TRIBUTE TO MR. MASSEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1908, 17 November 1913, Page 8

TRIBUTE TO MR. MASSEY.

(By Tolograph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, November 15.

The Prime Minister has won the highest opinions hero during the 'strike, and the "Herald" this morn-

ing well expresses the general public feeling. It says:—"A grateful country in recalling the troubles of 1913 will long remember that the Hon. "\V; F. Massey, as Prime Minister, was tho man for the times. An Auckland farmer himself, Mr. Massey possesses in the highest measure the sterling qualities that make possible the settling of a now land. He is at his best in times of difficulty and despondency, for difficulties never daunt him, and dospondency he' does not know. Tho steadiness and fearlessnoss of Mr. Mas«ey, his confident reliance upon national forces which lie knew to oxist, and the masterly manner in which he has smoothecLithe way for the re-establish-' incut of law and order throughout the Dominion have, boon a display of statesmanship none the less remarkable be-cause-so unpretending as to bo hardly realised. To think of the disaster into which a weak and compromising Prime Minister would have allowed tho Dominion to drift is appreciated very heartily and thankfully. Mr. .Massey has mado no threats, offered no bribe, and made no compact with anarchy. His _ steadiness has inspired public opinion, and strengthened public action. A weak man at the head of jiffairs would have been finally driven to suppress by bloodshed lawlessr ness that he had encouraged to overweening, but Mr. Massoy's self-confi-donce has been a tower of strength to tho law-abiding. His intelligent and intelligible firmness has saved the foolish from themselves."

A letter has been forwarded to 'I'm-: Dominion by Mr. F. G. Coleman, of the Missions to Seamen, which he received recently from the engiife-rooin department of the Atlienic, comprising greasers, firemen, and trimmers. Tho writer of the latter says that it is an understood thing between them and Captain Grassland that they will not touch cargo or coal, and they havo not so far done so. It has been arranged that when coal is boing shipped they shall do inboard work only, such as trimming bunkers, etc. They have decided not to work alongside tho Arbitrationists.

A special meeting of tho Wellington Drivers' Union is called for 10 o'clock this morning. Tho meeting will bo held in St. Petor'e Schoolroom, Ohusnee Street,