THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2181, 4 May 1908, Page 2

THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

A VISIT TO GISBORNE. A CHAT WITH MR. MASSEY. ,Mr W. F. 'Massey, iM.P. for the doctoral district of Franklin and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, arrived in Gisborne on Saturday morning. Mr. Massey has been as far south as Dunedin, and during the last two mouths addressed a largo number of meetings in reply to the recent speeches of Sir Joseph Ward. In conversation with a “Times” representative on Saturday, Mr. Massey said the party which he had the honor to lead was' looking forward to tlio elections that are to take place at the end of the year with every confidence. Party candidates -would be brought out in early every electorate, and in those electorates that- had been divided new men would be brought forward. Mr. Gow was the chosen candidate for the Bay of Henty electorate, Mr. Herries having decided to contest the Tauranga seat against Mr J. A. Young, of Hamilton, the Government nominee. The alteration of electorate boundaries would probably have some effect upon the returns, but ho did not anticipate any reversal for the Opposition in the elec--torates adjacent to his own district. An Opposition candidate would be brought out against Mr. Greenslado for the Waikato seat, and a candidate would be chosen to stand against Mr. Carroll during the next few days, probably before he left Gisborne. Already he had had promise of support for two or throe gentlemen, and the only question to be decided was which was the strongest man. Mr. Massey said this was his first visit to Gisborne, and he was pleased to see such a fine town. He was to be taken out into the country districts while ho was here, and would use the time by having a talk to farmers and settlers upon questions concerning their interests. Asked if socialism was making much headway in political affairs, the visitor said that it was very prominent in the- larger towns, especially Wellington, where the recent Mayoral contest and the return of Mr. Hislop showed that the party was well-orga-nised and could vote solidly for their chosen representative._ Socialism will have to bo reckoned with, added Mr. Massey, for when a candidate is returned to a municipal office by nearly four thousand votes it shows the power there is in organisation. ’ Mr. Massey declined to say anything upon questions of jmlicy. “I will reserve all that for my speech on Tuesday night, and I don’t want you pressmen to take- the wind out of 'my sails before that time. Mr. Herries will be here also, and I hope to have something good to say.” Yesterday afternoon Mr. Massey, with others, was driven by motor car to To Arai by Mr. W. Lissant Clayton. Several of the settlers met- the party, and an informal discussion on the requirements of the settlement took place. Mr. Massey was greatly impressed by the fine aspect of the country at the present time. To-day he is to journey by motor to Te Karaka. A start is to bo made in the morning, and after a short stay at Ormond the party will proceed to Te Karaka. After luncheon there the journey is-to be continued as far as the railway has so far been carried.

On Tuesday, as already announced, the Leader of the Opposition will give a public address in the Theatre.