MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 537, 18 June 1909, Page 8

MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED

OPPOSITION STEERING A STRAIGHT COURSE. - WE KNOW WHAT AVE ARE DOING." . During the courso of an interview with a Doaiixioh reporter yesterday, Mr. W. F. 'Leader of the Opposition, expressed pthe .view .that';the; brief strenuous session » that 'concluded was« probably the most interesting"that-'-had been held for a great many years. It was necessary, ho thought, that he"should: again emphasise his opinion ,that an.'cxceedlngTy mistake had been made iii-adjourning Parliament. Tho business which-required to be dealt with by Parliament at., present was really important. A' majority .of members following the load of the- Government had, however, decided that iParlianient should bo prorogued, and.ifl : business of the counwould'have; to; staiid over until October. I'The position which has arisen is one of which New . Zealand . has no' reason to bo proud," continued Mr. Masscy, " because it would has been. decided upon, .that, there isVorily?ono,man 7 in the Dominion fit-.to, represent: us at'th'e' conference, 'or fit to take' thc '.lead' nf Coriductjng.the business of Parliaifient,.. .;I' am afraid that the cause of Imperialism, instead of being assisted, is bemg very/seriously injured by the decision of larliament and the actions of the Government in connection therewith. The responsi>s > however, not with -'';inembors, who were .»iixi6us:,%j, feft l ''Qh.j'with l ,th<;,;',ortlina-ry work of 'the-session, -and I) regret exceedingly that ,wo have not been opportunity.V _ MrJlfa^y;.went'Von'- to say that he" was' .thoroughly., i-satisfied'-wfth: the'ne : w' members;! Ho was sure they would provo to be a great .acquisition to r .'Parliament. The Opposition party;-; as/a;;whole;:'Vhad in his opinion don* , splendidly;', and; promised to give a good accounfc'.'of themEclvoSj next session. He trusted the -'House again met tho con-si-deration" of „the,' Dorninion's domestic affair?.;wpUld;.:nbt,,.be, complicated or ' overshadowed* by-Imperial-question®. "As a party," Mr. Massev remarked, "we :know exactly wha-t we are.doing.' Wo are isteeri-ng a straight coursor-one which we be,hove to be in the: irtereGts.of the country— vfMiW not-be 'deviated from in tiie su^htesL' -We hare-taken .up a ..strong.position.and'.int«n'-d "to maintain that position;; ;We have , a duty lxvth to the Em'-' .piro and our own country, and at the proper time a majority of tho peoplo will, I believo express thoir satisfaction with the manner in ■ wliioli. those',duties' ;:will .< have been nor-v".v.-b:;./- 1 -