OPPOSITION JUBILATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1031, 26 October 1903, Page 2

OPPOSITION JUBILATION.

BANQUET TO THE LEADER.

IMPORTANT SPEECHES.

Per, Press Association

Wellington, last night. Mr Massey was entertained at a banquet in the Bmpiro Hotel last night by the members of the Opposition party and a few personal friends. Sir William Basse!!, who occupied the chair, in proposing the health of the guest cE the evening, said that he genuinely and honestly believed a turn in tho political tide had come, and that it would bo materially influenced by the many good and necessary qualities of leadership possessed bv Mr Massey. In responding, Mr Massey said the sheaves of telegrams and letters he had received showed that the country was satisfied with the reorganisation of the Opposition. They had been twitted with a desire to get on the Government benches, but he did not know a single Opposition member who wanted to go there, Yet, he said, the conduct of tho parliamentary business duviDg the present session had been scandalous, and the responsibility

must rest with the Premier, who had driven instead oi‘ leading the House. The Opposition would place a policy before the country before next election. - The Upper House was now almost useless as a revising chamber, and would soon have to be ended or mended. That Chamber would have to be made elective. When the Government Land Bill came down the freehold question would have to bo faced. What was wauted in the colony was a i clean, honest, and economical Administra* \ tioiij instead of waste and extravagance,