THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13609, 18 December 1909, Page 10

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

THE NATIONAL TESTIMONIAL.

FURTHER PRESENTATION IN

WELLINGTON

(special to "the press.")

WELLINGTON, December 17

The members of the Opposition met to-night at the supper adjournment, in connection with a presentation to Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition.' It will be remembered that recently in Auckland he received as a national testimonial a cheque for 1000 guineas, and in addition a valuable clcck, and a still more valuable present for Mrs. Massey. Since that date 6ubscrip-' tions nave continued to come in from all ;arts of the Dominion, even though the subscription nsts were supposed u> hove been closed, with the result that to-night another £1000 was added to the testimonial.

Mr James Alien, in making the presentation, said the additional cheque was a further evidence of the appreciation of the people of the great work Mr .Massey was duinu for the Dominion and the party he represented. "This," c.aid Mr Allen/ "is enly part of what wo ought to do, though knowing him ns 1 do, i know that this cheque from a monetary point of view has very little meaning to nun. What he does value is the expression of goodwill and loyalty of the people of the Dominion. He has ako the feeling that he bos now a st'eng and loyal party behind party that is prepared to follow its lender for the good' of New Zealand." (Cheers.)

Mr Massey's health was toasted with musical honours.

Mr Mass?y, in reply, spoke feelingly of the expressions of loyalty and goodwill that been so much in evidence in his case since the recent election. He regarded the notional testimonial net so much as a compliment to himself as to the loyal band of members who were working with him. It was particularly pleasing to him to know that thouscfhds of the peopk of the Dominion had appended their signatures to that testimonial. "I feel certain," he said' in conclusion, "that no Parliamentary Opposition ever (possessed the confidence of the people of the country that Aye now pessrss. The correspondence that I receive daily shows that an ever-increasing section of the community is at the present moment looking to the members who sit en the Speaker's left to exercise a more marked and beneficial influence upon the legislation ond upon the administration cf the affairs of this country." Several members spoke of Mr Massey's splendid services, and after the health of the Whips (Messrs C. A. C Hardy and' R. Heaton Rhodes) had been toasted, a most pleasing and harmonious function terminated. .