REFORM POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1360, 10 February 1912, Page 6

REFORM POLITICS.

KING COUNTRY GATHERING,

MR, MASSEY HITS OUT. "GOVERNMENT CLUTCHING AT STRAWS." The success of the licform party in winning the Tauniarunui seat from a prominent supporter <if the Ward Government was celebrated in Te Kiiiri on Wednesday by a large gathering of members and supporters, among whom the must prominent figures were the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. \V. I- , , .\tassey) and the newmember for the district (.Mr. C. K. Wilson). The visitors were entertained in the afternoon at a garden party and in the evening at a banquet which was attended by more than 200 supporters of the Reform party. Mr. M.assoy acknowledged the welcome extended and congratulated Mr. Wilson on his election, at the same time congratulating the electors of tho district for their wisdom in selecting as their member a pioneer settler who, from practical experience, had gained an intimate knowledge of (he requirements of the district. Mr. Wilson, would bo associated with the party that had during many years pa.4 fought in the interests of tho pioneer settler, and would continue to light in (hat cause. He anticipated with interest the occasions on which Mr. Wilsnn would cross swords with some of thosa members of tho other political party who claimed complete understanding of tho land settlement question, though their knowledge and experienca was gained from the window of a railway carriage and often from what thev could seo in the night. (Laughter anil loud applause.) Why Reform Won. The gathering, continued Mr. Jlassey, might also congratulate itself on the result of the elections. Tho supporters of the Government had not yet "realised that their party was in a minority, but like drowning men they were clutching at straws that might explain tho victory of the Reform part)-. (Applause.) Tho'real explanation of the altered conditions of tho parties was that tho Reform party had always played the game. It hail never descended to unfair tactics, nor set class against class, and should another election become necessarv—he siucerely hoped it would not—the party would play the game again, and he believed with even greater success than it had already achieved. (Applause.) Mr. V. jr. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) said that during his drive through the neighbouring lands he had been immensely impressed with tho potentialities of tho district, and he was convinced that there would be no obstacle to its progress when a new Government brought into operation me?tsures that would remedy tho neglect under which tho district had suffered for so long. The Women's Voice. A gratifying feature of the election campaign, said Mr. E. Newman, tho member for Rangitikei, was the interest in. political matters manifested by the women of the Dominion, who, after all, were equally concerned in the reforms which were advocated by Mr. Massoy and his- supporters. The progress of settlement was to a large extent dependent on the heroism of women whose courage and perseverance hid enabled many a settler to_ face the hardships of the pioneer. Within a few miles of Te Kuiti there were women who had not left their homes in the last ten years, because tho roads wero not fit for them to travel upon. Such women as thoso were demanding justice, aaid he was confident that they would not bo neglected when the new Government attacked the problems beforo it and inaugurated a settlement of the land on practical lines. Speeches wero also made by tho other members of Parliament who wero present. They agreed in their expressions of appreciation of the needs of the King Country for relief from the difficulties by which settlement was being delayed, and promised their hearty support to the member for the district in his efforts lo assist tho district to a greater prosperity. Reform Party's Purpose. Responding, at tho banquet in tho evening, to the toast of "The Keform Party," Mr. Massey said that the partj had gone through many struggles and many defeats, but had never been discouraged, and now could justly claim success. Plain, patriotic, comnion-seuso men filled the ranks of the Eeforin party, and their sole purposo was the benefit of the whole community of tho Dominion. Whatever might be the,events of the next few years, ho was confident that the party would continue to enjoy the sympathy and the support of tho great majority of the people of tho Dominion, (Applause.) In acknowledging the toast of liis own health, which was proposed by Mr. James Wall, Mr. Massey said that ho became Leader of the Opposition seven years ago, nnd at the election of I'JOS the party received a severe, and what was theirconsidered a, crushing, defeat. Then he determined to make it his life's work to re-establish a strong Opposition party, which would work for the benefit of their fellow-citizens, and for tho good of the country as a whole. Loans for Roads. The serious question in the King Country, continued Mr. Massoy, was that of roads. Eecontly tho rate of interest upon State loans to local bodies had been increased from £3 10s. to JJS 35., and it was intended virtually to limit the loans to .t'sooo for each body. Such an amount would bo useless in a district like the King Country, but that increase and limitation had been imposed by the Government, whose heart bled for the backblocks settlers before an election. His opinion was that money should bo advanced to local bodies in back-blocks districts at the lowest possible rate, say three per cent. He did not deny that tho bfcate might make a loss on such loans, but it would recoup itself by the saving that would be effected by an wonomical expenditure of the public money that, had in the past been extravagantly expended. Such a system would very quickly remove the reproach of tho roadless settlements. (Applause.) Mr. Fisher remarked that, although ho did not contemplate another election within three years, the Keform party was not ouly game to fight another one, but would welcome it. ito was confident that the party, in such circumstance;, would attain success by a decisive margyi. Its majority at present was hardly a workable one, but there would be no compromise with any other party. (Applause.) Taumarunui's Possibilities. Mr. Wilson said that he had been accused of saying that there was no good land in the King Country. He declared that no other district in the Dominion had greater possibilities than Taumarunui, but in it some of the finos.t. inei\ and women of the eountrv Were ■. adversity. The conditions were no crodii lo the country, urn', tacy wuiuii i.a, c l() be altered, lie had been accused ci slandering his opponent, but thera wa'i absolutely no justification fnr the charge. He had played the game fairly, and "he asked his friends of both political parties to join their efforts with his for the advancement of the district. Leasing Native Lands. Discussing tho Native land question, Mr. J. A. Young (Waiknto) said that lie knew of dozens ol instances in which men who, for some reason they could never ascertain, had been unable to obtain conlir.nation of their leases, though they had complied with all the requirements o l ' the law. That was a monstrous and scandalous condition, which no reasonable community should endure. A chair-e of Government would be justified, if its only result was justice for the honest mon who had no inllucnce, and that condition did not obtain at present. A lengthy toast list was Ivrrouroil. nnpnrlunity being given to all the niembero of Parliament, and tu a n;i .;>• ~, K . pi-r-scnlative msidints, to address {]]~ gathering.