ROUND THE DISTRICT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 79, 29 March 1912, Page 3

ROUND THE DISTRICT.

MR. MASSEY IX THE STRATFORI ELECTORATE. SPEECHES ROUND ABOUT. Continuing his speech at Inglewood yesterday Mr Massey said; — “Yon have an object lesson of what can be accomplished in the way of f closer settlement. Ever since I, and the members of our party, have boon in Parliament, we have done our level best to promote-closer settlement and to give tlie settler security of tenure. (Applause.) We have considered the question from the point of view of practical men; we know that the prosperity of this Dominion depends upon our industries. The prosperity of the man in the city depends upon the prosperity of the man in the country. That is a point we do not forget. It is an unfortunate fact that the population in the towns is out of all proportion to the people in the country districts. That is a matter which will have to ho mot and closer settlement will have to he encouraged in the future a great deal more than it has been in the past.” It had boon said that the Reform Party was out for the largo laud-owners, but ho had not boon able to come across them. Mosi farmers were like himself—small farmers. Those were the people whoso interests they had at heart. They were not out for one class only, but for all classes. He again thanked them for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast, and expressed pleasure at seeing so many old friends. He was sorry not to sec Mr Henry Brown there, whom he could assure them was still remembered in Parliament. (Applause.) The chairman explained that Mr Brown was out of the district and quite unable to get there that day.

Mr -Guthrie then made a few remarks. It afforded him very groat pleasure indeed to he one of the party to accept the invitation of the Inca! Reform rally committee, and visit this important and flourishing district. He referred in glowing terms to Mr Massey’s qualities. He was a leadoi of whom they were justly proud. Mr H. Okey remarked amidst con siderable laughter that he was more accustomed to work than talk. Mr Massey had referred to the prosperity of Taranaki, and he thought that prosperity was in a great measure due to the land policy that was in vogue in the early days. “When a man could take up land on the deferred payment system. (Applause.) To that measure we have to thank our prosperity at the present time.” Nearly every farmer had settled on his land under the deferred payment system, and nearly everyone now owned his land. (Applause.) They could not Say that for the later settlers. He referred to the days when the farmers and their wives had to go out and gather fungus so as to keep up their small payments. The sons of these men were before them that day. They were the men who had made Now Zealand what it was to-day. (Applause.) He thanked his hearers for the opportunity lie had been given to deliver, these few remarks and took Ins scat amidst renewed applause. The next speaker was Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., who said that judging from Mr Okey’s speech he was quite prepared to do a little talking, while ho (Mr Hiue) would do the work. He took this opportunity of thanking the people of Inglewood for the splendid reception they had given him that morning. “I confess,” he added, “that I have always had a weak spot in my heart for Inglewood, since it was Inglewood that finst put mo into politics. In fact, * was called the member for Inglewood for some time.” He was proud To bo associated with Air Massey and proud to bo a member of the Reform Party. From his intimate knowledge of Air Massey and the leaders of the Party, lie was quite sure that nowhere in Now Zealand could they And men more able or more qualified to be entrusted with the destiny of this fair country. (Applause.) He was quite prepared to prophecy, indeed lie would do so, that in the next six mouths they would have the guardianship of the interest:-; of New Zealand. (Applause.) When that time did come they might he quite assured that the recent policy of the Reform Party would bo well and faithfully carried out. Air C. K. AVilsou, Taumarunui’s representative, spoke in an exceedingly happy vein. He said ho was glad to be there among the people of Inglewood because ho was never happy unless he was with the farmers. (Applause.) “And,” lie added “the ladies.” (Laughter). Air Massey had said that the. kicks that had been given them had left no effect. Ho differed with Air Massey on tin's point, and asked, amid much laughter, that they should look at him to prove his point. “I say,” he continued, “that it is impossible for us to stand the business much longer unless wo retaliate.” (Laughter.) Air Wilson said that in the House he was known as the “silent member,” and proceeded to justify this cognomen by delivering, much to the amusement of those present, a humorous recitation dealing with the “cockatoo.” AT TOKO. After lunch the party left for Toko, arriving there about 1.30. A good deal of time was devoted to introducing. Just as the horse-jumping event? took place Air W. H. Wore, \n a few brief remarks, introduced Air Massey to the people, on behalf of the settlors and the people of Toko. Air Alassey thanked Air Were far bis remarks, and said he was pleased to be present at the gathering, and said that bo was not as black ns lie was painted. Tie said it was his first visit to 'I oko, but being on Kast Road before, he paid special tribute to Air

Hino, member for Stratford. (Applause.) New Zealand was si prosperous country. He said ho was an athlete himself (applause, and said ho was nominated for a 100yds race and won. He stated thsvt such a person as Mr Were and himself and the intelligence of the community would soon bring the people around to the right way of thinking. He thanked the people for their patient attention and hearing. After cheers for Mr Massey, , Mr Were, and Mr Hine had been given, the party left. Mr Massey stated that he was not going to dwell on politics that afternoon—the evening would be.devoted to politics. VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION AT NO AIRE. The Ngaire Gardens wore crowded yesterday on the occasion of the welcome given to Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, by the members of the Ngairo branch of the Reform League. In addition to a large number of local residents there was a train load of Waitara people attending the Freezing Works picnic. At the gates Mr Massey, with him Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., Mr H. J. H. Okc„, M.P., Mr G. V. Pearce, M.P., Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., and Mr D. H. Guthrie, M.P., were met by the members of the Ngairo Reform League, their chairman, Mr N. E. Fryday, calling on their behalf for three hearty cheers for Mr Massey, which were duly given, Mr Massey suitably responding. Every inch of the gardens was crowded, and it was some time before the party could wend their way to the open space at the side of the house, where the ladies had prepared an attractive afternoon tea. Full justice was done to this by the visitors. Mr N. B. Fryday then made a brief address, extending a hearty welcome to Mr Massey and the members accompanying him, after which the sec- 1 rotary of the League, Mr Thomas, 1 read the following address: — “To Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of 1 the .Opposition,— ' “Dear Mr Massey: On behalf of the electors of ’Ngairo district wc desire 1 to express to you our warm apprecia- 1 tion of the valuable services you have < rendered to this district in recent I years in your efforts to obtain for the poodle clean and honest Government 1 based on truly sound and democratic' principles. We regret exceedingly : that the reprehensible conduct of two ( of the people’s representatives in Parliameut has deprived you for the time 1 being from occupying that position f in this Dominion' that liy every con- c stitutional right, is yours to-day. We f however feel certain that the wishes' 1 of the people as expressed at the E ballot box in December last will short- 1 ly ho given effect to and that your strenuous efforts on behalf of this 1 country will ho rewarded by the ad- I ministration of affairs being placed in your hands. Assuring you of bur hear- s ty and loyal support at all times, wo f are, your faithfully, the Residents of I Ngaire.’’ . * Mr 'Massey, who was greeted with applause, said he thought he had said that it was the unexpected that often happened in politics—he had'no idea he would meet such an important gathering and he presented with such j a complimentary address of welcome, t He wished to thank them heartily on s behalf of himself and his colleagues, r He was not altogether a stranger in Taranaki, nor a stranger even in this i district, because some years ago as \ Leader of the Opposition he opened j the ball in Stratford. Since then changes had taken place. They had had good times and had times—clouds \ and sunshine—but politically the motto of the party was to press on, over onward. (Applause.) What was the result to-day as compared with even four years ago? Then they had eleven members in the House, but they kept the flag flying with the result that just the other day they were beaten on the casting vote of the Speaker, because two members had been induced to break the pledges made to ‘ the electors of this country. “They ‘ thought,” continued Mr Massey,“they 1 had got us down, but they did not know the Reform Party outside the House, and they didn’t know the Be- 1 form Party inside the House. They don’t know the leader of that party, if they think he is going to take a 1 licking lying down. They had to steal a man from the Opposition ranks and make him their loader, ho- * cause they had not a man of their * own fit for the position.” (Loud Applause.) But they were going to keep ( on, and fight as they had done in the past, because the time would come when right, truth, and honesty would prevail. (Applause.) 'Mr Massey then ' went on to refer to the two great in- c dustrics that were represented at the gardens that afternoon—tho dairying and the freezing. He needed no reminder of the presence of the former, but if reminder was needed bad it in the .remarks of one gentleman who asked that speech-making be cut short in order to give him time to got away j to his milking. (Laughter.) In conelusion ho again thanked his audience ( for their attendance and the good wishes they had expressed to himself , and his colleagues. Mr H. J. H. Okcy then made a few remarks, and expressed his gratification at tho progress made in the district. They had been to four places, ( and in each one they had seen picnicing j He knew tho time when Sunday was 1 tho only day they had the opportunity ' of donning their best clothes. Now J they wore them all tho time. (A voice: , “Not quite.”) At all events, ho was i glad they had sufficient means as would keep them in such clothes. (An- j pi an se.) v ; Mr C. K. Wilson was received very warmly. He remarked that they need : not worry about hurrying home, be- 1 1 cause he would help them milk their ,

- cows. (A voice: What about the pea- - nuts?) To which interjection Mr Wili sou replied: “Well, your wire in on 1 them, old chap, because I don’t like thorn.” He was not going to talk politics, because he had the reputation of being tho “silent member.” And ho was going to continue being the silent member. (Applause.) Mr Wilson ended up' by remarking that they were going to have an easy time, one of the easiest of their lives, and were going to have a solid majority in tho House to govern the country. (Applause.) Mr G. V. Pearce, Patea, made a strong speech, .in which lie warmly commended the freehold policy as the policy which he believed would make the country. The reason why the Reform Party was so well supported was because it advocated that policy.Another speaker was Mr D. H. Guthrie, who considered that the deferred payment system was one of the best systems.\they had ever had. but it was a belated action on the part of tho present Government to bring it down in the last Land Bill, when year after year it had been advocated by the Reform Party with no’ avail. It had been demanded by the people, and they had been forced to accede to their demands. Last, but not least, as the chairman remarked, Mr J. B. Hine addressed the gathering. Mr Hine said he felt very proud of his constituents in Ngaire. He thought some credit for their enthusiasm might redound to him., colleagues had seen their, devotion to the party, and they had ‘only to stand in the Government interests to see how strong they would be against thefn. The farmers were not the only people the Opposition party had to consider, but in considering the interests of the farmer as they well knew they were considering the interests of the man in the city. They would strike to do their best in every class. In conclusion he warmly thanked Mr Fryday, the promoter of the gathering. Mr Fryday apologised for the absence of Mr Dive and Mr Ralfe, both of whom were unable to attend. The following motion was then carried unanimously:—“That this meeting of settlers in the Ngaire district does tender Mr Massey our deep and grateful thanks for the' untiring -efforts put forward by him for years past in the face of overwhelming difficulties in the direction of having the affairs of this country administered on sound and business-like lines, and, therefore, that this meeting expresses its entire confidence in Mr Massey I for their leader and trusts that the 1 day is not far distant when he will ’ occupy that position which, according to the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box in December last, should he his to-day.” Cheers were then given for the ladies who had worked so hard in preparing such a fine repast. Afterwards Mr Massey, with him several of the members, were conducted 'over the Ngairo factory by Mr Fryday, the party then motoring back to town.