OPPOSITION LEADER,

Thames Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 10128, 9 December 1911, Page 2

OPPOSITION LEADER,

W®UL SATISFIED WITH RESULTS AiNiTIOIPAiT'EB VICTORJES ON . SEJCJOND BALLOT-

AUCKLAND, December 8" The Leader of the Oipposition is well satisfied with the results of the first ballot, and is confident, that the prospects of the party of securing a majority at the second^ ballot is very bright. The, results of the .elections so far as they have gone are, of course, very satisfactory to the Reform party. Ml- Massey said .'this afternoon: "I notice that Ministers and the journalistic supporters of the Government are trying] to explain away the fact that the Ward Ministry is engaged , In a'life and death etniggle, and that up to the present honours are certainly with the Opposition; The fact is that the people of N e w Zealand are heartily tired of spurious Liberalism, sham dc; mocracy and improper and extravagant methods of the present administration and in their desire for a same and honest policy and an energetic administration are turning to men who for years past have conscientiously done their duty on the Opposition side of the Bouse. Two of our men have gone down in the fight," continued Mr Mffssey. "Quo, Mr Hardy, has lost his seat on account of a local squabble over tho Water Supply Bill which was before Parliament last session, and the other (Mr Dive) because he was not able to make so .many, promises as Irs opponent, the Minister for Agriculture, but the Government has lost Auckland West, Waikaito, Taum.xrunui, O'amaru, 'and Waipawa, and has failed to secure the new seat of Raglan. It is quite safe to predict that it will lose many more seats at the second ballot on Thursday. 1 am very strongly of opinion that t<? shall secure a majority of the ssats for which the representation has not yet been decided, and that there will be more surprises next week. ..I am not in the habit of boasting, but the handwriting! is on the ■wall, and I am convinced that the Ministry has received notice to quit in all directions and from all sections of the community. I have heard the opinion expressed that the Government has been in office too long, and that a change would be in the best interests of the country.. I believe that a change is coming. Re the new evangel? Yesterday's polling," Mr Massey remarked, "shows that the new '.vangel is not worth discussing." i