KUMARA INVADED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1664, 3 February 1913, Page 5

KUMARA INVADED.

WELCOME TO REFORM. MR. FISHER IN THE SEDDON STRONGHOLD. » ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS. (By TelfßTHph.—Special CorrefiDonflont.) Hokitika, February 2. The visit of the Hon. F.-JJ. B. Fislier, Minister for Customs, Marine, and Pensions, to the West Coast marks an important epoch'in the political life of the people in these parts, as Mr. Fisher is the first Minister of t'.'e Iteforin Government to visit the West Coast.

' Tlio Minister's reputation for straight speaking had preceded him, and liis visit, though only .'Announced a few days prior to his arrival,'aroused considerable interest in all quarters,, and great enthusiasm among the staunch band of reformers. The Minister was met at Stillwater by Sir Arthur Qninness, and after the welcome at Grcymouth, journeped to Hokitika, and was received by tile officials of the only branch of the Reform League on the West Coast. During the day Mr. Fisher receivc-d deputations and ins-fleeted the public institutions and the harbour.

In the evening Mr. Fisher addressed a large audience in the Princess Theatre, and,' for the first time in over twenty years, a motion other than complimentary to the Liberal party was carried. The president of the Westland branch of the Now Zealand Political P.eform League (Mr. Bernard Ward) who is a member of the Westland County Council, moved 'the following' motion:— . , ! "That this meeting Expresses its thanks to the Hon. F.M.B. Fislier for his able and instructive address, and expresses its approval, of the legislation and administration of the Reform Government."

Tho motioni was carried Unanimously, amid great applause. ''' ' On rising to reply,, Mr. Fisher met with a flattering reception, and to him belongs the double honour of having been the first Reform Minister to face a West Coast and . of having spoken with such conviction to have enabled a motion complimentary of himsalf and the, Reform Government to be carried unanimously. After the public meeting, the Minister was entertained by the Re : form League, and a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent, . t Tho Minister met several deputations yesterday, later visiting Kanieri Lake and the 'Westland Acclimatisation Sooiety's trout hatchery.

The visit of a member of the Reform Government has made a distinct impression upon tho people of a district that has been from tini» immemorial most faithful to tho cause of Liberalism, and is tho birthplaco of Seddonisni. At the pressing invitation of a staunch littlo band of Reform supporters at Kujuara, where the late Mr. Seddon lived' and ruled, Mr. Fisher decidcd to speak there lost evening, and his personality sonn made him a favourite. He first attended a meeting of old-timers, including some of the fiftvniners. Thi' was held in the Town Hall, where the Minister sat at the identical table from which th* Right . Hon. R. J. Seddon once ruled th« destinies of Kumars. .

When Mr. Fisher later faced tho audience at the Adelphi Theatre the place was packed. With the gloves off. the Minister'dealt with the sins and follies of the Me'Libernl Administration with startling effect. Such n sneech bad never before linen heard in theljuilding, but Mr. Fisher very soon had the audience with'him. and at the end of a stirring ipecch hod the honour of having a hearty ami unanimous voto of thanks and eonfidence ifi the legislation and administration of the Reform Government carried, amid oven greater entlmciasm than at. HokiHkn.

Old residents declared that tho speech delivered by Mr.-Fisher excels everything that has l>een delivered there previously, and the yonnir generation were delighted with his frankness, and.lie certainly carried tho;whol<> place by. storm. After the address Mr. Fisher was entertained by the Reform party enthusiasts. During the course' of his speech. Mr. Fisher referred to a rumour that tho Wost- Const would lie neglected when the Reform Government got into power. Ho said: "Tho Government of which I am a member hao not the slightest intention of putting a tax on neoplo f«r exercising free thought in poliHes. We aro trying to administer the affairs of the country in--the interests of the whole of tho country,, and wo,have to shut our eyes as it were ,to polities, and . work for tho general pood of all." Tho Minister instanced the Government's action in connection with the Olira tunnel contract. Ho said that, it was the intention of the Government to endeavour to pusb on the work faster than ever'before. "We want to get your through communication quickly established," ho added, "and eo enablo interest to ,bo carried on the very large sum that lias .been already spent on the east-to-west.railway." .