POLITICAL HAPPENINGS

Southland Times, Issue 17014, 12 April 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL HAPPENINGS

THE METHVEN GATHERING. MR MASSEY'S SPEECH. (Special to the “Times.”) CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. Speaking at Methven last night, Mr Massey said that the Opposition were in no hurry to go on to the Treasury benches. Their time would come and he was prepared to wait for it. The present position had served to show the Imperfections, weaknesses and dissensions in the Government party. Their dissensions were shown mere clearly by the selection &f the present gentlemen who led the party.— (Laughter.) Men who had served the party faithfully for twenty years had been passed over and a man had been appointed who had been ono of the most prominent oppositionists in Parliament. He was now leading the so-called Liberal party in politics. As in everything else, it was wonderful bow time brought its revenge. There were frequent references to the old Conservative parly and the Opposition were taunted with being lineal descendants of those who were connected with soup kitchens. There were no Conservatives in New Zealand. The Opposition were taunted in that way. As a matter of fact, there were only three or four members of tho old Conservative party in the House, and one of them was leader of the so-called Liberal Party.— (Laughter.) “It is too funny for words,” said Mr Massey, "it is funny enough to make a comic opera, and someone will take advantage of it in that way in years to come." He did not believe that tlie combination of Conservatism and Socialism would.be received with enthusiasm. Let them think of Mr Mackenzie leading men like. Messrs Ell. Laurenson, Ha,nan, and Russell or being led by them! ‘To him it seemed to be impossible. An aspect of the question that occurred was that the Government now in power was not the Government that went toAhe country: yet the Government which, had hardly been spoken of and about which there were grave doubts as to whether it had a majority in the House was to be allowed to control the expenditure of the enormous amount, of money that came into the coffers of the State. Were men who had not been proved to have the confidence of the people to have the right to handle that money? That was a wrong and improper position. The new Government asked to be given a show. “Give us .a chance to play the game,” was what they were asking. “Exactly!” Mr Massey continued; “but why ■ don’t they play the game? Why don't they face the music and give the representatives of the people an opportunity of showing, whether they have the confidence of‘the country? That, is the way to play -tho ,ggme.” A Government in that; position should not be allowed to makb the ifnportant appointments that would, bp made now and .'between the time the House met. Mr Massey referred to. the inclusion of four Canterbury members in the new Ministry. Canterbury, he said. had previously been represented by one member, Mr Buddo, about whom, he said, ho had heard, no complaints. Now, however, it required four members to give the same satisfaction that had been given by Mr Buddo. That was a point that would be* appreciated by the lion, gentleman.— (Laughter.) “A POLITICAL HEMEEG.” (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. Speaking at Methven last night. Mr Massey said the present political situation reminded him of a story referring to some students of etymology who decided to endeavour to puzzle their professor, who was known as Buggs. The students manufactured an insect by taking the body of one, the wings of another. and the feet of another, and asked the professor to classify it for them. Tho professor looked long and carefully at it and said at. last: “This is a fearful and wonderful animal. A bug it is true: hut 1 can only class it as a humbug.’’— t Laugh ter.) The present Government had a Conservative head; one of its wings was a freeholder, and the other a protectionist, and its legs were representatives of the liquor trade and of the prohibitionists. This fearful and wonderful animal —be was speaking politically—was supposed to control the destinies of the country for the next three months. What would the professor call ii? He would call it a "political humbug.”— (Laughter.)

MB COLVIN ON THE COAST. DEFENDS SIR JOSEPH WARD. (Per United Press Association). GREVMOUTH, April 11. The- Hon. das, Colvin, Minister of Mines, was entertained at a banquet this evening in honour of his first, official visit to the West Coast. The gathering was a very enthusiastic one. and was attended by leading citizens of the town and district. The Minister was heartily congratulated on his appointment, the opinion being freely expressed that the selection of the Hon. Mr Colvin as Minister of Mines was a very wise and happy one. Mr Colvin, in responding to the toast of his health, thanked the large gathering for the very cordial reception accorded him. It had been said that the present Cabinet was a stop gap: but that wVs not so. The present Cabinet would remain in office and do good work. The Oppositidn Press had attacked one of the best men in the Dominion in the person of Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph Ward was the ablest man in the Dominion, and he expressed the opinion that before twelve months had passed Sir Joseph would again be at the head of affairs. The people of the Dominion warned Sir Joseph. He wars a man of exceptional ability and had a kind heart. He strongly objected to the calumny heaped on Sir Joseph Ward by the Opposition Press. Sir Joseph never ran after Ihe I„nbour members. Mr Massey would give anything to be in power even fur five minutes. His chief had told him not to touch on the party's policy at present. When a policy was decided on it would be found to bo a sound and goo-] ( ,ne. The Hon. T. Mackenzie was very popular wilh tiro farming community and would convert many when he went among them. Mr Colvin thanked his old West Coast friends for their splendid reception. Cheers were given for the Minister. Mr Colvin will leave in the morning for K-innara. to open the Teremakau water works.