ORGANISING THE OPPOSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2044, 22 November 1907, Page 1

ORGANISING THE OPPOSITION.

THE FEELING IN THE COUNTRY. PROSPECTS FOR NEXT ELECTION (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 21.

Mr. R. R. Martin,' organising secretary of tho New Zealand Political Reform League, lias arrived in Wellington from an organising tour throughout tho Dominion, and was intorviowod by a representative of this paper. On being asked to express his opinion as to the cause of the small number of Opposition members returned at tho last general cloction, Mr. Martin stated that as it had been necessary for him to visit several of tho electorates in both Islands ho had an excellent opportunity of ascertaining tho views of his party’s supporters. The feeling was pretty general, ho said, that sympathy for tho late Premier in reference to tho voucher question, tho wholesale promises of public money, and tho very exceptional organising ability of Mr. Seddon, who had managed to reconcile'certain opposing interests and' secure support from thorn all, were tho principal factors in the Government securing so many seats. As to tho coalition question, ho said, “I mot people who wore of opinion that tho moderate men on tho Government sido and the Oppositionists must eventually join forces so as to check tho ultra-Socialistic party, which appears to have inspired much of tho legislation of tho present session, and which will probably make a strong effort to strengthen itself at the next election. Others wore very strongly opposed to coalition on tho ground, that tho supporters of tho Opposition policy aro numerically very much stronger than tho general public realise, and I consider there is a good deal to be said in favor of this view, as tho number of rotes which were required to give tho Opposition an actual majority at Hi* u,-' general election is far less than many imagine. The aggregate number of. votes recorded to each party was as follows: 206,886 for Government candidates and 157,193 for Oppositionists, so that had the latter party been represented in Parliament in proportion to their voting strength, Mr. Masey would have had 31' supporters under his leadership and Sir Joseph Ward 43, exclusive of the Maori members.”

In .regard to the prospects for nextelection, Mr. Martin said it was far too early yet to attempt to pick the card, but ho had not the slightest hesitation in predicting tho gain of a number of seats to tho Oppoiition. “The result of the two bye-elections in tho North Island,” 810 said, “has been most encouraging to our supporters. 111 tho Manuka.n election last December Mr. Lang practically doubled the majority secured by Mr. .Kirkbride at "the general election, the actual majority being 1248 as against 646 the xnevious year, whilst in Taraanki Mr. Okey, who was defeated at tho general election by 219 votes, was returned last May witli a majority of 364, and this in an electorate that the Government looked upon as one of their strongest seats.” “Then you consider tho Opposition party is gaining strength?” “Yes, certainly. I found through-, out the Dominion an intense feeling; of admiration for tho splendid fight; Mr. Massey and his supporters in' Parliament had put up ever since'thej Land Bill was introduced by the Min-j ister for Lands last session. I also; found a disposition particularly am-, ongst the farming community to do! their utmost to strengthen the Op-! position, and in several instances by! men who had previously given their! •support to Government candidates.”