THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1911. THE OPPOSITION CAUSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10286, 14 July 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1911. THE OPPOSITION CAUSE.

For(some inexplicable reason, the fiends of the Reform Party in Masterfbon do not-seem to recognise the value, of a visit from Mm Leader of tSie Opposition or leading members of the Party. They are displaying quite a "masterful inactivity" in matters political; and yet they are sufficiently, sanguine to hope that the electors will vote OpposiWion at the ballot box in November raext. It is quite unreasonable to expect such a thing unless the people are brought directly into touch with those whose policy they are asked to ■support. Mr Massey has signified Ms willingness to ioome to Masftertoni, and it is essential tlhat either Ihe or one of the prominent members of his Party should (be amongst us. IndioationiS are not wanting- that the days of the Continuous [Ministry are numbered. The country is ripe for a change. But the electona want an assurance that they are not being transferred from itihe frying -pan into the fire. They wiant to know, and hare a right to know, what manner of (man this Mr Massey is who aspires to lead them out of the wilderness. Those vih6\ bare had the pleasure of hearing the ] ieader of tEe Opposition during re-, 86b* jeans bare ibaeu impressed with | Efe taoaense enthusiasim, his mnoerWy of purpose, his lofty ideals, wad]

his strong personality. His recent flying tour through, the South Island has gained for him thousands of friends. His popularity lies not only An ilie (fact that he is a true type of Liberal, with an intense hatred for patronage and. humbug, but in his •unswerving fidelity to the party of reform. Even the labouring classes are coming to recognise that a change in Government which would restore tdie confidence of the investing public would be to [their distinct advantage, and although they would prefer to 'see a. Government of itheniiselves, they ore keenly anxious that the I Ministry which at present misman- | ages the affairs of the Dominion should be relegated to political oblivion. The prospects' of itlie Opposition have not been brighter for the last fifteen years than they are ait present. This is due as much to the (Pact that the policy of the party has betcome Liberal and progressive as. to the Ithorough ineptitude df the Baronets and Knights who occupy the Treasury benches. All that remains to complete the overthrow of the Continuous [Ministry and give the people access to the pigeon-holes of the Big Buildings, is for Mr Massey to bo brought into personal touch with the people. For this reason, it is to be hoped that the Oppositionists of Masterton will invite him to deliver an address at as early a date as possible.