OPPOSITION REJOICINGS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9371, 13 February 1909, Page 8

OPPOSITION REJOICINGS.

A banquet 'was held at Hawera last evening to celebrate the Opposition victories in Taranaki. The assemblage was a representative onq% and included Messrs Massey, Newman, Guthrie,; Buick. 3. Q. Wilson and R. R. Martin, Opposition Organiser. The defence preparations of the Dominion were adversely criticised, Mr Newman strongly advocating military tra.in.ing. Mr -B O Brace expressed the opinion that the present Government was the best we had' had since the socalled Conservatives went one or office. He paid a high tribute to Mr Massey for never trimming nis sails and for rendering signal service to the Dominion Ho said the grea« principles of the .Opposition would live long after the''present regime ot quackery had passed into absolute oblivion. ~ „ ~ .. Q Mr W; Fraserr, M.P., said the electors were chiefly to blame for the wasteful extravagance of imoney which had occurred on roads, bridges, and so on. It was not fair to throw the blame on Parliament. The golden shower was coming to an end, and borrowed money would not he so easily obtained in the future. The interest on the capital would presently oome out of the pockets of the people by taxation, and the people would soon be awakened to a realisation of their position. The Taranaki their success to opposition to the land and labour legislation, Mr Massey said the Opposition party was now coming to its own. Never for the past 15 years had be ..seen so much interest in public affairs as at the present time. In going through the country he found a cunning, systematic attempt to slander and libel the members of the Opposition, whose speeches had been misrepresented. The motto of the Opposition was “We fight on for ever and ever.” They had fought the Government not unsuccessfully on the £land question, against improper expenditure of borrowed money, and against such attempts as the dairy regulations. The Opposition was now stronger than it had been for the past 15 years, and would give a good account of itself. Referring to the reconstructed Ministry, he said success was impossible. Gould Mr McKenzie and Mr Hogg work together? Or Mr T. McKenzie and Mr Fowlds go in double harness? They would find a house divided against itself, and it would fall. The record of the Ward administration”was a backdown and compromise under the Land and Tariff Bills, the gag clause, the dairy regulations, the mining trouble, and the Gisborne leases. If the Government’s principles did not suit the people they were prepared to alter them. He drew a sharp difference between the Government and the Opposition. The Government governed in the interests of party and its friends, while the Reform Party wished to govern in the best interests of the people of the country. Patronage and public expense on behalf of the Government -at elections, also bribery by the expenditure of public monies and by promising billets and seats in the Legislative .Council were strongly denounced. .Referring to Mr Ngata’s appointment to the Cabinet as the representative of the Native race, Mr Massey said when the power was given to make such an appointment it was never contemplated' that a native representative would be given important financial departments to control, yet that bad been done.with Mr Ngata. He strongly held that those departments should be administered by the of a European constituency, who would be responsible to the people if his administration went wrong. (Applause). He advocated native electors being placed on the European roll. With reference to the public service, Mr Massey said civil servants should ha given to understand that faithful service was a better guarantee of advancement than political wire-pulling. The speech concluded amid loud applause.