CELEBRATING VSCTORY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 9 July 1912, Page 6

CELEBRATING VSCTORY.

REFORM GATHERING 'AT GREYTOWN. SPEECH,BY MR. BUCHANAN. ' (By Tele£raph.-3 B eclal Correspondent.! ' P . Greytown, July 8. Groytown was much excited over tho f ?, fi? ta, i f tlie liberals aiul the success ot the Reform party, and there was great rejoicing held here. A large meeting of H „, ucha £ an , s supporters v.-as held in tho lown Hall on Saturday night, when a banquet was tendered him by his constituents. On his arrival, great cheerin» took place for him and Mr. Massey. Mr Loasby presided, and Messrs. U. W Deller and Q. Donald filled the vicechairs, Mr. Buchanan occupying the seat oi honour. Some hundred and fifty people were present. '■•■'he chairman explained tho reason ot the hurried gathering. Ho congratulated , the man and tho party nn their victory, and proposed tho toast of Mr. Huchanan and party, which was heartily honoured. Mr. Buchanan, on rising, was received with enthusiastic applause.' He remarked how he thought of his people at five o clock that morning .(Saturday). They had worked strenuously iV.r him, and l.e decided to' take the first oiwortnnity of thanking them personally. He traced his history back to 1873, when he v.;is in Canterbury, and told how he c-wne up to the Wairarapa find was α-iapted lo stay. He did not regret it. For twenty-two years tho Opposition had waited with Jj'ate against them. Ho outlined party politics under Atkinson, Rolleston, Russell, and Massey, and claimed that Mr. Massey had the esteem of members of both sides of the House. He had fought a clean uphill game. In passing a hearty tribute of esteem to the late Mr. Seddon as a born leader, Mr. Buchanan said ho was proud to be a member of (he Eeforni party, and prouder still of its leader. He gave nji account of political matters since ISBI in the district. Ho had only been beaten twice in that time, and he felt that the last election waa a strain on his supporters. As he held some thousands of acres of land the v question might arise: Could tho speaker represent their feelings? Had ho not done his best for tho people seeking land? He claimed that he had produced thousands of blades of grass where none had grown. The press had stated that when tho Opposition got into power a man and his family would not have a chance of getting land. He claimed that his party would compare favourably with the present Government. He stated that the largo landholders would follow the line planned by the Reform party. Dealing with the young New Z&alnnders in the lions?, he complimented them on the ability they had shown. In conclusion, he paid he was proud of tho unbounded trust reposed in him, ond would always look bnck to tlie friendships he had formed in Wairarapa. Mr. Bucliirian resumed his seat amidst loud applauso.

In proposing the toast of Mr. MasWy, the speaker paid he was always at his post, and wns never spared by his opponents. He was outspoken and watched his party's interests.' Ho would now show

that his policy was a good one. He regretted that the Reformers had not hod power years ni;n. The people would have been better oil had it "been eo. Xcvr Zealand had passed through trying times, but there wern now hopes of*better ttiinip. If tho party was Riven any length of time in offire they would show that they were Iho right men in tho right place. A]"thniifrh Mr. Mns=cy knew he would be l'l'iiiirs "Minister, lie had not: disclosed who wnild l.>e hU associates. This, ho tlionght, wn< a eofld aiigun-.

Mr. Buchannn i-rspnndwl on bchnlf of hi.-- ln-ulrr. Ko roforrpd to I he inornVs of flip jKirlv. Ji all mod and (rue. Referring (0 111? first division, h<. > a id tlio Govsrnment h»a lik* a disturbed sfarm L of becs, He oomglimentcd the Prime Mia-

istor on the way. ho had accepted defeat. Ho took it like-a man. Mr. Buchanan concluded by thanking those present for t'.ie way they had drunk Mr. Mnssey's health.

Numerous toasts were honoured, an<l the evening closed with tho singing of "Auid Lang Syne."