THE OPPOSITION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 241, 11 April 1912, Page 5

THE OPPOSITION

MR. MASSEY ON THE WARPATH. "NO SAINTS OR ANGELS." By Telegraph—Press Association. Methven, Last Night. Mr. G. A. C. Hardy, ex-member for Selwyn, was entertained at a complimentary banquet at Methven to-night, which was attended by about two hundred guests, many being ladies. Amongst those present were Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition), Messrs "W. Nosworthy, E. P. Lee, ami F. H. Smith (Opposition' members), and many representative men of the district. After the toast of "The Guest of the Evening" had been honored, Mr. Massey, responding oil behalf of the Reform Party, said that the day was an anniversary with him, as just eighteen years ago he was elected member for Waitemata. It was just prior to the general election of 1906, when the party was in a weak condition, that he felt that it was part of his life's work to re-establish the party. He had worked to the end of making the party one that would work for the good of the country, and be a true Liberal party, not a sham Liberal one—a democratic and progressive party. The position of the party now was that there were 38 good men and true in its ranks, who intended to do the best they could for the country to which they belonged and for the people they represented. They did not profess to be saints or angels, but he could say that the party's thought was not for themselves, but' for the people. He predicted that within the next few months there would not be an electorate without a strong branch of the Reform Party established in it. Other toasts were honroed, and afterwards a public meeting was held. The after meeting was held in the Methven town hall, which was crowded on the occasion of the presentation of an illuminated address to Mr. C. A. C. Hardy. Speeches were made by several members of the Reform Party. Mr. E. P. Lee, member for Oamaru, said that the fact that the Ward Ministry had resigned wae proof that it felt that it did not possess the confidence of the country, and the new Ministry similarly did not possess the country's confidence and ought to meet the House at the earliest possible moment. Mr. F. H. Smith, member for Waitaki. urged the necessity for free agricultural schools, and, referring to the taxation of land, he said that land taxation must be on a fair basis.

Mr. Hardy,, in accepting the illuminated address, stated that he had made up his mind not to contest the Selwvn seat again. Mr. W. Nosworthy. member for Ashburton, remarked that though the Reform Party was not in power it was in a better position than if it were ,in power and relying on the votes of pledgebreakers.

Mr. Maesey paid a high tribute to Mr. Hardy, and said that though his services were lost to the House there was another 'branch of the legislature unlikely to lose his services. (Continued applause.) He deailt at considerable length with the present political situation, holding-Mat the present Government did not possess the confidence of the country. It was, he said, speaking politically,, a "political, humbug." He defined the Reform Party's land policy as being in the direction of making available for settlement all the available Crown and native land. He was> x opposed to unfair taxation of the land, but was in- favor of any taxation necessary to ensure the closer settlement of large estates. He hoped that the history of the recent, short session would be written, and that publicity would be given to all the wire-pulling that took place. Mr. C. M. Thomson also spoke, criticising the present Government.