THE PRIME MINISTER-

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1600, 18 November 1912, Page 4

THE PRIME MINISTER-

. BANQUET AT PUKEKOHE. LAND POLICT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 17. s A banquet was tendered the Prime Minister at Pukekohe on Saturday night by the local branch of the Political Heform League. The Mayor of the borough (Mr. C. It. Lawrie) presided, and there were also present I Two members of the Executive —tho Hons. Dr. Pomaro. and R. H. Rhodes—and also Messrs. A. R. Harris, J. A. Young, C. E. Statham, J. H. Bradiiey, J?. Mander, R. F. Bollard, and J. S. Dickson, M.P.'s. . Tho chairman proposed "Our Guest," and the Hon. Mr. Masscy received an ovation on rising to reply. It was a pleasant feeling, said the Prime Minister, to be back amongst one's friendo and constituents after tliß .strenuous session. When he. said it was a "strenuous session," he did not Tefer to. its length or the amount of legislation that bad been passed, but they had to remember, that the Reform party had come into power after the sesUou coir "<mced. It had had only three weeks' resj. in which to prepare its financial and 'icy statements, aud then had to learn fhx. 'n and outs of tho Government offices. The loyalty o{ Franklin had been a vory great factor in placing the party in the position it now >ound itself, and he wished to take the opportunity of thanking the people, of his electorate for tho way they una adhered to him. So far as tho session was concerned, he continued, it was. unique in many respects. One fact stood out, and that was that the Government party had not been defeated in a single division. Mr. Massey then referred bo the reform of tho Upper House. Very early next session, 'since both Houses had affirmed, the proposal that the Upper House should bo elective, he proposed that a Bill dealing with the question should be brought down, The most important Bill before Parliament was the Land Bill. The land policy of this country was no longer a leasehold one,, .and the Government proposed to give every man the option of acquiring the section ho occupied. Uilder the new proposals 2,000,000 acrta of Crown land would be affected, and 8500 settlers would become, as it were emancipated, if they choso to take tho opportunity to acquire the freehold, .of their sections. He believed that when the Land Bill was put on the Statute Book it would be good for every man, whether he lived in the city or on the land. (Applause.) Tho dearest wish of_ his colleagues and himself was that they would bo able to improve the country and do something for the people. (Continued applause.) The toast. of "Parliament" was re.spohded to by the .Hons.: Rhodes and Pom are. ' N Mr. Rhodes was received with, cheers. He said he was always Teady to assist in doing honour to bid chief. They had. seen how good a chief citizen. Mr. Masscy had proved -himself within, the few weeka he had been in power,, and-he was sura that "tliey would all wish him a long career. A voice: Another 25 years! Mr. Rhodes, continuing, said that he was not sure that it was good for the country for oiie party to' hold office -for so long. They had seen tho evils of one party. . ' , 'Another voice: But they werent the right party. (Laughter.) Mr. Rhodes: "That i 3 a good sugges. fcion." Me concluded by quoting the now .famous cartoon "Dawit at Last." which, he" said, showed. Very clearly how Mr. Massey had come into his own. (Loud applause.) . • ' The Hon. Dr. Pomare made an eloquent poetical speech, in which he said t that "dark deeds had been done in the night, • but now that it was dawn, it was day, and dark deeds were o'er. He would like to assure the whole of New Zealand that' if the country were threatened, the ■ Maori would be found fighting to the mail and woman. (Cheers.). The-toast- of; "The-Reform Party" wag proposed, by Mr. J. Scraefpner. ; (president of the Pukekohe branch of the Reform League), and responded toby Messrs.-Har-ris, Young, Bradney, Statham, R. E. Bollard, Dickson, and Mander M.P/s. - The proceedings were most, enthusiastic throughout, and did not conclude, . till shortly before midnight. The Ministerial party came on to Auckland by train, arriving at 2 a.m.