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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 269, 6 November 1908, Page 3

MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

By Telegraphs—Press Association. . Auckland, Last Night. The Leader of the Oppositioa, Mr r. W. Massey, returned from the South to-day, and, speaking to a Herald representative, expressed hiinself as very well satisfied with his Southern tour, having been well received everywhere." The meeting at Timaru," he said, "was certainly one of the most enthusiastic I have ever had the opportunity of addressing." Questioned as to the prosof his party, Mr. Massey said it was impossible to forecast what would liappeu. Looked at from the Opposition point of view, the indications were defavorable, "and I believe our party in Parliament will be vej-y considerably strengthened. Further than that I cannot express an opinion. Big fights are going on in at least forty of the country and suburban electorates.* Mr. Massey intimated that he would next Week reply to the speech which Sir Joseph Ward is to deliver in Auckland on Saturday evening, and the reply will probably be made at Devonport.

TKADES AND LABOR COUNCIL , RESOLUTIONS, Dunc.jfn, Last Night. At a meeting of the Trades and Labor Council to-night, the following resolution was passed":—-"lSiat this Council enters a protest against the rest in legisjaion outlined by the Prime Minister in h's speech a Palmcrston North on October 19, and'is of opinion that some labor laws were in urgent need of radi cal amendment, notably the Shops and Offices Act, which is rendered largely useless by unreasonable exemptions, with the result tliat many warehouaefnen, <flerks and others are being sweated and underpaid. The Council also considers legislata'sn is urgently required to further stimulate and foster our local industries by the adoption of a "Made ia New Zealand" brand, and compelling manufacturers to label shoddy; also that immediate provision enould be made for the embodiment of the "right to work" principle in the Statute Law, and liut above all. Parliament should take effective means to reduce the cost of living to those who are endeavoring to rear large families on inadequate wages. The Council objects to a rest in legislation, believing that the country is entitled to expect progressive legislation and efficient administration from the Government in power"'

Gore, Last Night. The Hon. R. McNab addressed a large audience in the Town Hall this evening. He combatted the idea that the Government wished to attack the freehold, and claimed that they had done more than any previous Government for that tenure. He defended his action over the Meikie Hill and differentiated between his position as a private member and one of the Cabinet. He said the time had arrived for more attention to administration and less to legislative problems. He defended the dairy regulations. He said lie would have preferred the absolute majority to the second liallot. -He said he thought the labor legislation would be effective. A vote of thanks and acclamation mtaa A vote of thanks and confidence was carried l>v acclamation. Hokitika. Last Xight. Sir. T. E. V. Seddon was nominated to-day for the Westland constituency. Feeling over election matters is running very iliigh through the district, and the contest promises to be the keenest ever fought in the history of the constituency.

InvercariU. Last Night. Mr. \V. A. Morris, who is opposing Sir Joseph Ward for Awarua, addressed the electors at Waikiwi to-night He declared himself an Independent Libml, ami was opposed to the Second Ballot Bill. As to defence, he put forward what amounted to a scheme of citizen soldiery. He did not believe in remitting taxation while at the same time earring on a borrowing policy. He accused the Government of extravagant administration. The Arbitration Act, he said, was a good measure, from ■which much benefit might have come. Unfortunately it had failed to stop strikes, but this was not the fault of the Act itself. If they had the right man at hand when a difficult situation arose, Uiere would have been no trouble. He believed in the Hon. Mr. Millar, but did not think he was permitted by Cabinet to do what he wanted. He believed the country could stand a continuous small stream of immigration, hut possession of a certain amount of (non*y should not be the only test of suitability. Immigrants should be very carefully selected.