The Leader of the Opposition.

Manawatu Herald, 12 September 1903, Page 2

The Leader of the Opposition.

—: -♦ v;' MR MASSEY ACCEPTS THE POSITION. The position in regard to the leadership of the Opposition is as I advised you last night. At the meeting of the Opposition held during the slipper adjournment it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Sir William Russell, seconded by Mr James Allen, to ask Mr Massey to assume the leadership, Mr Massey did not at once decide, but atked for time to consider the offer. He has now agreed to take the leadership. As one who has watched very closely the proceedings in Parliament for a number of years, I feel confident that the Opposition have done the right thing at the right time;

The Poet referring to the selection, says :—“Mr Massey’s selection is a wise one; and it is made the more satisfactory from the fact that he was nominated for the position by two of his possible rivals. Since hiS election to Parliament some nine years agd, he has thrown himselfinto the political Struggle with an earnestness of purpose that has carried-him rapidly to the forefront of his party. He is a skilled tactician, si keen critic, a fluent debater, and is practised in all the tortuous twistings of Parliamentary procedure. There is no more determined fighter on the Opposition side of the House; and, not the least important feature in his character, be is of a genial disposition, and this, with afi absence of any fine airs, wins him popularity. The Opposition is too small numerically to do much as a party, but with Mr Massey as its leader we may expect to See it act as a wholesome constitutional cheek vipon the Ministry of the day.” I may add that the new leader Ot the Opposition was born in Londonderry ill 1856, and came to the colony when lie was only fifteen years of age. He is therefore to all intents and purposes a New Zealander, Mr Massey is a farmer at Mangere, near Onehungd. In 1894 he was elected as member of the House of Representatives for Waitemata. He represented this constituency for three years. Since then he has represented Franklin. He was appointed Opposition yrhip in 1995, and has practically acted in that capacity ever since. He will not officially assume the leadership of the party till next week.