REFORM PARTY RALLY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10595, 29 March 1912, Page 5

REFORM PARTY RALLY

PRESENTATION TO MR HINE.

(By Telegraph — Press Association.)

STRATFORD, Last Night

The Reform rally at Stratford was a most successful gathering, tlie ToAvn Hall being filled to overflowing. Mr Massey, and the members accompanying him-, were received with..prolonged applause. Messrs Wilson, Newman, Pearce, Guthrie and Okey all eulogised Mr Bone's work, and a presentation-* of a purse of 100 sovereigns was made from, his constituents!

The Leader of the Opposition, who was received with, cheers and applause, said that they were present to do honour to -Mr Hine. He then deal with the past short session, and he referred to the country as being run by hatf a dozen members of Parliament, who would be allowed' to run the important business of the country for the next three- months, without ■ cheek. T'ho Governor's Speech, he said, had been the most extraordinary ever placed before any Parliament in any country, and contained bribes in every line' and sentence. He did not think tliat any (attempt would be made to give Legislative effect to the proposal*. He .thought it wrong that any country i,-.l:ould submit to the caucus proposals. Tlio Reform Party were true Liberals, wlio bad never attempted tto put diass against class. The Ikform Party really desired to promote closer settlement, and encourage the man who made host use of his land. Ho denied that his_ party were guilty of misrepresentation at tilio late election, or that it wa<s beaten, but it would light on for over and ever, if need be.

The following resolution was unanimously carried:— "That this meeting desires to convey to -Mr Massey its deep appreciation ctf the statesima.nlike manner in which he has for years championed the people's cause, in the direction of sound Government on truly democratic principle's, and also heartily congratulates Mr Masisey and the members of the Tteform Party upon the f plondid fight put up by them at .the last election, and the great success achieved by them in •their efforts to secure for the 'Dominion clean government and the honoat ndministrataon of its affairs."