MR. MASSEY'S SOUTHERN TOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1094, 5 April 1911, Page 4

MR. MASSEY'S SOUTHERN TOUR.

A. GKEAT SUCCESS. (By Telegraph — Special Correspondents Christchurch, April i. Deferring to tho political mission com' ducted recently by the Leader of the Opposition in the electorates of Kaiapoi and Hurunui, |ho "Press" remarks that Mr. Masscy's visit was particularly valuable to the Opposition cause, because it served to introduce to the electors the personality of the leader of the party wnich occupies the Opposition benches. The platlorm of the party and its services in the political arena were not unkwvn, to the electors, but comparatively few of them had come into personal contact with its leader, or knew what manner of man he was. In these days of political activity Cabinet Ministers do not loso many opportunities of coming into personal contact with the electors of nearly every constituency in the country, and they have opportunities and facilities for doing so which do not tall to tho lot of lho| leading members 01 the party not in. power. The personal element counts for a. good deal in politics, and it is unquestionable that no inconsiderable scrvico was rendered to the party by Mr. Massey meeting the electors in districts to which he had previously been a stranger, lhe meetings did not afford the only opportunities for this personal contact, as Mr. Massey was able at other times to meet large numbers of electors in a more private way. The result of the tour was, beyond any doubt, a great sue-' cess. The Leader of tho Opposition has many personal qualities which go to make a favourable impression. He is physically, stalwart and vigorous, he has a vigorous and effective style of speaking, and his points were made clearly and decisively. He did not load his speeches with figures, but where they had to be brought in they were made intelligible, Mr, Massey also appealed to the former and settler as "one of themselves." Ho spoke on flie land and allied questions with the confidence and knowledge born of experience. The tone of tho meetings throughout was excellent, and tho audiences were obviously ■ favourably impressed. It could not be said that Mr.Massey made converts of all the Government supporters who heard him, hut ho was assured bv quite a number of settlors and others that they intended at the next election to transfer their votes, to the Opposition candidates. At no single meeting—and there were six of. them—was there any manifestation of unfriendliness, though electors who were 6b-, viously Government supporters frequently propounded "posers" when questions were invited. Mr. Massey, however, was ill his element when answering questions, and invariably emerged with the honours anv little skirmish which eventuated. Tho tour necessitated a considerable amount of travelling, but the weather was nil that: could be desired, except that the heat was sometimes oppressive. The visit tn Waiau and Kaikonrn took Mr. Miwcy out of the beaten track, and gavo him an opportunity of seeing some of the country of North Canterbury and South. Nelson. .