The General Election.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3943, 23 November 1908, Page 2

The General Election.

SPEECH BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Wanganui, This Day.

On Saturday evening Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, addressed an overflowing audience in the Drill Hall, and was accorded an enthusiastc reception, being loudly cheered at the conclusion of his speech, which was on the lines of those delivered in other centres. He said the result of the first ballot, and anticipated success of the second showed that the country appreciated the good hard work done by the Opposition during the past three year?. He urged that there had never been a time when it was more necessary that the Opposition should be strong. He strongly defended himself and his party from the newspaper attacks, and showed by reference to have said that the Opposition had played a leading part in the introduction and passing into law of legislation that had proved beneficial. He said he had consistently supported the late John Ballance's non-borrowing and self reliant policy. He protested against Sir J. G. Ward's references to the wages paid during the relief works during ISS7 and 181)0, and pointed out that Sir Harry Atkinson had to do the best he could with the legacy which the previous reckless Government had left. He pointed out that the late Mr Seddon had endorsed the relief work wages. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, This Day. The scrutiny at the Hutt shows that no license was lost by 28 votes, and no proposal carried.