MR.MASSEY AT PAERATA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2121, 21 February 1908, Page 1

MR.MASSEY AT PAERATA.

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION HONORED. FOUR. THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTEND. MR MASSEY SOUNDS AN ALARM AG A INST SOCIALISM. (From the' N.Z. Herald.) The garden party tendered to Mr. W. F. Massey, 31.1*., anti Leader of the Opposition, at Molvctiu Ostrich Farm, near Paorata, is now recognised as an annual institution; ami on Saturday Air. Atasisoy was afforded stronger testimony than over of the high esteem .and respect in which he is held hy the people of .tlio great electorate of Franklin, for the largest assembly yet recorded gathered under the pnriri trees .it the homestead. Over 1000 persons wore on the grounds during the 'afternoon, there being large numbers from Auckland and many coming from the Waikato, while residents of the surrounding districts came in vehicles, on horseback, and on foot. As on (former occasions, tlje gathering was semi-political, thtf opportunity being taken of placing some of tho Opposition views before the country, and ' S iturday’s speeches were notable for the note of warning sounded in all of them regarding an impending struggle in this country against socialism of tho most pronounced type. The pcoplo of Franklin also took the opportunity of marking their high esteem of their members by making him a valuable presentation. This took the form of -i beautiful solid silver tea and coffee service, a silver rosehowl, mounted on a polished pedestal, and a very lino silver salvor, all enclosed in handsome cases. The salver bore the inscription: “Presented to Air. W. F. Massey, ALP. for Franklin,-Leader of the Opposition, by his constituents, as a slight recognition of the services, lie lias rendered the electorate. Pukckolic 15-2-08.” Soon after the arrival of the visitors from Auckland, who journeyed to Paorata by special train, the gathering assembled round the platform, on which were the chairman of the Franklin branch of the Political Jlefonn Leigue (Air. J. Schlaepfer), Air AY. F. Aiassev, Air. J. Bollard, AI.P. (Eden), Air. F. W. Lang, AI.P. (Mamikau), Mr. F. Alander, AI.P. (Alarsrlon). Air. It. Monk (ex-member for AYaitemata), Air. A. E. ITarding (forthcoming Opposition candidato for Kaipara), Captain Allen Bell (forthcoming Opposition candidate for Waikato), Air. Hasoldcn (cx-mom-ber for Paten), and a number of members of tho Political Reform League. Apologies for absence were read ■from (Messrs. Aitlcen and Fisher, AIs.P. (Wellington), E. W. Alison, AI.P. (Waitemnta), AV. IT. Herries, Ar.P. (Bay of Plenty), .J. Allen, AI.P. (Bruce), F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P. (or~ oua). and F. La wry AI.P. (Parnell), the latter telegraphing his regret at not being able to be present at a function where he would have been “pleased to forget political differences and to remember personal friendship,” this tribute from a political opponent being received with loud applause. Mr. Schlaepfer, in making tho presentation, referred to the compliment paid to Air. Alassey hy so large a gathering assembled. The presentation was only a small recognition of Air. Alassoy’s services. They were all very proud of their member, ami rejoiced to see him holding so high a position, hut hoped to see him yet attaining -a far more responsible position in tho Parliament of the Dominion. (Applause.) As Air. Alassey came forward to receive the gifts of his constituents lie was greeted with cheers. AIR, AIASSET’S SPEECH. Air. Alassey, in returning thanks for the reception accorded him and for the handsome presentation, congratulated the league upon the great gathering and upon the splendid weather. At the s.une time lie felt they should express their sympathy with the settlers in different parts of the Dominion who had suffered loss through fires and were fighting day and night to save their homesteads. (Applause.) In the next place he had to thank his constituents, the electors of Franklin, for the magnificent present, of which lie was the fortunate recipient. He appreciated it, not on account of its intrinsic value, but on account of the personal friendship and political agreement ot which it was the token and undoubted proof. (Applause.) He had had tho honor of representing Franklin for the last 11 years, and from present appearances it seemed as if he was likely to represent it for some time longer. (Applause.) He had endeavored to keep the pledges made upon his selection, and to act up to the principles he had advocated, and, in return, lie had to acknowledge that the people of Franklin had given him most loyal support. They would remember that at last election, the Opposition suffered most serious defeat, but his supporters had come to him and said they were not defeated; they felt that their member was fighting for a good cause and a righteous cause, and by coming there in such large numbers they showed they had no regret for the position taken up two years ago. (Applause.) Those two years had meant an important part in politics. They had seen men prominent in the affairs of' tho country pass away. They had seen an attempt made TO AlAlvE THE FREEHOLD IMPOSSIBLE on the Crown lauds of the Dominion, to make it impossible for young New Zealanders to acquire their independence; and he did not think lie was speaking boastfully when lie said that the .attempts would have been completely successful were it not for the small party represented there that day, who never backed down, butkept tlio flag flying during 1906 and 1907. (Cheers.) Those two years had seen demands put forward by people who believed in tho socialistic theory that the country should be run on socialistic lines, that the land should be nationalised, flint all industry should be nationalised, ami that the people should be divided into two classes, either tenants of the Crown or Civil servants. .1 hose demands were being made bv a party more numerous and better organised than the majority of people in New Zealand believed, and who had been content to remain in the baeki^ioniKl and get a little, year bv year, from a Government that hoped to catch the socialistic vote or was too weak to resist its influence. (Applause.) J ins was not only a question ot tlie future, but a question, of the present. ft was a question to be asked tlio electors next election, and it was for them to sav whether a mail m this country should be. allowed to reap the reward of his industry, or whethe’- bv taxation and other methods he should be compelled t-o share the

fruits of his hal'd labors with others less energetic or less industrious. He (Air. Alassey) was not in the habit of speaking, soft platitudes or of endeavoring tp arouse needless .alarm, and he would not speak as lie did if lie did not think the danger was real. He thought it was very real, and he asked the people of the country to take tho roll of 'Parliament and (SEE HOW MANY MEMBERS who were included in the Government parly would stand up against the socialistic theory or be prepared to accept it rather than give up the positions they hold at the present lime. (Applause.) lie was perfectly certain the result would bo a revelation to the inquirer. (Applause.) He asked the pcoplo to read the reports of tho conference held in Wellington, composed of representatives of the socialistic theories, single tax theories, and their kindred organisations, who resolved to come together and do all they possibly could to return members at next election. (A voice : “You will put them down.”) He sincerely hoped lie would. AAhis 't not time the Opposition party banded togethor and prepared for tho coming struggle agiunst the forces allied against them? (Applause.) There must bo no compromise, no -splitting of the difference, no running with tho hare and hunting with tho hounds, hut every member and every candidate at next election should he compelled to express degrlv his views, ami then the responsibility would rest with the doctors of saying whether the present state o'f affairs should bo allowed to continue, with full scope for the energy -and enterprise of the individual, or if a state of things should be permitted that would cripple industry and handicap enterprise. That was the question the electors of Franklin would answer in their usual satisfactory manner. (Cheers.) He wanted this country to become what it- was intended to be, one of the fairest and freest on God’s earth, where there should be no extremes of wealth or poverty, where the man who had energy and ability would be given the opportunity of coming to tho front —(applause)—a country where, -as t-imo went on, there -would be more education, more enlightenment, and more real happiness than in any other country on this planet, a country whoso -people would have realised their duty, and be doing it to tlieir Creator and themselves. (Cheers.) But if they iwere to advance -as they should, it would not bo by

CANTING SOCIALISTIC -METHODS,

but by honest methods, and by desire on tho part of each individual to do -his duty. There was another point, he said, which he wished to remind them of, and that was that the Leader of the Opposition, whoever he might happen to be, had many duties. Ho had practically as many duties as the average Cabinet Alinister, and without the _facilities .which were supplied to Alinisters, and consequently he was not able to meet his constituents as often as lie otherwise (would,, but he had never heard the slightest murmur of discontent from any of his constituents, and he expressed his gratitude for their consideration. (Applause.) With regard to the presentation, it would remain an heirloom in the Alassey family, and, as generation succeeded generation, the Alassey of 200 years hence would be able to* look back with pride and pleasure to the fact that his ancestor represented Franklin, and, what was more important, possessed the esteem and respect of tho people. (Applause and cheers.) He would rather remain -a private member than be a Alinister of the Crown, or even -Prime Alinister, if to attain those stations bo had to- part with even the smallest portion o’f tho esteem, respect, and regard of his constituents, which lie believed lie at present possessed. (Cheers.)