Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 112, 27 September 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From our resident reporter. THE INFORM PARTY. ; MEIiTIXfi IX STRATFORD. As mentioned yesterday, ilie very inelement weather'interfered with the at- . tendance :it the Reform l'artv's meeting on Tuesday evening. Jt had lil.de or no effect. however, upon the Impiacitv of "!•' spiak.r,. Mr. '!'. C. Fookcs 'presided, and when lie "got into his siride" lie delivered an interestim,' and cheerintr polilieal address. The Reform Party, he said, was fairly we!! organised in Stratford district already, all'hongh there was no established branch of (he League. They had some very live •'i;el',.rnier.s" here, who had secnreil the return of Mr. J. B. lline, M.F., one of the most prominent, members of the party, and one who would represent this electorate for many, years to come. .Air. Uine had already had a distinguished political career, and | no man in the length and breadth of the , Dominion was more respected than their member. .The success that had attended ! the efforts of the "Reformers" here had kclped todeaven the mass, of Xew Zealand, due. in a large measure to their worthy friend-, and henchman, Mr. E. F. Hemingway, lie and the speaker had been closely associated, and were generally looked upon as leaders of the party here, whose, supposed evils and wrongdoings were laid at his and Mr. Hemingway's doors. Well, they were -well * mated, and lie was proud of the associa- j lion. Though Mr. Hemingway had now I left Stratford, he still took a" very keen and active interest in the party. The party in Xew Zealand had a great deal to thank Mr. Hemingway for ; as his. work had laid the foundation of the Reform League. (Applause.) The pres- : ent organisation was an excellent testimony to the worth of their friend. He •

was pleased to think that from their small beginning in, Stratford had sprung the Dominion organisation, with branches everywhere, even having the temerity to invade the West Coast, which \*,i not sent a Reform members to the House for a decade. All these things augured well for (lie success of the party at next election. The idea of the League was that the branches ■would be linked up with one another, all working under

j a central executive. After referring to • the fact that the Eefovm Party was now in power. Mr. Fookes went on to express his unbounded gratification at the work of Mr. Massey and his colleagues. The woeful predictions that Mr. Massey would never he a leader, that he lacked initiative, and so on —predictions made by opponents, and. he regretted to say. by lukewarm supporters—had been amply disproved. In him they had a strong man. an honest man. and a thorough patriot, one of the must advanced Liberals that New Zealand had ever seen. (Hear, hear.) His colleagues, too, were men of foremost ability, integrity and patriotism. (Hear, hear.) The members of the present Cabinet were working, not for their own gain, or for self-aggrandise-ment, but -for the sake of their country. He paid a tribute to the patriotic spirit which had prompted Mr. IT. D. Bell to offer his services as leader of the Legislative Council. He had all that man could, desire—position, wealth, power and tie admiration of everybody—but he had with true unselfishness, altruism and patriotism, come forward as the first nominee of the present party in over 20 years to endeavor to modify the socialism and radicalism of the Upper House. Mr. Fookes went on to tender a welcome to the organiser. Mr. C. Lindegreen. and to assure him of their hearty co-opera-tion in his work. i

Mr. Lindegreen was the next speaker. He acknowledged the chairman's welcome to this the centre of the loyal Reformers it! Taranaki. He congratulated them on behalf of the Prime Minister (President of the Reform League) on the manner in which the supporters of the party had atuck to it in this electorate. The lead given in Taranaki. and particularly in Stratford, had ■helped the Party immensely elsewhere. They were to be congratulated upon electing Mr. Hine as their member, a man who was thought highly of by both sides of the House, and who had been made chairman of one of the most important of the committees, the 'Public Accounts Committee. Already he had brought to light many little matters that a man with less tact, discretion, ability, and knowledge would have overlooked, and which had not been brought to light in the days of the previous administration. Mr. Lindegreen' then suggested adjourning the present meeting for a couple of weeks, and appointing a secretary pro tern to ensure a large attendance, so (hat, the branch would have a good ''push off." Turning once more to general politics and the general scheme of organisation, the organiser said that 128,000 votes were cast for the party's candidates at last election, and there was no reason why the whole of the 125.000 voters should not be. members of the League, standing for pure and clean administration, and for the interests of the country and the people in it. The North Island should unite and give an object lesson to the South Island, for in the North the people were, determined to have clean administration and members of Parliament able to stand up for the right, to do the things that should lie done, and not work for the benefit of the few. as had been done in the past. There were already 107 blanches in the North Island, all formed since .lauiinry last. Referring to Mr. Hemingway. Mr. Lindegreen said t'at had that gentleman's scheme of or-

, r .lisation been adopted five years ago C.e party w<,-|'l have been returned to office in illll■!. •, \;iplau>e.) He suggested forming a brau.-h in the Stratford electorate, with a central committee in Stratford, and sub-branches at the principal polling places. A lighting fund for the Dominion must be established. They went to the country at last election with a fund of only CiiSO. a ridiculous sum for a party which was supposed to have the wealth of New Zealand at its back. The members of the party should be prepared to pay a small premium to ensure Parliamentary representation by the men in whom they had faith. They would be up against a very solid proposition in Labor next election, although they were not antagonistic to Labor, being determined to give every section of the community "a square deal." The party would need funds for campaigning, for thev were not going to use the public funds for gallivanting about the country. The United Labor Party—or "New Evangel Party"—was endeavoring to obtain, and would obtain. C.">u a week for the purpose of lighting the present administration. If Labor once got in tho thin edge of the wedge, they would have to put up with a party more radical than ever known here—an intolerant party. These men might say now that their views were moderate, but, it would be just as easy for the leopard to change his spots as it would be for a party led bv Professor Mills and George Fowlds to keep on fair lines and not develop into absolute socialism. Further developing the scheme of organisation, Mr. Linde"l'ccn said it was proposed to group certain electorates—such as the west part of Taumaruuni, Taranaki, Stratford, Egmont and Patea—with a grouped executive, to ensure harmonious endeavor. The meeting was of opinion that there

was only one man for the post of «ccretary, and Mr. George B.uid wa? accordingly elected. The meeting then adjourned for a fortsight. DAFFODIL SHOW. -Messrs. P. Thomson (president). S. Cato (secretary). Reader, Arden and other hard-working committeemen and horticultural enthusiasts defied' the weather this week, and the Stratford'llorticultural Society's daffodil show duly eventuated yesterday. Not a large show, it was an exceedingly good one, despite the very bad spring. Many nov'cllie- were placed on exhibition onlv, including yellow violets by Mrs. F. (i. Arden. Hickory plants by Mr. P. Thompson, and petunias by Mr. F. W. Sandford (New Plymouth). Mr. Pha=. Goodson. ot llawera. was the judge. The prize list was ni follows: DAFFODILS. Popular varieties of narcissi (bunch llowered excluded), SJT.S. Challenge Trophy).—Mrs. Arden 1. Mr. Cato 2, Mrs. Penn 3. Mrs. Header v.h.c.

Six Vases Daffodils.—Mr. Cato 1. Mrs. Header 2. Mrs. Ashton .1. Four Vases Daffodils.—Mr. Cato I, Mrs. Reira 2. Long Trumpet, one bloom.—Mr. Cato 1, Mrs. Reader 2. Long Trumpet, other than yellow self. —Mr. F. Davis 1. Mr. Cato 2. Short Trumpet.—Mrs. Reader 1. Large Cupped.—Mr. Cato 1, Mrs. Petrie 2. Small Cupped.—Mrs. Reader 1 and 3. Mr. F. Davis 2. Bunch Flowered.—Mr. F. Davis 1. loutte Daffodil.—Mr. F. Davis 1, Mrs. Petrie 2. NOVICE CLASS. Narcissus. Trumpet.—Mr. Svd. Reader 1, Cecil Corkill 2. Narcissi, Trumpet (3 blooms).—Mr. Syd. Reader 1, Cecil Corkill 2. Narcissus Cup. one. bloom. Mr. C. Hamilton 1. Mr. Syd. Reader 2. Narcissi Cup, three blooms.—Mr. Svd. Reader 1, Cecil Corkill 2. Narcissus, Double.—Mr. Syd. Reader 1, Cecil Corkill 2. Narcissi, double, three blooms. Mr. Syd. Reader 1. Cecil Corkill 2. ' Narcissi, collection. Mrs. Wilkie 1, Mr. Svd. Reader 2, Cecil Corkill 3. CUT FLOWERS.

i . Anemones, single, three—Mr. F. Arden 2. . Anemones, double, three—Mr. F. Ar- > den 2. I Camelia, collection.—Mrs. Corkill 1. Camelia, single, one.—Mrs. Corkill 1. Camelia, double, one.—Mrs. Corkill 1 and 2. Camelia. collection. —Mrs. Corkill I. Collection of Cut Blooms. Mr. F. Arden 1, Mrs. Corkill 2. Daphne.—Mrs. Corkill 2. Heath!— Mr. F. Arden 2. Hyacinth, single.—Mr. F. Arden 1, Mrs. T. Reader 2. 'Hyacinth, double.—Mrs. Reira 1, Mrs. T. Reader 2. Primrose, collection. —Mrs. F. Arden 1, Mrs. Turkman 2. Rhododendron, one.—Mrs. Corkill 1, Mr. F. Arden 2. Snowflakes.—Mrs. Corkill 1, Mrs. Wilkie 3. Pansies.'collection.—Mr. F. Arden I, Mr. P. Thomson 2.

Polyanthus, collection.—Mrs. Curtis 1, Mr. F. Arden 2. Friesia.—Mr. Syd. Reader 1. Flowering Shrubs.—Mr. F. Arden 1, Mrs Corkill 2,. DECORATIVE. Bridal Bouquet.—Mrs. Reader 1, Mrs. Arden 2. Bouquet Xative Flowers. Mrs. Arden 1. Bouquet of Daffodils.—Mrs. Arden 1. Buttonhole. —Miss Barbara Reira 1, Mrs. Arden 2. Decorative Mantelpiece.—Mrs. Dingle 1. Decorative Table. Mrs. Reader 1, Miss Barbara. Reira 2. Table Basket,—Miss Barbara Reira 1. Lady's Spray.—Mrs. Arden 1, Miss Barbara Reira 2. Vase or Bowl of Flowers.—Mrs. Curtis 1, Mrs. Arden 2. POT PLANTS. Cvclamen. Mrs. Reader 1, Mrs. Cur- ■■ tis '2.

Cineraria.—Mm. Header 1, Miss S. McMillan 2 and 3. Cactus.—Mrs. Corkill 1. Anv Plant (not specified).—Mrs. Corkill 1. Mrs. Reader 2. PERSONAL Referring to the success of the Reform Party at the recent Egmont election, Mr. "T. C. Fookes said, at Tuesday night's political meeting, that Mr. Wilkinson would be found to Tic one of the ablest of the young members of Parliament. Mr. Wilkinson was not only a Xew Zealander, but a Taranaki boy, born and bred in Taranaki, and he doubted whether, if they searched the length and breadth of the Dominion, chey would find a more capable man, or one more highly thought of in the community in which he lived. He had had his "downs" as well as his ''ups.'' and his ultimate achievement in securing a majority at the recent poll was a reward for the strenuous uphill fight which lie had made. He was a strong commei'fial man, and a man of modern business ideas. Mr. B. C. O'Dowda, of Danncvirkc, and formerly of Xew Plymouth, is staying in Stratford with her sister. Mrs. F. M. Marlow. Mr. '•Barney" O'Dowda has an important appointment with an oil-bor-iig company in the Danncvirkc district.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS The secretary acknowledged the following additional donation to the prize fund of the Stratford A. & P. Associa tion:—Mr. .1. Spedding, £2 2s; Messrs. James Speight, J. 11. Thompson, £1 Is each: R. Moni-iou (Toko), IDs (3d; and the Stratford Pigeon and Poultry Society, a gold medal. At Tuesday's meeting Mr. S. Clark raised a discussion on the advisability or otherwise of publicity in reference to meetings of the Reform League. Messrs. W. A. Hewitt and T. C. Fookes strongly urged members to "come right out." and not try to hide their political feelings. Then they would be respected by friends and opponents alike. Mr. Lindegreen said there was only one fate awaiting the political rail-sitter: political damnation. He instanced "Tommy" Wilford, Arthur Myers, Atmore and others, who were settled politically. A political railsitter was of no good to his country, said the organiser. The elimination of the courtesy title of "Mr." is Mr. Lindcgreen's, not ours. 'T believe in advertising. You must advertise. If you can get it for nothing, get it; of vou can't, then pay for it; but get it/' Mr. Lindegreen, Reform organiser at Tuesday night's meeting. Advertising docs pay, undoubtedly, and advertising in the Daily !Ne\vs is particularly profitable, owing to its great circulation in town and country. "Eight men out of ten of the Reform Party support the party because they are loyal to Mr. Massey; not because they intelligently understand the policy of the party; because they don't. We have to educate them." —Extract from Mr. Lindegreen's speech on Tuesday night.

THE PICTURES Children, remind your parents of tomorrow's matinee. Parents, see that

your chiidr-:, take advantage of that wo-'ier;;]! educator. (.;,(> cinematograph. ?oli<;:!:-.l ci!.-'o:\is, c>< nines, and cliaracterisiics are vivdiy purirayed; industries are .illustrated; sojjki of the grandest scenery in the world is pictured on the screm. AH of this sounds very like school, lint ;:t school l.he lessons ;:re not interspersed with splendid comic pictures, and living pictures of the pacing in the Old World. The picture show is indeed a liberal education, as well as an entertainment, and the enterprise of Mine, liernard in giving children and others the Saturday afternoon performances is deserving of hearty recognition and support. Pictures to-night and to-mor-row night as usual.