MR. MASSEY'S TOUR

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1293, 23 November 1911, Page 5

MR. MASSEY'S TOUR

HEARTY RECEPTION AT PALiVIERSTON. CROWDED MEETING. SOME POINTS HIOM THE SPEECH. (By 'Mcirraph.—Sceda! Correspondent.! Palmerston North, November 22. Tho triumphal march of Mr. Massey, tho Leader of tho Opposition, throncjli tho South Island was continued iu the North to-day. When ho arrived in Palmei-ston North Air. Matiey whs met by an enthusiastic party at the station. A carringo drawn by four white horses conveyed him to his hotel, and he was heartily cheered both at the station and later on. At 7 o'clock the people Ixgan to arrive at tho Opera House, and thero was a huge audience to greet tho leader of the Reform party. Not only was tho usual seating accommodation of tho large building taxed to its utmost capacity, but accommodation was found ou the capacious stage for about 500 other electors. Notwithstanding these precautions, a largo number woro turned away.

A Little Lively. When Mr. Massey appeared along tho impromptu aisle of the crowded stage he recoived a great reception, which grew in enthusiasm until ou his appearance in tho front of tho platform ho was met by thunders of applause and long and sustained cheering. A few fcoo-hoos, which were almost entirely swallowed up, gavo indications of trouble, and for a whilo mattors woro just a little lively,, but Mr. Masscy's flower of repartee soon silenced interrupters. He was hoarse from a severe cold, but explained that he was ranch fitter than when speaking in Oainaru 13 hours ago.

Homo merriment was caused when Mr. Massey declared in opening that the country wanted a change of Government, for an excited supporter of tho Government retorted, "It ruay I>d a chango for the worse." "You could get nothing worse than tho present Government" wns the sneaker's wrick reoly, aiuid great applause. Jr'or a while tho interrupter in tho stalls was very insistent, but he gradually subsided. Referring to - the attempts to explain' away tho great success of bis Win ton meeting, Mr. Massey went on to deal with the political situation ou tho lines of previous speeches. Ho declared amid applause that this Government had no policy, and in answer to an intorjcction, ho pointed to Sir Joseph Ward's reply to an American jnterviowrr, "l''ind out what tho people want, and give it to them," and added "No matter what it cost them,"

Reply to Mr. M'Nab. Replying to Mr. M'Nab's explanations of various scandals, Air. Massey gavo tho other sido of the J. E. Smitli scandal. 110 pointed out tlwt as the result of. attention being drawn to it, tho work hitherto done by A. E. Smith was now being dono by tho High Commissioner's office, and thousands of pounds were saved to tho country. Tho Ilino charges were dealt with- very fully, and Mr. Massey showed that there were many instances of improper procedure revealed. "An interesting side-light on the way your money is being spent," commcnteil the speaker when dealing with tho mysterious payment for valuation of tho Marlborough estate, when a prominent legislator';; .partner was paid 3 guineas a day for 203 days. The Dreadnought gift next enmo under consideration. Mr. Massey declared tho country was chloroformed by telegrams to, the newspapers from the Prime Minister declaring the Empire was in danger. 110 was as patriotic as anyone present, but hs objected to the unconstitutional means adopted of voting over 2 millions. "As though our obliging enemies' would wait till our Dreadnought was built before they attacked us, commented the speaker amid laughter. About, tyokau. ■Dealing with Mok'au, Mr. Massey"sauW "I'ani hero to face tho music, and I bone that if thero is any man interested he will faco me, or olso for ever hold his peaco." (Hear, hear.) The speaker complained'of tho partisan nature of tho inquiry—nine Government supporters. and four Opposition members, one of whom was in England. He traced tho tortuous history of the transaction, and descirbcd tho limitations of the Land Act nnd the uses of the OrdeiMn-Council.

The Land Question, 'Mr. Jl'Nab's poriod as Minister, for Lauds was dealt with. "Ho nailed, bis colours to tho mast," said . Mr. Massey. "I don't know v;hat became of tho colours or tho mast—(laughter)—but I do know what became of the captain." (Loud laughter.) Tho history of tho famous Land Bill was dealt with, and Mr. Massoy showed that it was intended to reserve all Crown lands from tho freehold, but following its introduction the Government lost two by-elections, which they blamed on to that man M'Nab and his wretched Bill. The result was a compromise, and half tho Crown lands only were reserved in tho next .Bill. Mr. Massoy declared the Lands Department administration was characterised by lethargy, and that was the result of not having ft' practical man at tho Department's head. Other Points. He dealt with the discrimination shown by, tho Government in regard to advertising, and his denunciation of the position in Wellington was received with loud K.pplause. The independence of the Courts was dealt with exhaustively, Mr. Massoy pointing out that the question was first raised by a Government member and a lawyer, the late Mr. Baunie. Question tinio, was rather livoly, a questioner who wanted to reopen tho incident with tho lato Mr. T. E. Taylor being enthusiastically hooted. Cheers were given at tho close of a great meeting, and there was no counter demonstration. On tho motion of Mr. Nairn (saj-s tho Press Association) a vote of thnnks tor his address and gratitude for his sen-ices, awl tho hope that ho would bo returned a substantial majority to take up the position of head of tho Government, was carried! An amendment of thanks, moved by Mr. E. 0. Hurley, was rejected after a demonstration against tho mover. Cheers for Mr. Massoy closed tho meeting.

The Arts Club will bring its fixtures for 1911.t0 an end to-night, when members anil fritnds will spend a musical and social evening. . The club is holding in the elub-honso a series of exhibitions of work by different New Zealand artists, and the latest to .1)3 arranged for is of the work of Mr. George Butler, _ the young New Zealander who is making a name for himself ill the art world of England. It is expected to havo tho pictures hung in tho club by December I. Many works will be included which have not been seen in Wellington before and which havo been hung in galleries at Home.