THE WAIL OF THE OPPOSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 33, 7 February 1906, Page 4

THE WAIL OF THE OPPOSITION.

(By Telegraph.—Frees Association.) ASHBtJRTO>r, this day. ' Last night a complimentary banquet was tendered to Mr. John Sfcudholme, who unsuccessfully contested the Ashburton seat in tli.? Opposition interests at the general election. There was a large attendance, among those present beinc? Messrs. Heaton Rhodes, C. Lewis, and'e. A. C. Hardy, M's.H.B-, and Mr. C. Y. Harper, ■ chairman of County Council. The chairman (Mr : C. W. Purnell), referring to the addTesa given by the Premier at Ashburton on the eve of the election, sadd that . if Mr. Seddon did not break the letter he certainly broke the spirit of the recent "Act dealing with interference with voters, and the matter-descr-ved. the attention of the police- ■ ■■ ■ - Replying to the toast of "The Opposition," Mr. Lewis, M.H.R., said Mr. Seddon had won an universal victory at tha last election, the cause of the Government's victory being the sea of corruption which had overwhelmed the country. The Premier had adopted the attitude of "the g'Ver of all good," and the colony had bowed its neck to him. The people were offered the alternative of being neglected or bribed, and m6st of them seemed to prefer to be bribed. It was lamentable to see the people humbly crawling to-tfae-feet of the Minister and subordinating principle for the main chapce. Instead of true the country was governed by the Ministry for. their own. ends- .. • • •