Mr. MASSEY'S APOLOGIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8000, 11 December 1905, Page 2

Mr. MASSEY'S APOLOGIA.

To find an acceptable reason for the overwhelming defeat of his party must have given Mr Massey no little mental trouble. He faced the ordeal, however, but we cannot congratulate him on achieving much success. First and foremost he :-iddles the " unfortunate voucher incident " with being the chief factor-in the losses sustained, and be places this on a par with the " Bun Tuck" episode of six yeais ago, both of which incidents ho considers aroused the sympathisers of the people in favour of the Government. Then Mr Massey believes that his party suffered through votes against the Government being sjili by plurality of candidates, and amongst other electorates where this operated he mentions Taranaki. He, however, feels proud of the large majority given to him by his constituents, in spile of the Premier's "promises and solicitations" during his visit to the I'Y.mklin electorate. While regretting the rejection of so many of his supporters, Mr Massey is confident that those who are left (the round dozen) " will do their duty in criticising Cioverruieut proposals and insisting on publicity in connection with Government expenditure."