present Administration, whose borrowing and taxation policies ho strongly criticised. Ho was, ho said, a freeholder on the land question, but believed in limitation of area. He thought that Native lands should bo taken over by the Government, and administered by the Public Trust OtiicD. Ho was a Liberal in politics, hough he supported the Opposition, and fie claimed that i tlio present Government had bocomo Conservatives and autocratia. Mr. Herbert was accorded a hearty voio of thanks, on tho motion of tlio Mayor, who presided. 1 '