Political Garden Party at Rongotea.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 159, 7 January 1897, Page 2

Political Gar den Party at Rongotea.

An invitation garden party was held at Mr J. Jarvis' homestead yesterday afternoon, chiefly for tbe purpose of showing the appreciation and respect felt for Mr K. C. Brace by his supporters at Rongotea. The idea of holding a political garden party was first suggested by a lady resident of the district, and Mr Jarvis, assisted by several others, put it into a practical shape and carried it out to a most successful issue. It would be difficult to find a more suitable or more pleasant locality for holding such a gathering. Three marquees, in addition to an awning over tbe band, were erected— one being for the meeting room, where addresses were delivered, and the others for tbe storage of provisions aDd the convenience of visitors. A pretty and charming avenue was made in a plantation of macrocarpa trees, and the benefit of it would have been experienced had the weather turned out hot, but as it was a high i wind with threatening clouds prevailed during the afternoon and evening. However, the wiod was not noticed much, as the gathering was held to the lee side of a plantation. Mr and Mrs Jarvis, and family, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen, bad full control of tbe arrangements, which were so complete j that the most exacting could not have desired any improvement. The visitors commenced to arrive at about 1 o'clock, being provided with luncheon and later on afternoon tea. There were upwards of four hundred persons present flaring the afternoon, amongst the visitors being Captain Russell, M.H.B. (leader of the Opposition), Mr F. Y. Leth bridge (M.H.R. fer Rangitikei), Messrs J. G. Wilson and Menteath, of Wellington (ex M's.H.R.) ; Messrs Dalrymple and J. Bull, Bulls ; A. H. Briscoe, A. Campbell, Major Campbell, Awahuri; A. MeKenzic, Paraewanui ; J. Hugh, Palmerston ; R. K. Simpson, W. J. Simpson, W. E. Simpson, T. Simpson, Tennant, J. Marshall, of Marton ; Morrison, Oroua Bridge ; Mr and Mrs Wastney, Balls ; Mr and Mrs Holmes, Awahuri ; Mr, Mrs anil Miss Buick, Palmerston ; Mr and Mrs Macmillan, Awahuri ; Dr Skerman, Marton ; Captain, Mrs and Miss Campbell, Taonni, and many others too numerous to mention, including representative settlers from all parts of the Manawatu, and also from Feilding and Palmerston. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the Misses Hammond, Oostall, Jarvis, Davis. Mesdames Jarvis, A'Court, Penny, Davis, Matthews, Rich and a host of other ladies whose names we have been unable to ascertain. Dnring the afternoon and evening lawn tennis and other games were indulged in by the younger people, while it was a pleasant social gathering for the elder folk. Tbe proceedings were considerably enlivened by the Sandon Brass Band under Bandmaster Williams. Addresses were delivered on the political situation by several speakers during tbe afternoon and evening. THK AFTERNOON MEETING. The large marquee provided for the purpose was packed and the sides raised to permit the large assemblage to listen to the political addresses. Mr J. G. Wilson presided and expressed his pleasure at doing bo. The gathering was not initiated by a politician, hut was first suggested by a lady who resided in tbe district, Mr Jarvis lending the ground and, with others, carrying out tbe arrangements. Tbe gathering was for the purpose of showing their appreciation for Mr Bruce' doling the recent election. Captain Russell had been invited to attend. Mr Duthie would have been present bat for family affairs, while Mr Buchanan was ill. Apologies had, also, been received from the Rev. Father Patterson and Mr Cohen (of Marton) and Mr Bryce. He congratulated Captain Russell on his grand victory and, also, on the return of Mr McLean and Mr Hooter of J Hawke's Bay. They were beaten in bis (Mr Wilson's) electorate owing to cirenmstances over which they bad no | control and there was no use whining about it. Mr Bruce created a good impression during the election and that was why this gathering was held. He spoke in favor of such gatherings as they would cement the party together, and concluded by introducing Captain Russell, who stated he attended the gathering to do honor to one who had represented other constituencies with so much honor, and who had been one of the finest debaters in the House. He trusted that Mr Bruce and his supporters would continue to persevere and that he (Mr Brnue) would Ibe successful at the next election. Touching on political questions, he believed the people of the colony had given them (the Opposition) credit for tbe work they had done during tbe last Parliament. They had been having Government by one man, while the Opposition fought for the individual liberty. They had not been allowed to fight tbe late elections fairly, the Premier having gone through tbe colony speaking in support of the Government, while men had been employed at 15s a day ostensibly for the purpose of getting names on the roll who canvassed for the Government. This expense had been paid by the taxpayers. He new a man who had been removed from bis position since last election because his son was opposed to the Government. What the Opposition wanted was a fair field and no favour to restore confidence in the country and to allow people to carve out homes for themselves by their brain power and energy. If there was lavish expenditure, the Government did not pay for it, but the farmers and not the co-operative labourers. The Government were obliged to admit tbe colonial debt was increased by £4,900,000 during the time they wore in office and now had to borrow £1,000,000 extra. A million of money meant £35,000 a year in interest and this on the loans raised meant an additional taxation of -£200,000 a year was placed on the taxpayers of the colony. If the profligate expenditure was continued the day would come when they would realise how enormous was the interest they had to psy. Two years ago a special tax had been placed on the necessaries of life by the Customs Tariff, amounting tp i. 100,000. The legislation of tbe present Government was in the direction of assisting this manufacturers in the large towns, while tbe pioneer settlers bad to labour under the disadvantages ot being without comforts. The settler had to pay duty on tbe clothes he wore, he had to pay 22| per cent on the boots be wore, was taxed by the Government who "loved the people so well," for the iron he put on his hut, for his sheep shears and for all tbe farming implements be used. Nearly £6,000,000 worth of of produce was exported by the country people whilo tbe total value of the manufactured goods exported was £354,000. £200,000 was being raised to assist the mining industry, while other money was borrowed for unproductive works to the the neglect of the farmiDg industry. He condemned the land policy of the Government and objected to the compulsory turning people off their land. They must look after the farming industry and by all possible means must insist on their bring beard. He was anxious to see people go on the land, but disapproved of tbe cutting up land into smal} holdings nnd putting unsuitable people 1 on them from tba towns. TJhfey ' ca jng to the cplony in the early days *Q Jbave land of their own and what they n u w i wauted was a freehold whioh they could leave to their children. This was an ambition they should all have. The policy. ot the Government was to preveut tbe Ireciiold. They said they

would give monetary compensation, hat what was that ? He took up his farm thirty-two years ago. The whole place was the creation of his own brain and energy, and sovereigns would not pay him if he were turned off. The Government offered the 999 years leaseOwing to the action of the Opposition the Fair Bent Bill was thrown out and they bad the lease in perpetuity for the present, but if that Bill was carried it would be done away with. It would cost a settler going into the back blocks nearly £6 an acre to get their land into good order and by their own labor it would be increased in value, yet the Government could appoint valuers under the Fair Rent Bill to revalue the land which had been improved by the wives and families of settlers and they would be at the mercy of the Government of the day. He referred to the Pomahaka estate purchase as a failure. The Opposition advocated the restoration of confidence, for without it money would be locked up and the country could not progress. He instanced the contest for the American Presidency and showed how the election of Major McKinley had restored confidence and increased trade. He criticised the Minister of Lands for having threatened to force the Bank of New Zealand into liquidation if it ventured to take part in politics because some of the individual members of the bank did no approve of the policy of the Government. Referring to Mr Bruce's candidature, he said it was necessary to form strong electoral committees. ■ The Opposition was stronger now than for the last few years and he expected they would defeat the Government at the next election. The feeling of the country was against Seddouism and they had now an Opposition which, he believed, would change the policy of the Government. Mr Jarvis expressed their pleasure at seeing Captain Russell there. It was their intention to bold a gathering like this each year and he hoped other parts of the electorate would follow their example and thus form a better organisation. Mr Bruce thanked the leader of the Opposition for his remarks aud the elec tors for their support. This gathering was in the direction of blending politics with social intercourse and would mean that in future they would be lighting under an organisation. Had there been a Mr and Mrs Jarvis in every centre in the electorate they (the Opposition) would unquestionably have won the contest. He condemned the policy and administration of the Government as being corrupt and was demoralising the colony. The Government policy was opposed to the principles of Liberalism at Home and included ideas which had long been exploded. He would like to see a young New Zealand party who would develop a better state of things. Mr F. Y. Lethbridge was pleased to be present. Referring to Captain Russell's remarks about the Government's interference with the elections, he said it was so in his (Mr Leth bridge's) electorate, Mr S^ddon having gone through it and put 500 men into it to influence the election, thus enfranchising the true electors. He disapproved of placing men on such small areas as teu acres away in the back blocks and thought the Hon. J. Mackenzie had too many fads. Captain Russell thought they should record their hearty thanks to Mr and Mrs Jarvis and those who assisted, particularly the ladies, and a motion was carried to that effect amidst cheers. Mr Jarvis returned thanks. Cheers were then given- for Captain Russell and Messrs Wilson and Lethbridge. The Evening Meeting. A meeting was held in ihe evening and waa almost as largely attended as the afternoon meeting. Mr T. Clark presided, and in taking the chair said he looked on this as one of a Beries of political educational meetings which would be held. Mr D. Buick referred to this gathering bs tending in the direction of consolidating the party and showing sympathy with Mr Bruce. He was pleased with the movement and trusted it would be continued. They should endeavour to consolidate the views of the party to fit in with the interests of the bona fide Bettler. He intended to contest the Palmeraton seat at the next election. He concluded by thanking the audience for patient bearing they bad given him. Mr Menteath thanked Mr Jarvis for the invitation to be present. This was the inauguration of a movement which would spread throughout the colony and consolidate the party and he believed they were inaugurating a party which would be successful at the next election. The legislation of the Government was in the direction of socialism, but was not practical. The idea was that everyone was to put forth every effort for the publics' good and they held up the thrifty as misers and grabbers. Referring to the increase in debt since the Liberals took office, he said that it meant an increase in taxation of £3 per head on the 200,000 breadwinners in the colony. Mr Bruce did not believe the Ministers were socialists but individualists of an extreme type who were grabbing all they could get. He condemned the socialists tendency of the legislation of the present Government, and their action in preventing colonial youths from joining the English navy which was greatly in need of men. He emphasized bis ideas with regard to social movements by quotations from Burns poetical works. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Menteath on the motion of Mr Clark ; also, to Messrs Buick, Lethbridge and Williams (the bandmaster). A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Jarvis on tbo motion of Mr Lethbridge and seconded Dy Mr Bruce for the use of his ground and the trouble be had taken. The meeting then terminated. The gathering was very sociable and the sneakers were well received.