THE BANQUET TO MR MASSEY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 292, 13 July 1917, Page 1

THE BANQUET TO MR MASSEY

The following toasts were proposed and responded to at the banquet given in Pukekohe in honour of the Prime Minister last Monday evening in addition to those reported in our last issue, viz :

Mr R. F. Bollard, M.P., submitted " Local Authorities " and said they all knew the difficulties with which local bodies had had to contend on account of the scarcity of money.

Cr Claude Motion (Franklin), in responding, said that Franklin was very old as regards politics but as a County had only been in existence for live years. They had been obliged to adopt a " go slow " policy chiefly on account of lack of money, but despite criticism they as a Council were doing their best. The Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) also replied to the toast and expressed the view that after the war local authorities would, in order to pursue a more vigorous policy, need much money and he anticipated that a great many important duties would devolve upon them. Cr Muir (Manukau County) endorsed what had been said by the last speaker. Mr J. A. Young. M.P., in proposing the toast of " the Farming Community " said that whatever their problems they all sprang in the first instance from the land and it behoved them all to see that the farmer, who worked from early morn to late at night, should get a fair share of return. He expressed himself as not altogether satisfied with what had been done, especially in regard to the butter levy imposed on the dairy farmer. He hoped that more shipping space would be found for tho large amount of boxes of butter which were in store in Auckland, and he pointed out that the Government had a great responsibility on their shoulders by the holding of so much dairy produce as they had now in stoie. Mr Young contended that tho burden of taxation should not have been placed on the dairy farmer but on those who were more able to bear it, namely the wealthy class.

Mr Dynes Fulton, speaking on behalf of the farming community, referred to the great share which they were taking in the war and to the serious problems which had to be faced. In doing so he paid a tribute to the help rendered by the women in connection with the farms.

Capt. Colbeck (Vice-President, Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union) also spoke and dwelt on the necessity of making suitable provision on the land for returned soldiers. Ho expressed himself in favour of a true reciprocity and not a reduced tariff.

The toast of " Stipendiary Magistrates " was proposed by Mr A. Hauna and Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., responding in a humourous vein, referred to the good feeling which existed between himself and the people who somehow regarded him rather in the nature of a friend than as an official of the law.

Mr 1). R. Flavell proposed " the Chairman," and Cr Flanagan, replying, said the day had been a red letter day iu the history of Franklin and of the electorate.

During the evening some excellent songs were sung by the Lyric Quartot from Auckland.