LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12833, 5 April 1905, Page 6

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

VISIT TO THE SOUTH. [BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedin, Tuesday. The Leader of the Opposition is expected here towards the end of the week. Air. Massey intends delivering political addresses in the chief centres. He is, he says, confident that there is a growing change in public opinion on political matter?, which was clearly shown during his recent tour in the North of Auckland, and he is confident that ho will gain several additional seats in the North next election. Mr. M'dssey will remain in the South three or font weeks. INTERVIEWED AT WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. Interviewed by a Post representative. Mr. Massey. Leader* of the Opposition, who is now in Wellington, said' that everywhere in his tour e,f the Auckland distrht he hail met with an enthusiastic reception. In his opinion there was growing up a big change in public opinion on political matters, and he regarded that fact" as very significant. At Whangarei, for instance, a town of only 1500 inhabitant* all told, he had an audience numbering 2000, and some of them had ridden 50 miles. Many had come 30 miles in order to be present. He regarded that a? a really healthy sign, arid having regard to the different cironanstances he considered the meeting at Whangarei as, if anything, a better one than his big meeting at Auckland. Mr. Massey added that he was going South in a, .lay or two, and would speak at some of the centres there. "Do you think the Opposition will gain any additional seats in the North at the general election?" he was asked. '"Yes it is quite certain, that they will gain several seals." was the reply. He was distinctly pleased with the result of his recent tour. He did not intend to assist Mr. John Hutcbeson in his election campaign, he remarked, in reply to another question. Ho did not think Mr. Hulcbeson required any assistance, and, iu any ease he was averse to interference of the kind.