LOYALTY TO MR MASSEY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16988, 10 November 1920, Page 8

LOYALTY TO MR MASSEY.

REFORM PARTY TESTIMONY, i

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS.

(SrECIAL TO "tiie PUESS.") WELLINGTON*. November S. Tlia members or the Reform Party in the House of Representatives have testified to the esteem and honour in which the Prime Minister is held by them by presenting him with a large framed illuminated address. The presentation was made Inst evening. The address is an extremely artistic piece of work. Its border depicts tasteful miniature types of New Zealand scenery, and the whole is enclosed in a massive frame of four different kinds of New Zealand woods. The address is as follows: — Dear Sir, —We the undersigned members of the Reform Party of the House of Representatives desire to express to you our hearty congratulations on the victorv under your leadership at the general elections of 1919. resulting in a majority which ensures for the country sound, firm, and progressive government with which New Zealand may face problems of peace as confidently as she faced those of the Great War. You gave proof of high courage and determination after the years following ISO 3. when with a mere handful of followers, you successfully led what then looked like,a, forlorn hope in our Parliament. Since that time your maun has steadily increased. The peop'e of Now Zealand have come and more to acknowledge your honesty of purpose and common sense and sturdy nntrintism. Voi, dealt with the difficulties occasioned by the sudden disruption of the National Government 111 a. manner which added materially to- your hold on the confidence and esteem of the people of this Dominion. We recognise that your unfading tact and ability greatly facilitated the conduct of business during an arduous and n'OT>entou3 session. The way in which you rose to this emergency and the tireless energy and courage you broucht to bear on the subsequent election contributed largely to the su°cess of the Reform Party at the polls. Tn conclusion we assure you of our confidence in your and of our loyalty to you as Prime Minister, and express the hope that you n\ay long Tie snared to plav a prominent part in the affairs not. only of New, Zealand but of the Empiro as a whole. The address is signed by forty-one members of the Reform Party. The presentation was made by the Hon. Sir "William Herries, who referred to Mr Massev'-s sterling record since he entered Parliament many years ago. Pie traced various incidents in his career, dwelling upon his sturdy fights wlien his in the House was so small. They asked him to accept the address as a token of their appreciation, love, and effection for him, especially those who had been associated with him for so many years.

Mr Massey, who was received with popular acclaim and loudly cheered, expressed his grateful surprise at the kindly thought of his friends. As long as he lived he would prize the gift and it would be handed down to his heirs after he had gone. He spoke of the great privilege he considered it to be able to serve the Dominion .and to tako part in its advancement. It had alwavs been his aim to discharge the duties he was faced with to the best of his abilitv. He spoke also of the loyalty of the party to him and their great assistance in carrying out what they thought bad been for the good of the Dominion. He believed that what had been achieved this session would in the future be regarded in a light that anv Government could be well, proud of. He d'.vc't a.fain on the great- pleasure the presentation had given him".