BANQUET TO MR. MASSEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12402, 26 October 1903, Page 5

BANQUET TO MR. MASSEY.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING.

STRONG SPEECH-BY LEADER OP OPPOSITION.

POSITION OF THE UPPER HOUSE.

MUST; BE ENDED OR MENDED.

LAND TENURE,

ECONOMICAL ADMINISTRATION.

[BY TELEGRAPH. --SPECIAL CORESPONDENT,] Wellington Sunday. The banquet given by the members of the Opposition to their leader (Mr. W. F. Massey) last evening, was a success in every way. The utmost cordiality and good feeling prevailed, and the speeches delivered during the evening were- above the level usually reached on such occasions. Mr. Massey's speech in particular seemed to strike the right note, and it made a very favourablo impression. REMARKS BY SIR W. RUSSELL. Sir W. Russell occupied the chair, and had on his right the guest of the evening, and on his left Mr. H. D. Bell. >■ The Chairman, in proposing the loyal toasts of the King and Governor, said Lord Ranfurly had taken a keen interest in the welfare of all classes of the community, and he thought everybody throughout the colony would agree that he had been a most excellent Governor. He regretted that Lord and Lady Ranfrly were leaving the colony, and added that Lady Ranfurly, by her gracious demeanour, tact, and unfailing sympathy, had endeared herself to all Sir Wm. Russell, who also proposed the health of the guest of the evening, was in his best form, and made a capital speech. Mr. Massey, he said, represented the views, the wishes, and the aspirations of the Opposition party more than anyone else, ana that fact had been emphasised by the unanimity with which his selection as Leader of the Opposition had been made. Sir William said there were four qualities that were essential in a Leader of the Opposition—indomitable courage, the most perfect health, the utmost pertinacity, and that small word of four letters that governed the whole world, "tact," In Mr. Massey they had all these qualities combined. When others of the party in the stress of business in the House might be taking their forty winks, Mr. Massey would look round, but there was no censure in his eve, he simply redoubled his energies. In the early hours of "the morning, when some of them were only too prone to betake themselves to their houses, they found him still alert and imperturbable on the front bench, ever ready to say tea tired legislator, " Yes, you go away, I'll mind the business." It was a case of "Then happy low lie down; Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown;" for whereas they might be sleeping comfortably in their beds, he was always to the front. (Cheers.) From the moment Mr. Massey had come into Parliament he had watched him with keen interest. He soon proved himself a man with great powers of perception, a man of wonderful industry, and, above all, a, man with a sympathetic soul. There was no man amongst the party more capable of leading them to victory than Mr. Massey. (Cheers.) MR. MASSEY'S SPEECH. ,

Mr. Massey, on rising to respond, was received' with hearty cheering. On an occasion like'that, he said, one felt that the hard work of politics, the long hours, and the hard knocks had their compensations. Though often beaten in fighting against overwhelming odds, he believed that they were fighting in the right, and in the best interests of the colony. (Cheers.) Indeed, it was now admitted, even by ma,nj of their opponents, that the Parliamentary Opposition had done good work during the past' 10 years. (Hear, hear.) They had amended the legislation of the Government, and improved it in many ways, so that it became more palatable to the people of the country. They had endeavoured also, though sometimes unsuccessfully, to prevent extravagant administration. In short, they had endeavoured in every possible way to perform the legitimate function of a Parliamentary opposition. Moreover, they had ' done this sometimes under conditions the difficulty of which the public hardly realised. He thanked them for high position in which they had placed him. It was one of great responsibility and considerable difficulty. If he were going to make it ..'success, and he intended to do his best in that direction, he must have the thorough and hearty support of the Opposition not only in Parliament, but in the cotmtry. (Hear, \ hear.) He believed that support would be forthcoming. : (Applause.) Though they had placed him in the position of leader of the party, they were not to imagine that he would make no mistakes, and when he did make a mistake it was then that he would most want their sympathy. If the sheaves of letters and telegrams he had received from all parts meant anything, and he believed they meant a great deal, then the' country was satisfied with what j had been done, nob necessarily in regard ; to his appointment, but in regard to the organisation of the Opposition. He had received correspondence, not only from Opposition supporters in the country, but also from people- who were supporters of the Government, and who expressed the opinion that it the Government were going to do its duty then it must have a strong and vigilant Opposition in front of it. (Hear, hear.) An impression was sought to be created that the Opposition were anxious for office. Now, that was not the fact. He did not know a single man who was ready to go on the Treasury benches. There were many amongst them who, had they taken the other side in politics, would have been in office long ago. They preferred, however, to be in the right with; the few than in the wrong with the majority. (Applause.) He believed, however, the time would come when, the electors would recognise that there were broader-minded men and more capable business men on the side of the Opposition than there were on the Treasury benches, or amongst the Ministerial following. When that time came the majority would, of course, be en the other side, and the Opposition would have the reins of Government. Which ever side of the House they were on, however, there was a great sphere of usefulness in front of them in supporting what was right and preventing what was wrong. He believed the latter was even more important than the former. However, they would always endeavour to steer a straight course without fear of consequences, whether blame or reward. He believed they had arrived at that stage in the colony's history when the administration of its public affairs was more important even than legislation. One of the first duties the Opposition should undertake was to insist upon a proper opportunity being given for criticising the administration of the great Departments of State. There was the .Railway Department, with twenty million of money invested and from 6000 to 7000 men employed. There was the Lands Department, with a million acres of laud still unoccupied, and 20,000 Crown tenants. There was the Education Department, costing about half-a-million a year ; the Agricultural Department, with an expenditure of £100,000; the Mines Department, the Advances to Settlers Department, and others. Yet no proper opportunity was afforded in Parliament for criticism' of, or discussion on, these important Departments. A day should be set apart for a discussion in regard to these Departments. (Hear, hear.) "Before the Estimates were considered reports of these Departments should be forthcoming. Why . the .Government objected to these things was more than he could understand ; but it was notorious that Parliament was not supplied with information to which it was entitled; especially was that the case hi regard to the financial position of the colony. For instance, though "i% was 1 eight or nine months since the last lpai£was ..-V.'',:v : . :'.■•■•.'■■, <k •.''■■. .;/. '.X'W--.■',.::-.- :■■;'';.■>''.'■ ;>' : ;' ir : <..::