REFORM PARTY AND THE BANQUET.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 10

REFORM PARTY AND THE BANQUET.

Sir,—As .one who read the extraordinary speech of Sir J. Ward, Hart., last session on the Black pamphlet, and the dreadful outburst from Sir J. I'indlay in the Upper Mouse on t'he same subject and the shamefully wicked attempt by the Government party to blame the Opposition for the production of same, .1 am watching with much interest who will go to the banquet 10-morrow (Saturday) night. In my opinion no member of the .-Reform party could possibly attend after such treatment. The attack was a gross insult to Oppositionists oulside, as well 'as inside, Parliament, and if members' of tho Keform party attend to-mor-row night, t'hey will not only be held in contempl by tho Government party, but will disgust. their own" supporters all over New Zealand. Personally, I shall be done with a party which, after receiving insult after insult, does not toko a proper stand on these matters, and show resentment of such treatment upon every possible occasion. Sir, my blood boils when'l think of the scandalous attempt to blame the Opposition over the Black pamphlet, when.it was known Iho Opposition had nothing to do with it The whole thing was a villainous trick to get sympathy for Sir J. Ward, Bart., •at the election in November. It is for "this reason 1 strongly protest against any member of the Kei'orin parly attending the banquet. If t'hey do they will succeed in disgusting their own loyal workers who have stood by them through thick and thin.—l am, etc., . STRONG OPPOSITIONIST.