REFORM PARTY RALLY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 79, 29 March 1912, Page 5

REFORM PARTY RALLY.

GREAT GATHERING AT STRATFORD. MR. MASSEY’S VISIT. TESTIMONIAL TO MR. HINE. . The Town Hall was crowded to the doots and on the stage last- evening, /iwhen the Stratford members of the Reform Party held a “rally” in honour of Mr. J. B. Hine, presenting i him with a purse of one hundred ■ sovereigns as a token of their appreciation of his sevices as member for the Stratford electorate. Besides the Leader of the Opposition there were Sresent/the following members of the ipposition Party Messrs. D. H. Guthrie (Orona), 0. K. Wilson (Taumarunui), H. J. Okey (Taranaki), E. Newman (Rangitikei), and G. V. Pearce (Patea). On the stage were members of the committee, their wives, and a number of prominent settlers from the outlying districts. Altogether, there must have been twelve hundred people in the hall, though its seating capacity is estimated at eight hundred. , , Mr. Massey and the, members witn Mm on arriving at the stage were i loudly applauded, Mr. G. Sangster, chairman of the Reform rally, occupying the chair. Messrs. E. jp.. Hemingway, T. C. Eookes, and George Bond supporting him. In opening the evening, Mr. Sangster said the meeting was called to do honour to Mr. Hine for the able services he had rendered his constituents. He had much pleasure on behalf of the Reform Commitee in welcoming them that evening.- They had eight speakers on the platform, all of them good for two hours, Mr. Taumarumn Wilson three hours-—(laughter)—so he would not detain them longer, but would ask Mr Wilson to address them. (Applause. )r lgon (Taumarumi i) said he was going to tell them that as the silent member he was not capable of talking for three hours. (Laughter). Ho felt rather inconveru--1 enced by having the ladies behind him; he liked to see them in front of him, because he was not “twofaced.” (Laughter.) In Mr. Hine they hftd one of the ablest men in the House; who went there to represet the true interests of the country. (Applause.) He was going say something against Mr. Hine. Every time he (the speaker) had spoken to a lady Mr. Hine had, pulled his coattails and said, “Steady, old fellow; this won’t do.” He was called a “mingy cockatoo.” They were gaining people back to give them access to the land. Mr. Massey had been cheated out of the position he should by rights have occupied, by men who had no sense of honour. However, they need not be anxious, Mr. Massey would come into his own in due time. Mi*.' Massey was one of the whitest mhh New Zealand had Breduced8 reduced in the political world. The ■overnment of the day were firing a , large gun on them—what came out of that gun? Merely the word “Conservative.” The Government were making legislation to-day and repealing it to-morrow. The; Government claimed that they were responsible for the prosperity of the Dominion, dm tliey make the industries? (Cries of “No.”) If he heard Mr. 'Massey in the near few years claiming to have- accomplished prosperity for the. people he would get it pretty hot from him(Laughter.) They wanted access to the oack clocks, nurses for the wives of the settlers; who were the backbone of the country, railways unci roads. How would they like to pay, as people did 'in his electorate, did, £l6 a ton for their potatoes ? Mr. Wilson concluded his address, which was accompanied throughout by roars of laughter, save in the pore seri- . ous portions, bjl reciting a piece entitled the “Mingy Cbckatoo. ‘ Mr. E. R. Ne,w,man (Rangitikef) said that when’ he knew the meeting was in honour of Mr. Hine he immediately put off all other engagements He had entered Parliament at the same time as Mr, Hine,'" and knew him well. There Was no man who had the interests of all people so thoroughly at heart or who desired more earnestly to serve them. There was pne point which he wished to deal With, iiir Joseph Ward had stated that the last election was won by the Reform Party owing to a crusade of insinuations against his personal character. He knew that this was not the case in the electorates round about his own district, and that the personal character of Sir Joseph Ward had not been referred to in any one of them. The people of New Zealand were not satisfied with the condition of affairs as disclosed , by the Hine charges, by the Southland affair, where votes had been r on the estimates for the benefit private individuals. The people were not satisfied with the Government refusal of the detail of loans and the payment of monies to men in the public -service. Nor were they »atisiied with such affairs as the construction of the Hutt railway disclosed. The people were not satisfied with the Executive taking power from Parliament. In fact, the country was sick of th present policy adopted by the Government. He sounded a note of warning with' respect to the new power that had arisen in the country. He referred to the party who desired to see the land single tax. He quoted figures to show that of the twenty-one millions and a half of revenue from our exports, two-thirds of all these came from two animals—the sheep and the cow. (Applause.) The prosperity of the country towns and the prosperity of the Dominion depended upon these two. They should beware of the man whose policy is to Eut a single tax on the land! He oped the time would scon come when they could have a government they could respect; that would bring down legislation for the good of the people, and administer, irrespective of personal benefit. Mr. G. Y. Pearce (Patea) said Mr. Hine was a most painstaking man, and a good and honest member. Some members would not be, called honest. He was a man who had the courage of his convictions, and Mr. Hine had to proved that by what lie had done in ■parliament. In fact, he had done more good in the time he had beep in Parliament than had been accomplished by members who had been there much longer. There was no doubt of this, and the Hine Charges had with their tangible results wenutterances of the fact. Other actions, • however, wore still taking place. Since those charges were made members had sold property to the Land for Settlements Board. He considered that the case of the parliamentarian should be similar to the case of the member of an Education Board, for example, who could not sell goods to that Board exceeding the value of £lO. He referred to what had happened when three estates in Taranaki had been bought and cut up, in each case he claimed a member of the Government had made pecuniary benefit. Mr, Hine had certainly done great benefit to the country iu bringing these charges forward.

Referring to the inability of members to get details of loans. Mr. Pearce said Sir Joseph Ward complained that they wanted information lie -Iliad not got. He showed that Sir Joseph Ward had in his possession for sixteen months a document which tliey had requested should be ,produ&fcll Sir Joseph Ward claimed that ne was leaving the financial position of the country in a flourishing position. He quoted figures to show that, this was not the case. There was "no doubt that they were very prosperous, but piling up the public debt,could only mean suffering for the working men. In 1909 tilings had occurred which had crippled the workingHlian. He was not against borrowing*l'hut stood for reduction. (Applause.) Mr, Sangster then called on Mr. E. F. Hemingway to address the gathering Mr. Hemingway said they all regretted for the moment that Mr. Massay was not occupying the position of Premier, but tliey knew that he rather be plain Mr. Massey than be Premier on the terms on which" it was being occupied at the present time. However, the day was not far distant when li£ wop Id come into ins own, and then tliey would see true 'democracy. (Applause.) With regard'Mo Mr. Hine, iiis acquaintance waslofor some 19 years, politically some seven years. Mr. Hemnigway then referred at length to the details of his connection with Mr. iiimH 1 and his flattering remarks were heartily endorsed by tfiose present in tneiif numerous acclamations. With regard to the Hine Charges, he said Mr./Hine had done something that will ‘have a lasting effect, lie Hoped, in the history of the Dominion. In referring. to Mr. Hine’s character, he paid a warm tribute to Mrs. Hine, , wiiorh he thought was an ideal states- ' mau'V wife. They all honoured her. , (Applause.) He tuen asked Mi Hine , to aeqept a purse of a hundred sovereign;;, “Given as a mark not only , of respect but of affection, and as a • tokfifl'that they recognised you played - the <inan. ’’ ;

A''long and loud outburst of cheers greeted Mr. Hine as lie rose to accept u the purse of sovereigns. When it nad subsided, he said that his cup of happiness was overflowing, and he found it hard to express his feelings that!evening to find words to return tiiaitiv;s,.for the compliments paid him. lie promised to give them his best, and/Afi hoped that he had done so. (Applause.) As to the future, he was m tnqir hands. He referred to tne despicable situation that was occuring in Wellington at the present time. Tueycoukl read between the lines, and tnat"there was a case of grab going on. yTTie first duty of a statesman was (,tu uplift instead of to degrade, and that was the idea which peraieaieci' tne Reform Party. They had heard that evening of tne efforts inadauto tax the land. The land had been,,,assailed by the present party tnat was in power at every opportunity. 'The Government were pledged by l-csolivtion to adopt the policy outlined in tha!Address-in-Reply. What a millston% td have round their necks- They had, however, to carry those proposals into effect, which was a different matter 1 . The Reform Party was not fix power yet, hut he lipped the day was -ifiot very far off. “L hope,” he* added,;' “it will not coxfie just yet.‘ 1 would like to see them stew in their owiPiM. That is if there is any left on them.?’ (Laughter.) Mr. Pearce hafi | v,ached-, lightly upbn the finance. T ne / .Government knew they were stranded in every direction. The Kessrvd'Eund, which was an emergency in case of financial cris.s, had been pledged,, by,.Sir - Joseph, Ward. If no financial crisis had occurred, what right had the Government to utilising tins money? Sir Joseph had pursued inis policy to hamper his successors. He .(nought Mr. Massey was going to succeed him. They , .have expended votes .‘tpat have been on the estimates fjr yfiars and years and years, just to. hamper the new Government. But the new was going to have to time the row that was meant for Mr. 1 Massey. (Laughter.) Mr. Hine xvfelTCd to the downfall of the last Ministry. They had all gone over-board,,,-never to see ofiice again. (Laughter.) They (die Opposition momners) had strenuous times, and tueyAvere strenuous times before therm They wanted men of energy, andieYery member of the Reform Party was energetic. He trusted that when the next election .came Taranaki Mould be whole-hearted for Reform, and whole-hearted to support a Ministry of high ideals labouring for the public good. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr. Hine thanked Mr. Hemingway for the remarks he had made as to the qualities of his wife. Mrs. Hine had always had a word of sympathy for ffim when he came home, and he could fissure them he went homi whenever he could. (Loud applause.) Mid D. H. Guthrie, in his opening re-marks, referred very happily to Mr Hine. ri He said that the member for Stratford had done that which was right, and tvas the man to stand up in tiifl House and to lay the charge that he had made his name a household word throughout the Dominion. Tne/lreward would comp to him, and he felt perfectly certain of that. He feltgohlso, that the gathering that was.-there that evening was in some mefimxre the outcome of the enthusi asm that was raised by the Leader of the Opposition. He referred to the deeds done by Mr. Massey, when he was Supported by only ten members. Ho hoped that the day would never come lhat the people of Stratford would sever their allegiance to Mr. Massey and the Reform Party. Referring to the new Government, he said that tliey had taken one of the men! who formerly belonged to their side of the House, and made him their leader. The result was a very extraordinary state of things. They had to depend upon such slender support that! they would do all kinds of thhigsi to retain their power. The Leader of. the Opposition saw that when he opposed the adjournment until he know who was to be entrusted with the affairs of the country. They fought, the question for some time, and were defeated. It was for those members who voted for the adjournment to shoulder the responsibility of want’this Government was going to do. These men were quite prepared to say that it did not matter who lias the Loins of Government and administer^ I 'affairs. Was that common sense or l/pason? He ventured to say they vvodlcl not have such a state of affairs existing in their dairy factories. However, nvhen Parliament meets, he considered that the thirty-eight solid and strong members could bold down the men who were in the despicable position "of clinging on to office. Tney wou}d rest assured that injurious legislation could have no chance of getting; through. (Applause.) Mr* H. J. Okey thanked the audiomte.'for their kind reception, and also paid another tribute to the qualities of MrfiiHine. In fact, ho took considerable: credit to himself for the way Mr.;, Hine had shaped. (Laughter.) MrLHine had been fortunate in having: fit t Irs right hand such a man as Mr, Hemingway. (Applause.) The country at the present time required tint,oddest of administrators, and in Mr,, Massey they had a man in whom

- they need not fear to place their affairs. (Applause.) In him they had a • straightforward man, and lie was i quite satisfied that they would have ■ continued progress with him at the 1 head. He wished to point out that there was a great improvement in what policy the Government had. He referred to the Government’s lack of any definite policy with regard to branch railways, and instanced the fact that though the settlors themselves had agreed to rate themselves to pay tire interest on the loan to construct the Stratford-Opunake branch line, they refused to give them the railway. And the settlors were piling up the rates to keep the roads, over' which their produce had to be carried, in fair order. That was the policy of the Government. The branch lines would have to wait until the main lines wore constructed, and now they were progressing with a line down South, which, when it was constructed, would not pay the cost of the grease for the wheels. (Laughter.) With regard to the cost of construction, he said it had increased enormously, but tliey had not been able to got tfie information, but now they were strong enough to force it out of the Government. (Applause.) They were thirty-eight, and ho was the smallest of'the lot, but he was going to do his share. (Applause.) It took several minutes for the roitnds of cheers and the applause which greeted Mr. Massey on his rising to subside. Mr. Massey said he was not a stranger to Taranaki, and it always gave him great pleasure to address'a Taranaki audience. That daylie had addressed no less than s-x ■ audiences of Taranaki people, and at ( everyone of them he had the heartiest of welcomes, and a most enthusiastic reception. (Hear, hoar.) _ “It ' gives me great pleasure,” continued Mr. Massey, “to he here to do bon- ! our to my personal friend and politi- 1 cal colleague, Mr. Hine. (Applause.) He'is a strong, high-principled man, 1 and a man of great integrity. He is a 1 man of the type that we cannot have * too many of in the Parliament of New Zealand.” Mr. Massey then went on to sny that the electors wore beginning to realise what arduous work a member of Parliament had to under- 1 take. There was the enormous ( amount of correspondence, the com- | mittce work of which the outside person know so little, the long and tedious n : ghts when Parliament was debating on intricate and perplexing ] matters. He could tell them that the position of a member of Parliament was not a bed of roses—(laughter)—if j ho wished to do his constituents credit. and this was what Mr. Hine certainly did. The whole of the members ‘ of their party representing Taranaki to-day did likewise. (Applause.) Still, added the speaker, when a man once became a member of Parliament he ( wished to stick to bis office. He wants ' to stop there, and he will sacrifice every interest to remain in public life. It was a good thing, for the country that such was the case. !

“When your public men get into office,” said Mr. Massey, “you may think it his first duty to get grants. Now, I do not undervalue the policy of grants. 1 Every distinct:is entitled to a grant in proportion to its wants, but there has * been political! influence in the past, and to-day a member has to g,T crtD in hand and beg for political oranth. I sincerely hope 'that we shall be 'able to bring about a better policy in regard to these than has existed (for many years past., ’fo ‘ (Apt plausc.) Referring agaih to Mr. Hine, Mr. Massey said he hoped that he honoured and respected him, and the whole of Parliament"did so, also. Ho trusted that Mr. Hine would have the opportunity of representing Stratford for many years to come, and to serve ■ with Benefit to himself, with benefit to | constituents, and with benefit to the; country ap a. whole: (Applause.) Mr.j Massey, continuing, said he would like to sfiv.fi few words with regard to the present political situation. They all remembered that at the last general election they emerged from the polls with a complement of forty-one members pledged to oust the Government. Parliament was convened, and they bad lust come back from a short session/ They found when the division was taken that two members had gone- back on, the pledges they had made, and instead of voting against tlie Government they voted for the Government. That left a division of thirty-nine upon each side. It was a tig—and the question was decided on the casting vote of the Speaker. He had no objection to that; it was the night thing to do from a constitutional point of view. “Now,” continued the Leader of the Opposition—“and it may seem strange to you—l do not find much fault with the persons who were induced to break the pledges expressed or implied by them, because the men who broke their pledges were receiving their punishment from their conscience or at the hands of their Constituents —they were receiving now sufficient punishment—but it was the people who were mean enough to induce these men to break their pledges, and who would probably escape’ punishment. They hoped to benefit by the wrong-doing of others. It was a* bitter moment for mo when J 1 found tiiat the men whom I assist-j cd to place in Parliament intended Jo break their pledges. But that is past, I believe, now, and I say it truthfully, that it is the very best thing tnat could have happened.” (Applause.) These men went back on their pledges that Sir Joseph Ward would retire from office. He asked those who heard him to regard what had happened, and to fully realise the fact that the Government of this country was now being run, and they were being dictated to by a half-dozen members. Should such tilings be tolerated? (“No.”) It was the duty of the public men of the country to brag such a state of affairs to an end. He allied them to contemplate a body o t men controlling the administration of the country, handling vast sums of loan money, and filling important offices, when they had not the authority of Parliament. “I say,” he exclaimed, “it is a wrong position to vke up.” (Applause.) During the short session, Mr. Massey continued, tnere were one or two other •extraordinary tilings which had happened. He considered that the speech which was lately put into the mouth of the Governor was the most extraordinary speech that had ever been submitted by any Governor throughout the world, in spite of the fact that they had every opportunity of putting their policy before the electors of Now Zealand'at the last election ,they failed to do so, and they brought down tide recent speech—it had been called a “Death Rattle” by some. In every line there was a bribe, a bribe in every sentence, hoping to get something for nothing. Everything that could possibly be asked for was there. Who was to'nay for it all? This policy was endorsed by the caucus. He would like to see the new Government try and bring its proposals into operation! “f do not think for one moment.” ho added, “they will attempt to do it at all. Just let me say this: There is scarcely a word in the speech of the more important reforms which the country requires.” Dealing w'tli the Legislative Council, Mr. Massey said they wanted an Upper Chamber based on truly demo-

cratic principles. With regard to local government, they intended to do away with the Education Boards composed of experts, and place control in the hands of the County Councils. He had a great respect for these lastnamed gentlemen, as lie had been a! County Councillor himself at one time, out it was a wrong tiling to do I to take the control away from the j Boards and invest it in another body. Tnere were other points he could re-J for to, but lie considered that this! uas sufficient to show to what length tney were prepared to go in order to hang, to cling to office. The Reform Party was very much in evidence that nigut, and very properly so. ' in Parliament they were represented by t.nriy-eight men, good and true, staunch men and men of high prin-

ciples. They nad been told to-night tnat the term “lory ' and “ConservaUve” had been hurled at them dozens of times. These terras had no place Here. There were no Conservatives in

New Zealand, but the nearest approacn to them were the half-a-dozen men on the other side of the House., t daughter.) Among tnese were rncmuers of the last Ministry, and probably of tne coming Ministry. They called themselves Liberals, but they were tiie most miscellaneous collection of politicians it was possible to have. Tnere were among tnem leaseholders and freeholders, free-traders and protectionists, prohibition advocates and supporters of the trade, yet each and everyone called himself a Liberal. (Laugnter.) A great majority df them were very far out when they called themselves Liberals. They knew just about as inuen about what a true Liberal should be, as a native of New Guinea knew about motor-cars. (Laugutcr.) He believed that the Executive was not there to control Parliament, but to give effect to the will of Parliament, and he considered that it was a very fortunate tiling for this country that there should be a solid body of thirty-eight men in Parliament to watch meir interests. They did not claim to uo perfect; indeed,, they were far from perfect, and had made many mistakes, but in spite of uieir imperfection lie would say this: Jnat they were not out after tfie.r own interests as a party, but were out for the country and tne country’s good. (Applause.) He referred to the uliegatiofi made bj some that they were out in the interests of the large land-owner, and that they were associated with the large land-owner. Instead, they had done their level best lor ail classes. He did not think it was an offence to be an owner of a

large area of land, if it was one, then it was an offence of which very many of them would be glad to bo guilty. They were, however, opposed to . the laud monopoly, to monopolies in every conceivable shape or form. There were other monopolies growing up which were just as detrimental to the interests of the people of this Dominion. Let them properly understand that they were out against monopolies in every conceivable shape or form. Mr. Massey then briefly outlined the policy of the Reform Party as it pertained to the land. On the land question they stoqd every, jtinae for what they were doing and had d6ne in' Taranaki —closer settlement, and secured tenure.' Tney wanted to see the Qrown lauds opened up ? tne native lahds that were not actually nheded .by /tiM motives .opened ilp for settlement: Bfefire’they broke up large estate#thdy should discriminate between th'e"man who made good use of his land, and •me man who tliUlffot) They| wanted to see a number of improvements properly established. He could not think of a better one than the‘deferred payment system. (Loud applause.) He believed' in it, and judging from the opinion expressed by Lite vAeeflifg-the firmly believed in it also-. With tne enormous population in the towns compared to that in the country, they had got to do fill they could to eneoufage closer settlement. He had put their land policy in fis coifcise a foTfn as it was possible to put it. Another misapprehension he would like to reinove Ais the outcome of a statement that had been made that the Opposition members in their election speeches had imsrepresefited the Liberal Party. Here,, again, a man who spoke last would have to repeat statements made by other members. However, he had had a lot to do with the last election, more he could safely say, than any man in the Dominion. He had been able to go outside his own constituency, which he was justly proud to represent, and had delivered no less and addressed no loss than seventyone meetings, in different parts of New Zealand. He challenged anyone to show that there was misrepresentation in any one of the addresses he had delivered. He did not believe in it, besides, it was not necessary. A voice: What about your apology? Mr. Massey did not catch the purport of the interjector’s words, but a member at tiie rear, with a keener sense of hearing, repeated them for his benefit. Mr. Massey asked his interrupter to repeat that statement about the apology, but no repetition was forthcoming. Mr. Massey: “He is afraid to repeat it, because he knows I shall deal with him in a way he will remember.” (Applause.) He (the interjector) had said something about an apology : well, he would tell him that when an honourable man made a mistake ,tlie proper thing for that honourable man to do was to stand up and admit it. He had made two mistakes in a Parliamentary life of eighteen years, and he had stood up and admitted both of tiicm.

Getting back to his subject, Mr. Massey said it was quite impossible for a member to deal with the whola of the neglects of the Government. There were so very many of them. (Laughter.) First of all the Government were charged with the reckless expenditure of public money. They were charged with grossly and unnecessarily increasing the cost of Government, with increasing the cost of living. In this last connection it was the working man who suffered. They were charged with making payments to Judges and to members of Parliament, They were charged with giving away *a battleship without first consulting the people’s representatives That was the point. With regard to land sharks they had allowed for speculation to pass into the hands-of (.peculators large blocks of land. (A voice; “Mokau.”) There were other points which he could ('numerate. The Government were endeavouring to set class against class. Their first thought was for their party, and the interests of the country were a secondary con-

sideration. The Opposition claimed to bo patriotic and democratic. EveryDraper, al, wherever it came from,] which would benefit the country would have their hearty support. (Applause.) But he wished to tell them that tliey abhorred the “dap-trap” that was dispensed to them by some of the Government papers. “They thought,” concluded Mr. Massey', “they had us beaten. They thought thev'had us down ami out. ifnt thev don't know tne Reform Party outside the House, and they don’t know the ID form Party inside the House, Thev don’t know the Leader of the Reform Party if they think he is going to lie beaten so easily. I would sooner be in opposition honourably, than go on to the I roa.-mn li.inri'oa liv dishonourable means. The-.*

might Avell take for themselves the i motto “Ake, Ake, etc.” Mr. Massey told Jiis audience the well-known story of how that sentence had lived to tiie present day. How it had keen hurled in defiant note by a Maori chieftain to the British troops who demanded the surrender of himself and his tribe. “No, we will not surrender. We will fight on for ever, for over, foi ever.” (Applause.) The Opposition Tarty fought for the right, and they fought on for ever. Lastly, Mr. Massey referred to the fact of an Oppo sition member in Taranaki losing hi; seat. He accepted the assurance of ids friend on the left, that this was only a temporary set-hack, and thing; would come out ail right at the next election. Ho thanked the audienct for the kind and attentive hearing tijey had accorded him, and expresset tn'e great pleasure he felt in being among them that evening. On taking his seat. Mr. Massey was then again honoured by hearty and spoataneon s applause. Mr. 0. Sangster then proposed tin following motion, which was secoii led by Mr. T. C. .Fookes and carried unanimously: “That this meeting of el-

ectors of Stratford desires to convey to Mr. Massey its deep appreciation of the aide and statesmanlike manner in which ho has for years past championed the people’s cause in the threelion- of sound government, based on L illy democratic principles, and also heartily congratulates Mr. Massey ant. Lie members of flic Reform Partj i: yon the splendid fight put up by their, at the last election, and great success achieved by them in their efforts t< icura for this Dominion clean government and honest administration of affairs.” VISITORS ENTERTAINED. After the meeting the visitors uun entertained at supper by the committhe in charge of the “rally,” a tasty refection being purveyed by Mis. Brown. The .following toasts we e duly honoured:—“The King,” “The Reform Party,” proposed by Mr. T. C. Fookes, resnonded to by Mr Massey, and other M.P.’s; ‘‘Our Mu.-lcr” Mr. E. Marfell—Mr. J. Ji. Hire, M.P.; “Mr. E. F. Hemingway,” Mr. G. Pond and the past a d present ug misers of the Stratford Return League,” Dr. Paget—Messrs. Hemingway. and Bond; “The Visitors,” Mr. E. Cameron —Mr. Hughes rrcuth); “The Chairman, Mr, Sangsier,” coupled with the name of Mrs. Sangster, Mr. Hemingway—Mr. Sangsier; “The Press,” Mr. D. II Gutiirio, M.P.—members of, press present.