Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,500 Copies Daily. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1910. THE OPPOSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9197, 23 April 1910, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,500 Copies Daily. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1910. THE OPPOSITION.

The Opposition party cannot be accused by its best friends of displaying any great amount of activity in the interim between each general election, and it is only when fights are pending bhat anything in the nature of organisation takes place. It is true that Mr Massey, the Leader of the party, and Mr Martin, organiser, are seldom idle, but they cannot be expected to perform Work that would tax the physical abilities of a dozen men, and it is equally true that organisation and systematic electioneering which could and should be carried on by the rank and file with most successful results is too often neglected. Recently there appeared in the "Dominion" a letter over the signature of Mr F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., now a recognised member of the Opposition. For a considerable time Mr Fisher chose to style ! himself an Independent, notwithstanding that his sympathies were with the party he has lately joined, and it may be that his self-chosen isolation was largely due to personal reasons— the sincere regard and friendship he entertained for Mr T. E. Taylor, who will identify himself with neither side in Parliament. Having cast in his lot with the Opposition, Mr Fisher is deeply interested in their methods of electioneering, and we must confess that his strictures are justified. In adopting the role of candid critic, he is taking the right course to arouse Oppositionists to a sense of their duty, and if his advice is heeded the gains must be (substantial. Referring to Mr Massey's work Mr Fisher says:

" Ono man cannot answer nine. The Opposition lias every confidence in him; but ho is, after all, only human. No, wo must sot to work and plan a campaign. It is no plan of campaign to sit down and wait

in tho hope that your opposing army will wado into a river and drown itself. Generally speaking, New Zealand docs not know its Opposition. Opposition members have stayed in their electorates like spiders in their webs. It's a mistake. It is wrong. Tho p'arty should send its members round to preach its progressive policy, meet the people, understand their requirements, \vatch_and criticise Government expenditure, and let tho pcoplo understand that tho Opposition is not a one-man . show. How can pcoplo be reasonably asked to vote for an Opposition when there is only one Oppositionist they have ever hoard or seen? Take, for example, tho position of affairs in Auckland. Auckland West, Central, and East, Grey Lynn, and Parnell are all seats held by the Government. What attempt does the Opposition make to capture all or any of them V Determined onslaughts on Otakihave reduced the Government majority from 1500 in 1902 to 1349 in 1905, and to 83 in 1903. If the same persistent attack wore maintained in other districts greater progress would be shown. There are thousands of people to-day who believe that if the Opposition came into power they would at once break down our most beneficent legislation and promote trouble as a means of reducing wages. They firmly believe that a change of power would mean soup kitchens and poverty. They arc told so, and mighty little attempt has the Opposition made to contradict it. But this condition of affairs will alter —must' alter.

Mr Fisher's statements have been carefully noted by. Government supporters, and the member for Otaki has since felt it his duty to make a statement to his supporters. He says he "cannot contest the point that his majority has been very considerably reduced, but he feels that at the next election he will be returned by a majority as great as he has formerly enjoyed." Whether Mr Field's prophecy will be fulfilled or the seat added to the list branded Opposition depends entirely upon the Opposition supporters in the electorate, and there, as in other electorates, the time is ripe for effective organisation. Next year the General Election will be held, and if the Opposition wish to add to. the victories of 1908 they must rally their forces and prepare a plan of campaign which will completely overshadow any previous efforts on their part. The Opposition have a policy which will appeal to right-thinking people in the community, and if that policy is properly expounded in every electorate in the Dominion Mr Massey should be returned to the House in 1911 with a sufficient majority to take up the reins of office. But this result will not be achieved by a continuance of the laissez faire methods so characteristic of the Opposition in the past. Our own electorate is in need of organisation, and the longer this is delayed the harder the fight will be to hold the seat. It is openly stated that Mr McNab will be the Government candidate at the next election, and if Dame Rumour in this instance does not prove to be a lying jade, he will make a foeman worthy of the Opposition candidate's steel. The Opposition forces should be brought together and meetings arranged in order to stimulate interest'and sustained effort in the coming campaign. Some time ago a branch of the Reform. Party was formed in Palmerston. The aim of that Party is to promulgate the Opposition policy and disseminate its views, and in such a worthy cause the greatest activity and keenness should be displayed. The time is opportune for the Reform Party in Palmerston to meet and discuss plans for the future. Gatherings for the winter months should be arranged, and if prominent members of the Opposition could be induced to attend and deliver addresses it would bring workers into the field who are at present disinclined to -exert themselves. The suggestion is one for the Party to consider, and if it is adopted there cannot be any doubt as to the gain that will be derived by such an intelligent and energetic plan of action.