MR. MASSEY BANQUETTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 155, 18 November 1912, Page 5

MR. MASSEY BANQUETTED.

THE LAND BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A banquet was tendered to the Prime Minister on Saturday night at Pukekohe by the local branch of the Political Reform League. The Ministers present were the Hon. R. H. Rhodes and Dr. Pomare, and the following members of Parliament were also present: Messrs. Harris, Young, Statham, Bradney, Mander, R. L. Bollard and Dickson. Mr. Massey received an ovation when he rose to reply to the toast of his health. It was a pleasant feeling, he said, to be amongst his friends and Constituents after a strenuous session. When he said it was a strenuous session he did not refer to its length or to the amount of legislation that had been passed, but they had to remember that the Reform Party had come into power after the session commenced, and had had only three weeks' respite to prepare its financial and policy statements, and then had to learn the ins and outs of the offices. The loyalty of the Franklin electorate had been a very great factor in placing the party in the position it now found itself, and he thanked the electors for the way they had adhered to him. Mr. Massey then gave a short review of the session's work, referring to the fact that both houses had affirmed the reform of the Upper House into an elective body. The most important measure before the last Parliament was the Land Bill. Under the new proposals 2,000,000- acres of Crown lands would be 'affected, and 83,000 settlers would become, as it were, emancipated it they chose to take the opportunity to acquire the freehold of their sections. He believed that when the Land Bill was put on the Statute Book it would be good for every man, whether he lived in the city or on the land. The dearest wish of his colleagues and himself was that they would be able to improve the country and do something for the people. Speeches were also given by the Hons. 11. If. Rhodes and I)r. Pomare, and the members of Parliament present. The proceedings were of a most enthusiastic nature throughout.