OPPOSITION SPEECH

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1661, 30 January 1906, Page 2

OPPOSITION SPEECH

THEY MEAN TO HOLD THE FORT

Per Press Association

Christchurch, last night

Mr W. F. Massey, the Leader of the Opposition, is at present on a brief visit to Chriatohurcb. He attended the banquet given to Mr R. Moorp, the Opposition candidate for the Eaiapoi seat, at RaDgiora, Proposing the principal toast, Mr Massey referred so tho result of the elections, and said that tbe communications he had received from defeated candidates had enabled him to understand the oause of the Government victory. The Opposition had been defeated because the Government oould bring influences to bear on the electors such as the Opposition oould not possibly exeroise- He assorted that patronage had been liberally bestowed, and public money used for party purposes. Speaking of tho Government’s borrowing, Mr Massey said he wondered how long the colony oould go on borrowing two and a half millions a year at 4 per cent. Every man ought to make a study of the finance of the country. They had a right to try to improve its sooial conditions, and to push the railways and bridges, He reminded his hearers that 150,000 electors had voted against the Government, and said the Opposition, though a very small party, would go on fighting, and meant to hold the fort. Mr Massey then, on behalf of Mr Moore’s supporters, presented him with a large silver opergne and a Russian carved armobair.

The banquet was largely attended, despite the bad weather. Mr Massey will leave for the North on Wednesday. Mr Jas. Allen, M.H.R., is also in town.