THE DRUM-BEATERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 248, 19 April 1912, Page 2

THE DRUM-BEATERS.

"FULL OF SOUND AND FURY." By Telegraph—Press Association. Wyndham, Thursday. A banquet to Mr. G. J. Anderson, M.P. for Mataura, was held in Wyndham Town Hall last night. There was remarkable enthusiasm shown. Members of the Eeform Party were present. The seating capacity of the hall was taxed to the utmost, and besides prominent residents of the electorate the following members of the Reform Party were present: Messrs. W. F. Massey (leader of the Opposition), D. Buick (Palmerston North), W. Buchanan (Wairarapa), W. ! Nosworthy (Ashburton), W. Fraser (Wakatipn), G. M. Thomson (Dunedin North), C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central), James Allen (Bruce), A. S. Malcolm (Clutha), E. P. Lee (Oamaru) and R. Scott (Otago Central). Apologies for absence were read from 18 members of the Reform Party. Mr. B. Sutherland, chairman of Wyndham Town Board, occupied the chair. The Leader of the Opposition was loudly cheered on his entry into the hall, and on his rising to speak was greeted with cheers that lasted for some minutes. Mr. Massey gave a very forcible address, in which he said that the prospects of the Reform Party were very bright. Where in some places during the last election the party had cot been able to And candidates the best type of men had offered themselves to fight for the party in the event of another election. Mr. Massey said that the Prime Minister, at the Government Party gathering at Stratford last week, had said that certain members of the Opposition had oast a elur upon the credit of the country by making certain statements concerning loans. He challenged Mr. Mackenzie to publish those statements and to state the names of the Reform Party members who had allegedly been so unpatriotic. Speeches were also delivered by other members of the Opposition Party, and each in turn had an excellent reception. BANQUET AT WAIPAWA. Waipawa, Thursday. Mr. George Hunter, M.P., was entertained at a banquet last night at Waipukurau. Speeches were delivered by Messrs. Newman, Fisher, Campbell, and Escott, M.P.'s.