To Captain Russell, from the Opposition.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10482, 29 October 1901, Page 1

To Captain Russell, from the Opposition.

WELLINGTON, October 28.

A gathering of Opposition members was held at the Parliament Buildings this afternoon for the purpose of making' a presentation to Captain Russell. The presentation took the form of three massive silver table vases, which had been specially . imported from Home. They bore' the following inscription: "Presented to Captain Russell, M.H.R., as a mark of esteem from friends associated with him while leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of New Zealand."

Mr Massey, in making the presentation, said it came from the Opposition members in the present Parliament,' and those who had been Opposition members in previous Parliaments, who desired to express their esteem and appreciation of the many sacrifices made by Captain Russell on behalf of what the Opposition believed to be sound 'principles and a sincere desire for the welfare -and good government of the country. He -said very tew people .knew how difficult it was and what hard work it was for a numerically weak Opposition to properly criticise the proposals and finances of the Government when everything* possible was. done to .cover up and conceal the real position, and when members knew that for any hostile criticism on their part sooner or later an 'attempt would be made to punish them. He had never known Captain Russell to allow himself to be swayed by personal considerations, and no one could help admiring -the consistency and pluck with which he stuck to his post. The Opposition would always pursue a sound progressive and honest policy. Mr Duthie said they all recognised how in a spirit of self-sacrifice Captain Russell had struggled on from' a strong sense of public duty. Mr Duthie went on to adversely criticise the actions of the Government, and he contended the Government Party had really no coherence, and its majority did not represent the confidence of the people in the Government. The Seddon Party had set itself to 'establish an autocracy, tempered by bribery, and inconsistent with any real popular Government. Captain Russell, in expressing Ji's thanks, said he thought he could claim for himself and for everyone of the members of the Opposition that they had struggled under circumstances of almost unparalleled difficulty to do that which had been their duty. To believe that any member of the Opposition Party ' "had for one . single instant wished to bar the road of progress or to do anything which should keep their weaker brethren' from rising to . an equal level with themselves was to mistake altogether the attitude, functions, hopes, and, desires of the Opposition. Time had. proved in almost every instance the "truth of the criticism which they had betsowed upon the measures brought forward' by the Government. Many of the measures 'now on. the Statute Book had emanated from the Opposition Party, and they had been licked into shape by the very men who had been charged with -the desire to obstruct their passage.. Had Jt not been for lue unselfish desire ' of the Opposition to' endeavour to perfect- tho crudities which had been put before them, the success of the Government Party would not have "been half so ijroat as it has been. It was pleasing to think that in the past ten years there had been no secessions in any instance whatever from the ranks of the Opposition, while they had had additions from the Government ranks. He believed the day would come when the Opposition would receive that meed_ of praise which was their duo ior having fought an up-hill fight. In conclusion, he said their beautiful present would remain to his ,children for ever to prove, at any rate, what his fellow members thought of him. Captain Russell's health was enthusiastically toasted.