FOR REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1182, 18 July 1911, Page 4

FOR REFORM.

*. MR. BUICK, M.P., AT PALMERSTOM SPLENDID RECEPTION. IBj TcleEraiih.-SDeclal Correspondent.* PolinerEton North, July 17. Mr. D. Buick, M.P. for Palmerston, ad. dressed an over/low meeting at the Municipal Hall to-night, tho Mayor presiding. Mr. liuick, who had a srplenmd reception, spoko for mi hour and dealt with the legislation passed during last tossiop, and also with Hie leading questions of tnu <lay, Die largo audience being entirely with him throughout the meeting. A number of questions were asked at tho end of his address, all being satisfactorily answered. At the conclusion, Mr. ,T. Wingate, of Lougbiirn, moved a hearty vote of thunka (0 Mr. liuick for his address, and confidence in the platform as pp uilgated by the Reform party. Tho was eeconded by Mr. John Drury, of Terrace Knd, and carried amidst tumultuous applause, tho meeting breaking up with cheers, and the singing of "For he's a jouy good fellow." MR. FISHER, M.P., AT SHANNON. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Shannon, Julv 17, Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., addressed one of the largest and most represoutalivo meetings that has been held in Shannon for some considerable time, in the Druids' Hall on Saturday night. Mr. Selby occupied tho chair. After dealing vigorously with the question of finance, Mr. Fisher passed on to the policy of the Opposition in regard to the land question. He pointed out how ineffective the Government administration had been so far as land settlement was concerned, and drew attention, to the rcaggrcgation that was going on throughout the country. Tho policy of the Opposition, was to produce producers. The stability of tho country depended upon tho capacity of the people, to produce goods that would bring capital into the country. In order to do this the Opposition ■ party had determined upon a policy of closer selrlement, and moro intense cultivation. There were millions of acres of Native land lying idle because of the inefficiency of tho Native Department. It was not' (ho intention of Mr. Massey and his followers to cither abolish or lessen the amount of leasehold offered to tho intending settler. There were thousands of men who were unable for lack of means to acquire freeholds, and their requirements would bo attended to bv tho proper maintenance of a leasehold system which would give the poor as well as the rich a chance to get on tho land. The statement recently made by Sir James Carroll in the south thnt 133 Europeans owned over 13 million acres of la ml was a convincing proof of tho inefficiency of the Ward Ministry to induce land settlement. Was this the boast of a Liberal after twenty years of power? The number of estates of over fifty thousand acres wn9 only six less than when Sir Joseph Ward assumed office. So long as tho Government was permitted to retain oflice without a policy so long would this allimportant question of laud reform Iμ shelved. It was his own opinion • Hint drastic measures should bo taken to settle the Native land problem, and secure Iho settlement of tho remaining Crown lauds. After dealing with other important planks in the platform of the Reform party, Mr. Fisher answered a number of questions, and, at the conclusion of the meeting, was enthusiastically accorded a unanimous veto of.thanks for his address.

Mr. ■ Fisher has been invited to come again to Shannon before the general election takes place.