IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14144, 20 August 1909, Page 6

IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

FARMER AND STATESMAN.

To live in tho public eye is the lot of men of note. The interest that always centres around our politicians is just now focussecl with unusual force upon the man who has guided the destinies of the Opposition party in this Dominion for the past six years, for to him the people of New Zealand will to-night pay the rare compliment of a national testimonial, which will run into four figures. Not merely his own supporters and the members of his own party, but admirers of all shades of political thought are joining in this generous tribute to sterling worth, this fitting reward of services well and ' faithfully performed. The occasion is a unique one, and he who is thus honoured is one who compels the attention of the student of character.

The Leader of a party—much more so than the ordinary politician—has many calls upon him, and tho position involves the sacrifice of much of the homo life that forms one of the priceless treasures of the Britisher. Still there are precious intervals when the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition in New Zealand, who in private life follows the ancient and honourable occupation of husbandry, may find himself "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife." In such rare moments, the peaceful seclusion of the farmyard and meadow may bo his. It was on one of these occasions, a few days since, that the writer took a run out to Mangers and" found Mr. Massey "at home," amidst his herds and his crops. Here the politician was seen, not as the vigilant leader of his party, but as the hearty and jovial farmer, in which role he is so well known to the more intimate circle of his friends and acquaintances. A SON OF THE SOIL. A true "son of the soil"— forefathers were farmers in County Deny for generations back—Mr. Massey is never seen to better advantage than as a practical agriculturist, well versed in all the points connected with the successful tilling of the land. Strolling' around the green pastures of " Franklynne," and conversing chiefly fibout last season's harvest, and the prospects for the coming season, he was seen as the keen and practical "man on the land," a typical representative of the class who form the country's backbone, and whose interests have always found in Mr. Massey such a worthy champion, both in and out of Parliament.

A shower of rain made it expedient to beat a retreat to the shelter of the hospitable farmhouse. The way was led into Mr. Massey's " sanctum sanctorum,' : and here an opportunity was afforded of studying the combination of the farmer and the politician. Through the window came a glimpse of the fresh green fields and browsing kine, whilst the apartment itself spoke reminders not of verdant pastures and lowing herds winding slowly o'er the lea," but of long, laborious nights in "another place." Here were seen Bluebooks, Hansards, ■ and volumes of statutes, the dry, unpicturesque recorders! of many a lively debate, of msiny a well-fought fight. Other books ;spoke of the man of reading and thinking, whilst the inevitable file of letters testified to the fact that the correspondents of the member of Parliamentand their name is legionnever forget him. Framed addresses from appreciative supporters and constituents— and present—hung on the walls. Here Mr. Massey, being in his usual genial —and reminiscent withal was induced to speak of some of the earlier incidents of his public career. A HISTORIC TELEGRAM. , '"' "Anything noteworthy in connection with my entry into Parliament? Yes, there was something that I well remember," and the face of the " honorable gentleman opposite" lighted up as he recalled the incident. It was harvest time when the seat became vacant. I was in my stackyard building a cornstack when a telegraph "messenger came along with a telegram. The stack was some height from the ground and the message was handed up to me on one of the prongs of a pitchfork by the driver of the waggon that was being unloaded at the stack." This telegram, which deserves to become historic, but which unhappily was not preserved, contained a request from a number of Waitemata electors that Mr. Massey woum meet them on the following day for the purpose of receiving a request to contest the seat. "I met them on the following day as requested," the narrator proceeded, "and I consented to accede to the request." After a keen fight Mr. Massey was returned. Three years later he was elected for Franklin, for which, district he is member until the present day. Mr. Massey's political career has been one of hard work, of faithful service in the cause of his constituents and country. For 15 years a member of the House of Representatives, for several years tho chief Whip of his party, and for the past six years the holder of the important position of Leader of the Opposition, he has been always a prominent, and of late a foremost, figure in the political arena. That he has possessed the full confidence of his constituents has been amply demonstrated by his unbroken term of Parliamentary life. Hale and hearty, thick-set and broad-shouldered, of massive brow, fine open countenance brained as well —stalwart in body; a close thinker, and .a worker, actuated by wonthy ideals and high principles—ho is the type of man that, apart from any questions of party or doctrines of political faith, a country stands most in need of. VIGILANT AND STRONG. As Leader of the Opposition Mr. Massey has carried out the duties of an onerous and oft-times thankless position with an indefatigable zeal and industry that has characterised him in his private walks of life. The Leader of a party in opposition must be ever on tho alert, ready for new Government Bills, Ministerial statements, or enunciations of policy in whatever form they may be presented. He cannot absent himself for any lengthy period from his scat, for lie knoweth not the hour nor the day when his time cometh. A close acquaintance with the forms of the House and the rules of Parliamentary practice and precedent are also essential, and all this Mr. Massey has assimilated.

Eternal vigilance, in short, is a necessary qualification for the leadership of an Opposition, and in Mr. Massey the Opposition party in New Zealand have a leader who possesses this great quality. A necessary corollary is a good physical constitution, and here again the condition is not lacking. The strong, vigorous form of the member' for Franklin always arrests! attention as he sits in his place in the House, with the Prime Minister as his vis-a-vis. One of the first to enter and one of the last to leave the Chamber, he has earned a reputation for unflagging industry that is recognised by members on all sides of the House. THE VEIL OF FUTURITY. " Have you anv message for the electors' of New Zealand.'" Mr. Massey was asked. "The electors hold all in the hollow of their hand, and to them I can only say, ' Be guided by the lessons of the past and present, and "think of the future.' " "And what of the future?" Mr. Massey thought for a moment, but his modesty asserted itself, and the invitation to soar into prophecy did not bear fruit. Whatever the hopes of transition to a higher sphere, they remained unspoken. "It is impossible for anyone to tell," he said. "It is the unexpected that happens in politics." ,-.-.--• ■"-,. " And what is the unexpected in this ease?"

But the man of politics, though he may see visions and dream dreams, was not to be drawn.