THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 123, 23 November 1908, Page 3

THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

ADDRESS AT WANGANUI. IBY TKLBGEAPH. — PBK3S ASSOCIATION 1 WANGANUI, 22nd November. " Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, addressed an overflowing audience at the Drill Hall on Saturday night. He was accorded an eu6husiasfie reception, and was loudly cheered at the conclusion of his speech, which was much on the lines of those delivered at otlfer centres. Speaking of the election, he said the result of the first ballot and the anticipated success of the second showed that the country appreciated the good hard work done by the Opposition during the past three years. He urged that there had never been a time wher it was more necessary that the Opposition should be strong. He strongly defended himself and his party from newspaper attacks, and showed, by reference to Hansard, that the Opposition had played a leading part in the introduction and passing into law of legislation tJi.at had proved beneficial to the Domiiiion. He had consistently supported Mr. John Ballance's policy of nonborrowing and self-reliance. He protested against Sir Joseph Ward's references to wages paid during the relief works between 1887 and 1890, and pointed out that Sir Harry Atkinson had had to do_ the best he^eould with the legacy which the previous reckless Goveinment had left. He pointed out that the late Mr. Seddon endorsed the relief works wages. Mr. Massey dealt seriatim with the planks of the Opposition platform on lines already published.