MR MASSEY ENTERTAINED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 18 February 1907, Page 2

MR MASSEY ENTERTAINED.

A PRESENTATION FliOM A DMIUEiiS, LtECICNT LEGISLATIVE HAPPISNINGS REVIEWED. Per Press Association. Auckland, February It''. A garden parly was tendered to J. r Massey, Leader of the Opposition, at Pukckolic on Saturday by the Pollieal Reform League. Despite the threa'euing weather, there was a large attendance, the number of peop'e being close upon 2500, including large contingent from Auckland, Manakau and Wnilialo districts. Mr Massey, in llie course of a.speech, claimed that, the Opposition lud exerted a beneficial influence last session, notably in regard to the Government's hand Bill, which, ho said, would haic li.'cn forced, upon the country but ti r the determined stand made by the Op-

pisihou. He claimed that such a measure should not be passed without the electors being consulted. The Opposition party was now much stronger than at any timo during the Inst dozen years Speaking of tlio recent Legislat.ve appointments, ho said that men had been appointed who had not the slightest chance of being elected to the Lower House, and who would not be of the slightest use to the country. Such a system of appointments was a blot upon our democracy, and tlio appointments of some of tho men included in tlio last batch was a positive affront to tlio electors, and he hoped the electors and the Press would assist the Reform Party in bringing about a state of affairs more ill ncepingjjwith democratic principles. Speeches were also delivered by other Auckland mombers, and at tlio conclusion of tlio speeches, a presentation of a handsome feather boa was made to Mrs Massey by members of the ladies' .committee, as a mart of esteem and appreciation of her husband's services.