The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1908. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2180, 2 May 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1908. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

The announcement that Air. W. F. Aiassoy is to visit Gisborne, and has agreed to deliver a political address in His Alajesty’s Theatre should ~o heartily welcomed by local residents. This is the dead season, (politically, and tliero is little talk of national politics, which have, for the moment, been completely dwarfed by flic excitement over municipal matters. At the same time it must not bo forgotten that a few short months will find tho country preparing for a general election, and tho electors will again bo faced with the question of returning or rejecting the Continuous Ministry. Tho issues involved 'at tho present time are probably greater than has been the case for some time. At tho last two general elections the administration of the Seddon Government was the chief factor, 'and this was notably the caso last election. A largo section of the people was heartily sick of tho faulty administration that was the direct result of tho oneman Government of the Seddon regime, but that great politician proved more than equal to the strongest opposition that could be brought against him. Since the advent of Sir Joseph Ward to the leadership of the party, and the reconstruction of tho Ministry, the administration of the various public departments has 'undoubtedly exhibited marked improvement, but fresh issues have shown themselves, which must inevitably be faced by the country. Tho most important is that involved in tlie determined efforts of avowed (Socialists to control the legislation of this country and direct it to the working out of their extravagant ideals. There can be no gainsaying the fact that this element is daily growing in strength, and must be taken into serious consideration. If sufficiently checked these .Socialist organisations will probably work a certain amount of good, but if they once secure control of the Parliamentary machinery, it is hard to sav where their reckless aiul crude notions of political economy will land -us. Their growing strength is to some extent indicated by the enormous majority by which Air. ;Hislop was returned to the Mayoralty of AYol ling-ton. Mr. Hislop had distinguished himself by bis extraordinary solicitude for the welfare of Air. Keir iHardio, when that fiery English ‘Socialist honored the Dominion by bis presence, and in many other ways bo had evinced Socialistic leanings. Taking tho Wellington municipal elections as a guide, it ia quite on the cards that next. (November may find avowed Socialists being returned in several constituencies. Closely allied with Socialists, if not identical, are the La'borites, .who seem to be, desiring of abolishing the Arbitration Act, and it may be expected that, whatever they may wish to put in its place, the result will be to give employers throughout tho country a good deal of anxiety. Tho land question will again be a vital issue, for it is practically certain that the 'return to power of the AYard Ministry would be taken as a mandate from the people ■that the confiscatory policy which has been attempted by the Government, and which Air. Massey succeeded in having considerably 'modified, could safely bo proceeded with. Under such circumstances, the unfortunate farmer could expect another turn of the taxation screw as a reminder of the iniquity of owning property in this country. These are matters that Air. Alassey can throw a light upon, and it ib presumed he will fully state Hie Opposition view of the position. In connegtiou with this visit, it- is not 'out of -place to remember that whereas the. Ministers of the Crown arc allowed to have travelling expenses, •and ate -given, special facilities for travelling, Mr. Massey is doing work equally arduous at bis own cost. This is obviously au injustice, and the fact that he continues to travel from one end of the country to the other to place beforo the peoplo the true facts of the case, gives him an additional claim upon our consideration. It is to be hoped, therefore, that,Air. Aiassoy will bo greeted,, by a large audience when he speaks a t the Theatre on Tuesday night.