SPEECH BY MR W. F. MASSEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7952, 30 January 1906, Page 5

SPEECH BY MR W. F. MASSEY.

PRESENTATION TO A DEFEATED CANDIDATE.

CIIRISTCIIU RCII, January 30,

Mr W. F. Maaey, the Laador of the Opposition, is at present on a brief visit to Qbristohurcb, Ha attended the banquet given to Mr R. Moore, the Opuoaition candidate for the Kaiapoi seat, at Rangiora, and in proposing ttie principal toast, Mr Massey referred to the result of the election, and said that communications he had received frotn defeated candidates had enabled him to understand the cause of the Government victory. The Opposition had been defeated be3ause the Government could bring influences to bear on the electors such as the Opposition oould not possibly exercise. He asserted that patronage had been liberally bestowed and public money used for party purposes. Sneaking of the Government's borrowing Mr Massey said he wondered how long the colony could go on borrowing two and a half millions a year at four per cent. Every man ought to make a study of the finance of the country. He had the right to try to improve its social conditions* and to pash on the railways and bridges. He reminded his hearers that 150,000 electors had voted against the Government, and said the Opposition, though a very small party, would go on lighting, ani meant to bold the fort. x Mr Massey then, on behalf of Mr Moore's supporter, presented him with a large silver epergne and a Russian carved armchair. The banquet was largely attended, despite the bad weather. Mr Massey wiil leave for the North on Wednesday.