THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 18 February 1907, Page 4

THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

GARDEN PARTY AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Sunday. A garden party was held in honour of Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, at PukeUohe, on Saturday, by the Political Reform Leage, and, despite the threatening weather, thero was a large attendance, the number of people being 2500, including a large contingent from Auckland, Manakau, and Waikato districts. Mr Massey, in the course of his speech, claimed that the Opposition had exerted a beneficial influence at the last session, notably in regard to the Government's Land Bill, which he said would have been forced upon the country but for the determined stand made the Opposition. He claimed such a measure should not be passed without the electors being consulted. The Opposi- ! tion was now much stronger than at any time during tho last dozen years. ; Speaking of the recent Legislative ! Council appointments, he said that men were now being appointed who had : not the slightest chance of being elect- ! Ed to the Lower House, and who would not be of the slightest use to the coun- . try. Such a system of appointment was a blot upon democracy, and the app ointments of some of the men, inculdling the last batch, was a positive affront to the electors. He hoped the electors and the press would assist the Reform Party in bringing about a state of things more in keeping with democratic principles. Speeches were also delivered by other Auckland members, and at the conclu--1 sion of the speeches a presentation of a j handsome feather boa was made to Mrs I Massey by the members of the Ladies' I Committee, as a mark of the esteem and appreciation of hei' husband's serj vices.