THE OPPOSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2220, 18 June 1908, Page 3

THE OPPOSITION.

HON. FOWLDS INTERVIEWED. A .FORECAST BY THE MINISTER. [Pjikbs Association.] AUCKLAND, Juno 17. 'J'lio Jion. Goo. Fowlds, interviewed to-day, denied that any of his speeches ‘warranted tbo iiiierence, as con-' tinually asserted l),v Mr. Massey, that it was his (the Minister’s) opinion that no choice remained for the country but Socialism or Single- Tax. The coil ntry,” ho contiued, “gave a pretty dear indication of its opinion of Mnsseyis'm at Tuapcka tlic other day. There Mr. Massey lnul a candidate backed by a very complete organisation. 1 : The Government chose a candidate, hut the seat was won 'by a gentleman more radical than the (government candidate, at the same time declaring himself a Government supporter. Thus, in a purely country electorate, -Mr. Massey's candidate was only able to command two out of every seven votes polled. Another ominous portent for Mr. Massey i.s to he found in the epidemic which sec-ms to have set in amongst the few followers he has in the present Parliament. Every other day lately wo have seen an announcement- in the press that Mr. So-and-So, a member of the Opposition, had decided not to oiler 1 limself for re-election. If this continues till the end of the session, there will ho no one left but Mr. M assoy ami one or two of his lieutenants, and possibly some of them may have to retire involuntarily when the election comes off.”-