THE REFORM PARTY RALLY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 438, 10 February 1912, Page 5

THE REFORM PARTY RALLY.

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

The complimentary banquet tendered by Reform Party supporters at | Te Kuiti to Mr W. F. Massey (leader | of the party) Mr C. K. Wilson, member for Taumarunui, and other members of the party was held in the Alexandra Rink on Wednesday evening, subsequent to the garden party, a report of which is published in on page 3. The members of the party present besides Mr Massey and Mr Wilson were Messrs Fisher, Wellington Central; Lang, Manukau; Buick, Palmerston North; Okey, Taranaki; E. Newman, Rangitikei; Bradnev, Auckland West; Dickson, Parnell; Harris, Waitemata; Bollard, Raglan; and Young, Waikato. Thee were fully 200 present and the proceedings were of an enthusiastic nature throughout. Each member of the party, on rising to speak, was accorded an ovation, and the reception accorded Mr Masspy was highly impressive, while the applause which greeted Mr Wilson, member for the district, was very convincing evidence of the popularity of the newlyelected member with those present. The toast of the Reform party was proposed by Mr Elias Martin, and honoured with great enthusiasm. A most cordial demonstration, with renewed cheering, was made when Mr Massey rose to acknowledge the toast. The Reform party, he said, had had many struggles and many defeats, but it had never been discouraged, and now it could justly claim success. Plain, patriotic, commonsense men filled the ranks of the Reform party, and their sole purposes was the benefit of the whole community of the Dominion. Whatever might be the events of the next few years, he was confident, that the party would continue to enjoy the sympathy and the spuport of the great majority of the people of the Dominion. (Applause.) Mr Fisher said that, not contemplating another election within three years, the Reform party was not only game to fight another one, but it would welcome it, as he was confident that the party would attain success by a decisive margin. Its majority at present was hardly a workable one, but there would be no compromise with any other party. (Applause.) Mr Lang spoke in a similar strain as to the aims of the party and made interesting reference to Te Kuiti district in the olden days, when he represented the district in Parliament. The native difficulty had existed in those days, but the position had got more complicated as settlement in creased. Wonderful progress had been made but not so much asjwould have been the case under different circumstances. MR MASSEY TOASTED.

The toast of the leader of the Reform party was proposed by Mr J. Wall. In a eulogistic speech, Mr Wall congratulated Mr Massey on the success attained by the party which he attributed greatly to the inspiring influence of the esteemed leader who had guided the party so patiently to its opportunity. The speaker referred to the high position, which Mr Massey would shortly be called upon to assume, and expressed the highest confidence in the leader's ability to go straight on, undeterred by any obstacles with which his path might be strewn. He was sure the member for Taumarunui would also be found supporting Mr Massey and assisting his utmost in the good work of carrying out the party platform. Mr Massey in reply said that he became leader of the Opposition seven years ago, and at the election of 190S the party received a severe, and what was then considered a crushing, defeat. Then be determined to make it his life's work to re-establish a strong Opposition party, which would work for the benefit of their fellow citizens, and for the good of the country as a whole. The serious question in the King Country, continued Mr Massey, was that of roads. Recently the rate of interest upon State loans to local bodies had been increased from £3 10s to £5 3s, and it was intended virtually to limit the loans to £SOOO for each body. Such an amount would be useless in a district like the King Country, but that increase and limitation had been imposed by the Government, whose heart bled for the back blocks settlers before an election. His opinion was that money should be advanced to local bodies in back blocks districts at the lowest possible rates, say 3 per cent. He did not deny that the State might make a loss on such loans, but it would recoup itself by the saving that would be effected by an economical expenditure of the public money that had in the past been extravagantly expended. Such a system would very quickly remove the reproach of the roadless settlements. (Applause). MEMBER FOR TAUMARUNUI. Mr D. J. Young, in proposing the toast of the member for Taumarunui, said the first thing that appealed to him in Mr Wilson was his grit and determination, and though practically unknown in the electorate when he decided to contest the seat, these qualities did much to carry him through to victory. In addition the clean and honourable manner in which he had conducted his campaign had earned for him the respect of friends and opponents alike. The speaker made special reference to the efforts of the party's supporters in Te Kuiti and eulogised the work of Mr S. Corrigan, the secretary to the committee. Mr Wilson, in responding, said he I was proud of Taumarunui that night,

HISTORIC GATHERING AT TE KUITI.

not because of the reception accorded to him, but because of the great welcome extended to Mr Massey, who had put up the most magnificent fight that had been witnessed in the Dominion. He had set out to fight a government with all its prestige and power, and its system of patronage; had put before the people a straight forward and definite platform with clean-cut issues and the people had responded loyally. Mr Wilson expressed pride in representing Taumarunui, not because it was the biggest electorate in New Zealand, but because it was peopled with settlers who constituted the backbone of the country. In his election his committee had been asked to play the game and had done so, both men and women. They were not dynamiters or people who shot from behind hedges. Referring to the class represented by the Reform party Mr Wilson said it was the duty of politicians to represent all classes. The Reform party stood for the workers. It was led by a worker, who had probably put in a day's toil before he left for Te Kuiti. Referring to the conditions of the district Mr Wilson said he had been advised to invite town members to come and see back blocks conditions He would not invite them: he would bring them and show them what grit and determination meant in the country. lie would get ladies to ride through the country with them and probably leave some of them in the mud where he would like to leave some of the Ministry who were responsible for the conditions. Roads were required to bring prosperity with leaps and bounds. It was our own fault that our exports were below our imports with so much unroaded and unproductive country lying idle. The land would have to be roaded and settled even if they had to deny Mr Fisher an asphalt footpath. The settlers were willing and anxious to help themselves and by assisting them the best interests of the Do minion were being studied. Mr Wilson said his only regret with respect to the banquet was that they could not have the ladies with them, ana paid a tribute to the ladies for the magnificent way they had risen to the occasion. The electors knew where he stood with respect to the party, —he was under the Reform flag and was not a wobbler. They were out to settle and road the country and bring prosperity to the Dominion. (Applause). The toast of the newly elected M's.P. was proposed by Mr Broadfoot, who referred to the new members as the fledglings of the Reform party. From fledglings in due course came the Premiers and men who guided the destinies of the country. He confidently hoped they had got such a man in their member. The speaker referred to the native land difficulty as a great factor which had held back the progress of the district for so many years. Mr Massey and Mr Wilson in mentioning that subject had got it in one, and it was a big nail to drive. Mr Broadfoot gave instances of the difficulties attached to getting native land and said he wished all the members of the party were taking up blocks of native land. They would then know ail about it and would have no hesitation in altering the existing state of things. He advocated frea dealing in native lands, under proper supervision. It might result in driving the native to work and that would be hb salvation. Work had been the salvation of the civilised races, and the Maori would never work till he had got rid of his land.

Mr J. A, Young, in reply said that as a fledgling he had not yet developed his wings. It had bsen said there wa3 a pyramid for every man and Mr Massey was now reaching his pyramid. Two ways existed for getting to the top; one was to crawl, the other to fly. Every honest man endeavoured to fly to the goal. (Applause). The speaker said he had not. been elected as a member of the Reform party but hi 3 political beliefs were so much in accord with the platform of the party that he was prepared to support it and join in the first duty of ousting the present Government. Mr Massey should be given the opportunity to show his cosntructive ability and form a Government. He exhorted the supporters of the party to be vigilant. The rotten system of party Government was responsible for the present situation, and nobody knew when another appeal to the country would have to be made. Mr Young said the King Country knew something of back door methods, and instanced the dealings in native lands in the district as reasons why a change should be made in existing methods. Mr Bollard said ho did not propose to speak at length, but would assist MrW ilson to the best of his ability. The Raglan district also had its backblocks. The present Government had evidently forgoten that ours was an agricultural and pastoral country and not industrial. Our exports chiefly came from the man on the land, and he was the person who required to be looked after. Mr Bradney said his only regret in being a fledgling was that he had not had the opportunity of standing behind Mr Massey in the battles he had put up in the past. He had often felt indignant at the manner in which the leader of the Reform party had been treated in the past, and deprecated such methods as savouring of cowardice. As a city member he could assure Mr Wilson of his hearty co-operation. In him Taumarunui had the right man in the right place. (Applause.) Mr Dickson, as a town member, added his voice to those of the previ-

ous speaker's, and advocated the settlement of the country. The prosperity of the cities depended upon the country and they should work to gether for their mutual benefit. He heartily congratulated the district upon having such a representative as Mr Wilson.

Mr Harris said the aim and purpose of the Reform party was to improve the legislation of the country, and its platform was the most liberal and democratic that had been placed before the electors. The members would stand together and assist in promoting the welfare of the country. He made eulogistic reference to the energy and ability of Mr Wilson and to Mr Massey as a leader. THE KING COUNTRY. Mr Newman, in proposing the toast of the King Country, made reference to the develupment of the district, which he claimed to be almost unique in the history of the Dominion. The most gratifying conclusion to which he had been "led by his inquiries was that the development was proceeding in the country districts rather than in the town itself, and he earnestly hoped that the new Government would bring into operation measures calculated to make country life more attractive than it was at present, so that people would settle upon the land and continue to earn their livelihood from it instead of Hockincr into the towns. Less than five years ago an elderly man and his daughter had transacted in one small building all the railway, postal, and telegraphic busine«s of Te Kuiti. Now there was a large modern post office engaging twelve men, and th<> railway station had a staff of fourteen. In the same period the exports of wool had grown from 200 bales to 2218 bales, and in the past year 13,887 cattle and 93,000 sheep had been trucked and untrucked at the railway yards. The single bank of four years ago had grown into three banking institutions, each of which were flourishing. In 1900 the primary school had 85 scholars; at present there were 320 on the school roll, while the population had increased in that period from 265 to 1600, The progress of the town was manifest from the figures showing the post office savings bank, postal, and telegraphic business. They were as follows: — Money orders issued, 1909, 1506; 1911, 4000; money orders paid, 396 —£32,300; withdrawals, £9BO0 — £7,560; telegrams forwarded, 3120 • —39,570; telegrams received, 2896 — 37,740; postal notes sold, £llO0 — £3490; stamps sold, £l2O0 —£5500; letters posted, 62,000 letters delivered, 69,000 ■ — 302,000. Mr Newman added that from his experience of twenty-five years of bush farming, he was confident that there was a enormous area of land round Te Kuiti which in a few years should be cleared and settled with people placed upon selections on a. satisfactory tenure. The object of any land policy for the Dominion should be to reproduce the yeomanry of England, a community of farmers that would be free, independent, brave and loyal to thencountry.

Mr Scholes, chairman of the Waitomo County Council, in responding, said he argeed with the previous speaker regarding the marvellous progress of the King Country. With respect to the native land* he had been struck with the speech delivered by Mr Fisher and his reference to the dust thrown in the eyes of the settlers by those in authority. Notwithstanding the dust; throwing, during the past four years no less than 138,000 acres in the county had passed from the native owners to Europeans and IfiH.OOO acres of land had been purchased from the natives by the Crown. This was in one county alone, and the rates <n that county alone had increased during that period from about £3OO per annum to £2500 per annum. His advice to the Reform party was to get to work quickly cr the question of native lands would be settled before they had an opportunity of dealing with it. These figures were not Parliamentary returns; they were correct.

Mr Julian gave some highly interesting reminiscences of the early conditions of the district in the very early flays, and narrated an experience in guiding the first party over the Ongarue railway route in 1883. He also referred to the capture of the late Mr Hursthouse by the Maoris when the Main Trunk route was being prospected, and to the turning of the first sod of the railway at the Puniu by Sir Robert Stout in 18S5.

Mr Boddic declared emphatically that although the progress of the King Country had been great, it would have been greater had the conditions of settlement been more favourable. One of the most serious problems awaiting solution was that of the tenure of in native townships. His experience of Sir James Carroll was that when dealing with native affairs he became a special pleader for the Maori. That w T as only natural, but while he admitted the claim of the natives far protection of their interests, he wondered when the European would receive some consideration. There were lands in the borough which live years ago were assessed by the Valuation Department at 30s per acre, though they had actually no selling value; now they would realise anything from £7O to £l5O per acre, and the native owners had contributed nothing towards that increase of their values. From at least a dozen places in the King Country the observer could survey vast areas of country suitable for settlement, the majority of it adapted for close settlement. But instead of green fields and smiling pastures, the prospect was one of rugged hillsand standing bush with little patches of green where the white man had gained a footing. The provision of proper facilities, access to capital for development, a satisfactory tenure, and the removal of the restrictions now upon these lands, would change the picture to a magnificent panorama of profitable cultiva- ' tion and prosperous homesteads, and the produce from the King Country alone would Be great enough to in-

crease the volume of exports from the Dominion, so that they would exceed the imports. Ample money had hern provided in Stnte grants, but the facilities for its expenditure had been hopelessly antiquated. We must be freed entirely from that abominable, indigestible commodity known as red tape. The King Country has been left stagnant while other parts of the Dominion have been advancing. We know that the land is right, and we have a fair claim to the remedies which we ask for our difficulties. This coud be regarded as a rod-letter day in the history of tho district. He was proud of To. Kuiti and trusted tho present reunion was only one of many to come. An effort should be made to get our public men to visit the district particularly those from tho South Island.

Mr Somerville, in proposing the toast of the visitors, extended a hearty welcome to ail. lie spoke optimistically regarding the future of the district, and referred to the progress that hud been made during the past eight years. Mr Buiek, in response, said he was surprised when ho heard Mr Wilson had beaten Mr Jennings, but felt surprised no longer. Mr Wilson was of the right party, bat he and Mr Massey had a nut to cruck m the matter o( land settlement and tenure. Ho deprecated the idea of landlordism and condemned tho system of leasing Maori lands. With respect, to labour laws they were faced with b problem which had to be handled carefully. They must have, industries in the cities and the task of re-establishing friendship between labour and capital must occupy the serious thoughts of all. Both knew what they wantrd and the work of cementing the bonds must be accomplished. Mr Gkey, in a strenuous speech advocated the abolition of road grants and the substitution of subsidies. By this means the people were given an opportunity to back their opinion and the Government could back the people. Mutual trust was thus established. He was always willing to trust the people, and was ready to do so if they went to the country next week. REFORM PARTY SUPPORTERS.

Mr Maasey proposed the toast, of the Reform party supporters, and eulogised the work of the party supporter." throughout tho whole Dominion. The party had been charged with the lack of insufficient able men to form a Cabinet. His difficulty would bequite of a different nature. There were sufficient able men to form four Cabinets, and the difficulty would be one 'oi choice. However, with the firm'belief in the loyalty and disinterestedness of the members he was perfectly sure of being able to form a Cabinet, which would command the confidence of the. whole Dominion.

Messrs Lorigan, Smith and MeKean responded. The toast of the ladies was proposed by Mr Northcroft and responded to by Mr Wilson.

Mr Graham proposed the Press which was responded to by Mr Matthew.

The majority of the member*, including Mr Massey, left To Kuiti by the 2 a.m. express, being escorted to the station by Mr Wilson and a number of the local commiteemen.

Great credit is due to the local committee and the secretary (Mr E. Martin) for the manner in which the function was organised and carried out.